EQUITY CONCEPTS - Key Persons
Alan J. Dole joined Equity Concepts in 2004 and became a shareholder in 2006. He offers 25 years of corporate finance and management experience and over 10 years of experience in the financial services industry. He specializes in family financial and retirement planning. As of 2017, Alan has been named a Five Star Professional Wealth Manager¹ for five years running and is a Social Security expert and consultant.
Alan received a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and a Master of Business Administration degree in finance and marketing from the University of Rochester. He holds the following Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) licenses: Series 6, 7, 63, and 65 and is licensed in 14 states.
Alan enjoys spending time with his wife Rhonda and their two children. He is actively involved in Restoration Church and the Rotary Club of Mechanicsville, Virginia, and recently joined the West Richmond Businessman's Association. Alan is a member of the University of Rochester Alumni Association, an Eagle Scout and spends his free time traveling, golfing, hiking, reading and singing in his church choir.
Job Titles:
- Wealth Manager / Learn More
Alex joined Equity Concepts in 2020 and currently serves as an associate on the Hickman Team. He graduated from High Point University in 2017 with a bachelor's degree in business administration but quickly learned after college that he had a passion for finance. Alex worked in the commercial real estate and financial planning industry before Equity Concepts and broadened his knowledge on best practices to help clients grow toward financial freedom.
Alex was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, and attended Collegiate School right up the road from our office. He was a walk-on on the High Point University Division I men's golf team, during which he developed some of his closest friendships and his passion for golf. Alex is married to his wife, McKenna. He typically spends his free time relaxing with his family and friends outside of work.
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner / Founder of Seltzer Financial Strategies
- Wealth Manager
Amy B. Seltzer is the managing partner/founder of Seltzer Financial Strategies, LLC, located in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Seltzer Financial Strategies, LLC, founded in 2004, is an independent wealth management firm specializing in managing complex financial and risk management needs for individuals, families and institutions. Amy has been a change agent known for adding value throughout her professional career, using her tenacious problem-solving skills, precise analytical thinking and clear communications, and team leadership. All of these traits have served to build lasting relationships with her clients.
Before starting Seltzer Financial Strategies, LLC, Amy was co-founder of the wealth management firm Equity Concept North and served as chief financial officer of Modern Communications/Personal Communications, her family's communications business, which was expanded into five states and was one of the last privately-owned paging companies sold.
Amy has been hugely successful in an industry dominated by men, and in the process, has helped many women gain financial security and confidence. A consummate financial services professional, Amy holds the following Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) licenses: Series 6,7,63, and 65 and is licensed in 22 states.
Amy's professional affiliations include:
Being the first woman in 101 years to serve on the Lafayette Life Insurance Company's field advisory committee, of which she served as chairperson in 2010
Member, Cambridge Investment Research Premier Club
Founding member of WE-LEaD (Women Encouraging Leadership, Education and Development) Blair County Chamber of Commerce
Past member of Campaign Council Penn State Altoona
Past member of Enactus Penn State Altoona Advisory Board
Board of Trustees at Mount Aloysius College
One of the original advisory board members to the Home Nursing Agency's Healing Patch grief program
Past president of the Altoona Area School District Foundation
Amy has received numerous professional awards. They include:
Named as one of the Top 100 People in Central Pennsylvania in 2008, 2015, 2017 and 2019
Recognized as one of the Best 50 Women in Business in Pennsylvania
Young Emerging Business Award
Saint Francis University Women in Business Advocate of the Year
Blair County Chamber of Commerce Athena Award
Seltzer Financial Strategies was named as one of the top 100 businesses in Central Pennsylvania in 2015 and 2019
Named as one of the "Women Making a Difference" in Central Pennsylvania in 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2018
Named a "Women-Owned Business to Follow" in 2016 and 2017
In addition, Amy has supported many community and charitable organizations focused on helping children and families in need, the arts and local athletic teams.
Amy is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University. She resides in Altoona, Pennsylvania, and enjoys spending time with her children and six grandchildren.
Andrew Walker - Chief Investment Officer, Managing Director
Job Titles:
- Chief Investment Officer
- Managing Director
Andrew joined Equity Concepts in 2004 and currently serves as managing director and chief investment officer. Upon joining the firm, he spent the first two years working as a relationship manager, learning the basics of the financial services industry. In 2006, Andrew was promoted to director of advanced planning, where he focused on high-level insurance and benefit planning for business owners. In 2008 Andrew was promoted to director of investment solutions, where he assumed responsibility for investment research and due diligence for the entire firm. In 2012, the firm added the title of chief investment officer to recognize his increased role in guiding and shaping the overall investment philosophy of the organization. In 2015, Andrew was promoted to his current role as managing director, where he is responsible for the daily management of the firm and long-term strategic leadership.
Andrew graduated from Liberty University in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science degree in business with a concentration in management and international business. Andrew holds the following Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) licenses 7, 6, 63, 65 and is licensed in over 40 states.
Andrew resides in Richmond, Virginia, with his wife Liz, sons Josiah and Stephen, and twin girls, Naomi and Isabella. When he is not busy supporting his kids in their extracurricular activities, he can be found playing golf, watching sports and grilling with family and friends. Andrew currently serves as chairman of the board of directors of Restoration Village, a nonprofit organization focused on at-risk children in Niger, Africa. He attends Redemption Hill Church, where he serves as the chairman of the elder board.
Job Titles:
- Client Services Associate
Job Titles:
- Wealth Manager With Seltzer Financial Strategies
Becky Stevens is a Wealth Manager with Seltzer Financial Strategies, LLC located in Altoona, PA. Before becoming a financial advisor, Becky had a 28 year career as a third generation owner of her family business, The Stevens Company, Inc., where she served as President in her final 12 years. She successfully sold the business, as part of a planned exit strategy, in late 2016.
Because of her extensive experience with business ownership, Becky is keenly interested in helping businesses and business owners face their unique financial challenges. She is also very committed to helping women develop a strong sense of financial wellness, particularly women in major life transitions such as divorce or being widowed. Last but not least, as the stepmother of a young adult with Autism, Becky is focused on helping other families plan for their loved one's financial future.
Becky's community involvement includes:
The Arc of Blair County, current board member
Women Encouraging Leadership, Education and Development - Blair County Chamber of Commerce, founding member and former committee chair, current member
Blair Senior Services, former board president and former board member
United Way Blair County, former Campaign Co-Chair and former board member
Finance Council St. Mary's Church Hollidaysburg, former committee chair and former committee member
Co-founder of Blue Chip Babes, a women's investment club committed to education and empowerment, (past president, former member, founded 2006)
Hollidaysburg Women's Club
Becky was recently awarded the Athena Award by the Blair Count Chamber of Commerce
Becky lives in Hollidaysburg with her husband Marty Malone. They have 5 young adult children, and two bad dogs. She and Marty are passionate about cooking, entertaining, gardening and travel.
Job Titles:
- Director of Client Services & Administration
Job Titles:
- Senior Relationship Builder / Learn More
David B. Saunders has been in the financial industry for over two decades and currently serves as the firm's senior relationship builder. David focuses on strengthening connections with clients and managing new introductions to the firm. He brings together his experience as a financial planner and his natural ability to build relationships to take the firm to a higher level of client satisfaction.
David received his Bachelor of Science in business from Ferris State University in 1995 and joined Equity Concepts in 2000 after several years in customer relation roles within the financial services industry. He was drawn to Equity Concepts because of the opportunity he saw for building a team approach to enhance the client experience. His commitment to this approach has helped Equity Concepts grow into the collaborative environment it is today.
David, and his wife, Olivia, are passionate about serving the community and spending time with their two sons, Luke and Liam. Olivia is a math teacher at Deep Run High School in the exceptional education department. The whole family is very involved in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts and are super fans of the Star Wars movie series. David volunteers his time with the 501st Legion - a Star Wars global costume group that brings joy to charity groups and events. His other hobbies include golf, and he is a member of the LINK Golf Tournament committee. David's identical twin brother, William, is also a part of the Equity Concepts family.
Job Titles:
- Partner of Seltzer Financial Strategies
- Wealth Manager
David Neumann is a partner of Seltzer Financial Strategies, LLC, located in Altoona, Pennsylvania. David earned his Bachelor of Arts in business from the University of Pittsburgh. David currently holds the following Financial Regulatory Authority (FINRA) licenses: Series 7 and 66 and is licensed in six states.
David and his wife, Michelle, live in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, along with their two sons, Chase and Charlie. On the weekends, he and Michelle are busy with the boys playing sports, and David enjoys coaching youth sports teams in the area. David likes to golf and bike, and he and his wife enjoy traveling together.
Job Titles:
- Client Services Associate
Job Titles:
- Wealth Manager & Director of Financial Planning With
Haider Sharifi is a wealth manager & director of financial planning with Equity Concepts, a premier wealth management firm in central Virginia.
Haider began his professional life at Morgan Stanley in 2003. While he was there, he saw the overwhelming lack of financial literacy and the need and desire for objective, client-centered financial advice rather than product sales to the public. That drove him to begin his own financial planning practice that provided trustworthy advice and guidance clients wanted and needed through the Great Recession in 2008.
In 2013, he was recruited by Equity Concepts to build out the firm's advanced planning desk and financial planning platforms. He continues to serve clients by helping them to identify and achieve their long- and short-term financial goals.
Haider received his bachelor's degree from the University of Virginia and currently holds the following Financial Regulatory Authority (FINRA) licenses: Series 7 and 66. Haider is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner.
As someone who understands his personal "why," Haider has been actively engaged in the Richmond community. He is the current chair of the board for Needles Eye Ministries, was a former board member of the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce, former chair of the Richmond Business Council of the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce and past president of the UVA Club of Richmond.
Haider lives in Midlothian, Virginia, with his wife, Tiffini, and daughter, Anaya, several guitars and two cats, Simmy and Gracie. On the weekends, they enjoy time with friends and family, serving at their church, and enjoying cultural events in the community.
Job Titles:
- Partner of Seltzer Financial Strategies
- Wealth Manager
Jim Ellis is a partner of Seltzer Financial Strategies, LLC, located in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Born in Altoona, Pennsylvania, James Ellis is a native of Central Pennsylvania. After graduating from Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School in 1989, Jim attended the College of William & Mary in Virginia, where he achieved a dual major in both economics and Russian area studies, with junior year studies in what was then Leningrad. Jim graduated as part of William & Mary's 300th anniversary.
After years of managing the European distribution of ITEMS International/Airwalk, Jim Ellis transitioned into financial services in 1998. He opened the first office of Edward Jones on Allegheny Street in Hollidaysburg. Jim's transition to the Equity Concepts family of businesses occurred in May 2006 when he discovered a financial firm focused on an objective financial process versus the industry-wide standard of selling financial products. Jim specializes in managing the complex needs of approximately 300 families, trusts and institutions within Central Pennsylvania and across numerous states. Jim holds the following Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) licenses: Series 7, 63 and 65 and is licensed in 22 states. Jim is a partner at Seltzer Financial Strategies.
The son of a local contractor, Jim has extensive ties to the Central Pennsylvania community. He is involved with the chamber of commerce and attends the First Church of Christ on Good Shepherd Road in Altoona. Jim has three children, with his oldest attending Penn State as a freshman. In his free time, Jim enjoys the outdoors with his family, believing that Central Pennsylvania offers some of the most beautiful scenery around.
Job Titles:
- Wealth Manager & Director of Tax Strategy
Jinette Chiappetta joined Equity Concepts in 2014 as the firm's CPA in charge of tax strategy. With over 15 years of public accounting experience in personal and corporate taxation, Jinette uses her expertise to analyze investment strategies' impact on clients' tax situations. At Equity Concepts, Jinette has several tax-efficient investment vehicles that can be incorporated into the clients' overall financial plan to optimize their personal tax position and maximize efficiency.
Jinette holds the following Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) licenses: Series 6, 7, 63 and 65 and is licensed in eight states. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the State University of New York Polytechnic Institute. She is committed to fostering collaborative relationships with her clients' CPAs to stay tax-focused when building portfolios utilizing alternative investment concepts for accredited investors.
She remains connected to the accounting and tax industry leaders through her position on the Accounting and Financial Women's Alliance board, and she stays on the leading edge of tax policy through her dedication to continual learning. Jinette and her husband, Jason, live in Henrico, Virginia, and they have one daughter.
Job Titles:
- Member of Mechanicsville Christian Center
- Wealth Manager
Ken has over 21 years of experience and achievement in the financial industry and is passionate about enhancing clients' lives by improving their financial security and independence.
Joining Equity Concepts in 2005, Ken has used his talents to serve in many departments, from operations to technology and beyond. Ken knows that stewardship requires partnership and believes that the more the people of an organization give each other, the more successful the organization can be in serving its clients. Ken currently holds the following Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) licenses: Series 66, 7 and is licensed in 14 states.
Ken is a member of Mechanicsville Christian Center, where he serves the finance committee and is also active with their worship and fine arts ministry. At nights and on weekends, he enjoys time with his wife, Jessica, a music teacher. They live in Mechanicsville, Virginia, with their three children, Karissa, Kal and Landrum.
Job Titles:
- Founder
- Managing Partner
- Founder and International Executive Director of Effective Ministries, Inc
- Wealth Manager and Chief Purpose Officer
Michael is the founder and managing partner of Equity Concepts, LLC, serving clients in the Richmond area since 1991. Michael has over 30 years of experience as an entrepreneur and business owner and he remains at the forefront of the financial industry through his teaching of wealth management strategies focusing on tax and alternative investment concepts for high net worth investors. He is especially passionate about being a guide for his clients' stories to help them manage their wealth with clarity and intention. Michael currently holds the following Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) licenses: Series 6, 7, 63 and 65 and is licensed in 38 states.
Michael is also the founder and international executive director of Effective Ministries, Inc., a nonprofit organization that focuses on the needs of children and families in Richmond, Virginia and Niger, Africa. Since 2003, Effective Ministries has sent more than 100 teams consisting of over 1,100 travelers to Niger. Because of Michael's passion and life's work, Effective Ministries has given over $14 million directly to the children of Richmond and Niger to build schools and orphanages, dig wells for clean drinking water, offer medical service and much more. In 2017, Michael was awarded the Global Community Impact Award by the Invest in Others Charitable Foundation. Michael and his wife, Sharon, live in Montpelier, Virginia, along with their four children, Alise, Brennan, Sakina, and Zalika.
Michael loves quotes. His life quote is from Charles Spurgeon: "A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you and were helped by you will remember you. Carve your name on hearts, not on marble."
Job Titles:
- Wealth Manager / Learn More
Job Titles:
- Senior Strategic Associate
Job Titles:
- Chief Relationship Builder
- Chief Relationship Builder / Learn More