NICHOLSON WEALTH MANAGEMENT GROUP - Key Persons


Bernard F. "Bernie" Puckhaber

Job Titles:
  • Associate
Bernie was a integral part of our group. He started with Merrill Lynch in 1965 and later worked with Wells Fargo Advisors, and its predecessor firms for nearly 50 years. We are honored that he chose to spend his last two decades as part of our group. Educated in Charleston City schools, Bernie was a graduate of the College of Charleston. He is a past member of the Board of Trustees and the College's Foundation Board. Bernie was a dedicated advisor and proud Charlestonian. We are privileged to call him our friend. He is missed every day by our team and his beloved Charleston community.

Betsy Serafin - VP

Job Titles:
  • Associate
  • Vice President
Betsy moved to Charleston from Greensboro, NC in 2011 to work with Wells Fargo Advisors, and has over 20 years of investment and financial experience. Betsy was formerly a Registered Securities Representative and holds a Series 7, and a Series 66 State Registration. Betsy began her financial career in 2000 with Morgan Stanley as a Financial Advisor and was trained in New York on Wall Street. In 2003 she joined a Wealth Management Team at UBS -PaineWebber until she relocated to Charleston in 2011. She is a graduate of High Point University with a degree in Education, and previously worked for American Express and Allstate Insurance. Betsy lives in West Ashley and enjoys antiquing and exploring the history of Charleston. She has a grown daughter and travels frequently to California to visit her.

John Wagner

Job Titles:
  • Associate
  • Financial Consultant
  • Partner
  • Portfolio Manager
John Wagner is a Portfolio Manager at Nicholson Wealth Management Group. Previously, he served as a Financial Consultant Partner at Charles Schwab for over 11 years, where he gained extensive experience in financial markets. A native of Toledo, Ohio, John earned his degree in Finance and Business Economics from Ohio University before relocating to Charleston in 2013. He has a deep interest in complex systems, including financial markets, health and fitness, and nature. Outside of work, John enjoys practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, golfing, and playing chess. He is also an avid fan of the Detroit Lions, professional golf, and mixed martial arts.

Joseph L. Nicholson

Job Titles:
  • Associate
  • Member of Kingdom Advisors Which Is a Non - Profit Organization for Christian Financial
Joe is an active member of Kingdom Advisors which is a non-profit organization for Christian Financial professionals. His faith is an instrumental part of his personal and professional life.

Lee Moore

Job Titles:
  • Associate
  • Client Associate
Lee Moore is a dedicated professional with a diverse background in education and business. Currently she serves as the Co-Director of The St. Philip's Preschool. In 2023, Lee expanded her horizons by joining Nicholson Wealth Management Group, where she specializes in providing concierge services to clients. Outside of her professional endeavors, Lee enjoys spending time with her family. She has been married to Richard for over three decades and has three wonderful children. In her free time, Lee enjoys going to the North Carolina mountains and boating.

Lonnie Elfenbein

Job Titles:
  • Associate

Lonny Elfenbein - Chief Compliance Officer

Job Titles:
  • Chief Compliance Officer
  • Chief Compliance Officer of Serenus Wealth Advisors
Lonny Elfenbein, Chief Compliance Officer of Serenus Wealth Advisors, has more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. He began his career as a financial advisor and then moved into various compliance, supervisory, and marketing roles with independent and bank-based Broker-Dealers and Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs). As an Arbitrator for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), Mr. Elfenbein utilizes his expertise on behalf of the wealth and investment management industry, also serving as a member of the FINRA Qualifications Content Committee, evaluating and creating new content for the Security Industry Essentials® (SIE®) Exam. Mr. Elfenbein holds the Certified Regulatory and Compliance Professional (CRCP®) and Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) designations. He received a Bachelor of Science in Management fom Tulane University and is also a graduate of the American College of Financial Services and the FINRA Institute at Wharton.