Mark is a knowledgeable and creative asset to the team, with a passion for innovative, client-focused approaches to financial planning.

He started as a planning professional in September 2014 and provides collaborative analytical support for financial plans, with specific focus on strategy development that is individually tailored to fit the unique financial position and goals of each client. He is licensed life and health insurance as well as property and casualty insurance, after years of dedicated customer service and leadership as the owner of a wireless franchise.

Mark studied business and communication at Worcester State University and spent his early career gaining diverse experience in the area of sales and retail management. Valuing the importance of building authentic relationships, the quality of the client experience has always been central to his mission, which helped him earn Ohio National’s Fast Start Award in December 2014. He made the transition to the financial arena, energized to teach others the same strategies and practices that have personally inspired him and changed what he knew to be true about wealth.

Mark lives in Worcester with his wife, Makenzie. Outside of the office, he enjoys adventuring the great outdoors. A mountaintop—rain, snow or shine—is one of his favorite places to be. When he’s not hiking or backpacking, he’s catching a good movie or a sports game, and always enjoying a good laugh with family and friends.

Because Zeke Bucci-Torres is passionate about people, he has made his career one of service.  He began by serving in the United States Air Force and then chose a career in the insurance industry in order to assist others navigate the overwhelmingly confusing yet incredibly beneficial world of insurance.   He is adept at listening and ascertaining needs in order to match his clients to the best insurance products for their goals which can range from providing lifetime income for their retirement to leaving a legacy for their loved ones.  Earning many awards, he has been a recognized leader in the industry for over 17 years in Albuquerque, NM where he joyfully resides with his four amazing children and his beautiful wife of 25 years.  Zeke is committed to his family and his values and continues to pursue goals outside of business, including his 2nd degree black belt in Karate.

Because Zeke Bucci-Torres is passionate about people, he has made his career one of service.  He began by serving in the United States Air Force and then chose a career in the insurance industry in order to assist others navigate the overwhelmingly confusing yet incredibly beneficial world of insurance.   He is adept at listening and ascertaining needs in order to match his clients to the best insurance products for their goals which can range from providing lifetime income for their retirement to leaving a legacy for their loved ones.  Earning many awards, he has been a recognized leader in the industry for over 17 years in Albuquerque, NM where he joyfully resides with his four amazing children and his beautiful wife of 25 years.  Zeke is committed to his family and his values and continues to pursue goals outside of business, including his 2nd degree black belt in Karate.

Because Zeke Bucci-Torres is passionate about people, he has made his career one of service.  He began by serving in the United States Air Force and then chose a career in the insurance industry in order to assist others navigate the overwhelmingly confusing yet incredibly beneficial world of insurance.   He is adept at listening and ascertaining needs in order to match his clients to the best insurance products for their goals which can range from providing lifetime income for their retirement to leaving a legacy for their loved ones.  Earning many awards, he has been a recognized leader in the industry for over 17 years in Albuquerque, NM where he joyfully resides with his four amazing children and his beautiful wife of 25 years.  Zeke is committed to his family and his values and continues to pursue goals outside of business, including his 2nd degree black belt in Karate.

Aaron M. Kennedy, a Certified Financial Fiduciary, Certified Funds Specialist and Certified Plan

Fiduciary Advisor, founded New Aspect Financial Services, LLC in 2015. As an Investment Advisor

Representative Aaron holds himself to the highest standard and acts as a fiduciary for his clients to

help them successfully navigate through all of their financial planning needs and goals.

Considered a “financial coach,” Aaron’s advice-based relationship approach to financial planning,

ensues trust and affirms his commitment to helping his clients achieve their objectives. Aaron

works closely with business owners in the areas of business and succession planning, employee

benefits, and risk management. For individuals and their families, Aaron’s expertise in retirement

planning and funding, educational goals and estate planning, protection and transfer is a

tremendous asset to his clients.

With over two decades of business experience, Aaron started his career in the financial services

industry in 1998 with the Mutual of New York Insurance Company. In 1999 he was named the

Top Producer in applications. In 2001, Aaron became an equity partner with Stark Miller

Financial Benefits Group where he helped build the organization to become one of the top

agencies at the Broker Dealer. In 2011, Aaron was named President and CEO of Stark Miller

Financial Benefits Group. In 2015, Aaron’s dedication to adding value and creating a superior

experience for his clients lead him to step away from Stark Miller Financial Benefits Group and

form, New Aspect Financial Services, LLC.

New Aspect Financial Services, LLC is a company dedicated to a suite of financial services and

experts. As Senior Partner, Aaron believes in a collaborative planning approach for his clients

and works closely with the partners and members of the firm. Additionally, Aaron works with

Woodbury Financial Services to act as his Independent Broker Dealer to bring added value to his

clients.

Aaron and his beautiful wife, Melanie, have two active sons, Nickolas and Pochie Kennedy.

Together, the family lives in the gorgeous state of Colorado where Aaron works closely with

clients near and far to provide first-rate service. Away from

business, Aaron enjoys golf, camping in the Rockies, time on the water and working with

community based programs in support of foster children and organ donation.

Why. Problem. Solution. Promise. After 18 years working with Bank of America, Wells Fargo and two small banking entities, Polly Outhay made the decision to begin her journey in private financial service sector as an independent agent, dba Ali_Polly & Associates brokerage by First Financial Security, Inc national brokerage agency, Norcross, GA. Polly is passionate about helping ALL people achieve financial security. Over the past 5 years, she has worked with over 1000 clients to help them choose a good sound investment portfolio and create financial security and peace of mind for each household and businesses. Polly also provides financial education within the community. As a CFEI financial strategist, Polly’s main goal is to help clients make well-informed decisions. Through a Needs Analysis Exercise, Polly develops financial strategies tailored to each client’s unique needs. • What are their goals? • Are they on track? • How are they protected? • What’s keeping them up at night? Polly takes her time listening to your concerns, share all information about potential investments, including benefits, risks, and tax issues, and treat her client’s financial goals with the same care and interest that she devotes to her own.

As a

C ertif ied Financial FiduciaryFiduciary, Polly pledge s to carry code of conduct s in the

following area in her practice



Practice the Duty of Loyalty: A CFF designee will first and foremost agree to

always put the client’s best interest first



Practice the Duty of Good Faith: f undamental obligation to treat all clients fairly



Practice the Duty of Good Care: fundamental obligation to exercise the skill of an

expert and to only advise in those areas where expert skill l evel has been obtained



Educate First: provide comprehensive and unbiased education to clients ensuring

they have a firm grasp of the subject matter prior to offering specific suggestions or

advice

Kelli owns the firm InsureSolve, PLLC a financial and educational services advisory practice solving retirement and income planning issues. Firm’s a subject matter expert in technical-vocation education consulting. InsureSolve PLLC employs competent, reliable in-house certified instructors teaching High School Financial Literacy coursework. InsureSolve, PLLC’s patented proprietary live and virtual platforms make it an academic staple supporting district educational initiatives with simple, flexible, easy to implement processes.

InsureSolve’s in-house, well vetted certified staff executes and project-manages instructor-led graduation credit unit coursework onsite within school system framework, virtually, or hybrid. The innovative turnkey platform’s regarded a right fit strategy within the educational leadership community.

Kelli is a Senior Associate in Dallas at PwC in Advisory Insurance Operational Transformations delivering excellence in the IFS consulting space analyzing risk and quality measures that govern the industry, quantitative research, advisory operating models, profitability, engagement life cycles, deploying strategic priorities, and go to market initiatives.

Kelli grew up in New Orleans, graduating from the University of New Orleans with a BA in Communications-Media gifted with specialties in Public speaking, Organizational leadership, Consulting, Operations, Change-management, Teaching/Influencing collaborative behaviors and positive outcomes, Galvanizing, Strategic Communication, Curriculum Innovation-Mapping-Engagement, Philanthropy.

Began in banking 29 years ago, acquired financial services/insurance industry licenses in 1999 and has been inspired to live her vision adapting and adjusting to various industry changes in landscape over the years. Led private and corporate enterprises with staffs of many sizes and demographics. Over the last 4 years, charting a course having reconstructed traditional financial services business models and transforming what work-life ecosystems look like has been both rewarding and challenging. Growth in uncertain times happens when we stretch and Kelli’s often humbled by her own strength demonstrating astute competencies, elasticity and capacity at go time. Is timelessly thankful for profitability & impact.

When asked by a reporter did she always see herself in this business, Kelli replied “Yes, was easier than being a ballerina”. “As a child in girl-scouting, ballet class, and candy striping – I knew service, leadership, and business would be likely so “a cause work lifestyle that offers the privileges of flexibility, life quality, earning a great living, substantially impacting lives long term - it’s made the most sense.”

Kelli enjoys introspective moments, innovating, developing, building systems, great conversation, + anything music, cars, golf, yoga, eating, and family centric activities at the park or beach.

Kelli is now proudly a Certified Financial Fiduciary©, CFF, Investment Advisory Representative IAR, focused next to attain CPA designation, consistently ahead of industry trends and pivots in regulation, research and relevance. Kelli was recognized by peers WIFS Women in Financial Services in 2020 and NAIFA peers in 2019 with the Special Member Performance Award where she serves on the Board of Directors with NAIFA-Dallas as Director, Government Relations, and YMCA Chairman’s Circle Board of Managers fundraising annually to achieve targeted goals for the underserved.

Mark began his financial planning career with a stint in the commission-based broker/dealer industry, where he saw too many hard-working families falling prey to hidden costs and promotional product sales in lieu of the sound advice they deserved. After exploring the evidence on how to build and preserve wealth, he established Vertical Wealth Management as a Registered Investment Advisor firm, guided by a higher, fiduciary standard of care appropriate to his client's interests.
As the Founder of Vertical Wealth Management, Mark is dedicated to building client relationships marked by communication, commitment, and a keen ability to clarify complex decisions.
Mark’s career has spanned more than 20 years. Throughout that time, Mark has worked with many of the region’s largest families.  Mark focuses on assisting families with their asset management & estate planning.
Mark works closely with clients to develop customized financial strategies that incorporate asset allocation, financial management, retirement planning, and succession planning. Mark utilizes his team of CFP’s, CPAs, and estate planning attorneys to give clients a truly comprehensive, individual, and holistic financial plan.
From guiding baby boomers through to retirement, Mark has committed himself personally and professionally to helping others achieve their dreams.
During the formative years of his career, Mark was a  manager/owner for several Virginia-based enterprises. In college, he also was an academic tutor for financial mathematics and statistics and currently volunteers as a retirement & finance instructor through the College of William & Mary, Osher Institute. His solution-oriented acumen and educational coaching experiences contribute to Vertical Wealth’s emphasis on high-touch client care.
Mark has a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in finance and economics.

Steven Smailes is President of Monarch Wealth & Retirement Strategies.  Over 25 years of professional sales and business management experience have helped Steve become extremely well rounded in the four domains of Financial Advice mastery – competency, empathy, management and service to help our clients.  Steve understands how to listen, create, plan and execute on our clients’ vision for their desired future.

Before Steve joined Monarch Wealth he had been a trusted advisor, executive and entrepreneur in a variety of industries, including technology, insurance, investment and lending.  Each of those roles has helped Steve develop a deep holistic view of finances. That deep view, along with the skills learned in those roles helps Steve ask clients the right questions as they look forward to successfully managing the integration of their personal and financial goals.

Steve currently holds a BFA™, Behavioral Finance Advisor certification as well as a Certified Financial Fiduciary®, as well as his Securities licenses Series 7, 66, and life and long term care insurance licenses in multiple states. 

His informal education includes being mentored by one of the co-founders of FedEx, several highly successful technology and retail entrepreneurs and one of the nation’s most successful financial services entrepreneurs.  Through these lessons, Steve has learned that financial advice is unique to you and based on your values and beliefs, and can be organized and multiplied for the betterment of family.

Steve has been married to his beautiful wife Carol for 24 years and has four wonderful children, ranging in ages from 16 to 23.  In his spare time Steve is an avid reader, works out regularly through SEALFIT and Spartan obstacle courses and enjoys spending time with family and friends.

Steve is a parishioner at St. Maximilian Kolbe in Westlake Village where he is actively involved in the High School Youth Group program, helping to prepare students for Confirmation.  He is also a member of the St. Paschal Baylon Men’s Club.              

Steven Smailes is the President at Monarch Wealth & Retirement Strategies. As an executive and trusted advisor for over 25 years Steve has raised capital, successfully managed several P&L’s for companies and led several projects that have created over $100M in direct investment or increases in revenue and valuation of those companies. Steve has learned the skills necessary to help clients ask the right questions as they look forward to successfully managing the integration of their personal and financial goals.

Steve’s education includes being a graduate of the Southern California Entrepreneurship Academy and the Santa Clara MyOwnBusiness initiative as well as being mentored by one of the founders of FedEx and one of the nation’s most successful financial services entrepreneurs. Steve currently holds a BFA™, Behavioral Finance Advisor certification, as well as his Securities licenses Series 7, 66, and life and long term care insurance licenses in multiple states. 

The Compounding Couple Specializing in Retirement Income Planning