The Advisory Board

Deji Akintoye is a resident of Downingtown, PA where he is an active member of the community, previously serving several years as President of the local youth organization and is currently a member of a school board. He graduated from Millersville University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management and Finance. Deji has spent much of his career in financial services and, before joining Vanguard, built his own client book as a financial planner and mentored new financial planners.

In 2011, Deji joined Vanguard as a financial representative in the annuities business. He then earned his CFP® in 2012 and became a Vanguard financial planner. After spending several years building his own client book, Deji transitioned into an advisor manager role. This role gave him the opportunity to expand his scope of impact with initiatives like building out the frameworks for performance and practice management.

In 2021, Deji has transitioned into a new role as a Journey Owner, where he is focused on improving Vanguard’s Personal Advisor Services digital experience for both clients and advisors. Within this role, Deji works closely with a cross-disciplinary group of User Experience specialists and development teams. Leading the group and working closely with the business, Deji is focused on partnering with his team to modernize the digital experience and strategically deliver and implement new financial products and data within it.

Paul is Mallard’s Director of Investments, having founded the original firm, Mallard Asset Management, as an independent, comprehensive wealth management firm in 1996. Paul has provided comprehensive investment advice to individuals for over twenty years.

Paul earned his Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation in 1996 and utilizes it in his current capacity as Director of Investments. He previously used his Certified Financial Planner™ certification, earned in 2009, and his Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) designation, earned in 1995, but released those designations as he narrowed his professional focus to investments. He earned his Bachelors degree in Computer Science from the University of Delaware in 1983, and a Masters degree in Computer Science from Villanova University in 1988.

Paul has given back to the industry through the national Fee-Only organization NAPFA, where he has helped organize three regional conferences, and where he has led efforts to develop and present investment courses as continuing education for its members. Since 2012, he has given back to the community through his time in the Delaware State Legislature as a Representative. He also provided free courses on financial planning and investment topics through the Delaware Money School for over a decade.

Paul has been quoted by the Wall Street Journal and the Wilmington News Journal papers, by Bloomberg Wealth Manager, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, Financial Advisor, and Business Week magazines, has been interviewed on WHYY-TV 12 and CN8, and was a guest several times in 2009 on the Fox Business Network 2pm program.

Raised in Bel Air, Maryland, Paul has lived in Newark, Delaware with his wife Pam since 1990. Paul is active in community activities. Tennis is one of Paul’s recreational passions.

Richard J. Busillo is Chairman and CEO of RTD Financial Advisors, Inc. Richard joined RTD in 1986 and provides financial planning and investment advisory services to business owners, professionals and retirement plan sponsors. Prior to joining RTD, he was a Regional Manager with CPI Pension Services, Inc., a national pension consulting firm.

A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner, Richard is a graduate of Thomas Edison State University and completed the CFP® professional Education program at the College for Financial Planning. He has also earned the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® designation awarded by the Center for Fiduciary Studies, and the Retirement Plans Associate designation awarded by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Richard serves as a mentor with the FPA CFP® Residency program and is past President of the FPA Philadelphia Area chapter.

Brendan is Chief Executive Officer of Clark Capital Management Group. As the Firm’s leader in defining and executing its vision and strategy, Brendan is tasked with aligning Clark Capital’s mission with stakeholder needs. He oversees all of the firm’s business lines including custom-tailored strategies for high-net-worth investors, 40 Act products, strategist model delivery, and strategic partnerships. Brendan leads an experienced team of executives who ensure that Clark Capital maintains its consistent, firm-wide focus on delivering world-class asset management strategies and services to advisors and their clients. He has been with Clark Capital since 2001 and has held positions of increasing responsibility including Executive Vice President of Business Development and President.

Brendan serves on the Money Management Institute’s Board of Governors and the MMI Gateway Foundation’s Board of Trustees. The Gateway Foundation supports a variety of programs to foster career awareness and workforce readiness for students of color from historically underrepresented communities seeking internships and entry-level employment opportunities in the financial services industry. He is also a founding member and Treasurer of the board of Philadelphia Financial Scholars, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that aims to help Philadelphia high school students and their families take on systemic challenges and develop wealth-building tools through access to financial literacy and entrepreneurship education. Brendan earned a B.S. in Economics from the University of Delaware and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation. He is a member of the CFA® Institute and the CFA® Society of Philadelphia.

Patrick is a Principal and Wealth Manager at Modera Wealth Management, LLC. As a Wealth Manager, Pat works closely with clients to implement wealth management solutions. He leverages his technical financial planning and consulting experience to assist clients with investment counseling, retirement planning, estate planning, wealth enhancement, asset protection, tax planning, and other personally significant financial decisions.

Pat joined Modera with the Independence Advisors team in January 2021. Prior to Independence, he worked in both the Assurance and Tax Practices at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in their Philadelphia and Denver offices. While in the PwC Tax practice, Pat provided financial planning guidance to executives and employees of multiple Fortune 500 companies. Pat’s experience also includes working at a fee-only wealth management firm in the Philadelphia area. Pat is a Certified Public Accountant, holds the Personal Financial Specialist designation, and is a Certified Financial PlannerTM professional. He earned a B.S. in Finance from St. Joseph’s University and an M.B.A. with an Accounting concentration from La Salle University.

In his free time, Pat enjoys spending time with his family in Ocean City, NJ, visiting national parks, following all Philadelphia sports teams, exercising and fly fishing. He lives in West Chester, Pennsylvania with his wife Ann and their two sons Archie and Henry.

John Sanders is a Diversity Specialist/College Engagement Officer with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In his current role he works with Minority Serving Institutions to introduce students to career opportunities in the federal government and financial services industry; especially internship and career opportunities at the SEC. John develops and facilitates the delivery of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) content to SEC personnel to ensure their understanding of the implementation and impact of DEIA practices and measures.

John’s federal career spans over 30 years to include 22 years in the U.S. Army and positions with the Defense Information Systems Agency and the Department of Justice. John’s education includes a PhD, in Business Administration with a specialization in Organizational Leadership, a Master of Business Administration, and a Bachelor of Science in Resources Management. John is also a member of the Federal Coaching Network.

As a financial advisor with Edward Jones, Christopher Smith believes that the foundation to achieving financial success begins with taking the time to understand each clients' individual unique financial needs prior to investing their money. His passion for making a difference in the lives of his clients and their loved ones is evidenced in his dedication to proper planning, investment management, and financial discipline. Christopher is a lifelong financial partner and works alongside a range of clients including business owners, executives, retirees, and goal driven investors.

Christopher graduated Magna Cum Laude from Hampton University with both a bachelor's and a master's degree in business administration. Upon completion of his MBA, Christopher earned his certificate in financial planning from Georgetown University. Christopher joined Edward Jones in 2008 becoming a Limited Partner in 2014. To better serve his clients, he earned the CFP® and AAMS® professional designations, which require completion of continuing education and adhering to heightened ethical and compliance standards. He is supported by Heather Stahler and Ana Marie Jones who share his passion of delivering the highest levels of client service.

Christopher was born, raised, and lives in Delaware. Outside of the office, he is an active member of Kappa Alpha PSI Fraternity, Inc. and a past president and current member of the Dover Capital City Rotary Club. In his spare time, Christopher enjoys traveling, watching and playing sports, and spending time with family.

Lawrence Sprung, CFP®, is the founder of Mitlin Financial, Inc. He leads planning and asset management services, in addition to focusing on business development.

Larry founded Mitlin Financial in 2004, a company named in memory of his wife’s grandfather, Mitchell, and his mother, Linda. Larry’s Mom is more than just the LIN in Mitlin, she is the reason he does what he does. As a teen he watched his parents struggle with their finances as she battled breast cancer for over a decade, it became his driving force.

He’s committed to offering educational workshops where he shares his knowledge and insights on a diverse set of financial topics. He is also a frequent speaker at industry conferences and regularly films the firm’s “Mitlin Minute” videos that provide important information on relevant financial topics. Larry is also the host of the Mitlin Money Mindset™.

Larry earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Binghamton University before entering the financial services industry in 1996. Helping his clients pursue – and even set higher-reaching – financial goals continuously inspires and energizes Larry. In 2004, just eight years after beginning his career, Larry founded Mitlin Financial, Inc.

Today, Larry is proud to serve the second and third generations of his clients. He has seen firsthand how strong financial habits, instilled in parents, children and grandchildren, can impact a family’s wealth and wealth stewardship for generations.

Larry has received several industry recognitions, including being named a 2019 finalist for the Invest in Others For Community Service Award. He was also included on the Long Island Business News “40 Under 40” list, which recognizes distinguished professionals who give back to the community. He was the valedictorian of the class of 2006. Larry also received a 2017 Top Financial Executive Award.

Outside the office, one of Larry’s greatest passions is raising awareness for mental health. He spent over 12 years on the National Board of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and sits on its financial and investment committees. With his wife, Denise, he has raised more than $1.5 million for the organization through the Keith Milano Memorial Fund. The fund was created at AFSP in memory of his brother-in-law.

Larry is the co-chair of the Binghamton University Long Island alumni chapter, organizing, scheduling and hosting Binghamton alumni events. Larry actively networks with fellow alumni and assists new graduates as they embark on their careers.

He values his family tremendously and his desire to do right by his wife and sons drives who he is in and out of the office. You’ll likely find Larry and his family at any number of ice hockey events on any given weekend.

Barbara is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP(R)), Partner and Board member of Abacus Wealth Partners, a $4 billion impact wealth management firm whose mission is to expand what's possible with money. She manages the Philadelphia office and a team of advisors who work with a wide variety of individuals and institutions connecting money with values. She is a graduate of Smith College and has an MBA from NYU's Stern School of Business. Outside of Abacus, Barbara can be found mentoring high school students through a girls leadership academy, working with non-profits or outdoors, (hiking, skiing or biking).

Jocelyn D. Wright is an advisor who partners with her clients to create a strategy to help them make smart choices about their money in order to reach their financial goals. With over twenty-five years of financial services experience, she has been working with individual clients since 2002. Jocelyn holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®) designations.

She received a BS in Business Administration (Finance) from the University of Delaware and earned her MBA in Finance at Howard University, graduating with Beta Gamma Sigma honors. Some of her memberships include Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (Philadelphia Alumnae Chapter), Financial Planning Association (FPA), Association for African American Financial Advisors (AAAA) and Women in Insurance & Financial Services (WIFS). Jocelyn serves on the boards of the Foundation for Financial Planning and FPA Philadelphia Tri-State Area Chapter. She was recognized by InvestmentNews in 2016 as one of the 20 most influential Women to Watch and in 2020 she was nominated for the 1st Annual Association of African American Financial Advisors 50 Under 50 program. Jocelyn is also a frequent guest on Good Day Philadelphia.