About Us

Ralph Nelson, JD, CPA

Partner, CEO

Ralph is a licensed attorney and Certified Public Accountant. Ralph is one of the founders of Heritage Family Offices. Prior to establishing Heritage Family Offices, Ralph was a practicing tax attorney focused primarily on income tax strategies. Ralph worked for Deloitte and Touche, LLP in its Mergers and Acquisitions group before joining a Phoenix-based tax firm. Ralph currently works primarily with small business owners and high-income taxpayers to develop income tax and estate tax strategies.

Michael Frost

Partner, President

Michael is one of the co-founding Partners of Heritage Family Offices, LLP. Michael is known as a thought leader in the professional services industry based on his 10 years of experience owning and operating a multidisciplinary firm. Prior to starting HFO, he spent his career as a wealth manager and investment advisor for a few of the most prestigious financial institutions. After years spent in the institutional space, Michael recognized the value of having tax, law, wealth management and insurance services all under one roof. As a result, he opened a Registered Investment Advisory Firm, CPA firm and Insurance company. He also aligned himself with the sophisticated planners at Nelson Law Firm, now known as HFO Law Group. With an emphasis on professional collaboration, Michael brings an entrepreneurial spirit to the team along with his experience in independent non-bias investment management, financial planning, private banking, insurance plan design and specialty financing needs to the Heritage family. Michael currently works with the firm’s highest net worth clientele and consults for the firm’s CPA partners.

David Maxey

Partner, COO

David Maxey began his career in the financial services industry 16 years ago. Prior to his employment at Heritage Family Offices, he worked at the leading corporate firms of Wachovia Securities and Wells Fargo Advisors. David specializes in developing financial plans to meet all of his clients’ wealth management goals. This is achieved by his execution of in-depth knowledge of investment management, retirement planning, specialized lending, and insurance coverage.

Jared Williams, MT, CFP®

Partner, Director of Advanced Planning

Jared entered the financial services industry in 2002 and has extensive experience in developing comprehensive wealth management plans for successful individuals, families and business owners. Jared has a passion for guiding individuals and businesses through important yet complex issues and providing education to enable them to make critical decisions with confidence and clarity. In order to best serve the client, he works collaboratively with other industry specialists in developing and implementing suitable recommendations.

Jared is a graduate of the Marriott School of Management at Brigham Young University (B.S., Business Management), has earned a Master of Taxation (MT) Degree and Estate Planning Certificate through the Graduate Tax Program of Villanova Charles Widger School of Law and Villanova School of Business, and he holds the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation. He is actively involved in his church, community, and enjoys running, cycling and swimming. His most rewarding time is spent with his wife, Rachel, and their eight children.

Bryan Eberle

Director

Bryan Eberle has spent his entire career in professional services, focusing on the accounting industry since 2012. Bryan’s passion is to work with CPAs to help them provide proactive services and value-added advice that their clients are demanding. Bryan embraces change as “opportunity in disguise.” And that’s exactly how he sees the state of the accounting industry today: full of opportunity for CPAs with the right mindset. At Heritage, Bryan works directly with our CPA Partner firms, ensuring they successfully integrate family office services. Before joining Heritage, Bryan co-founded and was a partner at HaydenRock Solutions. Prior to co-founding HaydenRock Solutions, Bryan built grew and sold a successful Wealth Management practice.

His most rewarding time is spent outdoors with his wife, Tiffany, and their two children.

Brent Emch, CFP®, CPFA

Director of Wealth Management

Brent is a graduate of Grand Canyon University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management. He began his career with Northwestern Mutual and LPL before coming to Heritage Family Offices. Brent holds his CFP® certification and has the education necessary to truly understand his clients’ needs and guide them appropriately toward meeting their business and financial goals. While he thrives in all spectrums of services, he specializes in helping business owners, their executives, and families toward achieving their most valued financial goals. Whether providing corporate retirement plans, estate planning, business succession plans, or custom retirement income strategies, he is passionate about helping both individuals and businesses achieve their goals through interactive planning and consistent communication. Outside of the office, Brent can always be found with his family, traveling, or at the gym.

Roger Beutler, CAIA®

Senior Investment Officer

Roger Beutler, CAIA worked in banking and finance since starting his career in the early 90s in Switzerland. He was a Director of Investments for a +$2 billion foundation, where he was responsible for the foundation’s private market investments comprising of over $500M in private equity and real estate commitments. Prior, Beutler led the sub-adviser selection for a family of mutual funds and held positions in the investment consulting industry. Beutler graduated from the University of Applied Science in Berne, Switzerland, majoring in Banking and Finance.

Caroline Riesing

Operations Manager

Caroline is a graduate of Arizona Christian University where she achieved a Bachelor of Science in Music with a Minor in Business Administration. Since the time she was young, Caroline has been performing administrative tasks starting with her father’s landscape company. During her time in college, Caroline worked for the university in the business department, assisting with accounts receivable and student accounts.

In their free time, Caroline and her husband, James, enjoy spending time with family and friends, playing soccer, or attending sporting events and musicals.

Tiffany Kadlec

Legal and Tax Operations Manager

Tiffany is a graduate of the University of Arizona with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. While in college, she was a studio receptionist at a local fitness facility where she developed a passion for business management and building positive client relationships. After graduating, Tiffany began her career as a kindergarten teacher in the public-school education system. After great experiences in the classroom, she made the transition to Heritage Family Offices where she has enjoyed interacting with clients and creating a warm and welcoming office environment.

Outside of the office, she enjoys traveling and working out. Along with spending time with her friends and family, she also enjoys playing with her two energetic Goldendoodles.

Morgan Johnson

Learning and Development Coordinator

As a member of the Heritage Family Offices’ Learning & Development and Marketing team, Morgan is responsible for our instructional design, coaching content creation, and executing our strategic marketing initiatives. Shortly after completing her undergraduate degrees, Morgan founded a nonprofit organization in central Texas that provided advocacy for children with intellectual disabilities. In 2013, she joined Republic National Distributing Company building partnerships and increasing the social responsibility efforts across the United States. This led to a key role on the Talent Development team in Austin, Texas in 2017. It was this opportunity that allowed Morgan to discover her passion for servant leadership and developing mindful leaders.

An active member of the Vanguard Cohort at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business, Morgan completed the LEAD program in 2020 and is currently pursuing her Master’s of Science in Management. As the Co-Founder of Pride Downtown in South Texas, she continues to dedicate her personal time to serving her community, as well as, traveling and collecting more plants.

Brent Beane

Financial Advisor

Brent graduated from the Hankamer School of Business at Baylor University with a degree in Entrepreneurship. He began his career in financial services in 2006 and over the years has developed a passion for helping clients make sound strategic financial decisions to achieve the outcomes most important in each of their lives. Outside of the office, you will find Brent enjoying the outdoors, attending sporting events or spending quality time with family and friends.

Brian Boll

Financial Advisor

Brian Boll has served in the financial services industry for over 20 years. He has a bachelors’ degree in Finance from California State University, Fresno. Prior to his employment at Heritage Family Offices, he worked at the leading financial firms of Wells Fargo Advisors, Chase Investment Services, and Charles Schwab. Brian specializes in developing in-depth financial plans for his clients. This combined with his extensive knowledge of investment management, retirement planning, specialized lending, and insurance helps him assist his clients in meeting all their wealth management goals. Brian is an avid mountain biker and enjoys spending time with his wife and grandchildren.

Bryan Leinart

Financial Advisor

Bryan began his career in London as a successful stock trader at the hedge fund Sigma Capital Ltd. a subsidiary of SAC Capital Management. After owning his own small business in Fort Worth, TX it became clear that his passion was really in financial services. He joined Texas Financial Resources in 2008 to begin helping individuals and business owners with their financial planning and goals. Working with CPA’s and Lawyers led him to Heritage Family Offices and its ability to provide sophisticated solutions to high net worth individuals all under one roof.

Away from the office he and his wife Candice can be found supporting their three children in cheer, soccer, football, basketball and dirt bike riding. Summers are enjoyed on the lake. He also is an amateur road racing driver and loves the getaway even if only a handful of times a year.

Darryl Chouinard, CLU®, ChFC®

Financial Advisor

Darryl draws on over 25 years of wide-ranging experience across the financial services industry as he assists a diverse clientele that includes CPA’s, business owners, professionals and families. Before joining Heritage, Darryl ran a successful Financial Advisory firm for over 10 years, was the Chief Financial Officer for a national insurance wholesaler and served in several leadership roles in a large national insurance company. Outside of the office Darryl enjoys being active outdoors, traveling to keep up with friends and family and listening to all kinds of podcasts while hitting his daily steps goal.

Ed McKelvey, CRPC®, CFS®

Financial Advisor

Ed McKelvey is a veteran Personal Financial Advisor specializing in retirement, business and insurance solutions. Since 2008, he has worked diligently to serve his rapidly expanding client family with values-based purpose, technical proficiency and a fiduciary standard of care.

Ed works with a unique group of retirees, families and business owners. He helps them plan a more confident and secure financial future while developing a clearer vision of their ideal life. He has studied extensively to earn recognized industry designations such as Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor® and Certified Funds Specialist®. These specialty educational certifications help him to implement more effective financial planning strategies for his clients in Southern California, South Central Arizona, and throughout the United States. Ed is passionate about helping his clients get their financial house in order, and keeping it that way as they pursue their most cherished financial goals and lifestyle.

When he’s not working, Ed enjoys spending time riding bikes and hiking in the beautiful Sonoran desert with his wife, daughters, and friends. He also enjoys watersports at our local lake.

Jason Duffaut, CFP®, CAP®, CPFA®, CExP®

Financial Advisor

As a Financial Advisor for Heritage Family Offices, Jason specializes in helping his clients achieve all their financial goals using his unique four-step process. His areas of expertise include everything from wealth management, retirement and pre-retirement planning, tax mitigation, benefits planning as well as risk mitigation. Jason’s strengths lie in exit planning for business owners, charitable gift planning, tax planning, investment portfolio management, Trust and Estate planning, as well as whole financial team coordination. Jason spent 6 years working for USAA as a Senior Wealth Management Advisor, where he helped his clients reach their financial and life-long goals.

Jason lives in San Antonio, Texas with his wife and in his free time, enjoys trying new restaurants and rescuing Dobermans from the local shelters. Jason also spends several hours a week mentoring young professionals who have a desire to enter the financial field and assists them in achieving their goals.

Joel Beyer, CKA®

Financial Advisor

Joel Beyer is an award-winning industry veteran specializing in Values-Based Financial Planning™ and customized wealth management solutions. He serves as a financial strategist, confidant and life coach to a distinct group of business owners, professionals and family stewards throughout Arizona, California and the Greater U. S.

Joel’s unique planning process helps his clients pursue their financial goals, optimize their God-given potential, and live a higher quality of life. As a financial advisor and team coordinator, Joel helps his clients to implement multidisciplinary financial solutions that may include strategic tax planning, customized investment portfolios, personalized retirement plans and tax-efficient wealth transfer strategies.

Joel and Heritage Family Offices, LLP strive to provide the best financial planning and wealth management experience in the world. With a firm-wide commitment to technical proficiency, personal excellence, and servant leadership. We combine tax, law, wealth management and insurance to deliver a specialized family office experience. Our business model is uniquely designed to uncover more comprehensive and effective solutions than any single professional working in isolation. The result is a powerful financial plan supported by a coordinated professional team – all focused on helping you achieve your financial goals as you pursue an ideal quality of life.

Joel seeks to establish mutually beneficial relationships with open, ethical, harmonious people. To be a catalyst, a trusted resource and a multi-dimensional growth partner. Helping the extraordinary people in his life take their faith, family and finances to the next level. When not serving his clients, Joel enjoys spending quality time with his family, serving his church community, investing in the lives of others, traveling, snow skiing and scuba diving.

Michael Lawrence, CFP®, AIF®

Financial Advisor

Through a career dedicated to financial services, Michael Lawrence has garnered a wide-range of wealth management exposure from boutique to multinational institutions. His pursuit of a modernized approach to the industry led him to Heritage where he believes clients and their wealth are best served by a team of multiple professional disciplines within the family office model. Michael has an undergraduate degree in finance in addition to holding both CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and Accredited Investment Fiduciary® certifications. This allows him to expertly guide clients through comprehensive planning strategies – particularly those aimed at wealth preservation.

Based in San Diego, Michael has an appreciation for California’s natural beauty and takes pleasure in engaging with his community.

Kurt Obermiller

Financial Advisor

Kurt entered the Financial Services industry in 2011, after a celebrated career in the Consumer Electronics industry, working with Fortune 500 companies. Kurt found the Financial Services industry fascinating and enjoys the close personal relationship and trust his clients afford him.
Attended Herberger School of Business – St. Cloud State University (accounting). Kurt now works closely with select accounting firms to deliver dramatically more value to their best client relationships.
Kurt and wife Sandra have four children and life is pretty much dictated by the family, but he does have a passion for snow skiing, water skiing, travel and just about any activity that takes to the great outdoors.

Stephen Spach, MBA

Financial Advisor

After an 8-year NFL career, Stephen Spach entered the financial industry searching for a firm that can comprehensively help clients achieve their financial goals. He finally found a home on the Heritage team in the summer of 2020, after spending 7 years at LPL Financial. He remains focused on working alongside CPA’s to help individuals and business owners minimize taxes, invest their wealth and securely plan for their future. Stephen earned his Master of Business Administration from the Craig School of Business at Fresno State in 2018. He and his wife, Katey, met as college athletes and are now raising 3 very energetic boys in Clovis, CA.

Tom McAuliffe

Financial Advisor

Tom has been working with people to create strategies designed to protect them and their family’s wealth for over 32 years, starting in 1986 with Shearson Lehman Brothers, then in his own firm, True Wealth Management, and now with Heritage Family Office.
He engages his clients in family-centric, values-based planning. He helps them make thoughtful, informed decisions about their finances, their families, and their legacy.
Tom is Past President of the Board of Trustees for Unity in Marin, a spiritual community in Novato, CA, where he still serves as a meditation teacher. He was also on the Board and fund-raising chair at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Marin County.
In his off-hours, you can find Tom working in his workshop or in his garden. He loves Giants baseball, Niner’s football, Warriors basketball, playing golf (fairly badly), sailing on the Bay (somewhat proficiently), or skiing in the Sierras and the Rockies (enthusiastically).
He lives with his wife Erika Martinez and their four beloved cats in the Gerstle Park neighborhood of San Rafael.

Patrick Freeman

Financial Advisor

Patrick Freeman has been in the financial services industry since July of 1996. He started his own firm in 2006 and operated it successfully until joining Heritage in 2021. Patrick attained his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (R) designation in 2000. When he is not serving clients, Patrick is active in his church, and is very involved with his 3 children. Also, he enjoys Muay Thai Boxing, camping/hiking, and throwing the ball at the park for Frank the wonder Boxer, whom he rescued in early 2020.

Tyler Heymann

Financial Advisor

Financial Advisor, Tyler Heymann has a passion for entrepreneurship and believes that our capitalist system has the power to solve some of the world’s biggest problems. His small part in that is advising entrepreneurs who create the valuable products, services and solutions that will revolutionize our tomorrow. An active community advocate for entrepreneurship, Tyler is a venture mentor for the Arizona Commerce Authority, startup board member, and past board member for EO Arizona’s Accelerator program. Before coming to Heritage, Tyler was the co-Founder and CEO of Prism Financial Concepts, an integrative planning firm that delivered traditional wealth management services in conjunction with a forward-thinking suite of business consulting services to business and their owners. Today, he leverages his experience in M&A, organizational leadership, and business strategy to help entrepreneurs grow their business, while simultaneously achieving their vision of personal financial success. Where there’s complexity, he’s seeking to create clarity. Tyler holds a Master’s degree in financial services to accompany his business consulting experience and 20 + years of wealth management service work. Originally from Connecticut, Tyler moved to Scottsdale in 85′. He currently resides there today with his wife Stephanie and two children, Max and Paige. When he’s not at work, he’s either playing or coaching ice hockey.

Joseph Weber

Portfolio Trader

Joseph joins the Investment Team as a graduate from the University of Missouri- St. Louis with a major in Finance. He began his financial career two years ago at Morgan Stanley as an Associate assisting stock plan participants with their upcoming vests as well as working on the robo-advisory platform. Prior to Morgan Stanley, Joseph held multiple equity research internships back home in St. Louis, Missouri. His responsibilities include implementing, creating, and rebalancing portfolios, as well as, providing various research needed for the Investment Team. Joseph is CFA Level II Candidate.

Sean Greengard, JD, LLM

Attorney, Director of HFO Law Group

Sean is an Arizona attorney practicing business and estate planning law, licensed to practice in all Arizona courts, as well as U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona and Tax Court. An Arizona native, he obtained his law degree from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University in 2011 and went on to receive his Masters in Taxation (LL.M.) through Boston University in 2014. Prior to joining Heritage Family Offices, Sean worked at the law firms of Ryley, Carlock & Applewhite and The Forakis Law Firm.

Sean’s practice focuses on business transactions, including assisting individuals, families and business owners in all aspects of their business legal needs, from formation or acquisition to maintaining and growing a business, to sale or succession of their business. He also helps individuals and families prepare estate plans, including wills, trusts, and other legal documents, in order to efficiently and effectively avoid probate and transfer assets from one generation to the next. When requested or required, Sean can represent individuals and families in probate or trust administration proceedings.

In his spare time, Sean enjoys being outdoors, running races, woodworking and spending time with his wife Kristina and their two small dogs, Bristol and Rebel.

Michelle Zurcher, JD

Associate Attorney

Michelle Zurcher joined Heritage Family Offices in 2021 and has worked in the financial industry over a decade specializing in international law, as well as estate planning in both North Dakota and Arizona. As our Associate Attorney, she is continuing her estate planning here at Heritage, eager to meet clients and delve into their planning and working alongside other professionals to assist in the client’s needs. Before joining our team, Michelle received a Juris Doctor at Western Michigan School of Law, formally known as Thomas M. Cooley. Michelle then studied in multiple countries to complete her Certificate in International Law and worked for an international firm in Shenzhen, China. Michelle loves being with family and friends, traveling the world, riding in speedboats, and performing music.

Daniela Melendrez

Legal Assistant

Daniela is a Legal Assistant with over 10 years’ experience in Estate Planning, Business Formation and Business Governance. Daniela works closely with our HFO Law Group attorneys to assist clients fulfill their legal needs. Prior to joining Heritage Family Offices, LLP, Daniela worked at The Forakis Law Firm, PLC for 13 years, where she began working as a receptionist and worked her way up to Senior Legal Assistant. In her spare time, Daniela enjoys being outdoors, spending time with family and friends and making new memories while traveling with her husband and their four daughters.

Emily Miller

Legal & Tax Service Associate

Emily is a graduate of Arizona State University with bachelor’s degrees in Business Management and Accounting. She spent five years working in the nonprofit sector as an accounting and administrative assistant while living in South Africa. After moving back to her hometown of Phoenix, Arizona, she made the transition to Heritage Family Offices where she continues to utilize her administrative background to provide support to our tax and legal teams.

Outside of the office, Emily enjoys spending her free time with family and friends, watching movies, baking gourmet treats, and traveling.”

Ariana Lendzion

Office Manager

Ariana is an Arizona native who loves to explore new places and spend time with her family. Ariana spent the last 10 years managing high volume restaurants in the Phoenix and Scottdale areas. After getting married and desiring a more steady schedule, Ariana found Heritage Family Offices and came aboard as their Receptionist. Ariana loves making warm connections with the clients and assisting them in anyway she can.

Ariana and her Husband Gerald, like to spend their weekends at their family cabin in Christopher Creek and taking their dogs, Ladybird and Sid, out to hit the many hiking trails Arizona has to offer.

Amber Henthorn

Operations Associate

Amber was raised in Colorado, making the move to Arizona in 1998. After working many years in the nonprofit world in both Accounts Payable and Grants Administration, she recently transitioned to Heritage Family Offices where she continues to utilize her skill for high attention to detail and providing support to her team.
Amber enjoys spending time with friends, her two teenagers, and her dog. She loves to be in the mountains; hiking and exploring new places in Northern Arizona and throughout the US. Locally, she enjoys attending live sporting and theater events.

Jordan Riley

Senior Client Relations Associate

Jordan is a graduate of Utah State University with a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Science. After graduating, she worked for a third party utility billing company in Utah. After working from home for a year Jordan made the transition to Heritage Family Offices.

Jordan is an Illinois native who moved to Arizona with her husband, Kevin, after living in Utah for 7 years. Jordan and Kevin love traveling to a different country each year, watching movies, playing sports, and going on outdoor adventures. They also love staying in and playing with their dog, Frankie, and two cats, Juliet and Spencer.

Kaylie Ritchie

Senior Client Relations Associate

Kaylie is a graduate of the University of Utah with a Bachelor’s in Kinesiology and a minor in Nutrition. After working several years as a health coach and fitness trainer, she made the transition to the financial industry. At Heritage Family Offices, she enjoys meeting clients and ensuring the office and operations are running smoothly.

Kaylie is Utah native and recently made the move to Arizona with her husband, Dallin, who is attending Midwestern University’s dental program. She is enjoying her time in Arizona and loves the warm weather. In her spare time, she enjoys working out, running, playing with her dog, watching movies and cooking healthy foods.

Eris Wilson

Client Relations Associate

Eris joined Heritage Family offices after 17 years working within boutique financial services firms. Prior to entering the financial services industry, she spent time with Geico, where she obtained her Property Casualty Insurance license and worked within the automotive claims division.

Eris is a San Diego native; she appreciates the opportunity to be a part of the Heritage team while working remotely from home. Most of her free time is spent enjoying life with her son Bryce, and her partner, Holland. They enjoy local museums, amusement parks, and spending time on home improvement projects. Eris is an avid crafter and painter. She has completed several murals in the San Diego area.

Pennie Reed

Client Relations Associate

Pennie joined Heritage Family Offices after 15 years of managing her own small business as a fitness and nutrition coach. Prior to owning her own business, she was an account manager for a demonstration and promotion company within the grocery industry where she designed in-store and special event promotions to best utilized food brokerage marketing budgets. She is excited to be part of the growing Heritage family and loves helping clients and advisors in any way she can in her position as a Client Relations Associate. In her free time Pennie loves to be outdoors working in her organic vegetable garden, getting out and exploring nature with her husband Ben and son Luke, leaning and trying new natural foods and products and creating healthy recipes.

Katie Gannon

Client Relations Associate

Katie Gannon is a graduate of Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. Katie worked for a nonprofit and as a teacher for 4 years before transitioning to the financial industry. As a Client Relations Associate at Heritage Family Offices, Katie enjoys working with the team to ensure client satisfaction. From Phoenix originally, Katie lived in Alabama for 8 years where she met her husband, David. Katie and David enjoy spending time with their son, cheering on the Crimson Tide, and being with their family.

Marie Powell

Client Relations Associate

Combining over 20 years of expertise in client relations and marketing, Marie Powell has worked in several professional fields such as hospitality and event planning, retail, and family law. Marie is always focused on learning our clients’ stories to help them ask better questions and develop a financial philosophy based on their unique perspectives. Thanks to her Southern heritage and background in hospitality, it’s engrained in her DNA to personally take interest in our clients’ experiences and do everything possible to help them succeed. Marie’s own dynamic experience enables her to understand a diverse range of clientele and work to address their unique concerns. In her spare time, Marie enjoys cooking and tackling projects with her daughter, discovering local Arizona restaurants, and working in her garden.

Brooke Fox

Controller

As Controller for Heritage Family Offices, Brooke Fox enjoys applying a strategic approach to HFO’s accounting and human resources functions. Brooke is a graduate of Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, CA, after which she began her career in project administration for a premier San Diego residential development firm. Brooke has over 15 years experience in business administration and accounting within the financial services, real estate development, and energy industries.

Currently residing in Carlsbad, California with her three children and husband, Brooke enjoys travelling and taking advantage of all that the local beaches have to offer.

Heritage Family Offices, LLP has created a powerful professional structure to help you build life-long wealth.

Meet Our Team

Contact Us

Main/Phoenix Office

Phone

Fax

California Office

Phone