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Staff

    Executive Management

    Rob Carpenter
    President & CEO

    Robert Carpenter leads the team at BWFA that is dedicated to improving the financial lives of its clients. As President and CEO, he is responsible for overseeing all areas of the firm, Investment Management, Financial Planning, Tax Advisory Services and… Read More


    Joseph Manfredi, MBA
    Chief Operating Officer, Senior Relationship Manager & Executive Manager

    Joseph Manfredi is Chief Operating Officer of Baltimore-Washington Financial Advisors, Inc.  Joe is privileged to work with the firm’s clients as a lead advisor to coordinate all BWFA capabilities when helping clients with financial planning, investment and tax advisory services…. Read More


    Wealth Management and Planning

    Townsend Hornor, Jr. (Sandy), CEPS
    Managing Director, Wealth Management, Executive Manager

    Sandy Hornor is an experienced financial professional with over 30 years in the industry. Sandy works with individuals, families, organizations, and companies to define their long-term wealth management objectives; he assists with the implementation of solutions and techniques to meet… Read More


    Thad Ismart, CFP®, CEPS
    Senior Financial Planner

    Thad Ismart is a Senior Financial Planner with Baltimore Washington Financial Advisors (BWFA). In this role, Thad prepares, presents, and implements comprehensive financial and retirement plans for BWFA’s clients. Thad is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ® professional and a Certified… Read More


    Lawrence M. Post CPA, MST, CFP®, CIMA®
    Senior Tax and Planning Advisor

    Larry Post is a financial professional dedicated to serving the needs of individuals and families. Prior to joining BWFA, Larry held various positions in Hawthorn, PNC Family Office, PNC Wealth Management, and was a partner with a CPA and financial… Read More


    Tyler Kluge, CFP®, CPWA®, CDFA®, CEPS
    Financial Planner

    Tyler joined BWFA in 2016 and currently serves as a Financial Planner. He supports the firm’s Investment Management Team, Financial Planning Team, and Client Service Team.  He is very proud and excited to work with clients and their families to… Read More


    Joseph DePatie, CFA, CFP®, CDFA®
    Associate Financial Planner

    Joe is an Associate Financial Planner with BWFA. In this role, Joe supports the financial planning, investment management, and client service teams. Joe is a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) Charterholder, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ® professional and a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst… Read More


    Matthew Smiler, ChFC®
    Tax Advisor, Associate Financial Planner

    Matthew joined BWFA in 2019 as a Tax Advisor and financial planner. He is a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) and holds a B.S. in Business from Towson University. Matthew has worked in the accounting and financial advisory industry for over… Read More


    Tyler Cunningham, CFP®, CEPS
    Associate Financial Planner

    Tyler joined BWFA in 2021 as an Associate Financial Planner and supports the investment management, financial planning, and client services teams. Before BWFA Tyler worked at T. Rowe Price where he obtained his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification. Tyler is also… Read More


    Asset Management

    Rob Carpenter
    President & CEO

    Robert Carpenter leads the team at BWFA that is dedicated to improving the financial lives of its clients. As President and CEO, he is responsible for overseeing all areas of the firm, Investment Management, Financial Planning, Tax Advisory Services and… Read More


    Joseph Manfredi, MBA
    Chief Operating Officer, Senior Relationship Manager & Executive Manager

    Joseph Manfredi is Chief Operating Officer of Baltimore-Washington Financial Advisors, Inc.  Joe is privileged to work with the firm’s clients as a lead advisor to coordinate all BWFA capabilities when helping clients with financial planning, investment and tax advisory services…. Read More


    Chris Kelly, CPA, CFP®, M.Accy
    Financial Advisor, Senior Relationship Manager & Executive Manager

    Chris is a Financial Advisor and Senior Relationship Manager whose expertise includes comprehensive financial planning and investment portfolio management and strategy. He is a member of the firm’s Executive Management Committee, as well as the Investment Management Committee. Chris is… Read More


    Joseph A. Caputo, CFP®, CEPS
    Senior Relationship Manager, Chief Information Officer & Executive Manager

    Joseph Caputo joined BWFA in September of 2012 as the firm’s Chief Information Officer and Sr. Relationship Manager. He has obtained over 15 years of financial and investment management-related experience. Prior to joining the firm, he worked for notable local,… Read More


    Max Pflugrad
    Associate Financial Analyst

    Max Pflugrad started with BWFA as an intern during the summer of 2021. He graduated from Towson University with a B.S. in Business, and is currently pursuing his CIMA certification. He is excited about his new role as an Associate… Read More


    Tax Services

    Lawrence M. Post CPA, MST, CFP®, CIMA®
    Senior Tax and Planning Advisor

    Larry Post is a financial professional dedicated to serving the needs of individuals and families. Prior to joining BWFA, Larry held various positions in Hawthorn, PNC Family Office, PNC Wealth Management, and was a partner with a CPA and financial… Read More


    Matthew Smiler, ChFC®
    Tax Advisor, Associate Financial Planner

    Matthew joined BWFA in 2019 as a Tax Advisor and financial planner. He is a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) and holds a B.S. in Business from Towson University. Matthew has worked in the accounting and financial advisory industry for over… Read More


    Brian Murray
    Tax Advisor

    Brian joined BWFA in 2019 as a Tax Advisor. He is currently working to achieve his Enrolled Agent Certificate. He spent the previous 12 years working at BDO USA in a variety of roles, including the last 5 in the… Read More


    Ann Garczynski, CPA
    Associate Tax Advisor

    Ann Garczynski is an Associate Tax Advisor with BWFA. She is a graduate of the University of Baltimore with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Accounting. She is a native of New York City and began her career as… Read More


    Gary Trotter
    Tax Associate

    Gary Trotter joined BWFA in May 2016 as a Tax Intern, he is now a Tax Advisor. He graduated from SUNY Stony Brook, NY with a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering and then earned a Master’s Degree in Business Management from Brooklyn Polytechnic University.  Gary… Read More


    Yuan Zhang, EA
    Tax Associate

    Yuan Zhang is a Tax Associate at BWFA, she is also an Enrolled Agent. She graduated from the University of Maryland where she earned her BS in Accounting. Prior to joining BWFA, Yuan was a staff accountant in a regional… Read More


    Lex Ruygrok, CPA, Esquire
    Tax Consultant

    Lex started his career in the tax department of Deliotte & Touche where he became a tax manager specializing in employee benefits and retirement plan consulting.  He subsequently became a partner in a small local accounting firm where he focused his… Read More


    Business Services

    Brian MacMillan
    Managing Director M&A

    Brian MacMillan joined BWFA in May 2013 and is the Managing Director of Mergers and Acquisitions. He is a graduate of Salisbury University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Brian attended the Management Development Program… Read More


    Client Services

    Meghan Manas, CEPS
    Director of Client Services, Executive Manager, Notary Public

    Meghan is a BWFA Executive Manager and Certified Elder Planning Specialist (CEPS). Serving as the firm’s Director of Client Services, she supervises all aspects of the client experience including those which impact new client relationships. Additionally, Meghan oversees client education… Read More


    Eve Kennedy, CEPS
    Senior Client Associate

    Eve Kennedy joined BWFA in 2017 as a member of our Client Service Team. Eve is a Certified Elder Planning Specialist (CEPS). As a former athlete, Eve is comfortable working in a team environment. Eve is passionate about making sure… Read More


    Kwanza Ellis, CRPC®, CEPS
    Senior Client Associate

    Kwanza serves as a Senior Client Associate with a focus on financial planning. She has 9 years of experience in the financial services industry and is currently pursuing the Certified Financial Planner designation. Kwanza is a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor… Read More


    Joseph DePatie, CFA, CFP®, CDFA®
    Associate Financial Planner

    Joe is an Associate Financial Planner with BWFA. In this role, Joe supports the financial planning, investment management, and client service teams. Joe is a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) Charterholder, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ® professional and a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst… Read More


    Tyler Cunningham, CFP®, CEPS
    Associate Financial Planner

    Tyler joined BWFA in 2021 as an Associate Financial Planner and supports the investment management, financial planning, and client services teams. Before BWFA Tyler worked at T. Rowe Price where he obtained his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification. Tyler is also… Read More


    Cortney Caronna
    Marketing Associate

    Cortney graduated from Towson University with a bachelors degree in Communications with a focus in Public Relations & Advertising. She has worked in many Customer Service positions over the years including jobs in the restaurant, grocery and mortgage industries. She… Read More


    Raechelle Norton
    Client Associate

    Raechelle joined BWFA in 2019 as a Client Associate. She attended Loyola University Maryland for both undergraduate and graduate school. She has spent time in both customer service and sales positions. She lives in Mt. Washington, Maryland, where she lives… Read More


    Parker Gray
    Client Associate

    Parker joined BWFA in 2022 and currently serves as a Client Associate with a focus on financial planning. She is currently pursuing the Certified Financial Planner designation. Parker grew up in Maryland and attended the University of New Hampshire, where… Read More


    Faith Chisholm
    Associate Business Analyst

    Faith joined BWFA in 2023 as Associate Business Analyst. She graduated cum laude from the University of Maryland where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the Robert H. Smith School of Business with a minor in French Studies…. Read More


    Stacy Patterson
    Executive Assistant to the President

    Stacy joined BWFA in 2023 and serves as the Executive Assistant to the President. She strives for excellence and has organizational talents that will benefit the BWFA team and its clients. Her career path has always been customer service-based with… Read More


    Brandon Pierpont
    Client Associate

    Brandon joined BWFA in June 2023 as a Client Associate. He graduated cum laude from High Point University where he earned B.S.B.A in Finance from the Phillips School of Business. During his undergraduate years, he was a part of their… Read More


CFP – The CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM, CFP® and federally registered CFP® (with flame design) marks (collectively, the "CFP® marks") are professional certification marks granted in the United States by Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. ("CFP Board"). The CFP® certification is a voluntary certification; no federal or state law or regulation requires financial planners to hold CFP® certification. It is recognized in the United States and a number of other countries for its (1) high standard of professional education; (2) stringent code of conduct and standards of practice; and (3) ethical requirements that govern professional engagements with clients. Currently, more than 71,000 individuals have obtained CFP® certification in the United States. Individuals who become certified must complete the following ongoing education and ethics requirements in order to maintain the right to continue to use the CFP® marks: • Continuing Education – Complete 30 hours of continuing education hours every two years, including two hours on the Code of Ethics and other parts of the Standards of Professional Conduct, to maintain competence and keep up with developments in the financial planning field • Ethics – Renew an agreement to be bound by the Standards of Professional Conduct. The Standards prominently require that CFP® professionals provide financial planning services at a fiduciary standard of care. This means CFP® professionals must provide financial planning services in the best interests of their clients. CFA – A Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) charter is a designation given to those who have completed the CFA® Program and completed acceptable work experience requirements. The CFA Program is a three-part exam that tests the fundamentals of investment tools, valuing assets, portfolio management, and wealth planning. The CFA Program is typically completed by those with backgrounds in finance, accounting, economics, or business. CFA charterholders earn the right to use the CFA designation after program completion, application, and acceptance by CFA Institute. CFA charterholders are qualified to work in senior and executive positions in investment management, risk management, asset management, and more. CIMA – The CIMA® certification signifies that an individual has met initial and on-going experience, ethical, education, and examination requirements for investment management consulting, including advanced investment management theory and application. Prerequisites for the CIMA® certification are three years of financial services experience and an acceptable regulatory history. To obtain the CIMA® certification, candidates must pass an online Qualification Examination, successfully complete a one-week classroom education program provided by a Registered Education Provider at an AACSB accredited university business school and pass a Certification Examination. CIMA® designees are required to adhere to Investments & Wealth Institute’s Code of Professional Responsibility, Standards of Practice, and Rules and Guidelines for Use of the Marks. CIMA® designees must report 40 hours of continuing education credits, including two ethics hours, every two years to maintain the certification. The designation is administered through the Investments & Wealth InstituteTM formerly known as Investment Management Consultants Association (IMCA®). CEPS – The Certified Elder Planning Specialist (“CEPS”) designation is a professional designation offered jointly between Salem State University and Plan4Life, LLC. The Elder Planning Specialist Training Program is a ten-week online program that deals with all the complex issues that advisors face when providing advice on the issues that aging clientele may face. After completing the courses, there is a final examination requirement that must be completed before receiving the designation. CPWA – Certified private wealth advisor (CPWA) is a certification given to financial professionals who service high net worth clients. This certification is designed for experienced financial professionals who want to address the financial needs of those with more than a $5 million net worth. To achieve a CPWA designation candidates must meet the prerequisite, education, and exam requirements. All candidates must obtain all the following: • A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college or have one of the following license or designation: CIMA, RMA, CFA, CFP, ChFC or CPA license. • An acceptable record according to the Investments & Wealth Institute’s Admissions Committee. • Five years of experience in the financial field • Take the Private Wealth Essentials course from the Investments and Wealth Institute to earn 14 credits and take 1 year off of requirement. There are three requirements that CPWAs must meet to keep their certification. These requirements include completion and reporting 40 hours of continuing education credits (includes two hours of ethics) within a two-year period, paying the renewal fee and completing the compliance requirement. CDFA – The Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®) Program offered through the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts. The designation is designed to prepare advisors as an expert on the financial aspects of divorce. For many clients, divorce is the largest financial transaction of their lives. The role of a CDFA® professional is to address the special financial issues of divorce with data to help achieve equitable settlements. Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree with three years of on-the job experience or, if no bachelor’s degree, five years of relevant experience. CDFA Designation holders must complete all required courses and pass a final examination that consists of 150 multiple choice questions. There is a continuing education requirement to maintain the designation that includes 30 hours of divorce-related continuing education every 2 years. ChFC – This designation is issued by The American College and is granted to individuals who have at least three years of full-time business experience within the five years preceding the awarding of the designation. The candidate is required to take seven mandatory courses which include the following disciplines: financial, insurance, retirement and estate planning; income taxation, investments and application of financial planning; as well as two elective courses involving the application of the aforementioned disciplines. Each course has a final proctored exam and once issued, the individual is required to submit 30 hours of continuing education every two years.