Can you rely on your
retirement for 30 years?
How May We Help You?
We serve a wide variety of clients! Contact us to see how we can help with your unique situation.
Find Out How to Reach Your Retirement Goals
*Future You reports are free for those 3 years away from retirement or less.
Get a Complimentary* Future You Analysis
Fill out our questionnaire and a Stone House Advisor will provide you with a personalized estimate that includes your:
- Potential retirement date range
- Estimated income throughout retirement
- Additional insights, such as possible healthcare and tax costs
Blue Collar Wealth Presented by Stone House™
is a weekly video podcast produced by Stone House for everyday people interested in learning more about retirement income planning and personal money management strategies. Plus, get to know Stone House team members and local community members doing great things.
LATEST EPISODE: How to Avoid Running Out of Money in Retirement
The Latest Quarterly Investment Update
Every quarter two Stone House partners, Bob Brown, CFP® and John Burke, sit down and discuss the market trends and potential effects on client investments. They provide context to the financial news you may be hearing for reassurance and insight into Stone House’s investment financial strategies.
Quarter 3, 2024
Join Bob Brown, CFP® and John Burke, two of Stone House’s Managing Partners, as they discuss major market happenings heading into the fourth quarter of 2024, including unemployment, Federal Reserve rate cut, stocks & bonds, and the upcoming election. Yes, they get into all of it! They also offer perspective on international markets and the global stock market.
*Filmed on September 27, 2024
What You Can Expect When Working with Stone House
Know You're in Good Hands with Stone House
Our one-of-a-kind investment management platform is built with security in mind. Every account has standard threshold alerts, fraud transaction monitoring, and an option for FLEX—our in-house risk management strategy that can mitigate some of the potential losses with volatile market conditions.
We Cut the Costs of Investing for You
Using one of our strategies, Diversidex®, we invest your assets according to your risk tolerance across a wide array of assets through low-cost ETFs.
Investing With Your Best Interests in Mind
Stone House Investment is a Fiduciary Investment Advisor Firm, meaning our team is required to create an investment strategy with YOUR interests in mind.
The Tools, Services, & Knowledge You Need
We weren’t satisfied with the status quo. We didn’t want just “good enough”. Over the years we have developed our own technologies, investment strategies, and client engagement processes to greatly enhance our clients’ experiences. Each of our advisors has developed a depth of knowledge and we share that knowledge with each other as we address challenging scenarios.
Below is just one example of a client’s journey to retirement alongside Stone House. Every client and situation is different, but this is a general idea of what to expect while working with a Stone House Advisor.
FutureYou Analysis
To get started, our Advisor will ask some basic questions concerning your current financial situation and your goals for the future. Depending on the situation, you may come in for an initial consultation right away!
Initial Advisor Consultation
Here, we would review the results of your Future You Analysis alongside mapping out possible scenarios for moving forward. Our Advisors are ready to meet with you and answer your questions!
Choose a Course of Action
Some wait until they’re ready to retire to become a client. Others jump right in! Whatever your situation, we’ll help you develop a plan for when you’d prefer to retire and how that could affect your account long-term.
Retire!
Time to take that leap of faith, but for you working with Stone House has provided a general roadmap for what to expect. It’s time to sit back and relax knowing we’ve got your back!
Managing Financial Goals
Your Advisor will set you up with routine check-ins to give you peace of mind on where your investments are at and to answer any questions you have. Thinking about buying a fishing boat? Advisors are here to help manage your financial goals like traveling or home renovations.
Social Security
Everyone who turns 62 can expect to collect social security. Your financial plan will include this planned income and show you what to expect.
Health Insurance
Our team considers the cost of your health insurance during retirement as well as Medicare plans for those who age-in at 65.
Estate Planning
Some of the hardest items to plan for include end-of-life details. From wills, trusts, power of attorney, asset management, and more, the Stone House team can help walk you through the process.
Charity & Generational Wealth
If you and your family are focused on long-term goals, whether they are to support a local organization or cause or if you simply want to create a nest egg for your loved ones, we can assess your goals and create sustainable wealth.
Meet the Stone House Team
Decades of combined experience in helping people enjoy retirement and reach financial freedom.
Robert J. Brown, CFP®
Partner
Raymond "Scott" Stone
Partner
John Burke
Partner
Kirk Lunger
Partner
Sayer Martin, CFA
Chief Investment Officer
Christine Slusark
Financial Paraplanner
Sherri Roberts
Financial Paraplanner
Barbara Grimaud, Esq.
Senior Advisor
Chad Taake, CFP®
Senior Advisor
Ben Robinson
Lead Advisor
Ryan Vassil, WMS℠
Lead Advisor
Mike Cravath, WMS℠
Lead Advisor
Larry Alderson, CFP®
Senior Advisor
Jennifer Schultz
Client Relationship Manager
Lori Brown
Client Relationship Manager
Katie Johnston
Lead Advisor
Stacey Valent
Office Manager
Lindsey Chiarelli
Director of Marketing & Operations
Anna Layaou
Marketing Content Manager
Leanne Kulah
Senior Client Service Specialist
READ OUR TEAM BIOS
Our Greatest Teachers Are Our Clients
The entire team at Stone House knows that listening is the key to earning trust, developing relationships and achieving measurable success for our clients.
We are guided by the same values that our clients live by; hard work, integrity and fairness. Using these values, we have built a business that tries to make a positive difference in the lives of those we serve. Seeing these results continues to build our passion for what we do. As the needs of our clients change, we continue to listen, to grow and evolve in order to provide the best financial and investment advice possible.
Robert J. Brown, CFP® - Partner
Bob began his career with a large financial services company, where he was educated in fundamental financial planning concepts. During that time period, he became registered as a Certified Financial Planner TM professional. For several years, he worked through an independent Broker/Dealer to allow his clients more freedom, flexibility and choice of investments. Bob has worked with hundreds of clients by helping them plan for their goals and establish appropriate allocations within their portfolios. He has dedicated countless hours to volunteer work revolving around his kids’ activities and his community. He continues to serve as an active board member of the Community Foundation of the Endless Mountains as well as the Wyoming County United Way. Admittedly, his weakness is that outside of the office Bob still believes he is 25 years old and that we’re all still living in the 80’s.
Raymond "Scott" Stone - Partner
Raymond Stone, who most of us know by his middle name “Scott”, is one of our founding partners. Scott handles much of the operations and regulatory compliance issues that face Stone House on a daily basis. From technology to policies and procedures to ensuring compliance with government regulations, Scott helps keep Stone House running in peak condition. Scott also advises a select group of clients and is part of our investment management committee. He enjoys tackling tough challenges and creating solutions to difficult problems. Over the years Scott has been involved with several community organizations such as Kiwanis, the Wyoming County Cultural Society, and the Montrose Chamber of Commerce. He enjoys traveling and spending time with his family and friends.
John Burke - Partner
John joined Stone House as an Investment Advisor Representative. He previously worked for Procter & Gamble for fourteen years. During his time with P&G, he had roles doing Supply Chain, Operations & Initiative Management. John’s work in investments and financial planning started while at the University of Notre Dame where he earned a MBA degree. Since then, he has managed his own portfolios using mixes of quantitative, fundamental and technical strategies. In 2002, John also started up a successful small business. John became a partner in Stone House in 2015.
Kirk Lunger - Partner
Kirk joined the team at Stone House Investment Management, LLC as an Investment Advisor Representative in 2014. He began his financial career as an accountant at Northeast Concepts, Inc. in Dallas, PA. He has always been passionate about the inner-workings of finance, business and investing, since earning a BS in Accounting from Misericordia University. As a financial advisor he loves being able to communicate those passions to his clients by guiding them through unfamiliar terrain. Kirk concentrates heavily on helping families navigate the complex retirement process; ensuring the best strategies are established to protect a client’s assets and income up to and throughout retirement. In his spare time, he loves spending his out-of-office hours on the golf course, in the outdoors, but most of all spending time with his family. It’s of utmost importance to him that he offers his clients well-informed and knowledgeable assistance in reaching their financial goals and objectives.
Sayer Martin, CFA - Chief Investment Officer
Sayer is the Chief Investment Officer at Stone House. Before joining Stone House, he held several technology leadership roles, starting with the founding of Sagacious Inc., which was later sold to Orchestrate LLC. At Orchestrate, he served as COO and Co-CTO until the company was acquired by Conga, where he stayed until transitioning to Stone House.
Earlier in his career, Sayer managed asset allocation portfolios and private and public investment pools for high-net-worth individuals and institutions at Clarity Asset Management and Clarity Capital Management, with responsibilities similar to his current position at Stone House.
Sayer began his investing journey while studying at Creighton University, where he earned a degree in Finance with a minor in Economics. He is also a CFA charterholder.
In his personal time, Sayer enjoys investment research, exploring new technologies, golfing, reading, and tinkering with hi-fi stereo equipment, as well as spending time with his family.
Christine Slusark - Financial Paraplanner
Christine earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Lock Haven University in 1998. After graduating, she spent time working for a major insurance company where she earned licenses to offer Life, Health and Accident Insurance as well as securities. Christine is not only well educated in the insurance arena, but has spent numerous years in the financial advising industry. She worked as a Paraplanner in a very successful practice for a major financial advising company for over 9 years. She played an integral part in the financial planning process working very closely with clients gathering data and analyzing information. She also has experience in asset management, portfolio rebalancing and securities trading. Christine joined the Stone House team in 2010 and we are all better for it!
Sherri Roberts - Financial Paraplanner
Sherri has a diverse professional background which includes customer service, healthcare, insurance and management. She has worked with major insurance companies as a licensed producer and as an Independent Agent. She has insurance licenses for Life, Health, Annuities and Property & Casualty. She brings a great deal of knowledge and experience as a qualified Financial Paraplanner.
In her personal time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her family and friends. Her favorite adventure is traveling to the lovely beaches of Aruba.
Barbara Grimaud, Esq. - Senior Advisor
Barbara joined Stone House Investment Management in 2018. After attending the U.S. Naval Academy, Barbara served 5 years as a Supply Officer in the U.S. Navy. She then attended Widener University School of Law and became licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania in 2013. Barbara clerked for federal District Judge Edwin Kosik of the Middle District of Pennsylvania for 3 years. Barbara joins our team eager to work one-on-one with clients as they navigate through various aspects of their life that Stone House addresses in their Life Stack approach. Barbara looks forward to alleviating the burden of financial planning as clients prepare for their future and the future of their estates. In her spare time, you can find Barbara still practicing law, volunteering in various community groups such as the American Legion, Rotary, and the Tewksbury Committee, as well as spending time with her family, horseback riding, and snowmobiling.
Chad Taake - Senior Advisor
Chad Taake joined Stone House Investment Management, LLC as an Investment Advisor Representative in 2018. Thanks to his work ethic, he continues to work for Procter & Gamble as well. At P&G, he has had roles doing Material Development, Operations, Engineering, & Initiative Management. Chad’s passion for investments started as a child, investing with his father. In college, he continued his financial learning earning a Masters in Engineering Management at the University of Missouri Rolla. When not working, Chad is often at one of the city parks with his 2 kids.
Leanne Kulah - Senior Client Service Specialist
Leanne joined the Stone House team in 2018. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree from Lock Haven University in 2009 and went on to earn a Master of Science Degree from Binghamton University in 2012 (Go Bearcats)! Leanne has a varied professional background that includes extensive customer service experience. She looks forward to putting that knowledge to good use while also learning more about the financial industry and helping clients. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter and visiting family in Bradford County.
Ben Robinson - Lead Advisor
Ben joined the team as an Investment Advisor Representative in 2020. After graduating from Lock Haven University in 2016 with a major in Business Administration, Ben moved to Colorado and Utah for a few years to pursue his passion of running and starting a Nonprofit Organization. After moving back to his hometown of Tunkhannock, Ben became intrigued in the stock market and investments. He spent his free time studying market trends, technical analysis strategies, and historical data to build his own successful portfolio. When the opportunity at Stone House presented itself of combining his love of finance and helping people, it was the perfect fit. Outside of Stone House, Ben enjoys running the local mountains here in Wyoming County, traveling to the best mountain ranges in the US and Europe for trail races, and awesome adventures with his wife, Jill.
Ryan Vassil, Wealth Management Specialist℠ - Lead Advisor
Ryan Vassil is an adviser with Stone House. He grew up in NEPA, attending Abington Heights HS and recently moved back to the area. He had been previously working in Philadelphia for a tech consulting company that serviced clients like IBM, Dell, HP, and Cisco. He liked solving complex problems for his clients to achieve their company goals but always wanted to have a career in finance and help clients on a personal level. Ryan brings the skills he learned from living and working in Philadelphia along with his background studying financial economics in college to the Stone House team and ultimately to our future and existing clients. Ryan’s investing and money management skills were first developed in college while partaking in the business/ investing club and attending the Robert McCann Wall Street leadership conferences. His main goal at Stone House is to use his passion for finance and investing to help families in the area retire with ease and comfort for many years after retirement. Ryan enjoys watching and playing sports in his free time and is probably playing golf on a sunny weekend.
Mike Cravath, Wealth Management Specialist℠ - Lead Advisor
Mike joined the Stone House team after spending the early part of his career with a large finance firm. He had always enjoyed learning about the intricacies of finance and solving complex issues which is what led him to graduating with a degree in accounting and minor in forensic accounting from Marywood University. He quickly found a passion for financial advising using his abilities to help others and make a positive impact in their lives. Mike prides himself on taking a wholistic approach to financial advising. He does this by navigating his clients through all aspects of their finances and supporting them through every stage of life. Mike decided to come to Stone House because of their commitment to exceeding client expectations. In his spare time, Mike enjoys golfing, spending time with family and friends, and going on adventures with his Golden Retriever, Walter.
Katie Johnston - Lead Advisor
Katie earned her Bachelor of Science in Finance from King’s College in 2010. While studying at King’s , Katie began working in the Oil & Gas Industry preparing title searches for various companies and continued this work after graduating for eight years until she found the opportunity to work for Global Tungsten & Powders in Towanda, PA as a Strategic Materials Purchasing Analyst. Her passion for helping people and education in Finance led Katie to pursue licensing as a Financial Advisor. Prior to joining Stone House in 2023, she started her financial advising career in 2020 and spent the last few years working for a local bank to help clients plan and manage their finances. Katie also holds her Life, Health and Annuity Insurance license to ensure a complete and holistic financial planning approach.
When not working, Katie enjoys spending time with her husband, two sons and their three spoiled dogs. Always an avid athlete, Katie loves to play volleyball at the Towanda YMCA, golf, and support her two sons in their athletic endeavors in soccer, basketball and golf.
Larry Alderson, CFP® - Senior Advisor
Having obtained his first financial oriented license in 1994, Larry is a local industry veteran with extensive knowledge and expertise in all facets of financial planning. In addition to working as a Trust Officer, he led various teams of financial delivery professionals for a local bank’s wealth management division for 24 years.
Larry is an Honors Graduate of Cannon Financial Institute, Trust Schools 1, 2, & 3. He has also completed the College for Financial Planning Professional Education and the American Bankers Association Private Wealth Management School. In addition to holding the designation of both Certified Trust and Financial Advisor (CTFA) and Certified Financial Planner® practitioner (CFP®), he also holds Security Licenses Series 7 – General Securities Representative and Series 63 – Uniform Securities Agent, as well as Life, Accident, Health and Property Casualty Insurance Licenses. Larry served as a member of the Pennsylvania Bankers Association Advisory Committee on Financial Planning from 2002 through 2004.
Larry is known to be an active member of his community. He was appointed and/or elected to Pike Township Board of Supervisors from 1992 through 2011. He is Past President of Athens Rotary, a member of LeRay Lodge #471 F. & A.M., a member of the Financial Planning Association, and has been a member of the Finance and Investment Committee for the Community Foundation for the Twin Tiers since its inception in 2002.
Jennifer Schultz - Client Relationship Manager
With over two decades of experience in financial industry, Jennifer has spent her professional career helping clients manage investments, administer trusts and estates, as well as provide general financial planning advice. She brings her strong skillset to Stone House, where her wealth of knowledge and dedication to client success will contribute to the team’s overall expertise and commitment to providing comprehensive financial solutions. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Mansfield University, and received certifications from PBA Trust School at Bucknell University and Cannon Financial Institute Trust School 1, 2 and 3. She also maintains her Life Accident and Health insurance license. Jennifer serves as a Trustee for the Northeast Bradford Education Foundation. In her free time, she enjoys summers at the lake, the outdoors, cooking, music and spending time with her husband, Bob, and their children.
Lori Brown - Client Relationship Manager
Lori has worked in the financial services industry for over 35 years. Over her extensive career, she has completed the Cannon Trust School and many banking courses. She has experienced many facets of the business and has a passion for going the extra mile for her clients. Stone House became a good fit for her in 2023, and she assumed the role of Client Relationship Manager. Being raised on a farm in Bradford County, Lori enjoys being home and working outside. She can often be found walking her dog on a back country road, enjoying the fresh air or just hanging out with family. Lori is a long-time member of the Towanda Rotary Club and is on the Board at The Main Link.
Stacey Valent - Office Manager
Stacey joined Stone House team in 2023 as office manager. She grew up in Clarks Summit, PA and graduated from Abington Heights in 1990 before earning an Associate’s Degree in Business at Keystone College. She moved to Georgia, the Poconos, and Florida before moving back home to Clarks Summit, PA in 2002. She has a professional background that includes customer service, administration, and running her own bakery. Stacey is excited to help clients, learn more about financial planning, and become part of a team. Outside of Stone House, she resides in Tunkhannock and enjoys spending time with her husband Rick, daughter Kati, as well as their cats and dogs (Labs), She loves traveling and spending time in the Finger Lakes with her husband. Her hobbies are running, baking, and cake decorating.
Lindsey Chiarelli - Director of Marketing & Operations
As the Director of Marketing and Operations, Lindsey uses an innovative and strategic mindset in building Stone House’s branding and business processes. She is a proud graduate of Marywood University, where she earned her Masters in Communication Arts in 2017, specializing in media production and management. Her academic and career experience has provided her with a comprehensive understanding of effective communication strategies and media dynamics, which she leverages to bring together the team’s goals internally and externally. On weekends, you’ll often find Lindsey knitting, gardening, or spending time with her family.
Anna Layaou - Marketing Content Manager
Anna Layaou is a dynamic marketing professional who graduated from the University of Scranton in 2018. Her post-graduation journey has been marked by her versatile expertise in the realms of PR/events, digital marketing, and email marketing. With a passion for creating impactful connections, Anna’s strategic skills and creative flair have consistently propelled her to excel in devising and executing innovative marketing campaigns that leave a lasting impression. Her dedication to mastering diverse facets of the marketing landscape has made her a valuable asset in driving brand growth and engagement. When not working, Anna loves to travel, run around her neighborhood, and spend time with family and friends.