Retirement planning is personal, but the work behind it is rarely performed by one person. Advice, analysis, implementation, communication, operations, and compliance all need to support the same client relationship.
Each Dovetail client has a primary advisory relationship. Other team members contribute when needed, helping the agreed financial steps move forward without asking the client to coordinate the firm.
How Does One Advisory Relationship Draw on a Wider Team?
Coordinates the people and processes needed to carry the plan forward
Planning and advice
Advisors learn the situation, analyze connected choices, explain tradeoffs, and recommend a path.
Implementation and service
Client-service and operational work helps complete agreed steps, maintain records, and keep communication moving.
Operations and compliance
Firm processes support consistent service, appropriate oversight, and the work advisors perform for clients.
Why the parts move together: Advice becomes useful through follow-through, and implementation can reveal changes that need to return to the advisor and the retirement plan.
Ross Marino, CFP®, CeFT®
Founder & CEO
Ross created Human-First Financial Guidance®. He provides financial guidance to people nearing or living in retirement, including when a change creates a new decision.
Liz Troutman
Chief Operating Officer
Liz leads Dovetail’s Operations and Client Service teams. She oversees the people and processes that support communication and ongoing service.
Mike Giblin, CFP®
CFP® Professional
Mike helps clients evaluate how investment and income decisions fit within the retirement plan. He also reviews tax questions when they affect those decisions.
Bryant Lester, CFP®
CFP® Professional
Bryant supports retirement planning and leads Dovetail’s introductory conversations.
Jeff Kirkpatrick
Financial Advisor
Jeff serves individuals and families through Dovetail’s Georgia office and brings more than 27 years of experience.
Vivian Kirkpatrick
Client Services
Vivian supports clients, Jeff Kirkpatrick, and the administrative work of Dovetail’s Georgia office.
Trey Dowdy, PMP®
Chief Financial & Compliance Officer
Trey oversees Dovetail’s financial operations, compliance program, and supporting internal processes.
Karl Burrell
Client Services Assistant
Karl supports routine operational and client-service requests through Nifty Advisor Support.
Begin With a Conversation
Bryant Lester, CFP®, leads the introductory call. He will learn what prompted you to reach out and answer your initial questions about Dovetail.
If it makes sense to continue, your next conversation will be with Ross Marino, CFP®, CeFT®, or another Dovetail advisor. If you prefer another advisor, just let Bryant know.
