Our Team

Your life and your wealth are connected. That simple truth is the foundation of Ross Marino’s work as a financial planner, educator, and author. As the founder of Dovetail Financial and the creator of Human-First Financial Guidance™, Ross has spent over 30 years helping people align their financial decisions with what truly matters most. 

Ross specializes in guiding individuals through life transitions, especially the complex and emotional decision to retire. His approach begins with understanding a client’s story, values, and goals before analyzing their finances. His mission is to help people worry less about what could go wrong so they have the freedom to live their best life. 

Throughout his career, Ross has seen how life disruptions—retirement, caregiving, illness, career changes—can shake a person’s confidence and force difficult financial decisions. He understands that significant life events don’t just affect someone’s wealth; they shape their identity, priorities, and emotional outlook. He believes that guidance must match the moment and the person. 

Ross co-authored Shaping Change: How to Respond When Life Disrupts Your Retirement Plan and is passionate about integrating emotional intelligence into financial planning. He taught Retirement Planning and Employee Benefits as part of the CFP® curriculum at UNC Wilmington and is a frequent speaker at national financial conferences and on leading industry podcasts. 

Ross has been recognized by Investment News and WealthManagement.com for his leadership in advisor communication and client experience. In 2024, he was named the ThinkAdvisor LUMINARIES Award Winner for Thought Leader of the Year – RIA. 

Outside of work, Ross enjoys staying active with his family. You'll often find them playing pickleball, walking the loop at Wrightsville Beach, working out, or strolling with Lexi—their overly protective and incredibly spoiled Blue Merle Pomeranian. Ross is also an avid science fiction reader, a student of artificial intelligence, and a fan of Moonshots with Peter Diamandis. 

Whether someone is wondering, “When can I retire?” or asking, “How do I know if it’s the right time to retire?”, Ross brings empathy, experience, and clarity to help them make confident decisions—and build a plan that fits their life.

As Chief Operating Officer at Dovetail Financial, I lead our Operations and Client Service teams with one goal in mind: to ensure our systems run smoothly so our clients always feel supported and cared for. We believe great service means having a familiar voice on the other end of the line—someone who truly knows you and your family.

Building relationships and helping clients through life’s transitions are the most rewarding parts of my role. When life takes an unexpected turn, plans may need to change. That’s when our clients call, and I’m here to listen, understand what’s going on, and be part of the team that helps them move forward with clarity and confidence.

I graduated from the University of North Carolina Wilmington and began my career there before moving to Washington, D.C., where I worked in Human Resources at a large international law firm. After more than a decade, I returned to Southeastern North Carolina to be closer to my roots, family, and lifelong friends.

Outside of work, I stay active and make the most of each day. Whether it’s paddleboarding, snowboarding, working out, or outrigger canoe racing, I love being on the move. I also have a deep passion for music—you’ll often find me exploring record stores to expand my vinyl collection. When I’m not chasing down a new album, I’m enjoying time with family and friends, walking on the beach, or catching up on podcasts with a strong cup of coffee in hand.

I became fascinated with the stock market at an early age while growing up in the shadows of Wall Street in central New Jersey. My love of finance grew during an internship while attending The College of William and Mary. After graduating, I worked on Wall Street as a trader for over a decade. My passion for learning led me back to school to earn a master’s degree in economics from NYU.

During this time, I realized that I would be most fulfilled working with people, not just investment portfolios. My focus shifted, and I began helping people achieve their personal and financial goals.

Bonnie, my wife, and I moved to Wilmington, NC. She continued working as a teacher, and I dove headfirst into personal financial planning. First, I earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) designation. Then, I studied to become a Certified Financial Transitionist (CeFT®). After 25 years in the financial services industry, my transition from a trader to a financial planner is complete.

Wilmington has truly become home. I’ve enjoyed serving on the boards of multiple non-profit organizations, volunteering as a coach and serving as a mentor for business school students at UNCW. Our family attends St. Therese Church in Wrightsville Beach.

As the son of an educator and husband to a teacher, I’ve witnessed the impact of teaching. It’s no surprise I ended up at UNCW, teaching an Investments class as part of the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification curriculum.

My wife and I are incredibly blessed to have two wonderful children. Our son Daniel loves athletics, especially playing ice hockey. He’s an enthusiastic student and a protector and advocate for his beautiful little sister, Maggie. She is an upbeat bundle of energy, a ravenous learner and an absolute sweetie pie. And yes, she's daddy's little girl. Watching them both grow and develop is an absolute delight.

Earning both a bachelor’s and master’s degree, serving as a mentor to students and teaching preparation classes for the CFP® certification examination helped shape me as a financial planner and a man. One of my core beliefs is that insight comes from being open-minded and continuously learning. That insight is the foundation for helping people make wise decisions.

I grew up in Greensboro, NC, where my interest in finance started early—thanks to my family. My grandfather was an entrepreneur and investor, and my dad helped people plan for retirement. From a young age, I learned the value of living frugally, paying off debt quickly, and investing with a long-term mindset. As I got older, I began to appreciate how those early lessons shaped my own decisions—and how much of a difference good financial guidance can make. That curiosity led me to a career in financial planning.

I earned my bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of North Carolina Wilmington and started my career at Advisor2X, a company focused on educating and equipping financial advisors. After completing my MBA at UNCW, I went on to earn the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification, along with the Certified 401(k) Professional (C(k)P) designation, which focuses on helping businesses improve their retirement plans.

Outside of work, life is full and joyful. I married Lindsay, my amazing wife, in 2018. She’s a former child therapist with a heart for serving others. We welcomed our son, Miller, in 2021, and recently added a Saint Bernard puppy to the mix. We’re active members of Coastal Community Church and spend as much time outdoors as we can—especially near the water.

Sports have always been a big part of my life. I grew up playing travel soccer and played for the UNCW Club Soccer team. These days, my wife and I are regulars on the pickleball courts. We’re active in the Cape Fear Pickleball Club and love introducing new people to the game. Thinking about giving it a try? Let’s play!

Soon after graduating from the University of Georgia in 1991 with a BBA in Finance, I began my career at an accounting and tax firm specializing in the dental and orthodontic industry. In 1998, I joined Merrill Lynch, where I began helping individuals and families with their investing and financial planning needs. More than 27 years later, I am proud to continue serving many of the same clients I first worked with early in my career.

A lifelong resident of the metro Atlanta area, I am a loyal fan of the Braves, Falcons, Hawks—and, of course, the Georgia Bulldogs. I live in Suwanee, Georgia, and enjoy reading and music. In my spare time, I love attending tribute shows (and the real thing) featuring my favorite rock bands from the 1970s and 1980s with my wife, Vivian, along with family and close friends.

One of the causes closest to my heart is Camp Mikell, part of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta in Toccoa, Georgia. I grew up attending summer camp there, later returning as a volunteer counselor and serving on the summer staff during my college years. My family continues to attend and support Camp Mikell to this day.

I am the proud parent of two daughters, both college graduates—one from the University of Georgia and the other from Georgia Southern University—and I feel truly blessed by my family.

After graduating from Georgia State University in the early 90's, I began a career in television advertising.  I sold airtime, aka commercials, for WB36 (WATL Atlanta) then moved to Seattle and sold for KTWB-TV (now KZJO) and later for NorthWest Cable News.  Several years of success in this field came to a screeching halt when I had my first child.  My new career as a full-time mom began!  Our family returned to Georgia in late 2005.  Once my children were older, I enjoyed part-time positions doing administrative work for a couple of different companies.  It was a great balance that served my family and me well during that life season.

Fast forward to today and I really look forward to talking with clients, assisting Jeff and Laura in our Georgia office, and contributing to the Transitus team.  While my job is administrative, it's also largely client service.  I'm here to help!  

My husband, Jeff and I live in Suwanee, Georgia, a northern suburb of Atlanta.  We have 4 kiddos between us - three in college and one a junior in high school - so our household seems to have a revolving door!  Jeff and I are 1980's kids and love to listen to live 80's bands on the weekends whenever we have the chance.   We also love spending time with our family and friends, as well as getaways to the beach or the mountains as often as we can.

As Chief Financial & Compliance Officer at Dovetail Financial, I oversee the firm’s financial health and ensure we operate in full compliance as a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA). I’m passionate about building efficient processes and streamlined operations that support our planners and serve our clients well.

What drew me to Dovetail was founder Ross Marino’s leadership and the firm’s philosophy of guiding clients through life’s transitions. I believe helping people navigate change is the foundation of sound decision-making. Ross’ Human-First approach to financial planning is different and focuses on how wealth and life are connected.

My career in finance began at Florida State University, where I earned a B.S. in Finance. I interned with Ross at Raymond James and started my professional journey with T. Rowe Price as an Investment Advisor. I later completed my MBA at the University of North Carolina Wilmington and earned both the Project Management Professional (PMP®) and Investment Advisor Certified Compliance Professional (IACCP®) designations.

Before joining Dovetail, I helped build Advisor2x, a company that has hosted more than 1,000 educational events for financial advisors. I’m committed to lifelong learning and enjoy reading as part of my personal and professional growth.

Outside of work, I enjoy working out, playing pickleball, collecting vinyl, and learning guitar. I find purpose in giving back—mentoring students at UNCW’s Cameron Business School and serving through our local church, including participating in several mission trips.

Fun facts: I’ve visited all 30 Major League Baseball stadiums (despite not liking baseball!), my sister Michelle starred in Hairspray on Broadway, my family roots trace back to County Sligo, Ireland, and while I’m great at keeping secrets, I’m terrible at surprises.

As a Client Services Assistant through Nifty Advisor Support, my role is to perform operational and client servicing tasks for Dovetail Financial’s clients. I graduated from Texas Women's University with a Degree in History and a minor in Business Administration. I worked in brokerage operations at a large custodian for four years prior to joining Nifty. In my free time I enjoy hiking, lifting weights, listening to podcasts, and watching sports.