Philadelphia — Janney Montgomery Scott LLC, a leading full-service wealth management and investment banking firm, is pleased to announce that GFR & Associates has joined the firm, establishing a new office in Hudson, Ohio. The team manages $600 million in client assets and joins Janney from UBS.
The team is led by Financial Advisors Garret Ferrara, Senior Vice President/Wealth Management, and Michele Ferrara, Senior Vice President/Wealth Management. They are joined by Financial Advisor Michael Burrows and Senior Registered Private Client Associates Candace Kyer and Mei Chen Goodson.
“At Janney, we’ve found a culture that truly understands what advisors need to grow,” said Garret and Michele. “The flexibility to build our business our way—paired with the strength of the firm’s resources and the collaboration across every department—makes this an exciting next step for our team.”
“We’re very pleased to welcome such a high-quality team to the Janney family as we continue to expand the firm’s presence in Greater Cleveland and across the Region. Janney’s long history, boutique culture, premier platform and employee ownership make for a very appealing home for great teams like GFR & Associates,” said Tom Galvin, Regional Director.
About GFR & Associates
Garret Ferrara, Senior Vice President/Wealth Management, Financial Advisor. Garret brings over 30 years of experience in the financial industry. Garret’s focus is on building lasting relationships and helping clients clearly define their expectations and financial needs. Active within the community, Garret served for twenty-four years on the Kent City Council and is currently a trustee for the Kent State University Foundation.
Michele Ferrara, Senior Vice President/Wealth Management, Financial Advisor. Michele has been a financial advisor for more than 30 years. She serves as the lead contact for clients’ planning needs, specializing in high-net-worth individuals and families. Michele focuses on investment management, retirement planning, and asset transition strategies, providing clients with guidance and clarity in achieving their long-term financial goals. Michele holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) professional designation.
She remains an active Kent State University alumnus supporting both the university and its athletic programs. She enjoys supporting local organizations within their community and is a long-standing member of Kent Coterie.
Michael Burrows, Financial Advisor. Michael has over 27 years of experience as a Financial Advisor. He is responsible for a wide range of financial investments including retirement planning, tax efficient strategies, debt repayment plans, insurance recommendations for your family’s protection, college savings plans, estate planning and wealth transfer strategies.
Candace Kyer, Senior Registered Private Client Associate. Candace has 21 years of experience in the financial services industry with an emphasis on banking services and products. Candace is the first point of contact for all administrative inquiries. She strives to provide the highest level of service to our clients by guiding them through our client service model and keeping our clients informed of any administrative issues. Candace and her family serve their church in a variety of capacities that include their teen youth program and basketball program.
Mei Chen Goodson, Senior Registered Private Client Associate. Mei has 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. She is Series 7 and 66 securities licensed. Mei assists with all aspects of the portfolio review and financial planning processes. She also assists clients with defining their goals and provides guidance on updating prior plans. Mei focuses on client satisfaction through client contact, scheduling appointments, event coordination, and administrative tasks.
