David A Ponder, QPA is a 33-year member of American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries (ASPPA) and maintains the profession designation of Qualified Pension Administrator (QPA). Dave's experience includes 14 years as a Regional Pension Manager and Qualified Pension Administrator for a major provider and another five years as the Regional Sales Director for New York Life Investment Management.
Prior to teaming up with Alpha Solutions Group, Dave founded the Ponder Financial Group in 2001. Dave is a member of the New York Life President’s Council and has achieved the Top of the Table designation with the Million Dollar Round Table* (MDRT) -- the premier association of financial and insurance professionals.
*The Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), The Premier Association of Financial Professionals, is recognized globally as the standard of excellence for life insurance sales performance in the insurance and financial services industry.
As a financial advisor with over two decades of experience, Varda Fink knows that different seasons of life present different challenges and opportunities, especially for business owners and executives. They don’t just have their personal needs to consider, they also have to focus on their company’s financial health and balancing the two requires innovative financial planning that addresses the needs of both. Since 1993, Varda has been helping business owners and professionals clarify their financial goals, understand the various paths available to them, and chart the best possible course to meet their business and personal objectives.
Varda is motivated every day by the alarming truth that business owners are often so focused on putting value into their business that they arrive at retirement with their company being the only valuable asset they have. The lack of asset diversification is risky and does not maximize opportunities, and Varda helps her clients to avoid it. She teaches them to have a lifetime financial perspective and works with them to create highly-customized financial plans that allow them to enjoy the fruits of their hard work now, while growing, managing and protecting their assets for the future.
As a mother of five and grandmother of six, Varda focuses on helping her clients put a plan in place that takes care of their families now -- and for generations to come. She’s with them every step of the way and helps to monitor and adjust their plans as life changes and needs evolve. This holistic, multi-generational approach is one of the reasons Varda has risen to the top of her industry. She has achieved numerous awards during her career, including lifetime membership to the Million Dollar Round Table* and membership in New York Life's President’s Council.
Varda earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin and a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from the University of Notre Dame. She went on to have a successful career practicing law for more than a decade, and although she enjoyed her time as an attorney, she had a strong desire to work with clients in a more collaborative and impactful way. She entered the financial services industry in 1993, and received her Certified Life Underwriter (CLU®) designation from the American College.
Outside of the office, Varda enjoys serving the community through a variety of organizations. She is a member of her local Rotary Club, serves on the board of her synagogue, and is the vice chair of the board of Cornerstone Montgomery, a provider of mental health services in Montgomery County. She is a member of The Alternative Board, a peer advisory group for entrepreneurs and business owners. In her down time, Varda enjoys reading, knitting, and baking, and loves exploring different parts of the world with her husband.
*The Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), The Premier Association of Financial Professionals, is recognized globally as the standard of excellence for life insurance sales performance in the insurance and financial services industry.
Brian is an associate partner of Alpha Solutions Group. He has been in the financial services field since 1986. Brian specializes in providing comprehensive financial services to individuals, young families, business owners and self-employed. Brian is an investment adviser with Eagle Strategies LLC, a Registered Investment Adviser. With this resource Brian can utilize a comprehensive platform to direct and manage the investment needs and goals of his clients.
Brian is a Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU) from the American College and holds a Certification for Long Term Care (CLTC) designation. Brian is also a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors and Lifetime Member of the Million Dollar Round Table*.
In his free time, Brian operates a fishing charter boat on the Chesapeake Bay and is licensed by the United States Coast Guard. This allows him the opportunity to pay it forward and donate trips to the boy scouts, wounded warriors and disabled police officers.
*The Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), The Premier Association of Financial Professionals, is recognized globally as the standard of excellence for life insurance sales performance in the insurance and financial services industry.
Jessie Washington is a Financial Advisor at Eagle Strategies LLC (a subsidiary of New York Life) and specializes in working with retirees and pre-retirees who are “aging solo”. Jessie holds FINRA 6, 63, 66 and 7 licenses. Jessie is part of a small group of professionals at New York Life authorized to offer AARP long term care solutions. In addition, she is a certified Retirement income Professional (RICP®) and a Chartered Special Needs Counselor (ChSNC®) through The American College of Financial Services where she was recently appointed to the Alumni Advisory Board.
Prior to joining New York Life, she spent ten years as a trusted advisor to various agencies in the U.S. Intelligence Community. In addition, she spent 8 years in various technical and consulting roles at Princeton University.
Jessie holds a M.A. from Wesley Theological Seminary; M.B.A. from Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business; M.S. in Arts Administration from Drexel University; and a B.A. in Art History from Bryn Mawr College.
When Jessie is not working, she enjoys hanging out with her two dogs and volunteer work.
Louis “Ted” T Bosse IV is a Partner at Alpha Solutions Group. Bringing with him more than 25 years of industry experience and leadership, Ted specializes in working with Businesses, Business Owners, Executives, Professionals and Families. Ted has extensive knowledge of employee voluntary benefits and specialized business solutions.
Ted enjoys helping his clients crystallize their goals and objectives from a financial perspective and emphasizes a “protection-first” approach when designing financial plans. His process is to first make sure he fully understands his client’s full financial picture, so he can help them protect who they love and what they own. In addition, Ted focuses on helping clients efficiently accumulate their assets and facilitate an tax-efficient distribution of assets in retirement.
Ted graduated from Salisbury State College (now Salisbury University) in 1981, earning his bachelor’s degree in Business Management and a minor in Business Finance. He proudly serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors for The Blue Valor Foundation and is a member of Grace Community Church in Burtonsville, Maryland.
Ted and his wife, Debbie, have three grown children and three grandchildren. They have lived in Ellicott City, Maryland for 35 years. In their spare time, they enjoy travel, time at the beach, and spending time with family.
Diana is the Practice Manager at Alpha Solutions Group. She has been with the team since 2008 and manages the administrative and service components of the practice. Diana is the friendly and primary point of contact client service matters.
Diana is a student at Montgomery College -- majoring in Early Childhood Education. She is married and has a daughter. She and her family reside in Frederick, Maryland.
Laura Siragusa has developed a strong career in the wealth management industry over the last 13 years as a registered Associate Financial Advisorate. Her passion within the industry has always been acting as a strong liaison between clients and their financial advisors, bringing her background of world-class customer care with account and portfolio expertise to the Alpha Solutions Group. She not only provides operational support to clients but also assists advisors with their investment management implementation and oversight. Laura holds her Series 7 and 66 licenses, as well as her Maryland Life & Health Insurance license. As a native New Yorker, she is a third generation Fordham University graduate. She has now resided in Maryland since 2010 where she and her husband Greg have been raising their two young boys. They ski in the winter and enjoy the local Maryland beaches in the summertime. Laura loves to bake, spend quality time with her family, enjoy local music, sports, and cuisine. She is passionate about helping both children and animals and volunteers semi- annually with various organizations benefiting both.
Math Doesn't Lie.