Team

Originally from Louisville, Kentucky, Charlie earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Tennessee. He then entered the United States Air Force where he served for ten years as an officer and F-16 fighter pilot.

While serving in the Air Force Charlie shared his passion for personal financial planning by administering money management classes to his fellow military service men and women. After his ten years in the Air Force, Charlie wanted to begin a new career helping others understand and thrive in personal finance so he earned his Master of Business Administration in Financial Planning from California Lutheran University. Charlie also earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) professional designation in 2012. In addition, Charlie was hired by Southwest Airlines in 2007. After flying commercially for 13 years, Charlie jumped at the opportunity to take the VSP (Voluntary Separation Program) in 2020 to focus on helping his clients.

Charlie’s joy in life is to truly understand each client’s unique situation and their family’s goals and dreams for the future. His goal is to take the worry out of personal finance. He works hard to be worthy of his clients’ trust, providing absolute transparency, a high level of integrity and objective advice. His prior life and work experiences as an Air Force officer and pilot have helped him understand the discipline, knowledge and leadership it takes to be an effective financial advisor for his clients.

Charlie enjoys watching his three girls grow up, (much too fast), spending quality time with his wife Leisa, reading, and taking care of the horse farm with any time left over.

Kevin specializes in working with high-income earners who need assistance in managing company incentive plans, maximizing their investments, and minimizing taxes. He also specializes in cash flow planning for pre-retirees and retirees, and helping them make planning decisions regarding their Social Security benefits.

Kevin holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) and the Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) professional designations. Kevin is an active Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the state of Tennessee.

In addition to Leading Edge Financial Planning, Kevin was an Adjunct Professor and taught a Personal Finance class at Maryville College for the J term in January, 2016 and January, 2017. Teaching financial concepts and helping younger people get off to a great financial start is something Kevin enjoys!

Kevin is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants (TSCPA), and is a Board member on the East Tennessee Financial Planning Association (FPA).

He graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business with an emphasis in Finance from Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania. He was a four-year letter winner in football, played club Rugby, and was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. He received his Master of Science in Accounting (MaaC) with a focus on public accounting in 2012 from Strayer University. Prior to working in financial planning, Kevin spent 18 years in Pharmaceutical Sales, Training and Management.

Kevin lives in Knoxville with his wife, Jade, and their two sons.

Lisa Rosenthal is the dynamic force propelling our business operations forward in her role as Chief Operating Officer. She plays a pivotal role in maintaining our organizational compass and delivers comprehensive business support to Leading Edge Financial Planning.

With a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and Marketing from the University of Colorado (Go Buffs!), Lisa brings a wealth of experience to her position. Before joining Leading Edge, she honed her skills through diverse professional experiences, serving as a seasoned human resources generalist, a strategic marketing associate, and a proficient project manager. Lisa possesses an uncanny knack for organization and a genuine love for all things data-related, particularly spreadsheets – yes, you read that right!

Originally from Colorado, Lisa’s life journey has been punctuated by her husband’s career as a Marine Corps pilot. Now that he’s retired and working in the airline industry, they’ve decided to call the picturesque state of Wisconsin their home. Alongside their children, their family includes two dogs (a ball-centric Labrador and a quirky Anatolian Shepherd), along with her office companion, Panzer the cat.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Lisa enjoys traveling, hiking, skiing, gardening, and supporting her children in their various activities. Her unwavering dedication to both her professional and personal life exemplifies her commitment to excellence. As Chief Operating Officer, Lisa plays a crucial role in ensuring the seamless operation of Leading Edge Financial Planning’s services and supports our clients’ financial well-being.

Originally from Akron, Ohio, Andy earned his Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the United States Naval Academy. He then entered flight school and served for ten years on active duty as an officer and F/A-18 Super Hornet pilot. Andy continues to serve in the Navy Reserves.

He earned his Master of Science in Finance from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business and holds the designation of a CFA® charterholder. After leaving the Navy, Andy transitioned into private wealth management and consulting, partnering with clients, and learning the craft of financial planning.

As a Lead Planner at Leading Edge, Andy’s primary interest is the intersection of the science of finance and his client’s personal financial well-being and unique planning needs. He recognizes that everyone’s financial outlook and situation is different. With that perspective, he loves diving into the details to develop customized planning solutions.

Andy also has a passion for teaching and is an Executive in Residence at Georgetown University’s MS in Finance (MSF) program where he advises and mentors MSF students. Additionally, he is a part-time F-35 contract simulator instructor pilot at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, teaching newly “winged” Naval Aviators.

Andy currently lives in San Diego, CA with his wife, Brittany, and young son. As a Northeast Ohio sport fan, he is perennially disappointed in his team’s season.

Originally from the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, Betsy earned her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and Master of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Betsy obtained an athletic scholarship competing on the Women’s Division I Intercollegiate Swim Team.

Prior to her recent career change, Betsy worked 15 years in healthcare. Betsy collaborated with physicians, pharmacists, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants to decrease risk of adverse outcomes.  Betsy has been a client with Leading Edge Financial Planning since 2015 and is very excited to join the team. Betsy is now focused on improving client lives as a Paraplanner.

When she is not studying to become a financial planner and IRS Enrolled Agent, you can find her with family and friends – wake surfing, hiking, and of course laughing. She is blessed to have a family that values family, hard work, and charitable giving.

Born and raised in Owensboro, Kentucky, Nolan earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance, with a Personal Financial Planning Concentration from Western Kentucky University (CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Board Registered Program). Prior to joining Leading Edge, Nolan has worked with two other firms in the Financial Services Industry since his sophomore year of college.

In addition to Leading Edge Financial Planning, Nolan has served as President of The Financial Planning Association (FPA), volunteer for Junior Achievement, and is an active member at his local Church.

Nolan lives in Owensboro, KY with his wife, Clare, and their young son. Nolan enjoys spending quality time with his family, going on hikes, walks, and any other activities that allow him to enjoy the outdoors with others.

As a Certified Financial Planner, Travis Reader brings over 12 years of experience in financial planning, backed by strong academic credentials: a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Indiana University Southeast and a Master of Science in Financial Services from The American College of Financial Services. Combining his education, industry and life experience, Travis is committed to providing high-quality, client-centered financial advice.

Previously, as the owner and lead planner at Different By Design Financial Planning, Travis specialized in helping clients navigate complex financial decisions with clarity and confidence. Earlier in his career, he worked as a Financial Analyst at YUM! Brands, a Fortune 500 company in Louisville, KY, where he developed a comprehensive understanding of corporate finance before transitioning to his true passion—personal financial planning.

Travis values transparency and objectivity, key principles of his fee-only advisory model. He was drawn to Leading Edge Financial Planning for its culture of respect, excellence, and commitment to evidence-based planning—values that align with his dedication to making a meaningful impact in clients’ lives.

Outside of work, Travis enjoys spending time with his family and exploring the outdoors. Whether hiking, biking, playing pickleball, or keeping up with his energetic German Shorthaired Pointer, he finds balance and inspiration in nature.

Originally from Annandale, VA (just outside Washington, D.C.), Jason earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Tennessee. Jason was an Army ROTC scholarship cadet at UT and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant upon graduation. After completing the Engineer Officer Basic Course at Ft Leonard Wood, MO, he joined the Army Reserve and obtained his Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech and began work as a consulting engineer.

During this time, Jason developed a passion for flying, earning his Private Pilot license in 1994. He later decided to leave his engineering career, and in 1999, Jason applied for a branch transfer. He joined the Air Force Reserve where he went to Air Force Pilot Training and flew the C-5 Galaxy and other aircraft. He retired as a Lt Col in 2018 after 25 years of total service.

During his time in the military, Jason developed a strong interest in the financial markets and financial planning, in particular. He completed the Certified Financial Planner certification program at Rice University in Houston, TX in 2012 while on active duty orders. After completion of his orders in 2013, he moved to TN and worked as a financial advisor at a large brokerage firm and earned his CFP designation in 2016. He later left that firm as he wanted to work with an organization where he could be a true fiduciary. Jason found that opportunity with Leading Edge Financial Planning.

Jason lives in Wears Valley with his wife, Jill, and their 2 children, where they try to spend as much time outdoors as possible. They own a Beech Debonair which he uses for personal travel and animal rescue flights. Jason is also currently a pilot for NetJets.

Mark is a dynamic and versatile financial planner with eighteen years of professional experience in aviation and finance. A former Marine Corps fighter pilot (retired Major) and current American Airlines pilot; Mark has joined Leading Edge Financial Planning to help others discover what is possible in their lives and create a pathway to reach what is most important to them.

After growing up in South Florida, Mark studied Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Tech and then joined the Marine Corps. He flew the F/A-18 Hornet on active duty and then the C-12 King Air in the reserves, while also serving as an Aviation Safety Officer for multiple commands. After active duty service, he earned his Master in Business Administration at the University of California, San Diego. While working on his MBA, Mark discovered opportunities to improve outcomes and reduce risk in the Healthcare industry. He worked in consulting and then marketing for multiple spine surgery medical device companies. Using risk management and safety concepts from aviation, he collaborated with surgeons to create new products and procedures to reduce medical errors during surgery and improve patient outcomes. Mark is now focused on improving lives as an Investment Advisor Representative.

He lives in South Lake Tahoe, CA with his wife Adriana raising one young daughter. When not helping clients or studying to become a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, you can find Mark outdoors with his family, skiing, snowboarding and mountain biking in the Sierra Nevada mountains.