Meet the MRK Wealth Advisors Team
Michael A. Halvorsen, MS, CFP®, CEBS, CKA®
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Practitioner
Wealth Advisor and Managing Partner
Michael has advised employees and retirees of Merck & Co. and other pharmaceutical firms for over 25 years. His work spans helping executives plan for retirement and major life goals to assisting with employment transitions. No matter what the circumstances, knowing how to leverage a client’s unique compensation and benefits are hallmarks of Mike’s work. Michael has been a guest speaker at Merck events and presented benefit maximization and wealth management to thousands of Merck employees.
Mike has been featured in The Philadelphia Inquirer as a financial education innovator in the workplace, and his comments have also appeared on National Public Radio. He is an honors graduate of the College of Financial Planning with a Master of Science in Financial Planning. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Drexel University with dual bachelor’s of science degrees in Finance and Human Resource Management.
He received his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) designation from the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Board of Standards and the U.S. CERTIFIED EMPLOYEE BENEFITS SPECIALIST certification from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Michael and his wife Randee have five children and five grandchildren. Their children have served in the armed forces, healthcare, veterinary and financial services. They also have one disabled child, giving them firsthand insight into the needs of special needs families. Mike has a Vizsla named Penny, and three rescue cats named Pedro, Tank, and Raven. Randee has been a nurse at Doylestown Hospital for over 20 years and together they have enjoyed leading medical teams to Guatemala to serve underprivileged villages with poor access to health care. Mike has also provided pro bono financial planning services to many individuals experiencing crises. They have been active in their church serving as treasurer and study group leaders. Now that most of their children have flown the proverbial coupe, Mike and Randee enjoy frequent family visits.
Joseph M. Bates, CFP®
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Practitioner
Financial Planner & Partner
Joseph received the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) designation from the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards and graduated from Messiah College where he received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. Before becoming a CFP®, Joseph earned his Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional designation (FPQP™).
Joseph is known for his exceptional client service, tracking and follow up on client objectives and has over three years of experience working with Merck and other pharmaceutical employees; assisting them with benefit elections.
Joseph his wife, Eliza, and black lab, Roan, live in Harleysville, Pennsylvania. Joseph enjoys bike riding, trail running and backpacking.
Marybeth Hufnagel, CPA
Director of Tax Planning and Preparation
marybeth@mrkwealthadvisors.com
With nearly two decades of accounting experience, Marybeth provides both tax planning and preparation services to clients of MRK Wealth Advisors. She works closely with our advisors ensuring our clients tax plans are carefully created, monitored, and integrated with clients short and long-term goals. In addition to tax responsibilities, Marybeth provides client service and financial planning support services to our clients. Marybeth has previously worked for Ernst & Young, Prudential Financial, and most recently, Kregel & Company CPA. She is a graduate of Bob Jones University majoring in Professional Accounting. Marybeth understands that collaboration with each client is fundamental to reach their goals and achieves this by listening and speaking in an approachable way. Marybeth is a constant goal setter personally and professionally. She has a passion to encourage others to find their "Why" and make a positive difference in their sphere of influence.
Marybeth and her husband Matthias have three children and live in Harleysville, Pennsylvania. Marybeth enjoys running and spending time outdoors. Summer is her favorite season where you can find her camping or at the beach. Marybeth and Matthias also enjoy being involved with children ministries at their local church.
Marie Krout, FPQP™
PARALEGAL – TRUSTS AND ESTATES & OFFICE MANAGER
After a successful 30-year career as a paralegal focusing specifically on estate, business and philanthropic planning, Marie joined the MRK Wealth Advisors team. She received the Paraplanner Qualified Professional designation (FPQP™) from the College for Financial Planning. She acts as a liaison in communicating and providing information between our clients and their attorneys. Marie is also our office manager and director of first impressions with clients.
Marie and her husband, John, have two adult sons and were excited to welcome their first grandchild in March of 2020. Marie is passionate about helping animals in need and has served as President and Director of a local Labrador Retriever Rescue since 2003. Their favorite pastime is spending quality time with their family both at home, on short vacations and at their vacation home at Lake Wallenpaupack in the Poconos.
Brandon Smith, J.D.
Director of Integrated Planning Group
Brandon Smith is Director of Integrated Planning Group for Summit Financial and supports the MRK Wealth Advisors Team. He leads the Integrated Planning Group and develops strategies and expertise to Financial Advisors. Brandon served as an Executive Officer for Grayhill LLC for over 18 years cumulatively which allowed him to partner with established Financial Advisors to develop advanced wealth transfer plans and perform comprehensive financial planning for clients. Prior to Grayhill, he was at Financial Designs Ltd for several years. Brandon earned a B.A. from Emory University, his J.D. from Washburn University of Law and his LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Denver College of Law.
David Porro, CLU®, ChFC®
Director of insurance
David is the Director of Insurance and has been with Summit Financial LLC for 14 Years. David specializes in the design and implementation of insurance strategies to enhance the overall protection within a client’s financial plan by working closely with the MRK Wealth Advisors Team. He has extensive knowledge of Life, Disability and Long-Term Care insurance in today’s world and how it can be leveraged to cover many of the unforeseen changes that may occur in the future. He earned a B.S. from Boston University. Outside of work, David likes to stay active by running, playing tennis, and riding his vintage motorcycle.
Steven Melnick, CFA
Director of investment management
Steve Melnick, CFA has nearly 15 years of investment experience within the private wealth sector, serving as part of the Summit Financial Investment Department and supports the MRK Wealth Advisors Team. Prior to joining Summit, Steve was a Senior Research Analyst at Brown Advisory where he served as a key member of the centralized Investment Solutions Group (ISG). Prior to Brown Advisory, Steve was at Dyson Capital Advisors and Cambridge Associates where he also served in investment due diligence and portfolio construction functions. Steve helps lead the Investment Team’s due diligence efforts, authors regular market commentary, and offers pivotal investment support to Summit’s advisor base. Steve holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from George Washington University and is also a CFA Charter holder.
James Rabasca, J.D.
Senior Tax Specialist
James Rabasca is a Senior Tax Specialist in the Integrated Planning Group of Summit Financial LLC and supports the MRK Wealth Advisors Team. Jim provides guidance on estate, tax, retirement, charitable, and business planning. Prior to joining Summit, he was a Vice President/Account Manager at Ayco, a Goldman Sachs Company, where he provided comprehensive financial and tax counseling to corporate executives and high net worth individuals. Before Ayco, Jim worked as an attorney, and focused his practice on taxation, business planning, and estate planning. He graduated from Rider University with a B.S. in Business Administration and earned his J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law.
Autumn Bingaman, FPQP™
Financial Planning and Operations AssistantAutumn graduated Magna Cum Laude with a double major in Economics and Political Science from Messiah University in May 2022. Autumn interned with the federal government for a year where she worked in the data analytics department. Autumn’s experience in data analytics has prepared her well for her financial planning and operations assistant position with MRK. She obtained her Paraplanner Qualified Professional designation (FPQP™), and later plans to pursue the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) designation.
In Autumn’s free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, running, hiking, snowboarding, and gardening. Autumn also has a deep interest in economic development, and the factors which contribute to the development of emerging economies.
Randee Halvorsen, FPQP™
Bookkeeper & Office assistant
After a successful 30 year career as an neonatal intensive care nurse, Randee joined the MRK Wealth Advisors team on a part-time basis to assist with bookkeeping and administrative activities. She received the Paraplanner Qualified Professional designation (FPQP™) from the College for Financial Planning.
In Randee’s free time she loves to be outdoors, cook, bake, spend time with family and is an active foster/foster home coordinator with a local cat rescue.
As an affiliate of Summit Financial, our team works closely with and leverages the
Summit professional team including:
Certified Financial Planner Practitioners
Certified Financial Analysts
Certified Public Accounts
Attorneys
As of 12/31/2023
We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.
- Winston Churchill
Interested in Working With Our Team?