MEET OUR ASSOCIATES
American Lifestyle works with many specialists in various fields - all of whom are necessary to help our firm perform well for our clients. While we certainly agree that everyone (administrators, investment traders, compliance officers, analysts, market strategists, economists, forecasters, marketing specialists, IT specialists, wholesalers, etc.) are very important and very special, it would be impossible to list everyone. Having said that, here are a few people, staff and also independent professionals, who are key to creating the positive impact that is needed for the wellbeing our clients:
___________________________________
Daniel W. Donihue, MSFS, IAR, LUTCF, CES, CEP, CLTC, CAS, CSA, BCE
~ Founder & CEO / Managing Partner / Investment Advisor Representative / Financial Advisor / Insurance Agent
ABOUT DAN...
In 1998, with a passion for helping others, Dan began his career in the financial services industry and founded American Lifestyle. In 2002, after building a successful practice in Washington, he relocated to Southern California. Since that time, his practice has continued to grow in Washington, California, and many other states all over the country.
A big believer in formal and informal education, Dan has earned a number of esteemed designations relating to insurance and financial services including Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow (LUTCF), Certified Estate & Trust Specialist (CES), Certified Estate Planner (CEP), Certified in Long-Term Care (CLTC), Certified Senior Advisor (CSA), Certified Annuity Specialist (CAS), Board Certified in Estate Planning (BCE), and in 2004 he completed his Master Of Science Degree In Financial Services (MSFS). Additionally, Dan has completed specific advanced financial education with Retirement Analyzer Academy and American Equity University. To this day, Dan continues to regularly travel to financial conferences, attend financial webinars, and read financial books.
Dan has been the recipient of many prestigious financial-related awards, over the years, including Gold Eagle (from American Equity), Agent Of The Year (from Partners Advantage), Founders Club (from Fusion Capital Management), and Top Gun (from Pacific Estate Group).
Dan specializes in helping his clients preserve capital, reduce risk exposure, increase returns, increase income, and reduce taxes. He's devoted to assisting retired and pre-retired Americans in protecting their assets and ensuring that their money works for them. Over the years, he's used his knowledge and experience to help hundreds of families with sound solutions to a large variety of financial issues. Additionally, Dan periodically volunteers time to provide Christian financial stewardship counseling for anyone who may need assistance with anything from family budgeting to estate planning to charitable gifting.
Outside of his work, Dan enjoys many activities including spending time with family, running, soccer, hiking, biking, boating, snowboarding, traveling, and reading. Dan and his wife, Stayci, are happily married and have two sons and a daughter - Harrison, Riker, and Liza. They're a family of music lovers and they have a studio in their home where they enjoy performing, writing, and recording music. Dan and his family reside in Castaic, Califorina. They attend Higher Vision Church and they also love to watch church services on YouTube from Christian Faith Center (with Pastor Casey Treat) - their former church from Seattle.
___________________________________
Stayci R. Donihue
~ President / Partner
ABOUT STAYCI...
Stayci has been instrumental in the development and building of American Lifestyle from the ground up. She has always worked hard and has given all the necessary support to make the firm successful - even in the beginning times when it seemed like nothing would come together easily. Having the gift of gab, she's been able to help in ways that only she could do.
As a full-time mom, Stayci stays very busy but continues to stay involved in Dan's practice and assists him wherever needed. Currently, her job encompasses a little bit of everything. She works when and where she's needed in order to make sure clients are well taken care of and the firm runs smoothly. She manages the office, plans events, coordinates activities, and is responsible for helping to make all major decisions that will affect the future of the firm.
On the side, Stayci enjoys all kinds of outdoor activities including hiking, biking, boating, and, like her husband, has a history of heavy involvement with soccer. She is a certified Intermediate Referee, team manager, and a player. She very much enjoys activities that her whole family is able to participate in.
___________________________________
Elizabeth C. Donihue, CSA
~ Vice President / Office Manager / Financial Advisor / Insurance Agent
ABOUT LIZA...
After completing a one-year certification at Higher Vision Leadership School, Liza joined forces with American Lifestyle on June 28, 2016 as an executive assistant. From her very first day, she brought a youthful exuberance to the team. Quickly realizing her potential, within a few months, Liza was back in school, again, to begin her studies to become an insurance and financial advisor.
Liza is a great student of the insurance and financial services industry. She's constantly continuing her education by taking classes, attending conferences, reading books, and asking questions. She brings many great things to the table, but also does an excellent job of utilizing our huge, built-in support network of experts to help her in her own practice. Liza holds a Series 65 license, a life insurance license, is certified for long-term care and is certified in annuities. Liza has also earned the esteemed designation of Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) and has completed specific advanced financial education through American Equity University.
In her free time, Liza enjoys writing, playing, and recording music and working out at the gym.. She's very active and enjoys all kinds of outdoor activities.
___________________________________
Bryce B. Engel, BA
~ Fusion CEO, Advisory Board Member
ABOUT BRYCE...
Bryce B. Engel has served as the CEO of Fusion Capital Management since October 2017. At Fusion, Bryce serves on the Advisory Board and manages day-to-day operations, driving the company's growth and innovation. Under his leadership, Fusion has expanded its assets under advisement to over $1 billion, serving more than 75 financial advisors. Bryce is motivated by making Fusion successful, fostering further growth, and delivering an exceptional experience. His goal is to truly help advisors run their businesses better through robust technology, strategic planning, and model development.
Prior to joining Fusion, Bryce held leadership positions at Penson Worldwide (President and Chief Operating Officer, and Executive Vice President - International Operations). Earlier in his career, Bryce spent 12 years at TD Ameritrade, rising to the role of Senior Vice President. There, he was responsible for Retail Client Service and Support, Institutional Operations, and Clearing Operations. Bryce played a crucial role in transforming TD Ameritrade from a small non-public organization into one of the largest online retail trading firms in the country.
Throughout his career, Bryce has held various General Securities licenses, including Series 7, 63, 24, 4, and 27. He served on the ATD Advisory Council and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Options Clearing Corporation from 2006 to 2009. In 2007, Bryce was recognized in the Midland Business Journal's Top 40 Under 40 program. He has a degree in Finance and Management from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Outside of his professional life, Bryce is committed to giving back to his community. He actively participates in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, demonstrating his dedication to mentorship and youth development.
___________________________________
Robert Pujia, BA, CFS
~ Partner / Chief Operating Officer
ABOUT BOB...
Bob has worked in the financial services industry since 2001 - beginning as a wholesaler for ING and John Hancock Funds as well as a financial advisor for PNC Investments.
As Chief Operations Officer at Fusion Capital Management, Bob is charged with multiple duties including day-to-day operations of working with existing and new financial advisors to ensure efficiency and attention to detail on all tickets performed within the Fusion platform. Robert has been dedicated to streamlining processes and enhancing efficiency, aiming to simplify complex tasks and optimize client satisfaction.
Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, Bob went to school at Penn State University where he earned his bachelors degree in finance. He currently holds his FINRA Series 6, 7, 63, and 66 licenses as well as his Life and Variable Annuity Licenses. He has also held the Certified Fund Specialist designation.
Bob is active in his local Rotary Club and spends much of his free time golfing, fishing, and exercising.
___________________________________
Justin Koehler, BA, MBA
~ Fusion Director of Sales
ABOUT JUSTIN...
Justin Koehler serves as the Director of Sales at Fusion Capital Management, bringing over 16 years of extensive experience in the financial services industry to his role. Justin leads the sales team, driving the company's growth and fostering strong client relationships. His leadership and strategic thinking have been instrumental in guiding Fusion to achieve new milestones in the industry. Justin is motivated by delivering superior financial solutions and support to clients, leveraging his expertise to position Fusion as a trusted partner in the financial services sector.
Prior to joining Fusion, Justin held leadership positions at Carson Group, where he worked in various sales capacities, ultimately rising to the role of Assistant Vice President. During his tenure at Carson Group Coaching and Carson Group Partners, Justin focused on sales, training, and onboarding for advisors joining the community. He played a crucial role in evaluating advisors' businesses to identify opportunities for adding efficiencies and scale. Justin also served as Co-Chair of the Events committee and trained new employees, primarily concentrating on sales and advisor acquisition.
Throughout his career, Justin has maintained his commitment to professional development and regulatory compliance. He currently holds a Series 65 License and formerly held a Life and Annuities License. Justin's comprehensive understanding of sales, support, training, and management within the financial services sector has enabled him to excel in his current position at Fusion Capital Management.
Justin has a BA from Doane University and an MBA from University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Outside of his professional life, Justin is dedicated to giving back to his community. He has been actively involved with the TeamMates Mentoring program in Omaha, Nebraska for 9 years, demonstrating his commitment to youth development and mentorship.
Justin lives in Omaha with his wife and daughter. He loves spending time with his family and rooting on the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
___________________________________
Laura Wajs, BA
~ Chief Compliance Officer
ABOUT LAURA...
Laura Wajs is the Chief Compliance Officer at Fusion Capital Management. She has more than 25 years of compliance experience, serving as a CCO for 17 years.
Laura began her career as a regulator working at the NYSE and further developed as a senior compliance officer on the asset management side of the business.
Prior to joining Fusion Capital Management, Laura held senior roles at Citigroup Asset Management, J.H. Whitney Investment Management and Neuberger Berman.
Laura has a BA in Finance from Hofstra University.
___________________________________
Wayne Ferbert, BA, BS, MBA
~ Member of Fusion Advisory Board, Alpha DNA Founder, Burney Advisor Services Managing Director
ABOUT WAYNE...
Wayne Ferbert is a member of the Fusion Capital Management Advisory Board. He is the founder of Alpha DNA Investment Management, driving the company's mission to broaden the application of advanced technologies including machine learning and alternative data in portfolio management. He is also the Senior Managing Director at Burney Advisor Services supporting the firm’s business development.
Wayne's career in financial services spans 22 years. During his 10-year tenure at TD Ameritrade, Wayne held key leadership positions, including serving on the Senior Operating Committee in charge of business development. In this role, he oversaw crucial areas such as M&A and market research. Wayne also contributed to TD Ameritrade's growth and innovation in the online brokerage segment during his time as a Product Development leader. Prior to founding Alpha DNA, Wayne co-founded ZEGA Financial, specializing in risk-management strategies using options. The principles behind ZEGA's founding were inspired by the book Wayne co-authored, "Buy and Hedge, the 5 Iron Rules for Investing Over the Long Term," showcasing his thought leadership and expertise in investment strategy. Earlier in his career, Wayne held planning and analytical roles at Fortune 500 insurance and banking firms, building a strong foundation in financial analysis and strategy.
Wayne holds an MBA in Finance from Loyola University Maryland and a BSBA in Finance from Bucknell University. He lives in Ellicott City, Maryland, with his wife and three daughters.
___________________________________
Brian Wesbury, BA, MBA
~ Chief Economist
ABOUT BRIAN...
Brian began his career in 1982 at Harris Bank in Chicago. Former positions include Vice President and Economist for Chicago Corporation and Senior Vice President and Chief Economist for Griffin Kubik, Stephens & Thompson.
In 1995 and 1996 Brian served as Chief Economist for the Joint Economic Committee of the U.S. Congress. The Wall Street Journal ranked Brian the nation's #1 U.S. economic forecaster in 2001, and USA Today ranked him as one of the nation's top 10 forecasters in 2004.
Brian Wesbury is Chief Economist at First Trust Advisors L.P. He was a member of the Academic Advisory Council of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago from 1999-2007 and has been a regular attendee of the Economist Roundtable Luncheon at the Chicago Fed since 2007. In 2012, he was named a Fellow of the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, TX, where he worked closely with its 4%-Growth Project. His writing appears in many magazines, newspapers and blogs and he appears regularly on Fox, Bloomberg, CNBC and BNN Canada TV.
Brian received an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management and a BA in Economics from the University of Montana. McGraw-Hill published his first book, The New Era of Wealth, in October 1999. His second book, It’s Not As Bad As You Think, was published in November 2009 by John Wiley & Sons. In 2011, Brian received the University of Montana’s Distinguished Alumni Award. This award honors outstanding alumni who have “brought honor to the University, the state or the nation.” There have been 267 recipients of this award out of a potential pool of 91,000 graduates.
___________________________________
Robert Stein, BA, CFA
~ Deputy Chief Economist
ABOUT BOB...
Bob is Deputy Chief Economist. He is responsible for forecasting and analyzing economic indicators as well as writing economic commentaries.
Prior to joining First Trust, Bob was Assistant Secretary for Economic Policy at the U.S. Treasury Department. While there, Bob was responsible for briefing the Secretary of the Treasury on U.S. macroeconomic developments and formulating policy proposals. Day to day, he was responsible for leading a team of twenty economists conducting in-depth economic analysis and research.
Between 1996 and 2002, Bob was chief economist for the Senate Budget Committee on Capitol Hill and an economist for the Senate Banking Committee and Joint Economic Committee. Prior to his tenure on Capitol Hill and the Treasury Department, Bob was a journalist for Investor’s Business Daily where he covered the economy and authored many front-page stories.
Bob received a BA in both Economics and Government from Georgetown University. He is also a CFA Charterholder.
___________________________________
Robert Carey, BS, CFA
~ Chief Market Strategist
ABOUT ROBERT...
Robert has over 3 decades of experience as an Equity and Fixed-Income Analyst and is a recipient of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana with a B.S. in Physics. He is also a member of the CFA Society of Chicago and the CFA Institute. Mr. Carey is Chief Market Strategist at First Trust Advisors L.P., which manages or supervises approximately $130 billion in assets.
Robert has appeared throughout the United States and Canada as a guest on television and radio programs. These programs include: Bloomberg TV, CNBC and on Chicago’s WBBM Newsradio 780’s Noon Business Hour. He has been quoted by several publications, including The Wall Street Journal, The Wall Street Reporter, Bloomberg News Service, and Registered Rep.
___________________________________
Ryan J. Borer, AAMS
~ Advisor CRM Founding and Managing Partner
ABOUT RYAN...
Ryan began his career in the financial services industry in 1993 gaining experience as a registered rep, a wholesaler, and a manager. As a founding partner of Fusion Capital Management, Ryan's has expanded upon his personal and professional experience and playing a pivotal role in developing advisor-focused technology and operations platforms with Advisor CRM.
Ryan is an Accredited Asset Management Specialist designee through the College of Financial Planning and currently holds his Series 65 License. He has previously held his Series 7, 6, 63, as well as Life, Health, and Variable licenses.
Ryan is from Omaha, Nebraska and now resides in the Dallas, Texas area. He is happily married and has four sons - last time we counted!
___________________________________
Randal D. Armour, ESQ
~ Attorney At Law
ABOUT RANDY...
Randy is a graduate of Loyola Law School. In 1997, he began his practice establishing The Law Offices of Randall D. Armour. Over the years, his practice has gain the reputation as being one of the premiere estate planning legal firms in The Santa Clarita Valley. His philosophy has been that, by narrowing the scope of services offered, he can be very skilled in these specific areas of his practice. He believes that, with the constant changes in the law - especially in the areas of estate and tax planning - it's very difficult for attorneys to be proficient in numerous areas of law. For these reasons, his legal practice is devoted exclusively in estate planning and administration.
Randy's specialties include drafting of Wills, Living Trusts, Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts, Charitable Remainder Trusts, Special Needs Trusts, General Durable Powers of Attorney, Advanced Health Care Directives and other vital documents and tools designed to minimize estate taxes, avoid probate, and address disability and healthcare decisions. Randy takes the time to analyze the individual needs and goals of clients and then outline, design, and implement tailored plans which meet those objectives in the most beneficial and cost-effective manner.
___________________________________
Edward O'Hare
~ Attorney At Law
ABOUT ED...
Edward O'Hare is the founding attorney at O'Hare Law Office. As a skilled probate and estate planning lawyer in Santa Clarita, he takes great pride in providing unique and thorough plans for his clients and their families.
Before pursuing a career in the legal field, Edward served in the U.S. Air Force as a firefighter. In that position, the main goal of the department is actually to prevent fires before they start. He views his role as an estate planning lawyer in much the same way.
Much like his role as a U.S. Air Force firefighter, Ed is ready and able to address any fires that may crop up in relation to estate planning. His responsibility and primary goal is to be proactive and do everything in his power to minimize or prevent those issues from ever coming to pass. Everything he does and every document he drafts is through the lens of preventing future conflicts for our clients and their families before they happen. When a client has certain goals in mind, it's his job to understand how that will play out in reality.
Edward feels that the most rewarding aspect of his job is taking a complicated and stressful situation and helping people find order in the chaos. When a client has a loved one who has passed away, their emotions are often overwhelming. There is nothing more fulfilling than being able to help individuals navigate a complex situation and come out the other side better equipped to move forward.
Ed holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in history, and a Doctor of Law degree from Southwestern Law School
___________________________________
Douglas A. Ridnor, CPA
~ Partner / Certified Public Accountant
ABOUT DOUG...
Doug is a graduate of California State University, Northridge, and has more than 30 years of accounting experience. He has previously served as an audit manager for a regional accounting firm and as the controller of a property management firm. He joined Stern Kory Sreden & Morgan accountancy firm in 2000.
Doug provides accounting, tax, and advisory services to clients. He works very closely with business owners and individuals to help with any and all accounting needs as part of their management team. He, as well as other staff members, are a recourse for one another with respect to the broad areas of expertise represented by the firm. The talented individuals who make up SKSM reflect the values and goals of the company: hard-working, informed, and committed to excellence.
Doug is very actively involved in the community. He has served as Lieutenant Governor for Division 16 of Kiwanis International. He is Chairperson of the Granada Hills Volleyball Association and is Treasurer for the Santa Clarita Symphony.
___________________________________
Brian D. Mann
~ Business Development Officer / Financial Advisor / Insurance Agent
ABOUT BRIAN...
In 1997, Brian began his career in the financial services industry. He is the Business Development Officer for Clarity 2 Prosperity, a national financial services and insurance marketing organization. He is also CEO and Managing Partner of Elite Advisory Group, his own independent retirement planning and wealth management firm.
Brian partners with the best advisors in the country, in order to grow their businesses and achieve sustainable success. He understands the challenges business owners face, and is not satisfied with his own growth unless others have grown in tandem.
Brian strongly emphasizes embracing the best practices of high-performing advisors and pursuing innovative solutions to achieve better outcomes. He enjoys helping others embrace change for the benefit of their customers, teams, and stakeholders.
Brian is the past Chairman of the Board for the National Association for Fixed Annuities (NAFA) and also serves as a member of the President’s Advisory Board for the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation (CMOH). He is co-author of Chicken Soup for the Financial Advisor’s Soul and Chicken Soup for Every Retiree’s Soul.
Brian and his wife Lynnette have a blended family with five children. Their faith is central to their lives and they are very involved with their church and community. He enjoys golfing, skiing, mountain biking and traveling.
___________________________________
Kalem Mackey, CFP, BPC
~ Partner / Executive Vice President of Insurance Development
ABOUT KALEM...
Kalem Mackey is the EVP of Insurance Distribution at Clarity Insurance Marketing and the founder of Superior Financial Planning, a holistic wealth management firm located in Arvada, Colorado. With more than 20 years of experience as a sales manager, insurance wholesaler, and financial advisor, his professional philosophy is grounded in helping American families realize their financial aspirations.
Kalem also manages both the sales and operations for Clarity Insurance Marketing. In these roles, he works closely with advisors and insurance distribution partners to serve their needs and seeks to provide a world-class insurance platform for holistic financial advisors.
Kalem is a Bucket Plan Best Interest Process® Trainer; he provides coaching and sales support to advisors, assisting them in delivering in-depth, comprehensive solutions. He frequently speaks at C2P and industry events, providing advanced expertise in the areas of retirement income planning and tax management.
Kalem earned his bachelor’s degree from UC San Diego, where he was a 4-year member of the Student Council and Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. Kalem also served as both an Orientation Leader and Resident Advisor.
Kalem and his wife, Lisa, have two children, Jordan and Alora. A lifelong sports fan, Kalem enjoys rooting for his favorite teams: Kalem also enjoys all the outdoor splendor that living in Colorado offers, like camping, hiking, and winter sports, and rooting for his favorite teams: Lakers, Angels, 49ers, and UCLA.
___________________________________
Terry
~ Office Dog
ABOUT TERRY...
Terry spent the first year of his life roaming the streets of Southern California with a homeless man. In the year 2011, the homeless man was no longer able to take care of Terry and so he handed over the leash to Riker Donihue who brought him home. It took over a year for Terry to acclimate to the life of a family dog. To this day, he still takes his food, one mouthful at a time, to another room to eat it - we believe he may still worry about going hungry sometimes. It took time, but he's become a very good companion, not only for anyone who happens to be in the office, but for the Donihue family as well. Terry does have a license but he is not a licensed financial advisor. Historically speaking, he has not provided any beneficial financial advice so please use caution when listening to him opine.
___________________________________