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Chief Revenue Officer
Stef is an accomplished senior leader with a history of successes as a financial firm builder, revenue driver, and operating executive, who works with people, systems, and processes to help optimize the delivery of services across the entire client journey.
He served as Vice President, Strategy, for Howe and Rusling in Rochester, which he helped build from a small firm into a regional powerhouse with $1.5B in assets, while building his practice working with ultra-affluent investors with complex portfolios of angel investments. More recently he served as COO for two separate RIAs including one with more than $5B in AUM.
Stef has a proven track record of developing firm business strategies, staff development and training, sales strategy oversite, internal process and system development, and strategic marketing strategies.
He earned his Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics from Yale University and has been interviewed by industry leading publications including the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg. He has served on numerous non-profit boards and was a recipient of a Rochester 40 Under 40 Award.
Outside the office, he enjoys travelling, hiking, food, cooking (badly but improving), and listening to great courses and science fiction audiobooks.
Getting to Know Stef
Favorite food: Cheese
Hidden talent/skills: Black belt in Karate
Bucket list item: Learn to fly (planes)
Would most like to visit: India, but constantly changing
Founder & CEO
Tom Ruggie, ChFC®, CFP®, spent his first 25 years professionally building Ruggie Wealth Management into one of the premier firms in the country. The knowledge and wisdom gained from that led him to the founding of Destiny Family Office, a Destiny Wealth Partners firm, to help people face head-on the increasing complexities inherent in their business and personal lives so they can enjoy more time embracing their unique potential, transforming their worlds, and achieving their own destiny.
Acknowledging that in an evolving environment his firm must also continually evolve, he has identified three key areas where evolution has most keenly had a positive impact: presenting a compelling sphere of investments, including alternative, direct and co-investment opportunities, creating a special emphasis on high-end collectors whose collections signify a significant alternative investment, and strengthening the firm’s private trust capabilities. He has become one of the most respected financial advisors in the industry, receiving national recognition and rankings including:
The Florida native has served on numerous boards of directors serving for-profit and not-for-profit organizations and foundations. He was appointed by the Governor to the Florida Prepaid College Plan which manages more than $10 billion in assets and serves over 80,000 college students annually and served as its vice-chairman. In 2013, he and wife Kim created the Tom and Kim Ruggie Family Foundation to support projects that strengthen the bond of families, improve the quality of people’s lives and enhance opportunities for access to life-enriching services such as healthcare and education. In 2018, Tom was named to the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation (OMYF) Board, which is committed to helping children in Central Florida, especially those most at risk, realize their full potential.
Tom, his wife, son, daughter and son-in-law are ‘addicted’ to CrossFit and working-out in general. In 2020, Tom earned the CrossFit Level 1 Trainer designation. He also enjoys traveling with his family, red wine and has a significant sports’ memorabilia collection. Rankings and/or recognition by unaffiliated rating services and/or publications should not be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience a certain level of results, nor should it be construed as a current or past endorsement by any of its clients. Rankings published by magazines, and others, may base their selections on information prepared and/or submitted by the recognized adviser.
Client Relationship Manager
Providing ongoing service and support that exceeds expectations, to Destiny Wealth Partners’ clients and team members alike, is Sharon’s focus and commitment. Before joining our team, she worked for a Christian non-profit organization, and has a passion to help others succeed both professionally and personally.
Born and raised in a small town in North Central Florida, she has lived in the Orlando area with her husband and children since 2017. Outside the office, she enjoys spending time with her family, paddle boarding and doing CrossFit.
Favorite Holiday: Christmas
Partner
Chris Nichols has been in the financial services industry for more than two decades and specializes in comprehensive wealth planning for ultra-high-net-worth clients. Through collaboration with these entrepreneurs, intergenerational families, institutions, and their other trusted advisors, he has a long tradition of helping them define their unique wealth management and investment objectives and building customized strategies aimed at achieving their goals. He offers oversight of the family’s overall financial matters, philanthropic strategies, and the development of the human and intellectual capital of the next generations.
Partner
Kimberly is a 30-year veteran of the financial services industry, a Certified Financial Planner and an accomplished Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA). She earned her CIMA credentials through The Wharton School Aresty Institute of Executive Education and The Investment & Wealth Institute.
Kimberly has expertise in the development of personalized financial plans; in particular, the implementation of those plans including investment management. Kimberly has experience as a trust officer, has advanced certifications within the life insurance industry, and was a portfolio manager and investment advisor for boutique investment advisory firms before beginning KCG Investment Advisory Services in 2009.
She is passionate about creating financial plans for her clients that align with their core values and life purposes.
Kimberly believes in family first and enjoys scenic drives and bike rides with her husband, and family time with her sons.
Getting to Know Kimberly
Bucket List: A mission trip to India
Favorite Book: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt
Favorite Food: Salt & vinegar potato chips
Partner
Jorge A. Romero is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner (CFP®) and began his career in the financial services industry in 2004 after having served honorably in The United States Marine Corps. Jorge’s focus is on the establishment of strong and long-lasting relationships with clients by addressing their goals and dreams through a holistic, comprehensive and disciplined financial-planning process. Jorge also consults on a variety of personal financial topics such as asset allocation design, portfolio analysis & risk management, and retirement & estate planning. Jorge received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Pre-Law along with a Minor in Latin American Studies from The University of Central Florida in 2008. He is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Financial Planning and Taxation and is a member of The Financial Planning Association of Central Florida, as well as the Estate Planning Council of The Villages®. In his spare time, Jorge enjoys spending time with friends and family; he is also an avid reader of history, international relations and linguistics books. Jorge speaks Spanish, some Italian, and French and is always trying to learn new languages. He also loves cycling, both outdoor and on his Peloton®, as well as tennis, and learning about wine.
Getting to Know Jorge
What’s Your Favorite Food: Aged Prime Steak
If I Could Meet Anyone, Past or Present, It Would Be… Albert Einstein
Favorite Book: One Hundred Years of Solitude
Favorite Movie or TV Show: Forrest Gump
What Motivates You? Solving Complex Problems
Favorite Holiday: Festivus
Name Something on Your Bucket List: Learn to speak Farsi
Place You’d Most Like to Visit: The Mariana Trench
Partner
Rob Clark has been helping clients work toward long-term financial security for their families and their businesses since 2001. It is his goal to help his clients grow, protect, and manage their assets in the most tax-efficient manner. With attention to detail and organizational skill, Rob effectively manages clients’ portfolios, creating an integrated strategy aimed at meeting their investment and retirement objectives. Rob is a Certified Financial Planner™ and holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida. He serves on the Orange County Children and Family Services Board, the Orange County Animal Services Classification Board, and is a Leadership Orlando Alumni. He enjoys spending time with his family, golfing and health/fitness. The Florida native was born in Sarasota.
Getting to Know Rob
Bucket List: Cruise to Alaska
Favorite TV Show: The Office
Favorite Food: Sushi
Managing Partner
Audrey works alongside Tom to help create holistic plans for our Family Office clients – entrepreneurs, executives and multi-generational families with highly complex needs.
Her vision is to align their financial objectives with the desired impact, legacy and purpose they wish to make as they work to achieve their destiny. She is committed to providing leadership and support to our entire team of family office professionals, and above all, to providing exemplary service to the multiple generations of family office clients we serve.
Audrey’s passion for helping individuals and families pursue their financial goals led her to earn her bachelor’s degree in Finance with a concentration in Financial Planning from the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. She joined Destiny Wealth Partners in 2011, and has served in various roles within the firm. In 2018, she was named Managing Partner.
