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Tom Ruggie, ChFC®, CFP®

Founder & CEO

Rankings & Recognitions 

  • InvestmentNews Advisor of the Year – Alternative Investments – 2026 & 2025
  • InvestmentNews Top Financial Professionals in the US – 2026
  • 9X Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors (#1 N Florida – 2024, #2 N Florida – 2026 & 2025)
  • 14X Barron’s Top 1200 Financial Advisors
  • InvestmentNews 2024 RIA “Team of the Year”
  • Forbes Top 250 RIA Firms (#6 in Florida – 2025)
  • InvestmentNews 2025 Hot List – 100 Top Financial Professionals in the US
  • 14X Financial Advisor Magazine “America’s Top RIA’s”
  • ThinkAdvisor Luminaries Award Finalist 2025 & 2024
  • InvestmentNews 2025 5-Star RIA Firms
  • 3X Family Wealth Report Awards Finalist
  • InvestmentNews 2023 Top 75 Fastest-Growing Fee-Only RIAS
  • Forbes Finance Council Since 2016

Tom is Founder and CEO of Destiny Family Office and a nationally recognized wealth manager, executive, and entrepreneur. Over the past 35+ years, he has built one of the country’s premier wealth management organizations, comprised of two independent RIAs, a multi-family office, multiple wealth management firms, alternative investment funds, a co-investment fund, and other privileged investment initiatives designed to address the unique needs of UHNW individuals and families.

Naturally solutions-oriented, Tom helps families solve the complex challenges that accompany significant wealth, by helping trusted advisors work in unison on behalf of each family, identifying and evaluating opportunities, managing risk, navigating major transitions, and making informed decisions that may impact generations. He and his team strive to be the first call clients make during life’s most important moments and unexpected challenges.

Tom often says, “I am my own client.” As a result, every solution offered by Destiny Family Office has been shaped by a simple question: “What would I want if I were sitting on the other side of the table?” The answer has been refined through decades of experience, continuous learning, and collaboration with some of the world’s leading entrepreneurs and thought leaders through organizations including Strategic Coach, Vistage, EOS, and TIGER 21.

A respected investor and recognized authority in alternative investments, Tom was named InvestmentNews Advisor of the Year for Alternative Investments in 2025 and again in 2026. He is known for providing qualified purchasers access to private, mid to late-stage, pre-IPO, direct and co-investment opportunities that have historically been difficult to access including Anduril, Anthropic, Databricks, Open AI and other transformative companies and industry disruptors.

His expertise spans private equity, venture capital, private credit, direct lending, real estate, and direct pre-IPO investments in many of the world’s most sought-after private companies,

An avid collector of sports memorabilia himself, Tom has become a leading voice on collectibles and passion assets as an emerging investment category. Drawing upon his personal experience and work with collectors, he has developed a proprietary Scorecard designed to help families and collectors better understand how to plan for the needs, risks, and opportunities associated with their collections, including considerations related to valuation, documentation, security, taxation, insurance, and wealth transfer.

Tom is a frequent speaker, published author, and contributor to leading industry publications. His insights on family office services, private markets, alternative investments, and collectibles have earned him national recognition as a 14-time Barron’s Top 1500 Advisor, a 9-time Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisor (#1 in North Florida in 2024), and an InvestmentNews Top Financial Professional.

Today, Tom remains committed to helping successful families make better decisions, seize meaningful opportunities, and build enduring legacies that extend far beyond financial capital.

Audrey Mancuso, CFP®​

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.

Jeremy Wassmer

Jeremy Wassmer, CFP®

Wealth Advisor

Jeremy is a detailed problem solver who enjoys boiling down complex issues to their simplest form so that clients can understand and make informed decisions.

In 2011 Jeremy began an apprenticeship working for his father’s advisory firm in Kansas City assisting with Medicare, Social Security and retirement income planning. Jeremy graduated from Benedictine College in 2013 with a B.A. in marketing and a minor in finance. He obtained a Series 65 license in 2014, and in 2016 joined a local insurance company in Kansas City to assist small business owners with group employee benefits and business transition planning. Jeremy moved to Orlando in 2017 for a mentorship in comprehensive personal financial planning and wealth management for high net-worth clients while working under a seasoned financial advisor for five years. In 2020, he obtained the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification and began working with Ruggie Wealth Management in 2023. He is now studying for the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) level I designation.

Jeremy is engaged to be married to his fiancé Ashley, and shares a home with his three dogs. He enjoys time with friends, watching movies and TV shows with Ashley, playing in pick-up games i.e. soccer, golf and tennis, and watching the Kansas City Chiefs and English Premier League soccer.

Getting to Know Jeremy

What’s your favorite food? Lobster Bisque or Mac and Cheese
Best piece of financial advice you received: “Work to learn, don’t work for money.” – Robert T. Kiyosaki
Favorite quote: “The definition of genius is taking the complex and making it simple.” – Albert Einstein
If I could meet anyone, past or present, it would be… Elon Musk, or a close second Patrick Mahomes
Hidden talent/skills: I’m excellent at using two ears and one mouth as I listen twice as much as I speak
Favorite book: First Things First – Stephen Covey
Favorite movie or TV show: Game of Thrones
What motivates you? Becoming the best version of myself.
Favorite holiday: Christmas
Name something on your bucket list: Going to a Chief’s Super Bowl
Place you’d most like to visit: Hawaii
Biggest accomplishment: Proposing to Ashley

Sharon Kolstad

Sharon Kolstad

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

Ronnie Hopper

Ronnie Hopper

Wealth Advisor

Ronnie serves as a direct point of contact for clients, ensuring they receive timely support, consistent updates, and a seamless service experience. His attention to detail and proactive approach helps build trust and enhance client satisfaction throughout every stage of the financial journey.

Ronnie earned his degree in Finance from the University of Central Florida and currently holds a Series 65 license. Prior to becoming a full-time team member upon his graduation, Ronnie began developing a strong foundation in financial operations, client service, and investment processes. His background reflects a commitment to supporting client goals through clear communication, dependable execution, and long-term relationship building.

Outside of work, Ronnie enjoys golfing, running, working out, reading, and spending quality time with his family. He’s also passionate about adding new skills to his arsenal and enjoys playing the piano.

Get to Know Ronnie:

Favorite food: Hibachi or Italian
Best piece of financial advice you received: “Time in the market beats timing the market.”
Favorite quote: “The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” – Confucius
If I could meet anyone, past or present, it would be: Jordan Peterson
Hidden talent/skills: Piano and cooking
Favorite book: The Alchemist
Favorite movie: Good Will Hunting
Name something on your bucket list: Complete an Ironman triathlon
Place you’d most like to visit: Scotland or Ireland
Biggest accomplishment: Passing my Series 65 on the first try while balancing school and work

Rob Clark, CFP®​

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

Jorge Romero, CFP®

Managing Partner

Jorge A. Romero, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®), serves as the Managing Partner at Destiny Family Office.

He began his career in the financial services industry after having served honorably in The United States Marine Corps. Jorge works closely with clients and their families to develop & implement comprehensive wealth management solutions designed to help themachieve their goals. His areas of focus include lifestyle funding and cash flow analysis, tax planning, estate planning, risk management, family governance and philanthropic planning.

Jorge also co-leads Destiny Wealth Partners’ Investment Committee, where his responsibilities include shaping the firm’s investment policy formation, asset allocation strategy development, manager research & selection, and portfolio performance monitoring.

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 and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Financial Planning and Taxation along with the Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®) designation. He is a member of The CFA Institute & CFA Society of Orlando, The Financial Planning Association of Central Florida, The Investments & Wealth Institute, as well as the Estate Planning Council of The Villages®.

In his spare time, Jorge enjoys playing Polo, tennis, learning about wine and traveling; he is an avid reader of history, international relations, and linguistics books.  He speaks Spanish, some Italian, and French, and is always exploring new languages.

Chris Nichols

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.

He also retains his position as Founder, Managing Partner and Senior Wealth Advisor of Nichols Wealth Partners. Over the years, Chris has been a valued speaker on public and private investment planning. He is also the author of The Real Truth About Your Money: Simple Answers to Smart Financial Questions.
 
A native of South Florida, Chris earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a minor in economics from the University of Florida. He is past President and for 10 years served as a board member of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Ft. Lauderdale. Currently he serves as investment committee member of the George Snow Scholarship Fund. Chris enjoys driving fast cars, exercising, reading, and watching sporting events. He resides in Boca Raton with his wife and four children.
Sean Beierly

Sean Beierly

Head of AI Products and Platform,
Destiny Intelligence

Sean eliminates the technical and operational bottlenecks that absorb time and attention our advisors could spend on providing client value. By architecting AI and automation systems that both streamline routine work and unlock new capabilities, he enables our team to serve more clients with greater sophistication and speed while preserving the personalized attention that defines our service.

He brings nearly 30 years of technology leadership to Destiny Intelligence, with a career that began as a Senior Network Engineer at Cisco Systems, where he advanced through technical marketing and data scientist roles over two decades. Most recently, he led an AI innovation team at Amazon, designing production AI agents and directing global AI enablement.

His education includes a Bachelor’s degree in business, specialized certifications from the University of Washington, Kellogg, MIT, and North Carolina State, plus Cisco Certified Network Associate and Design Associate credentials, as well as Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer.

A competitor in endurance sports including a marathon, numerous triathlons and an Arizona 70.3 Mile Half Ironman, Sean also volunteers with Special Olympics and is involved with his own kids’ sports. He holds certifications as a Permaculture Designer and Master Gardener, is a devoted Star Trek fan, especially “Deep Space Nine,” and plays acoustic guitar.

Getting to Know Sean

My favorite food is crab.

The best financial advice I received was to take calculated risks and build multiple income streams focused on passive assets.

My favorite books are David Goggins’ “Can’t Hurt Me” and Barbara Tuchman’s “A Distant Mirror,” reflecting my passion for resilience and medieval history.

My favorite holiday is Christmas.

Two of my proudest accomplishments are earning my Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer credential at twenty-three and completing the Arizona 70.3 Half Ironman.

What motivates me is changing the trajectory of Destiny family of companies based on decades of experience.

My bucket list and the places I most want to visit Seoul, South Korea tops both, ideally for a food and city tour with my family.
Bill Newton

Bill Newton

Partner

Bill Newton is a seasoned financial expert with a distinguished career spanning several decades, who also retains his position as Partner and Senior Wealth Advisor with Jacksonville-based Destiny Wealth. He provides CFO-level strategic advisory services tailored for business owners and high-net-worth clients and their families.
 
Bill’s journey in the financial sector began in the 1980s as a Cable TV executive, where he played a pivotal role in developing the Beaches area’s infrastructure. Transitioning into the realms of Insurance and Investment Management, he soon recognized the critical need for robust asset protection and succession planning. Since 1997, Bill has dedicated himself to addressing these challenges, helping clients safeguard their wealth and plan for the future.
 
A proud graduate of Old Dominion University, Bill was a standout Division I golfer, a passion he continues to pursue. He has won multiple men’s and senior men’s Club Championships at Sawgrass Country Club and Marsh Landing Country Club.
 
Bill and his wife are approaching their 47th wedding anniversary and enjoy traveling with their twin daughters. An avid fan of all beef hot dogs and a devoted supporter of the Green Bay Packers, Bill welcomes fellow fans to join him in cheering for his favorite team or engaging in a friendly wager.
Bill is also known for his insightful “Newton’s Laws of Financial Gravity,” the first of which asserts, “when your net worth goes up, it must continue to go up!”
 
Last thought I always give to my clients: NOT ALL MONIES ARE TAXED THE SAME.