Our Team

In 2007, she made the bold decision to establish her own firm focused on addressing the need for financial literacy and guidance for Lancaster’s workforce. She launched Align Financial Services Group just months before the Financial Crisis began.

Her success in the face of hard times comes from understanding how it feels to be afraid and unsure. Even in less turbulent times, folks are worried and uncertain. This understanding and her dedication to impacting the lives of hard-working men and women are at the heart of everything she does.

Her honesty, empathy, and ability to connect are powerful but Janel also believes that knowledge and expertise are central to doing what’s best for clients.

She is involved in multiple community projects and is often at the center of “getting things done.”  Janel’s most involved, and most rewarding, community endeavor is chairing the steering committee for Lancaster’s MFG DAY, a community-wide celebration to introduce students to the high-demand, high-paying careers in Lancaster’s manufacturing companies.

For nearly 35 years, Jim has provided comprehensive advice to individuals and businesses in the areas of asset management, retirement planning, estate planning, and employer-sponsored retirement plan consulting.

Jim earned his bachelor’s degree from Shippensburg University. In recognized the benefit of being an independent financial advisor and joined a local firm. In 1997, he establish an independent wealth management firm focused on providing objective advice to his clients as an alternative to the large brokerage firms. As his practice grew, Jim expanded his firm adding service specialists, advisors and analysts to his team.

In 2018, Jim restructured and rebranded his practice under the new firm name Align. As a managing partner, Jim provides leadership to the firm’s two divisions.

Jesse joined Align’s Retirement Plans team in 2010. After a decade of exceptional performance and skill development, Jesse joined our management team. In his current role, he is responsible for managing retirement plan relationships and ensuring the execution of our “high touch, white glove” service to both plan sponsors and participants. He also supports your advisors by preparing the reports and data we use to execute your plan’s investment and education strategies.

What does Jesse do for you?
Jesse is your go-to resource for all things related to the operation of your plan. He works diligently to ensure the most timely, efficient and effective support for questions or situations that arise in your day-to-day plan administration.

• Serve, advocate and guide you through the implementation of changes with providers, plan design and investment menu
• Liaison between your providers to ensure understandable and timely answers to your questions
• Guidance for participants who have complex situations/questions
• Scheduling annual reviews and employee education according to your needs and goals

When your concern requires advice or recommendations, Jesse is quick to assemble your complete service team to identify and execute a quick and accurate resolution. He is never afraid to get his hands dirty or go the extra mile for his plan clients. His proudest moments are when he can make things easier for you!

What does Jesse do for your participants?
While your plan’s advisor might be visiting other clients, Jesse is the one in the office who fields participant inquiries. From website access to providing distribution paperwork when they change jobs, Jesse enjoys the opportunity to build relationships with participants. He is skillful in settling concerns and speaking in plain-English to identify a solution they understand and feel comfortable with.

Why does Jesse do it?
Jesse graduated from Ithaca College in 2005, a time period marred with corporate greed and scandal. That experience shaped his passion for empowering individuals to take control of their financial future and be good fiscal stewards. With Align, he saw the opportunity to bring meaningful financial education to companies, employees, and individuals, empowering people to take control of their finances, and view money as a tool of possibility through planning and investing.

With four years’ experience as a residential construction laborer, Jesse is in a unique position to identify and connect with folks of all backgrounds. He effectively delivers the honest, transparent, “plain-English” financial education hard-working men and women need to create a brighter financial future.

Who is Jesse when he’s not at work?
Jesse frequently asks, “Free time? You mean the time I’m sleeping at night?” Jesse and his wife are busy raising four children ages 7, 6, 4 and 1. The whole family loves the outdoors and playing at parks, in creeks and on the rail trails around Lititz, PA.

Tyler joined Align in October of 2021, making the transition over from retail banking. He held several different positions at Citizens Bank assisting personal and business clients alike. During the peak of Covid, Tyler helped Citizens Business Clients in Lancaster navigate the Payroll Protection Program. He also held the position of Acting Branch Manager and Licensed Banker during his 4 years with Citizens.

It was during Tyler’s time as a Licensed Banker that he discovered his true passion, helping put clients’ minds at ease planning for retirement. This led him to search for a company and position where he could have a greater impact on clients ultimately leading him to Align. This experience in the retail banking industry set him up to have an immediate impact on client relationships at Align taking on the role of Service Advisor.

In 2023, Tyler took on a new role with Align, serving as a Financial Advisor. His primary goal is to grow relationships with our clients and provide the same level of care that Jim & Janel have over the years.

Tyler has his series 6, 63, & 65 registrations as well as PA Life and Health.

What does Tyler do for you?
Tyler works exclusively on the personal finance side of Align. He is the primary contact and Financial Advisor for many of Align’s clients. In this role, he focuses on deepening client relationships and personalizing the client experience. Day to day duties include meeting with clients, developing financial plans, and ensuring our clients needs are met. Tyler works closely with the Investment and Service teams ensuring everyone is on the same page to deliver our clients the best possible experience.

Why does Tyler do it?
While searching for his dream business to work for, culture was just as an important factor as industry. “Finding a company that I can be proud of and does things the right way, was the single most important factor in my job search.” Tyler is thrilled to work for a company in the finance industry that seeks to emphasize its employees’ strengths and works as an ensemble. The best part of Tyler’s job is hearing from a client that their expectations have been exceeded.

Who is Tyler when he’s not at work?
Tyler is married to his best friend and wife, Jennifer. Jen works in interior design in Lititz. They met at IUP (Indiana University of Pennsylvania) where they both graduated in 2017. They own a home together in Stevens, PA. He is the Assistant Varsity Boys Basketball Coach at Warwick High School and spends most of his free time in the gym with the team. If Tyler is not working or coaching, he is most likely on a golf course or enjoying a few drinks with friends.

Emily joined Align as an intern during the height of the pandemic, gaining valuable experience in managing risk during volatile times. After graduating from Millersville University with a degree in Business Administration, focusing on Finance and Economics, she became a permanent member of the Align team.

She discovered her interest in financial planning and investment management during her experience with the Marauder Fund Student Investment Association. Emily was elected for senior leadership roles including CEO and senior analyst of the portfolio. This experience allowed her to explore various investment strategies, learn securities research techniques, and present recommendations to a board. She also led a Women in Business group where she organized professional events and promoted networking opportunities for young females looking to enter the “male-dominated” finance industry.

Emily has her CFP® certification, Series 7, Series 66, PA Life & Health Insurance, and the Microsoft Excel Expert certification.

What does Emily do for you?
Emily is a member of Align’s planning and investment team, providing critical support to both advisors and clients. She gathers client data, prepares retirement illustrations, and presents findings in meetings. She also manages cash requests, tracks required minimum distributions (RMDs), and assists trading and investment strategies for our clients. In her role with the qualified plan team, Emily prepares quarterly investment due diligence, researches underperforming funds, evaluates Target Date Funds, and oversees invoicing.

Why does Emily do it?
Driven by her passion for numbers and helping others, Emily found her place at Align after completing multiple internships in financial services. “This team is unique,” she says. “Every member loves what they do and approaches it with care.” Emily is self-motivated, detail-oriented, and very organized. With these traits, she provides valuable support to advisors so that they can prioritize building deeper relationships. She finds fulfillment in being a part of a firm that shares her values and is dedicated to reducing the financial stress of others in both good times and bad while taking a personalized approach.

Who is Emily when she’s not at work?
Originally from Broomall, PA, Emily now calls Lancaster home with her husband, Jacob, a realtor in the area. They live in Mount Joy, PA. The Ziegler’s enjoy a busy lifestyle always filled with outdoor activities and time spent deepening their connections with friends and family.

Emily is a 2023 Core Class graduate of Leadership Lancaster. The program has inspired her to get involved with the community and bring people together. She currently serves on the board of Lancaster Young Professionals as their Community Service Director, scouting out volunteer opportunities for their members.

Originally from Washington, D.C., Erik joined Align in 2016 as an analyst leading our research efforts and overseeing portfolio construction, trading, and planning. “I do my best to help advisors bridge the gap between the black and white world of financial data and the grey world of client goals and objectives,” he says.

Erik leads investment processes across both divisions of Align. Erik leads due diligence efforts on investments and allocation strategies, designs and tests portfolio models, and assesses and reports on market activities and economic conditions.

Erik received his MBA from Penn State and his Bachelor of Business Administration from Concordia College, NY. He is a registered staff member, holding securities licenses through Commonwealth Financial Network.

Prior to relocating to Lancaster, Erik served the United States government for 10 years as a civilian and contractor. His professional experience encompasses investigative due diligence, operational risk management and strategic planning.

What does Erik do for you?
Protecting wealth is Erik’s number one priority. The risk management mindset he brings to our team is invaluable. In addition to his work researching and executing our investment strategies, Erik oversees our cybersecurity systems and uses technology to increase the efficiency of our operations. His work “behind the scenes” allows advisors to focus on being present with clients and developing creative solutions. Although most of his work is not visible to clients, his contributions are essential to our ability to progress toward achieving their financial goals.

Why does Erik do it?
“I am an extreme details guy and I truly enjoy the tedious work other financial professionals avoid.” He is a math genius, a spreadsheet wizard, and an IT geek. Erik previously worked for the government where he spent part of his career overseeing systems engineering and security support contracts for various Departments and Agencies. He was also a Counterintelligence professional, where he specialized in protecting sensitive, national-level assets from exposure and compromise. After relocating to Lancaster, Erik felt drawn to apply his mindset for disciplined research and risk management to benefit individuals and families working hard to achieve financial security.

Who is Erik when he’s not at work?
When he is not manipulating spreadsheets and fine-tuning portfolios, Erik is busy chasing two young sons, Andrew and Hunter. In the rare moments when parents of small children relax, he and his wife, Ashley, enjoy binge-watching TV, fine dining and seeing live shows at the Fulton. Erik is a Penn State business school graduate. He says the best part of being a Penn State Alum is belonging to one of the largest real-world social networks on the planet.

Tom brings valuable diversity of expertise to Align’s retirement plans team. With 25 years’ experience with leading retirement plan recordkeepers Merrill Lynch, Lincoln, Ascensus, and Empower, he knows how to get things done with our client’s service providers. With experience that spans recordkeeping and plan administration to client relationship management and participant support, Tom has a practical understanding of how your plan functions at every level.

Tom has his Series 6, 7, 63 and 66 securities registrations and state insurance license.

What does Tom do for you?
Tom’s efforts are concentrated on connecting with plan participants. Whether that means presenting a group session on the value of participation, conducting a workshop on using the plan’s website or meeting 1:1 to help employees enroll, Tom focuses on delivering effective financial education that positively affects employee productivity and engagement.

Why does Tom do it?
Tom grew up in Northeast Philadelphia, the son of a city police officer and a supermarket cashier. Finance and investing were not common topics of conversation, but Tom was fortunate to find employment in the retirement industry. In 2001 and again in 2008, Tom found himself unemployed during economic downturns. These difficult experiences cemented the importance of saving that he shares with participants today. He is committed to taking fear and intimidation out of saving and investing. He helps participants take small steps that add up to something more than they imagined. His proudest moments are when an employee tells him they would have never had money in their 401k if he hadn’t insisted they “start with 1%.” Their pride is his pride.

Who is Tom when he’s not at work?
A 1994 graduate of Kutztown University with a B.S. in Business Administration, Tom is a two-time All-conference soccer team Captain. He still plays soccer in several men’s leagues and coaches his kids’ teams when he can. He’s a diehard supporter of his Philly sports teams but is a particularly avid fan of his Philadelphia Eagles. Attending the 2018 Super Bowl parade with his two sons was a highlight of his life.

His generous spirit is an inspiration for the entire Align team – from regularly giving rides to strangers or buying meals for those who have fallen on hard times, Tom regularly puts the needs of others first. He is particularly proud of his 2019 Distinguished Community Partner Award from Threshold Rehabilitation Services where he volunteered with his late Golden Retriever, Duncan, a KPETS therapy dog.

Tom lives in Denver, PA with his wife Janel, their three energetic children Connor, Jackson, Catherine, and their rescued pit bulls, Grace and Dutch.

Nicolas joined Align as an intern during the Spring of 2023, gaining valuable insights into both the analyst and advisor aspects of the company. After graduating from Millersville University with a double major in Finance and Accounting, he joined Align as a Client Services Specialist. He is also a key member of our 401k service team, working in plan administration, portfolio analysis, and fostering positive relationships with plan participants.

Originally from Ecuador, Nicolas moved to the U.S. as a permanent resident in 2018, where he completed his Senior year in Lampeter Strasburg school district. Following high school, he enrolled at Millersville University, to pursue his dream career. Due to his multicultural background, Nicolas is fluent in both Spanish and English, allowing him to actively connect with diverse clients and colleagues.

When he’s not in the office, he enjoys spending time with his family, his beloved dog, and playing soccer with his brother.

Annette joined Align in September 2024, bringing with her a wealth of experience as an HR professional in the manufacturing sector. After years in a demanding role, she sought a career and lifestyle change that would allow her to leverage her skills in a new environment.

Originally from Germany, Annette moved to the United States as an international student at Millersville University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration. This educational foundation, combined with her extensive HR experience, equips her with valuable insights into client relations.

While Annette is excited to learn about the new industry, she possesses several key skills that seamlessly transfer to her role at Align: interpersonal communication, problem solving, attention to detail, and compliance knowledge.

Something that is not easily transferred, but comes from within, is Annette’s passion for a people centric environment. She can help employees, co-worker’s or clients with their needs while applying best practices to enhance their experiences.

What does Annette do for you?
Annette’s primary focus is to ensure our clients’ experience with Align is exceptional from their initial introduction to the firm, to regular meetings, communications and special events. Her main focus includes preparing for client meetings, receiving and processing clients’ service requests, and assistance with questions.

Why does Annette do it?
When Annette graduated from college with a business degree, like many HR people, she did not seek working in HR but HR found her. She started to work in a manufacturing company after completing two internships. There was a need and then there was passion once she discovered how good it felt to help people find answers, provide advice, and solve problems. That’s what still drive her today.

Who is Annette when she’s not at work?
Annette met her husband, Dave, in Germany. They own a home in Conestoga and raised two children, Anneli and Erik. Life had been busy raising two very active children and they enjoyed every minute of it. When they are not at work or doing home improvement projects, they love spending time with family & friends, going to dinner, vacationing, or relaxing by the pool.

Dave seems to have taken the quote “A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.” as a blueprint for his life.

With experience in physical therapy, construction, website development, sales, management, operations and a powerful drive for personal development Dave was a rare job candidate who could fill several roles at once.

Dave joined the Align team in August of 2021 starting out working heavily in client services, but has been able to migrate more into a management position as our team has grown.

What does Dave do for you?
While it is not uncommon for Dave to answer the phone and help our clients, his primary role is keeping Align running smoothly and in compliance. No matter what our team is doing for you it is likely that the blog post, form, presentation or video has crossed his desk at some point.

Why does Dave do it?
In Dave’s varied experiences he’s has found what drive him is helping others. Specifically, he finds great pleasure in helping others navigate through frustrating and complex situations to accomplish their goals. As one of the few unlicensed team members, Dave often lends a hand by helping spot finance jargon in our client communications, and make sure we translate or define it. Within Align, Dave enjoys clarifying and simplifying communication and processes.

Who is Dave when he’s not at work?
Being happily married for over sixteen years, Dave and his wife, Johanna, spend the bulk of their time raising their three beautiful girls. Their oldest, Abby loves the arts, followed by Tabitha, the athlete and Gabriella who’s into everything she can get her hands on. This is a busy stage of life, but quite fulfilling.

Dave also enjoys being elder at his church where he helps teach, mentor, and lead the congregation. He can also often be found listening to podcast or audio books as he seeks to satisfy his perpetual curiosity.