History
2013
Brian Dougher, Ian Hastings, Chris Foder and Nick Zapoticky met while working at First Financial Group, one of the largest privately owned financial planning firms in the country. Brian and Chris focused on high net worth and highly compensated individuals and business owners. Ian focused on retirement planning and Nick was entrenched in corporate and business strategies. We found that their individual fields complemented each other's in surprising and what turned out to be inseparable ways. The methods for delivering sound financial advice was undergoing tremendous change. This made us eager to cultivate our own practice, one that would effectively intersect our expertise with our respective interests. We believe that what produces a thriving financial life and successful financial plan is the passion that drives it. Choosing to specialize in a field means you are completely devoted to it; that you will protect it as if it were your own. That is the energy that sets us apart. In October 2013, Meridian Financial Associates opened its doors for business.
2016
Meridian expanded to include Samuel Matechak as its first non-partner advisor. Sam has 20 years experience working in the farm ownership and gas royalty ownership communities. Sam shares the vision and core values of the Meridian team and has been a great extension of the Meridian service model. Samuel maintains an office in Northern Lackawanna County.
2017
Meridian Financial Associates expanded to include five advisers who were existing practitioners. William Burger, Arthur Daube, Dennis Jumper, James Paddock and Peter Serratore elected to join the Meridian team in September of 2017. Each of these gentleman and their teams brought a unique blend of expertise to the group.
2018
Meridian completed a full office renovation and modernization to increase its footprint to more than 4,300 square feet, while combined insurance and investment client assets administered exceed $500 million* as December 31, 2017.
Get in touch
We at Meridian Financial Associates know that finding the right adviser to serve you is a choice not to be taken lightly. That’s why we offer free consultations to walk you through your needs, the scope of your goals, and your expectations.
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Team Members
Willam buerger ,CPA ®**, CFp®
William.Buerger@MeridianFinancialAssociates.com
570-820-5802
brian dougher, Cexp®, partner
BDougher@MeridianFinancialAssociates.com
570-820-5821
Ian Hastings mba®,chFc®,ricp®, partner
IHastings@MeridianFinancialAssociates.com
570-821-1600
Lora knowles, new business manager
LKnowles@MeridianFinancialAssociates.com
570-266-8847
jennifer porasky, relationship manager
Jennifer.Porasky@MeridianFinancialAssociates.com
nicholas Zapoticky, partner
NZapoticky@MeridianFinancialAssociates.com
570-820-1604
karen d’agostino, relationship manager
Karen.Dagostino@MeridianFinancialAssociates.com
570-266-8557
Thomas k. gallagher
Thomas.Gallagher@MeridianFinancialAssociates.com
570-820-5812
gail kishbaugh, Operations manager
GKishbaugh@MeridianFinancialAssociates.com
570-266-8559
James paddock
James.Paddock@MeridianFinancialAssociates.com
570-820-5836
Peter serratore, Lutcf®
Peter.Serratore@MeridianFinancialAssociates.com
570-820-5817
Arthur daube , investment specialist
Arthur.Daube@MeridianFinancialAssociates.com
570-821-1603
Christopher foder, partner
CWFoder@MeridianFinancialAssociates.com
570-820-5813
Dennis JUmper
Dennis.Jumper@MeridianFinancialAssociates.com
570-821-1610
travis mattson
Travis.Mattson@MeridianFinancialAssociates.com
570-820-5800
vitangelo recchia, client service associate
Vitangelo.Recchia@MeridianFinancialAssociates.com
570-266-8560
Check the background of our investment professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck
*Represents in force cash values for life insurance and market values of all securities accounts. Market values of securities accounts are subject to significant changes due to market conditions. The values provided should not be used in making a determination on the quality of services provided by representatives of this agency.
**Not practicing for Guardian or its subsidiaries or affiliates.