NEWSLETTER
Xerxes Nabong, CFP®, CDFA®
Philip M. Maliniak, CRPC®
Nicole Brown-Griffin, CFP®, CDFA®, EA
Aaron Petty, Client Associate
Hampton Roads: (757) 394-3486
Greater Phoenix: (480) 687-9339
Orange County: (949) 660-8869
Happy New Year!
As we welcome the new year, we’re excited to share updates about our team—full of milestones, transitions, and new beginnings.
A New Chapter for Mark C. Royal: Celebrating 35 Years of Excellence!
After an incredible 35 years of guiding clients and shaping the future of financial planning, Mark C. Royal, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, is turning the page to a new adventure—retirement! Effective December 31, 2024, Mark has stepped away from the daily grind to enjoy well-earned relaxation and exciting new pursuits.
For those in the Los Angeles and Orange County areas, we invite you to join us in celebrating Mark’s legacy at a special luncheon. Invitations were sent via email using the Greenvelope platform–please check your spam or junk folder if you haven’t received it yet. Physical invitations were also mailed shortly after, so be on the lookout. We don’t want you to miss it!
Let’s come together to toast Mark’s achievements and wish him well as he begins this exciting new chapter. Mark and his wife, Susie, have relocated to Ohio to be closer to family but will return to California for this event.
Please RSVP to ensure you don’t miss the opportunity to honor his remarkable career and bid him farewell.
Welcome (Again), Aaron Petty
With Mark’s retirement on the horizon, we were thrilled to announce the acquisition of Royal Financial in July and to welcome Aaron Petty as the new leader of our Newport Beach office. Aaron, along with his wife Kim and their two sons, Conner and Cooper, recently relocated from Fort Worth, TX, to Aliso Viejo, CA.
Aaron brings over 15 years of financial planning experience to his new role. He began his career at Ameriprise Financial in 2007 and most recently worked alongside his father at North Star Wealth Strategies in Fort Worth. Aaron’s leadership and expertise have already made a positive impact, as he takes charge of day-to-day operations and oversees client relationships in Newport Beach.
We’re excited to have Aaron on board and look forward to continuing to serve our Los Angeles and Orange County clients under his guidance. As always, we welcome client referrals to the Newport Beach office, so feel free to connect us with anyone who might benefit from the important work we do!
Meet Our New Team Members
We’re thrilled to introduce two incredible additions to the Wealth Avenue team, Nicole Atchley and Alba Milsom-Smith. Nicole and Alba will be working from our Virginia Beach office, supporting clients across all locations in Virginia, Arizona, California, and wherever else our clients are located. Let’s get to know them:
Nicole Atchley
Nicole brings a wealth of banking experience to Wealth Avenue, having worked as a Senior Banker in Williamsburg, VA. She is passionate about building strong relationships and helping clients achieve their financial goals, perfectly aligning with Wealth Avenue’s mission.
Originally from New Jersey, Nicole now calls Virginia Beach home, where she enjoys life with her blended family of two sons and two bonus sons. A true foodie, Nicole loves Mexican cuisine and has a soft spot for the New Jersey classic, Taylor ham sandwiches.
Alba Milsom-Smith
Alba brings an international perspective to our team, with over 20 years of experience in human resources, including her time with the British Ministry of Defense and as an HR Director for a U.S.-based organization. Fluent in Spanish and French, Alba also holds a BA Hons in International Office Management and has a passion for global history and cultural studies.
She and her husband, Stuart, a British NATO officer based at JFC Norfolk, enjoy exploring the U.S. in their RV, especially its stunning National Parks. Alba is also a proud pet parent to two adopted rescue animals, adding to her dynamic and inspiring story.
We couldn’t be more excited to have Nicole and Alba on our team. Their unique talents, energy, and dedication will undoubtedly enrich the support we provide to all our clients. Please join us in giving them a warm welcome!
Looking Ahead: Exciting Changes Coming Your Way!
We’ve been working behind the scenes for some time now, and we’re excited to share that the Wealth Avenue website will soon be unveiling a fresh new look! This updated design reflects our commitment to a confident and inspiring future, not just for us, but for you, too.
The new site will offer easy access to past newsletters, so you can quickly revisit key content without digging through emails. We’re excited to share additional services you may not be aware of, including specialized support for divorce planning and tailored strategies for business owners. Our goal is to enhance your experience with delivering thoughtful and valuable content.
Plus, be sure to check out The Money Maps with Xerxes, Xerxes’ podcast, where you can catch up on past episodes, subscribe, and gain insightful guidance for your financial journey. The podcasts are currently being transitioned to a new server and will soon be freshly available on the updated site!
And if you have friends or family who could benefit from our services, our new site will make it simple for them to explore what we offer and connect with us directly.
Stay tuned for upcoming newsletters with details and the official launch date. We can’t wait to share these updates with you! We’re committed to creating a seamless experience that extends from our meetings to our website—turning it into an even more practical and accessible resource for you.
As we enter 2025, we are grateful for our amazing team and clients. Thank you for your continued trust and support. Here’s to another successful year together!
