Our People

Leadership

Joe Esposito
President and Founder

John Raschella
Wealth Manager

Blake Spencer
Wealth Manager

Fran Difede
Practice Manager

Operations

Tricia Kiernan
Client Service Specialist

Lorraine Kalista
Client Service Specialist

Lauren Fulton
Client Service Specialist

Brandon Martins
Client Relationship Manager

Valerie Hopp
Administrative Assistant

Kerri Holt
Client Service Specialist

Rosy Walia
Administrative Assistant

Kelly Gilhuley
Client Service Specialist

Brooke Masaitis
Client Service Specialist

Pinnacle Pups

Marlon
Chief Comfort Officer

Baloo
Chief Barketing Officer

Brando
Chief Security Officer

Contact The Pinnacle Financial Group

At The Pinnacle Financial Group, we have provided sound risk management advice to individuals and businesses in New York and Connecticut for two decades. We understand the critical role insurance planning plays in securing your financial future and protecting your family. We'll carefully explain your options and the different strategies available to you, so you can make the right decisions for you and your loved ones.

To schedule a consultation, call our offices at 516-763-9700 or complete our contact form.

Own Your Journey

It’s Your Journey — we will help you own it.

Find an Advisor to Help You

Joe Esposito

Joseph (Joe) Esposito has been serving the needs of individuals, families and business owners seeking comprehensive financial strategies and personalized asset management since 1998 when he began his financial services career at Paine Webber. He focuses on helping individuals and businesses develop effective retirement and wealth planning strategies.

Value Statement

I specialize in qualified and non-qualified retirement plans for small to mid size companies. With 14 years of experience in the employee benefits business, I focus on providing sophisticated strategies to companies of all sizes. With over 22,000 investment companies and 6,000 professional money management firms, it can be a daunting task to select the best investment options for defined contribution and/or defined benefit plans. With access to sophisticated investment tools, I provide reporting that examines a myriad of details from an enormous range of providers. In addition, I assist plan sponsors with a thorough review of their investment policy statement and 404c compliance.

Approach to Wealth Management

Our approach integrates your objectives into a personalized plan that can be updated as life changes occur. We combine sophisticated investment planning tools with professional resources to help match your objectives with customized solutions. Our process includes:

Understanding Your Financial Objectives. We begin by listening to understand you and your financial objectives.
Gathering Your Current Financial Information. Together, we gather specific information on your financial picture.
Developing Smart, Time-Tested Strategies. Next, we analyze your financial and personal information to match your objectives with sound strategies.
Implementing Thoughtful and Creative Strategies. We develop customized strategies tailored to your objectives, drawing from a wide selection of world-class products and services.
Providing Timely, Ongoing Service. We regularly review your situation to ensure you are still on track working toward financial objectives.

Qualifications

From 1987 to 1998 I was the CFO of my family-owned frozen food distribution company. We serviced many of the largest food service companies as well as restaurant chains in New York. In 1998, I sold my business to a competitor and began a great career at PaineWebber. My vast experience in understanding the needs of small and mid-size businesses enabled me to provide insightful and timely advice to my business clients. My many years of employee/employer experience provided a deep understanding of the issues that employers face daily. After many years of hard work and much success, I launched my private practice through LPL Financial. I decided to join LPL’s network of independent financial advisors due to their financial strength, integrity and commitment to provide a platform for entrepreneurs like myself. This business model enables me to provide independent and unbiased advice. LPL is the nation’s largest independent broker dealer.

Retirement Seminars

My employee education/enrollment seminars have gained great reviews from my retirement plan clients. These seminars have proven time and time again that employers can increase 401k plan participation if provided a clear and compelling set of reasons why participation in their retirement plans is the “smart thing to do.”

JOHN RASCHELLA

John Raschella joined LPL in 2015 as a Financial Advisor for The Pinnacle Financial Group. He entered into the financial services industry with Drexel Burnham Lambert in the summer of 1982 while attending Brooklyn College. He currently holds the following licenses: Series 7 license held through LPL Financial, Life Insurance and Health Insurance.

Before joining The Pinnacle Financial Group, John worked for Citi-Smith Barney and JPMorgan Securities. John has established and managed hundreds of investment relationships through various market cycles which has provided him with extensive knowledge of the financial services industry.

BLAKE SPENCER

Blake became a member of The Pinnacle Financial Group in January of 2018 and brings a wealth of experience to his clients. In his prior 15 years, Blake helped lead Sales and Marketing efforts for domestic and international sales teams within the commodities industry. Blake was born in Alabama and raised in Tennessee. He attended Middle Tennessee State University and later Villanova University’s Six Sigma Blackbelt program. He now lives in Garden City, NY with his wife and children where he enjoys painting and reading when he isn’t working.

FRAN DIFEDE

Fran joined LPL as an Advisor Transition Coordinator for The Pinnacle Financial Group in November 2013. Before working in the financial service industry, she worked for the law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher, & Flom LLP as a legal assistant.

Since joining The Pinnacle Financial Group, she has specialized in client relations, streamlining operational procedures and has taken on the additional role as the Advisor Transition Coordinator. Her adept problem-solving abilities help expedite all tasks assigned to her and her colleagues. Outside of work, she enjoys entertaining, as well as spending time with her family and friends. Fran currently resides in Oceanside with her husband, 2 children, and her pet Maltipoo named Bella.

TRICIA KIERNAN

Tricia joined The Pinnacle Financial Group in February 2021. Tricia graduated from the University of Scranton with a degree in Finance. She previously worked at Smith Barney in New York City assisting advisors with their client needs. Afterwards she worked on the Branch Management Team overseeing the Sales Assistants.

At Pinnacle she assists Financial Advisors and helps run office coordination and daily operational procedures. She resides in Rockville Centre with her husband and four children.

Lorraine Kalista

Lorraine joined The Pinnacle Financial Group in October of 2018. With a degree in Applied Secretarial Science, Lorraine brings a history of varied employment in both Administration and Finance including Prudential and Edward Jones. She possesses strong interpersonal skills and computer software knowledge. As a Client Service Specialist, she assists the Financial Advisors and the office team with daily accomplishments. She is an all-around team asset in achieving the goals and vision for the company

Lauren Fulton

Lauren joined The Pinnacle Financial Group in November 2023 serving as a Client Service Specialist. Lauren assists and supports Financial Advisors in our Huntington location. She graduated with a Bachelor and Master of Arts in Education from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut. She previously worked as an Educator before becoming at stay-at-home mom for the last few years.

In her free time, she enjoys traveling, skiing, cooking, and spending time with her family. Lauren resides in Huntington with her husband and two children.

Brandon Martins

Brandon joined The Pinnacle Financial Group in January 2024 as a Client Relationships Manager. He graduated from Farmingdale State College with a degree in Economics. Previously, he gained experience in financial services interning at Morgan Stanley, where he supported advisors with client needs.

Currently, Brandon is studying for his Series 7 and Series 66 certifications to further his expertise in financial services.

He resides in Mineola, New York, with his parents and older brother, and is a proud alumnus of Wheatley High School in Old Westbury, New York.

Valerie Hopp

Valerie started at The Pinnacle Financial Group in June of 2023. She works in our Melville location assisting Mario Molino and other advisors. Prior to Pinnacle she was with Chase JP Morgan for 25 years. She started as a teller, went to Retail Banking and moved her way up to become a Team Leader in the Central Branch Investigation Unit handling operational issues and procedures. She then moved to the Auto Finance Division of Chase and became an AVP in Quality Control in the Auto Division. Valerie left Chase in 2014 due to operations being moved out of state whereas, she became a stay at home mom to raise her daughter.

Valerie is a graduate of Farmingdale University Computer Information Systems/English, resides in Massapequa, New York with her husband and daughter. She enjoys spending time with her family and making hand-stamped jewelry.

Kerri Holt

Kerri joined LPL as a Client Specialist for The Pinnacle Financial Group in November 2023. Before working in the financial service industry, she served as an Appellate Court Clerk in the Appellate Division, Second Department within the State of New York. Along with her dedication to the court system, we know her high level of integrity and quality service will serve our clients well. She received her Master of Business Administration degree from Southern New Hampshire University majoring in Public Administration in October 2019.

Outside of work, Kerri enjoys hiking, walking in the park with her family, and a good book. She currently resides in Wantagh with her husband and daughter.

Rosy Walia

Rosy joined The Pinnacle Financial Group in August 2023. Rosy works as a Client Service Specialist in our Rockville Centre location. She graduated from Government College for Women in India with a Master of Arts in Education. Prⁱor to The Pinnacle Financial Group, she worked as an Office Administrator and Receptionist with Blue Sky Hospitality for 5 years.

Rosy enjoys traveling, shopping, and watching shows of Asian descent. She resides in Baldwin, New York with her husband and two daughters.

Kelly Gilhuley

Kelly joined The Pinnacle Financial Group in July of 2024. Kelly graduated from St. John’s University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Master of Arts Degree from Hofstra University.

Before entering the financial industry, Kelly was an English teacher at Hicksville High School. She enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, going to concerts, and traveling.

Brooke Masaitis

Brooke joined The Pinnacle Financial Group in June 2024. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from The University of Alabama in May 2024 with a degree in Legal History with double minors in Criminal Justice and Global Cultural Studies. At her time in Alabama, she displayed leadership and a passion for philanthropy as a member of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. She was active in many on-campus organizations including volunteer work with children and played a role in historical research-based clubs.

She resides in North Massapequa as an alumna from Plainedge High School. She enjoys documentaries, cheering on Crimson Tide sports, cycling classes, traveling, and spending time with loved ones.