VNFA Partners with WDIY Again to Support Second Harvest Food Bank
This week kicks off WDIY’s Fall Membership Drive during which Valley National Financial Advisors will again donate to provide meals through Second Harvest Food Bank. VNFA has supported the partnership since 2017 and last year was able to fund 12,128 meals for those in need across the Lehigh Valley.

Every dollar donated to WDIY during this year’s Fall Membership Drive will help provide meals to those in need in the Lehigh Valley. For every $100 WDIY receives in donations, Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley will provide 21 meals to individuals and families in our community. READ MORE

Valley National Financial Advisors (VNFA) has hired Jackie Gerstung to the newly created position of Client Service Manager. Jackie joins the team from PNC Bank and has more than 15 years of experience in financial services.

In her role, Jackie will oversee client-facing support staff and be responsible for procedures contributing to the client experience (CX). Her background in financial technology and project management will allow her to add innovation and efficiency for the team, as well as support everyone at the firm with problem-solving, training and accountability around the VNFA CX.

“At VNFA we put our clients first and our service team professionals are some of the best in the business,” said Donna Young, VP of Client Service. “Jackie’s leadership as part of this team is going to take us to the next level as we get closer to 40 years in business.”

Originally from Texas, Jackie has lived in the Lehigh Valley for more than 20 years. Outside of her professional work, Jackie and her husband keep busy with their four grandchildren. Jackie will work on a full-time hybrid schedule based in the firm’s Bethlehem headquarters and she can be reached at 610-868-9000 ext. 109 or jgerstung@valleynationalgroup.com.

Our CEO, Matt Petrozelli, was featured in a Q&A with Lehigh Valley Business about saving for retirement.
A Conversation With: Matthew Petrozelli, CEO of Valley National Financial Advisors – LVB

This weekend marked 37 years of business for VNFA. On August 28, 1985, Tom Riddle founded the company with a mission to help clients make the right financial choices in pursuit of their lifelong goals and dreams. Today, all of us working with our founder, continue to focus on that mission, putting clients first in all we do. Over the years, the world has changed and so too VNFA has evolved and continues to emerge stronger. We come to work every day with a purpose deliver a great experience for our clients who find value in the combination of financial planning and wealth management. We all look forward to a prosperous future, and we thank you all for your continued confidence in our team, our service, and our mission.

Our Senior Associate Simone Sanvito and Senior Vice President Rod Young, CPA/PFS, CFP® are featured guests on the Adapting Social Breaking Barriers podcast.

Watch and listen to their interview about Challenging Yourself – https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3SD-PkU5FPk (Also available on Spotify and Apple Music)

Team VNFA is honoring and remembering our loved ones touched by cancer by decorating our curtain for the Wings of Hope event. 

Cancer Support Community of the Greater Lehigh Valley will host the butterfly release at noon on Sunday, Sept. 11 at Cedar Crest College.

Admission is free and donations can be made online at cancersupportglv.org

Team VNFA is so excited to be participating again in the Community Bike Works Cycle Challenge fundraiser. We are getting our riders ready to compete Sept. 22 to Oct. 3. Learn more about this community event and support our VNFA Riders! https://www.pledgereg.com/4415/Team/20174

Community Bike Works renamed the annual Spin-a-thon to the Cycle Challenge. Individuals can participate as well as teams with up to eight members. The goal is to raise $100,000 for the Allentown and Easton programs.

Learn more and sign up for the challenge at PledgeReg.com/communitybikeworks

Join us in congratulating Amanda Pugliese, CPA on her promotion to Director of Tax Services.

Mandy has been part of Team VNFA for more than 14 years in several capacities, most recently as Senior Tax Manager. In addition to continuing to work on tax preparation and planning, Mandy will manage the VNFA Tax Department moving forward.

Tim Richmond, CPA has been given the title of Senior Tax Accountant. Tim joined the team in 2020, bringing 15 years of experience in tax and accounting.

Team VNFA is still searching for CPA professionals to join our Tax Department and work with Tim and Mandy. Learn more about this and other opportunities at valleynationalgroup.com/ join-our-team

Team VNFA is ranked among the Top 300 RIA firms by FA Magazine. 2022_RIA Ranking Online (fa-mag.com)

Join us in celebrating our Assistant Vice President of Human Resources, Ashley Santiago, SHRM-CP. She was just named among the LV Business 2022 Forty Under 40. Forty Under 40 Awards – LVB

Welcome Solana Berrio and Lauren Kelly to Team VNFA!

Solana has joined the team in our Investment Department. She will be working with our Chief Investment Officer and other Associates on research and technology support. Solana already has experience working at VNFA as a tax and investment intern. She has a degree in Business Administration and a master’s degree in Finance from West Virginia University.

Lauren is joining us at the front desk of our Bethlehem headquarters. She will be welcoming guests and answering your phone calls. As Front Office Coordinator, Lauren will be in the office managing the day-to-day for our hybrid team members who are working onsite and remotely throughout the week. She has more than 20 years of experience in client service, account support and office administration.