About Our Firm

Our Leadership Team

We are a group of professionals committed to helping you achieve your needs and goals in life. We look forward to truly getting to know you, so we can work together with you to develop a financial plan that fits with your path in life. 

President - Jason Mickool

Jason, President of Florida Financial Advisors, is a seasoned industry expert with 30 years of experience in financial planning, particularly for high-net-worth individuals and business owners.

He launched his career at American Express Financial Advisors (now Ameriprise), where he demonstrated integrity and commitment, eventually rising to the role of Field Vice President. During his tenure, he earned multiple awards for his outstanding performance. While he thrived in his executive position, Jason's true passion has always been helping clients. After leaving American Express, he served as Managing Partner for New England Financial, where he led the company in growth while maintaining a strong focus on client service. He later joined McAdam as part of the Executive Team, continuing to deliver exceptional client care and strategic direction to a flourishing financial firm.

His experiences in Florida illuminated the unique financial needs of local residents, inspiring him to establish Florida Financial Advisors (FFA). This independent, product-neutral firm is dedicated to providing comprehensive financial planning tailored to those specific needs.

In his free time, Jason enjoys traveling, playing guitar, and spending quality time with his wife, Allyson. 

Eric Wolstenholme - Field Vice President, Philadelphia

Eric is a trusted advisor and emerging industry leader in the financial industry. He brings energy, vision, and passion to the Philadelphia office. Having both grown up and attended college in the Greater Philadelphia region, Eric understands the unique financial needs of his clients in the Tristate area. He has worked with a wide array of clients, including small businesses and business owners, individuals, and families.

Eric began his career as a Financial Advisor at the Tristate Financial Advisors (TFA) Philadelphia office and has since held several leadership positions and advisor roles for TFA. During his time with TFA Eric has worked with hundreds of individual clients on retirement planning, tax diversification strategies, risk management, and advanced insurance solutions.

Eric has also successfully recruited and trained dozens of financial advisors, many of whom have been recognized as 'Best of the Best' at FFA/TFA. He has a passion for helping new advisors develop the skills they need to succeed as individuals and contribute to the larger team. Eric recognizes that the industry has gaps in financial advisor training and development, unbiased client advice, holistic financial planning, and innovative marketing systems for new client acquisition.

In his free time, Eric enjoys golfing and visiting his family and friends. When he is not assisting clients he can be found cheering for the Phillies and Eagles or spending time with his dog, Piper, and cat, Ghost.

Justin Barbato - Regional Vice President, Charleston

Justin Barbato is dedicated to helping clients achieve their financial goals through personalized guidance and strategic planning. Originally from Connecticut, Justin has always felt a deep connection to the Carolinas. His fond memories of family beach vacations and his time at Coastal Carolina University, where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Wealth Management, inspired his dream of calling the Lowcountry home.

Justin began his career with Florida Financial Advisors (FFA) in Jacksonville, Florida, where he quickly developed experience in personal financial planning. His leadership skills and dedication to client success soon led him to manage a high-performing team of advisors. This experience paved the way for his transition to Tristate Financial Advisors in Charleston, where he now serves as Field Vice President.

Outside of work, Justin enjoys spending time outdoors, whether it’s boating, playing golf, or attending concerts. His active lifestyle mirrors his commitment to living life to the fullest, both personally and professionally.

John Scriffiny - Regional Vice President, Washington, DC

As Vice President of the Tristate Financial Advisors DC office, John Scriffiny works diligently to take every client he meets to the highest possible level through his impeccable service and uncompromising integrity. He is a trusted advisor who specializes in comprehensive financial planning. By listening to each client’s individual needs and by offering customized retirement solutions, John has helped hundreds of clients create a path to secure their financial future. John prioritizes integrity, health, helping others, leadership, and independence to best serve his clients and advisors, and lives each day with the mindset that “there is no end to better.”

John earned BS degrees from the University of Colorado Boulder in Finance and Accounting. Outside of work, John enjoys basketball, running, music, traveling, and reading.

Sam Dhungel - Regional Vice President, Chicago

As Regional Vice President for the Chicago market, Sam is spearheading Florida Financial Advisors | Tristate Financial Advisors, Midwest expansion; playing a crucial role in the development of one of the fastest-growing firms in financial services today.

His role carries two core responsibilities: Executive Leadership and Financial Advising.

On the executive leadership side, Sam is focused on identifying top talent at both the individual and firm level for recruitment and M&A, then training and developing them into the next generation of elite advisors.

As a Financial Advisor, Sam offers clients something rare: true transparency. Free from the constraints of proprietary products, Sam aligns workplace benefits, outside investments, and personal objectives into a unified strategy built around what actually matters: their goals. As the company’s top producer in 2025, Sam brings a wealth of knowledge for his clients. He actively keeps up with his due diligence to constantly evolve financial planning.

When not spending his time at work, Sam is passionate about education reform and works on passion projects to help provide quality education access and EQ development resources to kids who have a dream. He feels strongly about his dedication towards Integrity, Drive, Work Ethic, Entrepreneurship, Servitude not ending at the workplace, so he keeps active within the community.

With a proven track record in entrepreneurship, team building, and client advocacy, Sam is driven by a singular mission: To take people to the highest possible level in their career and life.

Ryan Smith - Regional Vice President, Charlotte

Ryan Smith is a dedicated financial professional committed to helping individuals and families build lasting financial confidence and long term security. Originally from the Naples, Florida area, Ryan earned a double major in Finance and Commercial Real Estate from Florida State University. He launched his career in Orlando, Florida with Florida Financial Advisors, where he quickly distinguished himself as a top performer ranking among the company’s top five advisors in production during his first year.

Ryan’s early success led to rapid advancement into leadership. Within three years, he was selected to relocate to Charlotte, North Carolina to spearhead the firm’s expansion across the greater Carolinas region, where he assumed the role of Regional Vice President. Charlotte felt like home from the start, as Ryan had spent many summers vacationing with his family in the Appalachian Mountains, creating a long standing personal connection to the area.

Over his eight years with the organization, Ryan has had significant influence in recruiting, developing, and mentoring advisors and leaders across multiple markets, building high performing teams centered on growth, accountability, and client first service.

Ryan is passionate about simplifying complex financial decisions and designing clear, personalized strategies that help clients build wealth and pursue confident, stress free retirements. His leadership experience, combined with hands on advisory expertise, allows him to provide practical guidance rooted in real world results and a long term perspective.

Outside of his professional life, Ryan enjoys spending time with his fiancée, Samantha and their dog Barney. He is an avid golfer, enjoys traveling to new cities, is an enthusiastic sports card collector, and you can also catch him cheering for Denver Broncos and Florida State football.

Jacob Buser - Regional Vice President, Nashville

Jacob Buser is a driven and dedicated financial planner committed to helping his clients achieve their financial goals with the right tools and knowledge. He values family, health, wealth, leadership, and trust, which guide his work every day.

Originally from Staten Island, New York, Jacob pursued his academic and athletic career at the Florida Institute of Technology. He started his financial journey as a financial advisor with Florida Financial Advisors in Orlando, Florida. Over the years, Jacob gained extensive experience in the field, assisting clients from various industries, including small businesses, individuals, and families. He held leadership positions and advisory roles at different branch locations, where he successfully helped clients with retirement planning, tax strategies, risk management, and insurance solutions.

Throughout his career, Jacob has been passionate about addressing the gaps in the financial industry. He focuses on improving financial advisor training, providing unbiased advice, and implementing effective leadership systems for himself and his team. In pursuit of these goals, Jacob has expanded the presence of Tristate Financial Advisors in Nashville, Tennessee. As a fully independent and product-agnostic firm, Tristate Financial Advisors offers comprehensive advisor marketing and training, catering to the unique needs of families in Tennessee.

Outside of work, Jacob enjoys spending time with his wife Taylor, their puppy Ella, and loved ones. He has a passion for travel and discovering new destinations. When he's not assisting clients, Jacob can be found enjoying a round of golf or cheering for the New York Yankees.