About Our Firm
At Tristate Financial Advisors, we have refined the concept of financial advice to help take you and your future to a whole new level...together.
At Tristate Financial Advisors, we have customized our services to meet the specific financial needs of our local clients. As a branch of the Florida Financial Advisors company, we are a full-service, comprehensive financial and wealth management firm with a clear focus on helping our clients achieve their financial goals. We take a personalized approach and work together with you to create a financial strategy aligned with your life and goals.
It’s essential to us that we not only understand your current financial situation but also anticipate what the future may hold—whether that includes a private school, a boat, a beach house, or a business venture. We know that planning for the future requires attention to detail, with a special emphasis on your career as a cornerstone of your financial life. Our approach considers all aspects of your finances, including your company’s benefits package, to help you build a secure and prosperous future.
Our Mission
To take you to your highest possible
level in both career and life.
Our Commitment to you:
- We provide advice that serves your needs and your needs only.
- We are prompt in our response and pride ourselves on great communication.
- We will continually meet and make small adjustments to your planning to avoid costly mistakes.
We promise to provide you with the very best in financial planning and exemplary customer service.
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.
Ryan Smith - Field Vice President, Charlotte
Everything Ryan Smith does is focused on his clients. Ryan’s every waking hour is contemplating what he can do to enable financial stability for clients. Rumor has it, he even thinks about clients while sleeping. Ryan grew up in Naples, Florida, and graduated from Florida State University with a double major in Finance and Commercial Real Estate. He started his career as a financial advisor with Florida Financial Advisors in the greater Orlando area and held multiple leadership and advisor positions. Ryan very much enjoys mentoring new financial advisors while creating a team environment so everyone can excel. His main objective is to give clients a “stress-free” retirement. He feels right at home in North Carolina having spent many summers in the Cashiers area in the Blue Ridge Mountains. He also has family in Raleigh. The Charlotte region excites Ryan because it is the second-largest financial hub in the United States behind New York. It is a young city full of young people and he wants to help them build wealth. At some point Ryan sees Tristate expanding into other North Carolina cities. When he is not helping people with their finances, Ryan golfs and spends time with his family. He also likes to travel and experience new cultures.
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.
Jacob Buser - Field 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.
Justin Barbato - Field 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.
Tristate Financial Advisors (TFA) is a Florida Financial Advisors (FFA) Company. FFA is an independent financial advisory firm with a network of hundreds of advisors operating offices in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington, DC.
Branch offices include: Atlanta, Austin, Charlotte, Charleston, Dallas, Jacksonville, Miami, Nashville, Orlando, Philadelphia/Tristate Area, Tampa (Headquarters), and Washington, DC. Stay tuned for the network's expansion to the West Coast.
