Our Team

Michael is the founder and president of Wealth Management Partners, LLC, a Pittsburgh-based wealth management firm. Prior to establishing WMP in 2001, Michael was the associate managing director of the Acacia Financial Center of Pittsburgh. During his 16 years with Acacia, Michael held a variety of management positions.

Michael is a Registered Representative, Investment Adviser Representative, and securities principal with Commonwealth Financial Services^® (Member FINRA/SIPC).

In addition, Michael is a Chartered Financial Consultant^®, holds the Accredited Investment Fiduciary Analyst^® (AIFA^®) designation, and maintains FINRA Series 7, 24, 63, and 65 securities registrations. Michael’s primary focus is on providing financial and investment advice based on the client’s long-term goals and objectives.

Michael lives in Beaver, Pennsylvania, with his wife and two children. He is a member of the Brighton Township zoning board and a long serving past member of the Saints Peter and Paul Church finance council.  His hobbies include skiing, boating, gardening, and family time.

Michael J. Ward, ChFC^®, AIFA^® is proud to have been recognized as a Chairman's Level advisor for 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023—a distinction based on annual production attained by just 3 percent of advisors affiliated with Commonwealth Financial Network®.

Each year, Commonwealth, the Registered Investment Adviser–broker/dealer that helps us process investment transactions on your behalf, recognizes Chairman's Level advisors by inviting them to an exclusive gathering of their peers, leading industry experts, and Commonwealth home office staff. Chairman's Level advisors benefit from an intensive learning and networking experience designed to help them hone their expertise, share best practices, and provide ever-higher levels of service, education, and leadership to their clients.

Office Location:
790 Holiday Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15220

Melissa (Missy) is an original member of Wealth Management Partners, LLC, since the firm's inception in November 2001. She enjoys assisting WMP clients with all aspects of the financial planning process to help them pursue their goals. She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a BS in psychology/business. Melissa is a registered representative of Commonwealth Financial Network^®, (Member FINRA/SIPC) and holds FINRA Series 6, 7, and 63 securities registrations. She is licensed in life, health, and accident insurance. In addition, Melissa holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification and is Certified in Long-Term Care (CLTC).

Office Location:
790 Holiday Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15220

My mission is to provide you, the client, confidence and quality of life through thoughtful planning.

Through nearly 20 years in the financial services industry, Ash has honed and refined his planning process.

This journey begins with learning about you and what is important to you.  We then envision your future.  Once these elements are defined, we collaboratively work together to create a blueprint for you, which can be effectively implemented and monitored to pursue your goals.

Ash holds an MBA from California State University in Bakersfield, California, and a BA from Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® professional an Accredited Investment Fiduciary^® ; is licensed in life, accident, health, and disability insurance; and holds FINRA Series 7, 63, and 66 securities registrations through Commonwealth Financial Network^®.

He enjoys travel, antiquing, home restoration, rock ‘n’ roll, artsy films, and classic cars. He currently resides with his wife, daughter and cat in the Ben Avon neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Office Location:
790 Holiday Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15220

Brendan joined Wealth Management Partners, LLC, as an investment research assistant in January 2011. After graduating from Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, he worked as a financial solutions advisor at Merrill Lynch.

Brendan holds FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities registrations through Commonwealth Financial Network^®. He is also an Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF^®) and is licensed life, accident, health, and disability insurance. He resides in Highland Park with his wife, Courtney, and son, James. Brendan is an avid Pittsburgh sports fan and enjoys spending time with his family.

Office Location:
790 Holiday Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15220

Chris joined Wealth Management Partners, LLC, in 2018. As the Director of Wealth Management Services and a Wealth Manager, Chris helps clients create comprehensive financial plans tailored to their goals and objectives.

Chris is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® professional and earned the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC^®) designation from the College for Financial Planning. He is licensed in life, accident, health, and disability insurance.  Chris holds FINRA Series 7, 66, and 24 securities licenses with registrations through Commonwealth Financial Network^®.  As a Series 24 license holder, he acts as an OSJ Delegate for the office.

Chris graduated from Washington and Jefferson College with a BA in Business Administration and a minor in History. Prior to joining Wealth Management Partners, Chris worked for a national RIA where he helped individuals with 401k and retirement planning. Chris has also spent time during his career at PNC Wealth Management and TD Ameritrade helping clients create financial plans and providing investment advice.

Outside of work, Chris enjoys spending time outdoors, rooting for Pittsburgh sports teams, and enjoying time with his family. He resides in Mt. Lebanon with his wife Lauren, son Henry, and daughters Brooke and Peyton.

Office Location:
790 Holiday Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15220

Jared works in all areas of financial planning but has specifically worked with nonprofits, providing asset management and fiduciary consulting since joining the team at Wealth Management Partners, LLC, in 2018. He is originally from the Blairsville area and obtained a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Duquesne University. A career changer, Jared started his financial services career with Northwestern Mutual prior to joining WMP.

Jared is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® professional.  He is licensed in life, accident, health, and disability insurance and holds FINRA Series 6, 7, 63, and 65 securities registrations through Commonwealth Financial Network^®. In addition, he is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary^® (AIF^®) designee.

Jared is involved with the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation and Latrobe Presbyterian Church.  He resides in Latrobe with his wife, Cady, and their son, Jack.

Office Location:
790 Holiday Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15220

John has been a Wealth Manager and Registered Representative of Commonwealth Financial Network^® (Member FINRA/SIPC) since 2002. Prior to his work in the financial services industry, he held numerous engineering and management positions for a multinational company.

John focuses on a holistic approach to wealth management with emphasis not only on asset accumulation and income protection/distribution, but on legacy planning for high income and high net worth families.

John is a graduate of Carnegie-Mellon University, University of Pittsburgh and the Kent State University with degrees in engineering and business administration. An Army veteran and parachutist, he is also a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas.

He holds the Accredited Investment Fiduciary^® (AIF^®) certification and maintains security registrations as well as various insurance licenses in a number of states.

John and his wife Susana are the proud parents of three grown children and are blessed with nine grandchildren.

Office Location:
112 North Market Street, Ligonier, PA 15658

After acquiring more than two decades of valuable experience in the investment industry, Eric founded Elek Wealth Management, LLC, a Western Pennsylvania-based wealth management firm in 2015. With a focus on independent investment solutions, Eric provides customized wealth management strategies to clients, based on their long-term needs and objectives.

Through fostering strong relationships, Eric has built a thriving team of wealth management professionals that deliver tailor-made solutions to individuals, families, and business owners. As a registered representative of Commonwealth Financial Network^® (Member FINRA/SIPC) since 2001, he holds FINRA series 6, 7, 63 and 65 securities registrations. Prior to joining Commonwealth, Eric was a registered representative with The Advisors Group in Pittsburgh.

Eric earned his BS in finance at Texas A&M University. In addition, he was a nationally ranked tennis player for the Aggie Men’s Tennis Team. The valued relationships that were formed at A&M afforded Eric the unique opportunity to build a strong client base in Texas to compliment his Western Pennsylvania client base.

Along with tennis, Eric, his wife, Elizabeth, and son, Henrik love to travel together and explore the great outdoors. Elizabeth and Henrik also enjoy the opportunities to visit friends and clients.

Their primary residence is in Ligonier, Pennsylvania where Henrik attends high school. They also maintain a residence in Texas to service clients in the Southwest.

Office Location:
112 North Market Street, Ligonier, PA 15658

Kraig is the founder of Cawley Financial Advisors, LLC. As a professional wealth advisor, he tailors services to meet the unique needs and goals of each client family. Kraig is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and holds the Accredited Wealth Management Advisor^® (AWMA^®) and Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist^® (CRPS^®) certifications. He also holds his Series 7 and Series 66 registrations through Commonwealth Financial Network^® as well as state insurance licenses.

Kraig graduated from Ferris State University with a Bachelor of Science degree and from the University of Michigan with a Master of Business Administration degree.

Kraig began financial planning in 2008. Prior to joining Wealth Management Partners, LLC, and Commonwealth Financial Network in May 2024, he had experience with Ameriprise Financial, Cambridge Investment Research Inc., and most recently, Cetera Advisor Networks LLC.

His former career of 20 years was as a newspaper publisher and executive, including over 10 years as a VP and member of the Board of Directors of the Tribune-Review Publishing Co.

Kraig and his wife, Lisa, have lived in the region for over 20 years. He has served as a board member and/or committee member for organizations including Trib Charities, Pine Richland Opportunities Fund, United Way, The Pittsburgh Wine Festival, Baierl North Hills YMCA, Valley Care, and the McCandless Rotary. He is also a Paul Harris Fellow. Kraig is a long-time volunteer for his Church and for other local organizations.

Office Location:
790 Holiday Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15220

Carissa joined Wealth Management Partners, LLC. in September 2023 as the Assistant Director of Operations.  She stepped into the Director of Operations/HR role in September 2024.  She graduated from Clarion University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration/Management.  She is licensed in life, accident and health insurance in Pennsylvania and holds her Series 7 and 66 securities registrations through Commonwealth Financial Network^®.  Carissa started her career in the financial industry in 1999.  She most recently was a registered Senior Advisor Associate at a local wealth management firm.

Carissa enjoys spending time with her identical twin daughters, Ava and Cadence, and watching them ride their horse, Kasperi. She, her husband Dan, and their daughters reside in Mars, PA.

Office Location:
790 Holiday Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15220

Jan joined our team at Wealth Management Partners, LLC, in October 2017. Her current position is director of client services. Jan has a strong and versatile background in banking, business accounting, and office administration.

Jan has two adult sons and a 7-year old pug-a-bull named Mallo. She lives in Avella, Pennsylvania, where she enjoys gardening, cooking, the outdoors, and, most importantly, spending time with her family, friends, and Mallo!

Office Location:
790 Holiday Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15220

Barb joined the team at Wealth Management Partners in June 2024 as a Client Support Specialist. Her work background is in office administration and employee relations.

She and her husband, Reggie, live in McKeesport with their two dogs, Demi and Dawson. Barb likes woodworking and long rides on the motorcycle with her husband.

Office Location:
790 Holiday Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15220

Farrah joined the team at Wealth Management Partners, LLC, in May 2019 as a temporary, part-time associate. After eight months, she was invited to join the company in January 2020. She brings more than 10 years of office experience to the team and performs essential support functions as our Receptionist / Administrative Assistant.

Originally from Texas, Farrah loves being outdoors and traveling. She has moved around quite a bit, spending time in all 50 states including a 10-year stay in Juneau, Alaska. Having now settled down in Pittsburgh, Farrah plans to stay in Pennsylvania with her boyfriend, Eric, and their dog, Watson.

Office Location:
790 Holiday Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15220

Hayden joined Wealth Management Partners, LLC, in 2025. As a Financial Services Specialist, he assists our advisors as they help clients develop comprehensive financial plans designed to align with their long-term goals, while providing administrative support during the portfolio constructing and monitoring processes. Hayden is particularly interested in behavioral finance and the psychology behind financial decision-making, which fuels his desire to help others build confidence in managing their finances.

Hayden graduated from Penn State Behrend with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and earned certificates in Financial Planning and Behavioral Finance. He is licensed in life, accident, and health insurance and is currently pursuing additional licensing to further expand his ability to serve clients.

Hayden resides in Crafton, Pennsylvania. In his spare time, he enjoys exercising, getting outside, and spending time with his family

Office Location:
790 Holiday Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15220