j Center for Investor Education | Alliance Wealth Advisors

Our Mission

The Alliance Center for Investor Education’s mission is to distill complex financial topics into clearly communicated ideas to help people make better decisions with their money. As an extension of our wealth management firm, we partner with families, business owners, and institutions to improve both communication and outcomes related to personal finance, investing, and strategic planning.

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Meet Our Team

Christopher D. Ross, CFP®

Managing Partner |
Planning & Investments

Christopher D. Ross, CFP®

Managing Partner | Planning & Investments

Chris has worked in the wealth management industry for over 20 years and enjoys cultivating long-term relationships with each of his clients. He takes a holistic approach to financial planning, specializing in investment management, to serve the needs of successful families, retirees, business owners, and institutions. Chris offers trustworthy and honest guidance to help clients strategically pursue their goals and utilizes sharp attention to detail when crafting custom wealth management strategies. Before co-founding Alliance Wealth Advisors, Chris was Vice President and a financial advisor with The Rose Holcomb Ross Group at Wells Fargo Advisors. Previously, he was a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley.

Chris earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Pennsylvania State University and holds the prestigious CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) certification, one of the most respected financial planning credentials among consumers and the recognized standard of excellence in personal financial planning. He has also achieved the title of Senior Wealth Advisor, reflecting his experience and expertise in financial planning and investment management.

Chris is active in local industry organizations, including the Estate Planning Council of NEPA, Scranton Chamber of Commerce, and past board member at the Greater Scranton YMCA.  Over the years, he served on the Advisor Council as a resource for multiple asset management firms. Chris stays active in his spare time and enjoys golfing, skiing and traveling. He is a member of Glenmaura National Golf Club and a volunteer with St. Joseph’s Center and the Lackawanna County Children and Youth Center. Chris grew up in Dunmore, Pennsylvania and now lives in Roaring Brook with his wife Ashlyn and daughters Connelly and Collins.

Perry J. Rose, CFP®

Senior Wealth Advisor | Planning & Investments

Perry J. Rose, CFP®

Senior Wealth Advisor | Planning & Investments

With over 39 years in the financial services industry, Perry provides knowledgeable guidance to help clients pursue their goals. He offers comprehensive financial planning services for successful families, retirees and business owners, with expertise in investment management. A caring and committed problem solver, Perry crafts tailored financial strategies to support clients’ confidence in their financial futures as they pursue their objectives.

Perry has attained the prestigious CFP® certification, one of the most respected financial planning credentials among consumers and the recognized standard of excellence in personal financial planning. Before joining our team, Perry was first vice president, investments, with The Rose Holcomb Ross Group at Wells Fargo Advisors. He was previously Vice President, investments, and branch manager with Morgan Stanley. He earned an MBA from the University of Scranton and a bachelor’s degree in public administration from Pennsylvania State University. He previously served as an adjunct professor at University of Scranton and Marywood University.

Perry is a parishioner at The Church of St. Gregory, where he serves as a CCD instructor and plays guitar with the choir. He and his wife, Annette, are also actively involved with St. Joseph’s Center. Perry is a supporter of local theatrical productions and is a member of Glen Oak Country Club and Victor Alfieri Club. In his spare time, he enjoys gardening, as well as yoga and playing music. Originally from Scranton, Perry and Annette live in Clarks Green with their children, Matthew and Taylor.

Jude R. McDonough, CFP® AIF®

Senior Wealth Advisor |
Institutional Consulting

Jude R. McDonough,

CFP® AIF®

Senior Wealth Advisor | Institutional Consulting

Jude McDonough is a Certified Financial Planner and Accredited Investment Fiduciary with 20 years of experience in the Financial Services industry. Jude’s areas of expertise include retirement planning, investment management and corporate retirement plan consulting. He is very passionate about helping people and providing his clients with honest, objective advice. He takes great pride in responsiveness to his clients and always being there when they need him.   

Jude began his career at Merrill Lynch in 2004 after graduating from the University of Scranton. After spending nearly 6 years in the Greater Philadelphia area, he made the decision to return to his roots in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Jude spent the greater part of the next decade as a Vice President for Community Investment Services before making the decision to join Alliance Wealth Advisors in 2019. 

Jude is very active in the Northeastern Pennsylvania Community and has a strong interest in the growth of the region. He serves as the Treasurer for the St. Patrick’s Parade Association of Lackawanna County, Chair of the Board of United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania and is the Past Chair of the Board for the United Way of Wyoming County.  In addition to that, he serves on the Executive Committee of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Lackawanna County and on the Board of the Estate Planning Council of Northeastern Pennsylvania. In his spare time, he enjoys golfing, skiing and traveling.  He is a proud member of Glenmaura National Golf Club and the Westmoreland Club. He grew up in the Minooka section of Scranton and currently resides in Moosic with his wife, Bridget, and their dog, Charlie. 

Michael J. Cordaro, MBA

Senior Wealth Advisor | Planning & Investments

Michael J. Cordaro, MBA

Senior Wealth Advisor

Michael Cordaro has over fourteen years of experience in the financial services industry. He feels it is vital to build strong relationships with each of his clients, so he understands their unique goals, and to ensure they understand the strategies and tools being employed on their behalf. Michael takes pride in his role as a fiduciary and believes that putting the clients’ interests first should be at the foundation of every financial advisor’s investment decisions.

His areas of expertise include financial planning and advice for business owners and families, investment management, investor education, and retirement planning.

Prior to joining Alliance Wealth Advisors, Michael resided in Philadelphia where he was an assistant vice president and relationship manager at Brown Brothers Harriman and Company (BBH), the oldest private bank in the country. In his role, Michael worked as a trusted advisor to ultra-high net worth business owners, families, endowments, and foundations to address their investing, banking, and wealth planning needs.

Prior to joining BBH, Michael was an associate at J.P. Morgan in New York City. He started with J.P. Morgan in 2011 and began his career as part of the firm’s Corporate Development Analyst Program in the investment bank. He received a B.A. in political science with a certificate in management studies (finance/accounting) from the University of Rochester, and his M.B.A. from the Villanova University School of Business.

Before returning to Northeastern PA, Michael maintained strong ties to home and continues to serve on the board of directors for the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties, Northeast Pennsylvania Healthcare Foundation and the Dunmore Educational Foundation. He is also a member of the Board of Trustees and is an adjunct professor at Lackawanna College. Michael enjoys spending time with family and friends, and is a native of Dunmore, PA where he currently resides with his wife Melissa and daughters Ainsley and Emilia.

Douglas F. Holcomb

Senior Wealth Advisor | Planning & Investments

Douglas F. Holcomb

Senior Wealth Advisor | Planning & Investments

Doug devotes his 38-plus years of financial services experience to provide holistic planning support for successful families, retirees and business owners. He is knowledgeable in investment management and takes pride in helping clients achieve financial confidence as they pursue their goals, through tailored strategic financial planning. Doug consistently provides prompt and transparent service to support clients’ needs, and enjoys the process of fostering long-term relationships with each of them. Before joining Alliance Wealth Advisors, Doug was Vice President of investments with The Rose Holcomb Ross Group of Wells Fargo Advisors, and a vice president and financial advisor with Morgan Stanley. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and social studies from Ursinus College.

Doug is active in the Lake Ariel Community and a board member for Ariel Land Owners, Inc. He also volunteers with St. Joseph’s Center. In his free time, Doug enjoys boating, fishing and spending time outdoors. Originally from Dunmore, he lives in Peckville with his wife, Lorna. They have five children.

Kaley E. Kucharski

Senior Relationship Associate

Kaley E. Kucharski

Senior Relationship Associate

Kaley brings over a decade of client service experience, dedicated to enhancing support and building strong relationships. She takes the time to understand each client’s unique needs, ensuring a personalized and seamless experience.

In addition to her client relationship role, Kaley is an integral part of Alliance’s daily operations. She works closely with our strategic partners and advisory team to proactively communicate important updates and insights.

Before joining Alliance Wealth Advisors, Kaley served as a Client Associate with The Rose Holcomb Ross Group at Wells Fargo Advisors. She is a graduate of Lackawanna College and deeply committed to community service, actively volunteering with the Northeast Cancer Institute and St. Joseph’s Center. She also represents Alliance within the Women’s Network of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce.

Outside of work, Kaley enjoys traveling, staying active, and spending time with family, friends, and her dog, Lucky. Originally from Archbald, she now resides in Jessup, Pennsylvania.

Sean P. Dempsey, CRPC™

Relationship Associate

Sean P. Dempsey, CRPC™

Relationship Associate 

Sean Dempsey has over two years of experience in the wealth management industry. He is committed to building and supporting long-term relationships with clients by learning about each individual’s goals, as well as what is most important to them and their families.

In addition to Sean’s client relationship role, he collaborates with our strategic partners and advisory team to proactively communicate key updates and insights.

Prior to joining Alliance Wealth Advisors, Sean was a financial solutions advisor at Merrill Lynch in the Greater Philadelphia area and then in Scranton, where he worked as a trusted advisor to families, business owners, and individuals, by managing their investing, banking, and wealth planning strategies. Sean is a graduate of Temple University, and he holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC™) designation.

Outside of work, he enjoys golfing, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. He is a proud member of Elmhurst Country Club. Sean grew up in Dunmore, PA, where he currently resides.

Susan E. Walsh

Client Associate

Susan E. Walsh

Client Associate 

Susie joined Alliance in February 2020 as a Client Associate. She works very closely with our team and takes great pride in providing our clients with an exceptional customer service experience.  In addition to her primary job functions, Susie performs receptionist and various administrative tasks in our office. On most days she is the friendly voice that will likely greet you when you call our office!

Susie has considerable experience in the financial services industry working for Prudential Financial for 35 years. Throughout her career, she held various roles primarily with Prudential Retirement. Mostly servicing defined contribution clients in the large to jumbo markets, as a relationship manager. She served as the intermediary between her clients and various functional areas of Prudential Retirement and particularly enjoyed collaborating with 401(k) Plan sponsors focusing to deliver strategic retirement plans for their employees. Susie also managed a team of nine relationship managers at Prudential Retirement where she provided oversight of their daily activities, educated associates, and targeted key opportunities to streamline and improve ongoing processes.  Before retiring from Prudential Retirement in 2019, Susie served as a compliance manager supporting her business partners from a regulatory perspective, ensuring client and firm needs were met in a manner consistent with administrative documents and applicable laws.

Susie has volunteered at the St. Francis of Assisi Soup Kitchen and St. Joseph’s Center. In her spare time she enjoys walking, cooking, gardening, reading and spending time with her family and friends. Originally from Pittston, she resides in South Abington Township with her husband, Doug.

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