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With over 31 years of experience as a financial advisor, including 6 years of branch management experience, Mike brings a wealth of expertise and skill to his role as a Portfolio Manager for our team. Mike enjoys managing client's assets and guiding them to grow and protect their wealth through personalized retirement and estate planning. Born and raised in Florida, Mike has been a resident of Tampa since 1991. He studied business, mathematics and engineering at the University of South Florida prior to completing the Financial Planner Program. Mike is FINRA-registered, holding Series 7, 63, 65, 31, 8, and 24 securities licenses, in addition to licenses for life, health and variable annuities. He is also hold the Chartered Retirement Planning Specialist designation.  In his spare time, Mike enjoys spending time with his friends and family, fishing, travelling, volunteering and staying active in his local community.

As the corporate relationship manager of our team, John is dedicated to ensuring our client's needs and objectives are being met on an ongoing basis through distinctive and personalized business planning. John has over 19 years of experience in the financial services industry, including 4 years in branch and complex management. Born and raised in Tampa, he holds a bachelor's degree in marketing with a minor degree in economics from the University of South Florida. John is FINRA-registered, holding Series 7, 63, 65, 31, 9, and 10 securities licenses, in addition to licenses for life, health and variable annuities. In his spare time, John enjoys riding motorcycles, classic cars, and spending good quality time with his wife Nadia and daughter Tessa Jane and Nova Joon.

Ryan Brannon started his career in the financial services industry in 2008 and joined the The Gulf Coast Group in 2012. He believes his background in client service and planning were an ideal foundation for his work as a financial advisor. Attention to detail, good listening skills and great empathy are symbols of his appreciation by his clients. He is effectively supported by a team that works together to build long-term relationships with their growing client base and provide excellent service. Ryan is a proud recipient of University of South Florida’s Bachelor of Finance degree. His focus is on financial planning to ensure his clients' needs and goals are attainable now and throughout their retirement years. Ryan is FINRA-registered and holds Series 7, and 66 securities licenses, as well as licenses for life, health insurance and variable annuities. Ryan is happily married to his lovely wife Erynn. Away from the business, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and playing golf.

Leslie joined The Gulf Coast Group in 2016 and specializes in retirement planning, with a focus on corporate retirement solutions. As a Senior Retirement Plan Consultant (SRPC) and Certified K Professional (C(k)P®), she works closely with businesses to develop strategies tailored to their unique goals. Whether it’s enhancing employee engagement, developing a cost-effective plan structure, ensuring fiduciary responsibilities are met, or optimizing plan design, Leslie prides herself on delivering comprehensive solutions that drive meaningful outcomes. Her approach is rooted in a commitment to understanding the intricacies of each client’s financial landscape, ensuring that every corporate plan not only complies with regulatory requirements but also maximizes value for both the company and its employees. By staying ahead of industry trends and leveraging resources, Leslie helps clients navigate the evolving financial environment with confidence and clarity. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tampa, where she pursued a double major in Finance and International Business Management. She holds the Series 7 and 66 securities licenses. Growing up in a military family, Leslie spent a great deal of her childhood traveling before settling in Tampa. Fluent in both English and Portuguese, she leverages her multicultural background to bring a unique perspective to her work. She enjoys traveling, playing tennis, and spending time with family and friends outside of work.

Mark joined The Gulf Coast Group in 2019 as a Client Service Associate. After graduating from the University of Tampa with his bachelor's degree, he worked as a currency consultant in foreign exchange before transitioning into client relations for a commercial property developer. Having been born and raised in London, he now calls Tampa and The Gulf Coast Group his home. His hobbies include soccer, golf and travelling.

Dylan joined The Gulf Coast Group in 2021 as a Client Service Associate after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Finance from The University of Central Florida. With a background in client service and great attention to detail, his ability to enhance the client experience is what he enjoys most. Having been born and raised in St. Petersburg he is happy to call The Gulf Coast Group his home. His hobbies include fishing, golf, and spending time with family.

Samantha joined The Gulf Coast Group in 2022 as a Client Service Associate. She graduated with her bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of South Florida and is happy to call Tampa home. She currently holds the Series 7, 66, and 2-15 Life, Health, and Variable Annuity licenses. With her background oriented around empathy, client satisfaction, and being an effective listener, she is eager to ensure clients have a positive experience. Her hobbies include traveling, trying new restaurants, and going to the beach.

Jill joined the Gulf Coast Group in 2024 as a Client Service Associate. She graduated from the University of North Carolina Wilmington with her bachelor's degree in Business Administration. Jill holds the Series 7 securities license. With a background in operations and project management, her attention to detail and organization makes her a great addition to the team. Being raised in New York and growing up in North Carolina, Jill is happy to now call Tampa her home. In her free time, she enjoys reading, relaxing at the beach, and spending time with her family, friends, and pets.