Brent Mekosh was born with a passion for the financial markets. By the time he was nine years old he was eagerly tuning into PBS to watch Louis Rukeyser on "Wall Street Week." Before his twelfth birthday, while most kids were busy playing baseball, Brent was managing stock positions in his custodial brokerage account. By the time Brent embarked on undergraduate studies at the University of Colorado at Boulder, he was already passionate about the financial markets. Therefore, it was no surprise that he chose to focus his efforts on the study of finance.

During Brent's undergraduate studies, he enjoyed internships on the municipal bond and equity option trading desks of Wheat First Securities - a Wells Fargo legacy firm. This exposure deepened Brent's love of the financial markets. Following his graduation from the University of Colorado in 1995, Brent joined Bear Wagner Specialists LLC (a partnership majority owned by Bear Stearns) on the trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).

Once Brent began his career on the New York Stock Exchange, he quickly advanced to become a Member of the NYSE and one of his firm's youngest specialist traders. During his 10 years on the NYSE trading floor, he acted as an auctioneer, agent and principal during market conditions sometimes considered extreme.

During an average day on the NYSE, the notional value of Brent's equity trading activities would often reach and exceed $500 million. While on the "floor," he was widely recognized as providing deep and liquid markets for his customers. In addition, he was very involved in new business development for Bear Wagner Specialists and was instrumental in bringing multiple IPOs to the NYSE trading floor.

Despite the rigors of a full-time career on the NYSE, Brent still found the time to attend New York University's Stern School of Business - one of the top-rated business schools in the United States. In 2002, he graduated from NYU with an MBA in finance and international business.

Brent decided to leave the NYSE in 2006 to follow his dream of traveling the world. His journey marked the genesis of Mekosh Financial Services. He developed the business plan for Mekosh Financial Services while trekking through the savannahs of Africa, riding the rails in India, exploring ruins in Southeast Asia, camping in the wilds of Tasmania, and riding his motorcycle through the mountains and deserts of the American West. To date, his travels have taken him to over 40 countries across six continents.

In 2007, Brent partnered with Raymond James Financial Services to launch Mekosh Financial Services in Scottsdale, Arizona. In 2009, Brent was voted one of Arizona's forty most dynamic young leaders by the Phoenix Business Journal, and was also asked to join the 24th class of Scottsdale Leadership. Today, Brent is proud to serve clients in over 10 states and 2 countries.

Brent is originally from Cinnaminson, New Jersey. He now lives full-time in Scottsdale, Arizona, and makes regular trips across the country to visit clients. His experiences around the world have motivated him to donate considerable resources to numerous domestic and international charitable efforts. During his free time, Brent loves travel, the outdoors, and reading. Brent is also an avid SCUBA diver and an instrument-rated land and sea pilot.

Since 1969, Nick Mekosh has been helping people to realize their financial dreams. After founding and operating a successful medical management consulting firm, Nick's strong desire to build a career based upon personal, lasting relationships drew him to the financial services industry. Nick strives to build enduring relationships with his clients and provide financial planning and advice that will last a lifetime.

Nick earned his bachelor's degree with an emphasis in finance from Villanova University. Upon entering the financial services industry, he received his advanced training at the New York Institute of Finance.

Nick's advisory career began with W.E. Hutton & Company, and he moved forward to enjoy a storied tenure as Managing Director of Investments at Wachovia Securities. Over the course of more than 35 years with Wachovia and its legacy firms, Nick was named Manager of the Year five times and has received numerous awards for both investment advice and client satisfaction. In the process, Nick managed a branch office with several billion dollars in client assets that was consistently recognized as one of the best-managed and most profitable offices in the Wachovia system. Today, he's adding another important personal accolade to his impressive list – working with his son, Brent. Nick and Brent founded Mekosh Financial Services and joined Raymond James in 2007.

Although Nick was born in Centralia, Pennsylvania, he moved to New Jersey as a young boy. Following his college education at Villanova University, he returned to New Jersey and rooted his family in the town of Cinnaminson. Although Nick has now moved west to Scottsdale, Arizona, he will continue to maintain his long-time residence in Cinnaminson.

While spending time in both the eastern and western United States, Nick continues his commitment to the communities where he lives and works. Throughout his long career, Nick has mentored several young businesspeople who have been engaged in a broad range of professions and industries. Today, he continues to offer his counsel and advice to individuals who are found both locally and around the United States. Finally, Nick's dedication to charitable causes is evident in his generous donations of time and resources to various local and national organizations.

Jeffrey Saut joined Raymond James in 1999 as one of the managing directors of research working with senior managing director Bob Anastasi. He also serves as the firm's Chief Investment Strategist. Previously, Mr. Saut was managing director of research at Roney & Co., Which was acquired by Raymond James & Associates. Prior to that, he was managing director of equity capital markets for Sterne, Agee & Leach, Inc. His responsibilities there included equity research, investment banking, institutional sales, and syndicate.

After graduating from St. Andrews in 1971, Mr. Saut began his career on a trading desk in New York City and became the trade desk manager in 1972. In 1973 he joined E.F. Hutton, where he began following equities and writing research. He subsequently worked as a securities analyst for Wheat First Securities, and then Branch Cabell, where he ran the equity research group as director of research and acted as portfolio manager for the firm's affiliate, Exeter Capital Management. As director of research he built the reserach and institutional sales departments for the regional brokerage firm Ferris, Baker, Watts, Inc. and subsequently Sterne, Agee & Leach, Inc.

Mr. Saut is well known for his insightful and colorful commentary regarding the stock market and makes regular appearances on Wall Street Week, CNBC, Bloomberg TV, USA Networks, Fox TV, NPR, and many local radio and TV networks. He is often quoted in The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Barron's, The Washington Post, Business Week, U.S. News & World Report, Fortune, SmartMoney, as well as on many Web Sites such as MSNBC and TheStreet.com

Boyd Nelson studied law at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. His studies were concentrated in the areas of estate planning, business and tax. He received his Juris Doctor degree in 1996. Prior to that he attended the University of Missouri where he received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a double emphasis in Corporate Finance and Real Estate.

Boyd joined Raymond James Trust N.A. in the fall of 1996. After serving in an administrative capacity, Boyd started marketing for the organization in the southwest area of Florida. Soon his responsibilities were increased to include the Midwestern states. In 2004 New York Life recruited Boyd to create and implement their marketing program for New York Life Trust Company. In 2005 Raymond James Trust N.A. brought Boyd back to launch their marketing effort to the Western United States.

Boyd is a member of the Florida and ST. Petersburg Bar Associations and is active with the Tampa Bay Estate Planning Council, a professional organization of estate planners. Boyd is a Certified Trust Financial Advisor, a graduate of the American Bankers Association Graduate Trust School and licensed Financial Advisor. He is a frequent lecturer to Financial Advisors, Attorneys and CPAs concerning estate taxes, the use of trusts and their places in estate plans.

Kelly is Assistant Vice President, Asset Management Services at Raymond James & Associates. Her responsibilities include the sales, marketing, and distribution of managed programs, specializing in asset allocation and portfolio construction.

Kelly joined Raymond James in January of 2000. Her tenure in the firm includes corporate training and business analyst roles prior to joining Asset Management 4 years ago. Kelly holds a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of South Florida.