Anton J. Anderson
Executive Partner & Chief Executive Officer
Anton J. Anderson
Anton Anderson began his career in 2003 with Smith Barney while studying entrepreneurship in college and graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara, in the top 3% of his class.In 2008 Anton co-founded SPL Financial, which grew into a thriving practice, before selling in 2014 to start Elite Resource Team.
Elite is recognized as one of the top training companies for Financial Advisors and Accountants, with thousands of clients across North America. As CEO, Anton spends most of his time on medium and long-term strategic company initiatives.
Anton is a published author and has lived in the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom. He resides in San Diego, CA, with his wife and three children. Outside of work, he is an avid surfer and is involved in numerous charitable organizations.
Anton’s focus within the Elite Member Support Team is with regard to leading member events and training sessions.
Paul Latham
Executive Partner & Virtual Business Consultant
Paul Latham
Paul is a serial entrepreneur who qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Latham Crossley and Davis (which eventually became Lathams Chartered Accountants), becoming a Partner in 1986 and Head of Business Services in 1993.
Whilst at Lathams, Paul started to develop the business planning process which today is at the core of Elite Member Processes. Those processes were developed with the aim of helping Elite Members to Clarify Direction and Maximize Business Potential. When Lathams was sold to Tenon Group Plc in 2001, Paul became National Head of Business Planning at Tenon.
Paul left Tenon to become Finance Director at Debt Free Direct Group Plc where he was a Founding Director and helped to take the business “Public”.
Paul emigrated to the USA in 2011 and has since developed several business interests, including being a Founding Partner of HaydenRock Solutions and Elite Mastermind (which today is all incorporated as the Elite Resource Team).
Today, Paul’s particularly specializes in helping Elite Members to:
* Maximize Business Potential
* Become Most Relevant Advisors (to their clients)
Daniel Gorriaran
Executive Partner & Chief Technology Officer
Daniel Gorriaran
Daniel Gorriarán began his career after graduating in 1987 with degrees in Economics and Business-Management. He immersed himself in the manufacturing sector leveraging technology and training for increased profitability and sustainability.Over the past 35 years, he has been President and CEO of a Rhode Island-based manufacturing company and CEO of a wholesale distribution company.
In 2014, he partnered with Paul Latham to develop the BIZ-Diagnostic platform built on proven business improvement strategies. BIZ-Diagnostic eventually became the Proactive Planning Platform for Haydenrock Solutions and Elite Resource Team.
Today, Daniel is the Chief Technology Officer of Elite, focusing on constantly updating and improving technology efficiencies, including the Proactive Planning Platform and all partner websites, to ensure a smooth and effortless experience for all our clients.
Outside of work, Daniel is passionate about his hometown. He serves on several community and non-profit boards. He is also a champion rower and rowing coach, training each day and "competing at a reasonably high level for an old guy." He is married to Cindy, and they have two twenty-somethings building their careers and families.
Dan’s focus within the Elite Member Support Team is with regard to the Proactive Planning Platform and member websites.
Ian Welham
Partner & Proactive Facilitator
Ian Welham
Ian Welham began his career qualifying in the UK as a Chartered Accountant with Ernst & Young. He then left public practice and became CFO of a Barcelona-based publicly traded company. Subsequently, Ian held CEO and COO positions in Hong Kong, The Netherlands, Belgium, and the US.In 2016 he co-founded HaydenRock Solutions working hands-on with CPA firms to help them become 21st-century accountants.
Following the merger of Elite Resource Team and HaydenRock in 2020, Ian now focuses on building relationships with Elite members and providing them coaching services to help them Maximize Business Potential and become the Most Relevant Advisor to their clients.
He resides in New Jersey with his wife, Linda. They have twin daughters. He is a devoted Manchester United “football” fan and an avid golfer.
In particular Ian’s areas of expertise within the Member Support Team are Virtual Proactive Coach and Virtual Proactive Facilitator.
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Jena Wilson
Senior Director
Jena Wilson
Jena Wilson began her career in 2011 in the hospitality business after graduating from Rutgers University, New Brunswick, with a major in Communication. She specialized in sales, event management, and marketing before shifting to financial services in 2014.Jena quickly saw the opportunity for Accountants to partner with Financial Advisors to maximize their business potential - she later helped launch HaydenRock Solutions as an integral part of their team since its inception. In 2020, Elite Resource Team and HaydenRock joined forces.
Now, Jena works hand in hand with all members of our communities, empowering them to build synergistic partnerships.
She currently resides with her fiancé and puppy in New Jersey. Outside of work, Jena is a yoga enthusiast, fashion sketcher, and passionate anthophile (lover of flowers).
Sarah Schariest
Chief Marketing Officer
Sarah Schariest
Sarah has worked with high-growth B2B companies in the financial services, fintech and healthtech spaces for nearly 20 years. She has helped grow bootstrapped companies from $0-20M in revenue, and her focus is creating consistent predictable quality demand that drives revenue at an efficient cost.
Sarah currently resides in South Florida with her family where she enjoys spending time outdoors at the beach and on the boat.
Tray Valdes-Dennis
Operations Manager
Tray Valdes-Dennis
Tracy Valdés-Dennis began her career in customer relations over 25 years ago, helping manage her family’s business in Belize. After graduating from college, she entered the hospitality industry as a Restaurant Manager where she further developed her client service skills.
In 2010, she joined Edward Jones as a Branch Office Administrator, quickly advancing to a senior role through her focus on client advocacy and process improvement. After she relocated to Colorado Springs, Tracy brought her passion for client advocacy and leadership to the Level 5 Financial Team in 2019 as Office Manager.
Now, Tracy ensures operational efficiency as an Operations Manager at Elite, overseeing everything from transactions and event planning to advisor commissions and CRM data integrity.
She currently resides in Colorado with her husband and two fur babies. Outside of work, Tracy is a nature enthusiast, home baker, and DIY aficionado.
Lindsay Czajka
Virtual Marketing Manager
Lindsay Czajka
Creative marketing professional with years of experience in developing marketing plans and delivering digital marketing strategies specifically to the professional services industry. Self motivated and solution oriented with a proven track record of helping businesses grow using 21st century marketing funnels.
Tracy Miller
VFO Liaison
Tracy Miller
Tracy Miller began her career after attending San Diego State University, where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Kinesiology. She later received her Masters in Health and Wellness Psychology from the University of the Rockies.She has worked within several settings in the health and wellness space, notably an Integrated Physical Medicine office, where she managed and oversaw the day-to-day operations of the office and helped to open a second office from the ground up. This integrated approach (Medical doctors, chiropractors, physical therapists, exercise specialists, and massage therapists) compliments what Elite Resource Team has built: a collaborative one-stop shop. In this industry, financial advisors, accountants, and the Virtual Family Office work together to investigate personal needs/problems and to provide a solution full of value to the client.
Tracy has taken her past experiences and evolved into her position as the VFO Liaison. All the roles she has held have been client/people-forward, and she has helped to guide, diffuse situations, and investigate to problem-solve, which she continues to excel in at Elite.
She currently lives in Pasadena, CA. Outside of work, Tracy is a Yoga teacher (loves to teach and take classes), avid baker and cook, and enjoys a good book.
Tracy’s focus within the Elite Member Support Team is facilitating the collaborative relationships between the members and the VFO Experts and overseeing the Elite VFO Expert Community.
James Sanford
Elite Sales Manager
James Sanford
James Sanford began his career in 1995 as a Financial Advisor with The Teacher Consulting Group in San Diego after graduating with a degree in Business Management from the University of Southern Colorado.
In 2000, he founded his boutique real estate and investment company - JD Consolidated Real Estate LLC. The primary focus of his business was to help his clients gain financial independence by repositioning their portfolios with proven real estate strategies.
James joined Elite with a strong marketing, business development, and direct sales background. He is also an expert in raising capital for joint venture and investment projects.
Outside of work, James is a motivational speaker, attends church and enjoys working out and playing sports. He currently resides in Denver, Colorado.
James’ focus within the Elite Member Support Team is with regard to client acquisition.
Emily Freitas
Member Success Manager
Emily Freitas
Emily Freitas began her career after pursuing her Undergrad at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and Masters in Social Work at New York University.Her experience in the helping profession not only taught her discipline, resilience, and an unwavering work ethic but also to understand the importance of building and maintaining meaningful relationships.
She currently is the Team-Based Model Success Specialist for the Elite community. Her passion for service, commitment to professionalism, and steadfast drive to ensure that the Elite experience is smooth and memorable make her a reliable resource and a strong asset to the team.
In particular Emily’s areas of expertise within the Member Support Team are member onboarding and relationship manager.
Dylan Rutledge
Member Success Manager
Dylan Rutledge
Jim Hubany
Elite Program Consultant
Jim Hubany
Jim began his career in 2005 in the financial services industry working with organizations in the Fortune 100 space with over a decade of experience working exclusively with high-net-worth individuals and business owners.Before joining Elite Resource Team, Jim was able to leverage his leadership, negotiation, and extensive business development skills to successfully found Vantage Prime LLC, where companies sought his help to better manage their overhead, improve efficiencies while reducing costs.
Jim currently resides in Cleveland, Ohio, and when he’s not working, Jim enjoys spending time with family, traveling, working out, cooking, volunteering, sports, and the outdoors.
Jim’s focus within the Elite Member Support Team is with regard to client acquisition.
Seth Hartford
Elite Program Specialist
Seth Hartford
Seth began his career with Elite Resource Team shortly after transitioning from a customer service background having broken several sales and service records within his previous company.
In 2021, Seth moved from his previous base in New Hampshire to Las Vegas, Nevada, where he’s currently enjoying the change of environment and lifestyle.
As a member of ERT’s internal team, Seth works closely with James Sanford and Michael Apollonsky to ensure that customers not only receive a warm welcome to the Elite model, but also take home what is most beneficial to them in their current situation.
Outside of work, Seth enjoys competing in table tennis tournaments, playing piano, aviation, traveling, and cooking.
Seth’s focus within the Elite Member Support Team is with regard to client acquisition.
Sarah Freitas
Marketing Associate
Sarah Freitas
Sarah Freitas began her career after graduating from University of California, Santa Barbara. With a passion for community development and systemic growth she majored in Sociology, minored in Applied Psychology, and was a member of the Community Affairs Board. This led her to become a professional fundraiser for environmental non-profit organizations, where she engaged with the public through direct sales in order to inspire them to become monthly contributors.
As she grew professionally, Sarah realized she could use her talents and knowledge of digital marketing to offer personal support to a community of driven individuals. This community is Elite Resource Team.
Now, Sarah is the point of contact for advisors to build and maintain their marketing assets. This includes but is not limited to creating custom campaigns, automated promotional messages, and video branding packages.
She currently lives in sunny San Diego and can be found enjoying nature, spending time with family, and volunteering for non-profit organizations.
Jesse Foster
Content Marketing Specialist
Jesse Foster
Jesse Foster is a direct response copywriter who has worked directly with Grant Cardone and Frank Kern. Over the past 10 years he has built numerous funnels, thousands of emails, and written video scripts for events such as the 10XGrowthCon in Miami that brought in over 20,000 attendees. Jesse currently resides in South Florida with his family where he enjoys the warm weather and the beach.
Jake Johnson
Paid Ads Specialist
Jake Johnson
Jake has held marketing positions for several software companies, including On Hand Software, EnFlyer and SPSS Inc. He has also been a Marketing manager for a leading conference and tradeshow provider in the printing industry. This provided an extensive background in website design and promotion, print design and database marketing.
Jake also worked for Century 21 for nearly a decade before opening his own real estate brokerage, through Internet only advertising. Jake handles all of the paid search and search engine optimization for the website.
Since 2007, Jake has been consulting to assist clients with increasing their online presence and help work towards company benchmarks. He continues to consult and manage the paid search and SEO programs for multiple companies.
