At MtM, founder and President Gene Dickison has assembled a seasoned team of financial advisory, investment management, estate planning, tax service, and retirement planning professionals. Each member of the MtM team is dedicated to providing you with the highest level of service possible. Please learn more about them here.
You also can research our background and experience through the free BrokerCheck tool.
GENE DICKISON ([email protected])
Gene is founder and CEO of MtM Financial Group, LLC a dynamically growing financial advisory firm serving the financial needs of appreciative clients across the USA.
He is also the creator of More than Money with Gene Dickison; producing TV and radio shows, newsletters, live events, and media content to help thousands enjoy their financial lives to the greatest extent possible.
Claiming more than 780 years of experience (how he can make such a ridiculous claim is one of life’s great mysteries), Gene has served hundreds of MtM Financial clients personally and hosted thousands (literally) of “More than Money” radio and television shows. It is estimated he has answered nearly 25,000 questions live on air.
Gene received his formal education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa., and the College for Financial Planning in Denver, Co. His informal – and most important – education in how to think about nearly everything started with the smartest man he ever met – his father.
Gene served in the U.S. Air Force. He has served on community boards and foundations too numerous to list. He and Diane have established the More than Money Foundation for American Values as a vehicle to support causes that advance efforts strengthening American values.
Gene is blessed to share his life with his wife and partner– Diane, his daughters – Ali (and her husband Mike), Alyssa, and Megan, and our families’ newest addition—our granddaughter, Annabelle.
DIANE DICKISON ([email protected])
Diane is the CFO of MtM as well as head of the Tax Department. She has been preparing income tax returns since 1993. She grew up in Gilbert, PA, and graduated from Pleasant Valley High School. Diane attended East Stroudsburg University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in business administration with a concentration in accounting, and a B.S. in economics.
She received her Internal Revenue Service Enrolled Agent’s License in 2000.
Diane and Gene live in the Stroudsburg, PA, area with their cats—Caramel, Snickers, and Charlie. Diane and Gene are proud parents to 3 amazing daughters. In February of 2024, they welcomed their first granddaughter, Annabelle, into the world and have been spoiling her ever since.
Favorite Quote: “Hope sees the invisible, feels the intangible and achieves the impossible.” —Helen Keller
Fun Fact: I used to think people who “ran for fun” were crazy. But once I gave it a try in 2016, I fell in love with it and ran twelve half marathons in 2017.
Core Belief: Everything happens for a reason.
CONNIE POLAHA ([email protected])
Connie serves the clients of MtM Financial Group with her tremendous work ethic, putting into effect the details of the financial plans and strategies designed for each person. Those efforts are matched only by the size of her concern for the personal wellbeing of each client.
For many of our clients who call her their friend, Connie is the heart of MtM. With a full array of security licenses, she has worked with Gene and Diane for over 25 years.
Connie lives in Salisbury Township with her husband, Tom. She has two sons and a wonderful daughter-in-law she adores, and four grandsons—the loves of her life. In her free time, she enjoys reading, gardening, and baking.
Favorite Quote: “Any idiot can face a crisis– it’s this day-to-day living that wears you out.” —Anton Chekhov
Fun Fact: She is a fanatic for the March Madness College Basketball tournament and has attended the tournament games 14 times. Although she’s always willing to talk college level hoops, she’d much rather discuss her grandsons’ sporting events and their other achievements.
Core Belief: “I make plans and God laughs.”
MARK BELCAK ([email protected])
Mark is a Senior Financial Advisor with MtM Financial Group providing quality financial advice to clients with significant financial concerns since 1994. He serves the needs of clients who appreciate counsel provided by an advisor who cares.
Mark’s career began in Philadelphia and has focused predominantly on trust and estate planning with major financial institutions, including Wells Fargo (formerly Wachovia), PNC Wealth Management and Merrill Lynch. Attention to detail, good listening skills and great empathy are symbols of his appreciation for his clients.
Mark coordinates the efforts of a team of seasoned professionals in creating and serving the long-term financial needs of his clients. Each MtM professional has the same objective—to provide outstanding service to our clients.
In order to craft appropriate recommendations that will best benefit his clients, he works with experts in the areas of:
- Investment and portfolio management
- Income tax planning and preparation
- Estate and insurance planning
- Business benefits and continuation
Mark earned his Bachelor of Science in finance from the University of Rhode Island and his Master of Business Administration from Rutgers University. He has also earned his Series 7 and 66 securities registrations in addition to being a registered life and health insurance producer.
Born and raised in Chester County, PA, Mark has lived in New Jersey since 1985. He currently resides in Fair Lawn, NJ with his beautiful wife, Lisa. Mark also has four amazing sons: Chase, Zane, Slade and Nico.
Favorite Quote:“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” — Lao-tzu
Core Belief: Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Take the moment and make it perfect.
DARYL OKKEN ([email protected])
Daryl is a Financial Advisor at MtM. With over 30 years of business experience in various financial, audit, sales and operations capacities, he has developed his skills in building relationships with service as the focus. Daryl is a Certified Public Accountant, and a Certified Management Accountant in the state of New Jersey. He is licensed in Life Insurance as well as Annuity.
Daryl started his career in public accounting with Arthur Andersen and spent seven years with ADP before joining AT&T. 20 years of his career were spent in the telecommunications industry with AT&T, IDT and T-Mobile. He has also been an independent tax preparer for over 20 years.
Originally from Pompton Plains, NJ, Daryl currently lives in Bangor, PA with his wife Michele. Their five grown children; Tim, Keith, Jason, Elyssa and Meghan, have all flown the nest- however, four live locally and one in Georgia.
Favorite Quote: “By justice a king gives a country stability, but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down.” Proverbs 29:4
Fun Fact: My alma mater, Upsala College, no longer exists!
Core Belief: The Apostles’ Creed summarizes my core Christian beliefs.
GREGORY GRILLO ([email protected])
Greg brings over 25 years of financial industry experience and knowledge to his role as a financial advisor with MtM Financial Group. He strives to deliver the highest level of professionalism and outstanding service to MtM’s appreciative clients through his core beliefs in hard work, honesty and integrity.
Greg collaborates with a team of seasoned professionals in the areas of portfolio management, tax preparation, insurance, Social Security, and estate planning to provide his clients a highly customized approach to their unique financial situation, portfolio objectives and stage of life.
Prior to joining the MtM family, Greg served clients as a senior financial consultant with Charles Schwab and Co. and TD Ameritrade where he provided relationship management, wealth advisory solutions, and financial planning services.
Greg attended Pennsylvania State University in State College, PA, and earned the Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS®) designation from the College for Financial Planning. He is a registered financial advisor and holds the Series 7, 63, and 65 securities licenses.
Originally from Lake Wallenpaupack, PA, Greg currently lives in Limerick, PA, with his wife Donna and their beautiful daughters, Hannah and Abigail.
Favorite Quote: “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.” —Henry Ford
Core Belief: “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” —C.S. Lewis
CHAD RUPPRECHT ([email protected])
Chad joined MtM Financial Group in April of 2020. With over 20 years of experience in the automotive finance industry, working for the captive finance arm of a major vehicle manufacturer, Chad brings a wealth of experience in the areas of relationship management, business development, and financial analysis.
His focus on client relationship and client satisfaction fits well with the mission of MtM Financial Group – to create long-term personal relationships that serve their valued clients and help them enjoy their best financial life.
Chad earned his Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from Winona State University in Winona, MN. He is a registered financial advisor, receiving his Series 7 and Series 66 registrations in January of 2021. In addition to serving his current valued clients at all points of their financial journey—Chad specializes in educating and connecting with young adults seeking investment and financial planning guidance. He believes it’s never too early to start thinking about retirement and asking for help.
Born and raised in rural Lewiston, MN, Chad currently resides in the greater Pocono area with his wonderful wife Angie and their boxer-mix rescue, Teddy.
Favorite Quote: “Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities because it has been said, it is the quality which guarantees all others.” – Winston Churchill
Fun Fact: Chad made the decision to change careers amidst the COVID-19 global pandemic.
Core Belief: I try to let the ‘Red Words’ guide me; if Jesus said it, I believe it.
ALYSSA YOUNG ([email protected])
Alyssa is a financial advisor at MtM and a retirement income certified professional (RICP). She is a longtime Bushkill Township resident; Alyssa, her husband, and their children are products of the Nazareth Area School District. Alyssa (aka the “Queen of Strategy”) helps people in her community plan for financial security to enjoy comfortable and fulfilling lives.
With a passion for keeping people informed, she started her career as a journalist and pivoted into marketing. She continues to nurture that passion as co-host of the “More than Money” radio show every Saturday morning with Gene Dickison, on WAEB AM 790.
Before joining MtM, she was vice president and director of digital marketing at KickCharge Creative, where she supported companies across the country. She served as digital content lead at Lehigh Valley Health Network following more than a decade at The Express-Times and lehighvalleylive.com, first as an intern, then as a reporter, and finally as assistant managing editor overseeing website content.
Alyssa graduated summa cum laude from Syracuse University with a degree in finance and broadcast journalism.
Alyssa and her husband, Zach, have been together since they met in gym class their senior year at Nazareth Area High School. They have a son, Andrew, and a daughter, Juliana. Alyssa is an avid runner—and a tap dancer.
Favorite Quote: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for human beings.” –Colossians 3:23
JON WEIMER ([email protected])
Jon is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and will be working with our fellow advisors to serve clients and their families. Jon graduated from Messiah University in 2013 with a degree in Business Administration. He previously worked at Fidelity Investments for over 7 years before joining our office in 2023.
Jon grew up in Huntington, New York. He met his wife, Sarah, at Messiah University through the sports community – Jon played lacrosse and Sarah played softball. They currently live in Macungie with their sons, Luke and Logan, twin girls, Blake and Ainsley, as well as their French bulldog, Harvey.
Jon strives to build deeper and more meaningful relationships with his clients and coworkers. He was drawn to the full-package style of service that MtM offers and sees the value of using all the skills that come with being a CFP®. He looks forward to nurturing lifelong relationships with existing and future clients.
Favorite Quote: “The only thing new in the world is the history you don’t know” – Harry S Truman
Fun Fact: I love to go winter tent camping every year – the colder, the better!
SUE VELARDI ([email protected])
Sue joined MtM in January of 2017 as part of our tax team. She earned her status as Enrolled Agent in 2018 and has been preparing taxes since then. She began her career in the banking industry working in the operating division and ultimately in the accounting area of banking as the Controller of a Savings and Loan Association in New Jersey. Then she took some time off to raise her 2 children, all while volunteering at her church and multiple school organizations.
Once her children were older, she resumed working as a Mortgage Signing Agent where she utilized her experience of 30+ years as a Notary Public and then as an Office Manager of Century Wire Products before finding her home here at MtM.
She is originally from Butler, NJ but now resides in Bartonsville, PA with her husband Mike and her rescue dog Dory. Dory is also a member of the MtM family as she spends her days with the tax team in the Sciota office where she has assigned herself the job of very loud greeter. Sue has two children, a step-daughter, and an amazing grandson that she loves spending time with. In her spare time, she enjoys walking, reading, and going to the theater.
Favorite Quote: “The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion.” —Paul Coelho
Fun Fact: My family had a large collection of stagecoaches at the family farm where we spent a lot of time growing up. Many of them were ones that Santa rode in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. One was an original U.S. mail stagecoach, which was eventually used to create the Wells Fargo logo.
Core Belief: Be kind and don’t judge others. You don’t know what their whole story is.
STEPHANIE THOMPSON ([email protected])
Stephanie describes her position at MtM as our “Paper Wrangler, file jockey and facilitator extraordinaire” — all very important skills to make our tax office run smoothly. Even though her work is more behind-the-scenes, Stephanie is a reliable and hard-working employee who helps us help you.
Originally from Altoona, PA, home of the Horseshoe Curve, Stephanie graduated from Altoona High School and attended Penn State University for business administration. Stephanie and her husband reside in Cresco, PA, where they raised two awesome kids who are currently off enjoying university life. She is an active member of her church, as both parishioner and volunteer, and spends her free time at the gym.
Favorite Quote: “It’s all about perspective.”
Fun Fact: Another lifetime ago, Stephanie owned and operated a dessert catering business. Cookies were her specialty, one time baking more than 500 dozen in a week!
MEGAN SMALE ([email protected])
Megan is serving as MtM’s director of client communications as well as producer for “More than Money with Gene Dickison” on PBS39 and BRC TV-13. She keeps our website and social media up to date and loves organizing events through the office that bring our clients and community together.
She graduated from Susquehanna University in 2020, majoring in public relations and minoring in psychology. Megan grew up in Stroudsburg, PA and graduated from Pocono Mountain East. She currently lives in Pen Argyl with her awesome roommates and their two cats, Salem and Ivy. She has a deep love for photography, music and spending time with friends and family.
Favorite Quote: “Happiness is an inside job.”
Fun Fact: She is currently in school to get her cosmetology license!
MELISSA BOYER ([email protected])
Melissa officially works as MtM’s receptionist and Special Projects Manager, but most of the time it can be summarized as “juggling.”
She graduated from Messiah University in 2020, double majoring in Art History and English.
Melissa lives in Stroudsburg, PA and graduated high school from Faith Christian in Roseto.
She fills her time with embroidery, painting, baking, reading, and hoping her plethora of house plants are getting adequate light.
Favorite Quote: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ― Maya Angelou
Fun Fact: Melissa worked at several museums during college… meaning she now has 2 hours’ worth of animal facts memorized- she is waiting for an opportunity to utilize this information in her role at MtM… let her know if you can think of one!
TAMMY LY ([email protected])
Tammy started at MtM February 2020. She initially was hired to help out with that tax season, but ended up staying with us since we didn’t want to let her go! She is the phone whisperer here at MtM. When you give our office a call, expect her helpful voice to assist you and get you to the right place (we swear she hears the phone before it rings).
Tammy does a multitude of jobs to help keep our Bethlehem office running smoothly on a daily basis. Believe it or not, her favorite time is tax season. She loves interacting with our clients and the fast pace of the office.
Born and raised in Lancaster County, she met her husband of 30 years in high school and moved to the Pocono area in 1999. They have two children, Eric and Olivia, who now live in Colorado and New Jersey. Tammy and Kiet filled their empty nest with a five pound, apricot Maltipoo named Aubrey. She is the sweetest little girl and occasionally visits the MtM office on Fridays.
Tammy and her husband enjoy traveling. Whether it’s a road trip to see the world’s largest pencil or traveling to France, Italy or Greece they enjoy all their adventures. They have a bucket list of all the places they wish to go. In her free time, she enjoys time with her family, scrapbooking with friends, card making and decorating.
Fun Fact: In a recent trip to Switzerland, Tammy jumped off the Swiss Alps! Luckily this was intentional, and she enjoyed her first paragliding experience.
RACHELLE WILKINSON ([email protected])
Rachelle joined the MtM tax team in 2023. She is currently working on earning her Enrolled Agent License. Rachelle mainly assists in preparing tax returns, but can also be found on occasion answering phones and welcoming clients at our Bethlehem office.
Rachelle grew up in Wind Gap, PA and graduated from Pen Argyl High School. She later attended McCann School of Business and Technology in 2016 and earned a degree in Business Administration.
Rachelle currently resides in Saylorsburg with her husband Travis, their daughter, and their two cats Leo and Luci. She is an avid paranormal explorer and is a dedicated Harry Potter fan. She enjoys volunteer work, and has previously helped with the US Naval Sea Cadets and Fureverhomes Doberman Rescue Inc.
Favorite Quote: “Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” – Albus Dumbledore
Fun Fact: Rachelle is a descendant of Mary Ball, George Washington’s mother.
MARK BACAK
Mark is our MtM Social Security expert. If you’d like to schedule a free second opinion meeting with Mark to review your social security plans, give our office a call (610) 746-7007
MIKE POMPEI
Mike is our MtM Life Audit expert. If you’d like to schedule a free second opinion meeting with Mike to review your long-term care plans, give our office a call (610) 746-7007
KEITH STROHL
Keith is our MtM Will & Estate expert – partnering with us from Steckel & Stopp Law Offices in Slatington, PA. If you’d like to schedule a free second opinion meeting with Keith to review your will and estate plan, give our office a call (610) 746-7007