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Our Team

Multi-Disciplined Expertise

We’re as strong as the individuals who represent us. That’s why each member of our wealth management advisory team is handpicked for their multi-disciplined financial expertise and tenacity at getting results.

Our customer service team is knowledgeable and versatile in working with our diverse client base. We’re proud of the crew we’ve pulled together. Many hands working together for your success. 

Tom Biddison

Managing Partner 

About Tom

Tom is a Managing Partner of Cornerstone Advisory and believes clients deserve to work with a fiduciary—someone ethically committed and legally bound to serve clients’ interests first. His clients include high net-worth families, business owners, corporations, and pension plans. Over the years, he has enjoyed getting to know his clients and developing deep, long term relationships. Along with the Cornerstone team, Tom continues to learn and develop thoughtful ways to build stronger portfolios comprised of both traditional and alternative investments to help clients meet their financial goals. Tom oversees structured note creation for the firm. He works closely with more than 12 international investment banks to continually monitor the financial markets for attractive contract options that he negotiates on behalf of Cornerstone’s clients. Tom began his financial services career in 1994 at AXA Equitable prior to founding Cornerstone Advisory in 2007. He currently serves as the first vice president of the UMMS St. Joseph Hospital Foundation. Tom is also the former chairman of the Maryland Chapter of JDRF. He holds a BA from the University of Virginia and an MBA from the University of Baltimore. Tom is an outdoor enthusiast. He loves fishing on the Chesapeake Bay, golf, skiing and hiking—just about anything active outdoors with his family and friends. He and his wife, Claudine, reside in Hunt Valley with their two children.

Jim Foxen

Private Wealth Advisor

About Jim
Jim is a Private Wealth Advisor who works with entrepreneurs and retirees to help map out their financial goals and manage their investments. He believes that building strong client relationships is central to providing the best financial advice. By understanding each client’s aspirations, concerns and risk-comfort levels, he helps them achieve peace of mind. For more than 15 years, Jim distributed financial products for The Hartford, MetLife Investors, and SunAmerica where he educated and coached financial advisors in how to create income strategies for high net-worth clients. Jim brings a unique perspective and in-depth knowledge of structured products and mutual funds to his work. He enjoys using this expertise to help clients generate income in their portfolios. Jim holds a BA in Finance from Northern Illinois University. He’s an avid golfer and lives in Severna Park with his wife, Sweena, and their two sons.

Mike Gill

Private Wealth Advisor

About Mike
Mike Gill is a Private Wealth Advisor and focuses on developing and maintaining client relationships. He enjoys engaging with his clients and helping them achieve their goals. Prior to joining Cornerstone Advisory in September 2013, Mike worked as a Business Development Analyst for Bessemer Trust in New York and Washington, DC. Mike has been in the financial industry since 2006. He holds a B.A. from Clemson University and an MBA from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland. He currently serves on the Boards of the UMMS St. Joseph Hospital Foundation, the Maryland Family Network, the Maryland Clean Energy Center, as well as the Clemson University Board of Visitors and the Clemson Club of Washington DC and Baltimore. When he’s not at work, Mike enjoys golf, sports and spending time with friends and family.

Don Huber

Managing Partner
About Don

Don is a Managing Partner who works with executives, entrepreneurs and multi-generational families. Whether his clients are busy running businesses, spending time with their families or pursuing their retirement dreams, Don believes they deserve the assurance that their financial details are being expertly managed. He brings unique insight into clients’ real estate holdings as he currently oversees direct real estate owned and managed by Cornerstone and its principals. Don goes into great detail learning about his clients’ families and businesses. This often involves reviewing assets obtained outside of Cornerstone, namely insurance policies and annuities. Don helps clients understand these complex instruments through the eyes of a fiduciary. He helps them consider the scope of their legacy and how to achieve it. He brings in vetted trusted advisors in the fields of lending, law, tax prep or insurance. Don worked at AXA Equitable before founding Cornerstone Advisory in 2007. Don has a history of contributing his expertise to non-profit organizations and club boards, a commitment he proudly continues to uphold. Don holds a BA from Radford University and resides in Severna Park with his three sons.

Erik "EJ" Johnson

Managing Partner
About EJ

EJ is a Managing Partner who works with high to ultra-high net-worth clients to provide comprehensive management of their finances. A graduate of Gettysburg College, EJ began his investment career at Bear Stearns and Merrill Lynch before founding Private Fund Advisors in 1997. After working closely with Cornerstone Advisory for more than a decade, Private Fund Advisors merged with Cornerstone Advisory in 2017.  EJ believes a strong team is critical in delivering client results and works tirelessly to develop, encourage and recognize our staff. He specializes in vetting and utilizing private funds for his clients in order to increase returns and decrease risk in their portfolios. EJ serves as a board member at the University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center, a member of the Investment Advisory Board at Maryland Therapeutic Riding, and a benefactor to the Caves Valley Foundation. EJ, his wife Cindy, and their two boys live on the Severn River and enjoy golfing, fishing, and boating in their spare time.

Eileen Kirkland

Private Wealth Associate
About Eileen

Eileen is a Private Wealth Associate, who joined our team in January 2024, bringing over 15 years of leadership expertise in the omni-channel retail and luxury interior design industry.

Before joining our company, Eileen studied at George Mason University majoring in Marketing. Throughout her career, she has skillfully built and led high-performing teams, enhancing productivity, and employee engagement. Eileen demonstrated her proficiency in strategic business planning, branding, talent acquisition, and business operations with whomever she was working with. With a genuine passion for people and an unwavering commitment to excellence, Eileen is dedicated to delivering exceptional client experiences.

A longstanding resident of Severna Park, she derives joy from spending her spare time at the beach or attending sporting events (especially the Washington Capitals) with her husband Brett and three boys.

Beth Kunkel

Private Wealth Associate
& Director of Operations
About Beth

As a Private Wealth Associate and Director of Operations, Beth works with high to ultra-high net-worth clients to ensure that all of their financial service needs are met. She believes that a smooth on-boarding experience is of utmost importance in building a lasting relationship with clients. Beth was an integral member of Private Fund Advisors as it grew from a small firm, with less than $100 million in 2011, to one with more than $500 million in assets under management when it merged with Cornerstone Advisory in 2017. Before working at Private Fund Advisors, she spent 23 years working in a senior administrative role in the investment banking groups at Stifel Nicolaus and Legg Mason. Her work includes family office services, highly customized reporting, compliance, trading and complex accounts. Beth resides in Bowleys Quarters with her husband Brian. They enjoy fundraising for their favorite local nonprofits and visiting with their children and grandchildren.

Mike LaViña

Wealth Manager &
Chief Investment Officer

About Mike

Mike began his career as a financial advisor in 1997 with Chapel Financial Group. He went on to work as an institutional trader gaining extensive experience in individual stocks, bonds, foreign currencies and commodities until joining Cornerstone Advisory in 2015. As a Private Wealth Advisor, Mike advises professionals and high net worth families to help them meet their financial goals. He believes that a deep understanding of market conditions and economic trends is vital in managing investment portfolios to meet investment objectives. He views his role as one part investment manager and one part educator, helping clients to understand how their financial needs and goals fit into the bigger economic picture. Mike has taken on the role of Director of Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) because of his passion for helping clients align their portfolio with their values. He earned a BA in English literature at the University of Colorado at Boulder. He formerly served on the board of Mosaic Community Services and has a passion for behavioral health causes as well as environmental. He and his family live in Sparks and enjoy outdoor activities including camping, skiing, hiking and rock climbing.

Amy Lynch

Private Wealth Associate
& Director of Operations

About Amy

Amy Lynch is the Director of Operations for Cornerstone Advisory. She has been in the financial industry since 1997 when she started working at AXA Equitable, prior to helping found Cornerstone Advisory in 2007. Her primary roles at Cornerstone Advisory are compliance, trading, client service, complex cases, bookkeeping/billing, and creating policies and procedures that help the firm run smoothly. She knows that establishing relationships and providing a consistently high level of service to our clients is what makes us valuable and successful. She holds a B.S. in Business Administration/Finance from the University of Baltimore. She has served on the Board of Trustees at Cambridge School since 2016 and is currently the Board Chair. She grew up in Charlotte, NC and currently lives in Owings Mills with her husband, son, and daughter. She is active in her church community at Grace Fellowship and loves watching her kids play sports and reading.

Lindsay Pacen

Private Wealth Associate

About Lindsay

Lindsay joined Cornerstone Advisory in March 2023 as a Private Wealth Associate after spending the previous eight years as an executive assistant for a local Orthodontist. She graduated from the University of Maryland in 2011 with a degree in Family Science. Lindsay knows from more than ten years of customer service training that building trust is key and that going above and beyond expectations means so much to clients . Lindsay takes time to ensure that every client is comfortable and cared for throughout their experience with our firm. Outside of the office, you can find Lindsay at the dog park with her puppy Wally, trying out the newest restaurants, or outside while enjoying reading the latest Colleen Hoover book.

Chris Pesota, CFP®

Private Wealth Advisor

About Chris

Chris is a Private Wealth Advisor who enjoys working with clients to develop and implement plans to meet both financial and personal goals. He believes it is important to know clients on a personal level to better understand their financial circumstances. Chris is passionate about putting the client’s needs first and enjoys providing solutions tailored to each client’s unique situation.

Prior to joining Cornerstone Advisory in 2024, Chris worked with clients for eight years at T. Rowe Price in Baltimore and Owing Mills, Maryland. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and graduated from the University of Rochester with a degree in Financial Economics.

Outside of work, Chris enjoys family, sports and visiting national parks and serves on the Board of Friends of Anne Arundel Trails. His goal is to visit a new country every year, and has done so since 2018. Chris resides in Pasadena with his wife, Emily.

Mia Ridgely

Private Wealth Associate

About Mia

Mia joined Cornerstone Advisory in 2020 as a Private Wealth Associate. She believes that exceptional client service is achieved through teamwork, shared goals and consistent communication—attributes she has found at Cornerstone. Mia brought vast leadership experience from her 27 years at Comcast in the areas of customer experience, client care, contract fulfillment, analysis and revenue strategy execution. Mia focuses on responding to the daily needs of clients. Need to move funds, open a new account, process a rollover or update your beneficiaries? Mia makes every step seamless for our clients. Her other roles include reporting, marketing support, trading and client relationship management. Mia holds a BS in Communications from the University of Baltimore and serves on the board of the Community College of Baltimore County, Dundalk Foundation. She and her husband have two adult children and love to spend their free time visiting baseball stadiums throughout the country.

Michael Ross

Private Wealth Associate

About Michael

Michael enjoys using his 15+ years of experience and vast knowledge of industry-leading software platforms to maximize client service and advisor support. He joined Cornerstone Advisory in 2021 as a Private Wealth Associate bringing experience from firms such as Wilmington Trust, Northwestern Mutual, and Legg Mason. In these positions he was responsible for portfolio monitoring, investment analysis, account rebalancing, and report and presentation creation. Michael holds both a BS in Finance from the University of Baltimore, as well as a MS in Finance from Johns Hopkins University. In his free time, Michael enjoys traveling with family and friends, and spending time with his daughter.

Patrick Ryan, CFP®, RICP®

Private Wealth Advisor

About Patrick

Pat is a Private Wealth Advisor who works with high-net-worth individuals, families, and business owners in the areas of financial planning and investment management. Pat believes comprehensive planning is paramount in understanding investment objectives, strategies, and opportunities in a client portfolio. Pat loves the opportunity to educate investors on non-traditional investment strategies while providing peace of mind in knowing that tailored investment solutions are unique to each client and their goals. Pat is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner. He also holds the Retirement Income Certified Professional, or RICP® designation.

Pat has been in the financial industry since 2014 working as a Lead Adviser. He holds a B.A. in Political Science & International Affairs with a minor concentrated in Business, from Florida State University. While at FSU, Patrick was a member of the men’s lacrosse team. Pat is a proud graduate of Loyola Blakefield High School in Towson, MD. He currently serves on the Loyola High School Alumni Christian Service Committee and is actively involved in giving back to the community through various service projects.

When he is not at work, Pat can be found playing golf, watching and analyzing FSU athletics, and enjoying time with family and friends. Pat lives in the Cockeysville, MD area with his wife, Mollie; their daughter, MK; and their toy poodle, CoCo.

Robin Single

Private Wealth Associate 

About Robin
Robin is a Private Wealth Associate who works with professionals, entrepreneurs and families to ensure that all of their financial service needs are met. She knows that responsiveness and transparency are vital to building relationships and accomplishing client objectives. She specializes in complex transfers and assisting clients in subscribing to private funds. Her work also entails family office services, reporting, bookkeeping and trading. Robin holds a BA in International Business and Accounting from Frostburg State University. She began working at Private Fund Advisors in 2011, joining Cornerstone Advisory in 2017 when the two firms merged. She lives in Millersville with her husband, John. She and John enjoy traveling with their three children.

Terri Thomas

Private Wealth Associate
& Director of Client Services

About Terri

Terri, one of the firm’s Private Wealth Associates, is focused on delivering the best service to each and every client. Terri knows that sound investment management is both an art and a science. She pairs her tremendous technical knowledge with genuine care for each client to help them achieve their financial goals. She specializes in tracking, allocating and reporting on Cornerstone Advisory’s customized structured notes. Her other roles include portfolio reporting, transfers, trading and on-boarding new clients. Terri holds both a BS and MBA in Finance from the University of Baltimore. Prior to joining Cornerstone Advisory in 2016, she worked at PNC for more than 13 years. In her free time, Terri loves to travel and has visited Austria, Belgium, Benin, Canada, England, France, Germany, Ghana, Italy, Mexico, Panama, Switzerland, and Togo—just to name a few of her adventures.

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