Meet the team.
Our philosophy has been shaped through our experience.
Working for a Wall Street firm and managing $440 million for 225 families, we have learned no matter the amount of wealth someone has, certain principles are universal. When it comes to giving advice: make sure it’s clear, demonstrates value, and is always in the best interest of the client.
The average Financial Advisor is over 50 years old and approaching their own retirement. You’ll find we have an established history and a long future. Meet the team that will carry you through.
Chad W. Goodchild, CFP®
MANAGING PARTNER
Chad’s interest in investing began in high school at the age of 17. Clearing the dinner table one evening, he grabbed a discarded pamphlet from the trash titled “How to Make Millions Trading Commodities.” After parting with $300 for the mail order class and studying for several months, he doubled his money on the first transaction. It was an “Aha” moment—the idea that instead of working for money, your money could work for you.
Chad went on to graduate Summa Cum Laude from Saginaw Valley State University with a B.S. degree in Finance, all the while trading commodities between classes. In 1999, he joined Merrill Lynch Wealth Management as a Financial Planning Specialist, a role that involved coaching financial advisors on complex planning strategies. He started his own practice in 2002 and earned the title of Senior Vice President early in his career.
His passion for those “Aha” moments still remains, and clients often find him on a whiteboard illustrating key concepts. He believes strongly that if you take the time to explain the why behind a decision, the answer becomes obvious—from clarity flows confidence.
Chad lives in Pittsford, New York with his wife, Rebecca, and their three children. His hobbies include skiing, hiking and downhill mountain biking. Chad is an elder in his church, and a Board Member at Roberts Wesleyan College where he enjoys speaking to honors classes on finance.
ACCOLADES
Chad was named to the Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” list in 2019, 2020 and 2021.
For more information about the Forbes listings, please click here.
Jacob W. Schlicht, CFP®, CPRC®
MANAGING PARTNER
Jake was always the banker in Monopoly®—everyone trusted him to handle the money properly. Growing up in a small, blue-collar town, money was always tight. Maybe it was his family’s humble beginnings or working the land on his grandfather’s farm—a culmination of influences led Jake to simply want more. He understands the stress that money, and the lack thereof, can bring to a family.
Having a strong work ethic, Jake worked during the day, went to college at night, and managed to squeeze in an unpaid internship on the management team at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. From that perspective, he saw first-hand the difference financial planning made in the lives of ordinary people.
After graduating Magna Cum Laude from Medaille College, Jake worked in a civilian job as a Financial Analyst for the Department of the Navy doing budgeting and forecasting. He quickly realized that his passion was working one-on-one with clients and their families and returned to Merrill Lynch. During his 15-year career at Merrill he earned the title of Senior Vice President, obtained his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™ designation, and led Merrill’s training program for all new Financial Advisors in the Western New York region.
Jake’s down-to-earth approach and pragmatic attitude puts people at ease. He finds purpose in using his knowledge and experience to relieve the stress and anxiety that financial decisions can bring.
Jake lives in Bloomfield, New York, with his wife Bessie and their three young children. He enjoys snowboarding, hiking, and wood-working — “there’s something special about creating with your hands.” He loves their small-town lifestyle and get-togethers with friends and family.
ACCOLADES
Jake was named to Forbes “America’s Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors” list in 2018 and Forbes “Best-in-State Next Generation Advisors” in 2019.
For more information about the Forbes listings, please click here.
Corey M. Ernisse
SENIOR FINANCIAL ADVISOR
“Less is more” has always been one of Corey’s guiding principles. Some of the most intelligent people he’s been fortunate to learn from over the years were skilled at making the complex clear. This approach has carried with him as he helps clients navigate their own path to financial freedom.
After graduating from West Virginia University, Corey started his professional career as a 401k associate at Paychex where he worked with the company’s larger, more complex retirement plans. It was here that he got his first glimpse of the value a trusted advisor could provide for families planning for their future.
Corey later joined Merrill Lynch’s development program for financial advisors and was recognized each year nationally ranking in the top 20% of advisors in his peer group. In 2019, Corey was offered an opportunity to become part owner of a successful commodity distribution firm and left Merrill Lynch. In charge of Business Development and Marketing, he was able to grow the firm while learning the complexities of running a business and trading commodities.
Despite enjoying the challenge of growing the company, he realized his true passion was working one- on-one with families to achieve their financial goals. He now joins Kickstand Wealth as a Senior Financial Advisor and will add to the breadth of experience we can offer our clients.
Corey lives in Brighton, NY with his wife Kristen. In his free time, you can find them trying new restaurants in the city, watching his West Virginia Mountaineers basketball/ football games or trying to master Collin Morikawa’s golf swing. (It still needs A LOT of work).
Devyn A. Squires, CFP®
WEALTH PLANNER
Devyn’s role at Kickstand can best be described as “Para-Planner”. She works with clients to develop short and long-term projections, and aids in helping clients transition into retirement. She appreciates Chad & Jake’s educational approach and has been with them since 2017 when she joined Merrill Lynch after graduating from Binghamton University’s School of Management.
Always a “numbers person,” Devyn was introduced to the importance of saving and investments by her father at a very young age. She was drawn to the idea of a career that combined her passion of investing and aiding people to build a better future. She works with clients beyond their assets at Kickstand—reviewing job benefits and mapping out savings plan and retirement goals. “You really feel like you’re helping someone and preparing them for life.”
Her unique insights are valued at Kickstand, where innovation and ideation are encouraged. “I am always welcome to bring ideas and research new technologies—we are a team that is always adapting to improve our client experience.”
Devyn lives in Fairport, NY where she has resided her entire life. She enjoys golf, baking, and time with her family and new puppy, Remi.
Christine D. Fusare
Director of Client Services
Chris got her B.S. in Economics from East Carolina University and has gone on to have a fruitful career spanning 35 years. Prior to Kickstand she worked 25 years at Merrill Lynch as a Senior Wealth Management Associate.
She’s happy to assist clients with anything from simple daily transactions to major life events and everything in between. Chris considers her job to be a sacred trust and enjoys getting to know clients and their families personally. She serves with sensitivity, responsiveness, and discernment.
In her role as Director of Client Services, she leads Kickstand Wealth’s service team. Her goal is to make sure that every interaction with a client adds value, and receives a timely response.
Married 27 years, Christine and Mike have two polar opposite sons—one is a thrill-seeker, one is a mathematician. Christine is a hiker, skier, dog lover and motorcyclist.
Lauren L Purvee
Senior Client Service Associate
Lauren attributes a lot of who she is professionally to her relationship with her grandfather. He was an Organizational Development and Leadership trainer for most of his career. She remembers at the age of four sitting on her grandfather’s farm learning about Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs.
Years later graduating from St. John Fisher College with a B.S. in Management, Lauren entered the financial services world and hasn’t looked back. With 12+ years of industry experience, Lauren prides herself on being the smiling voice on the other side of the phone ready to assist clients through life’s changes.
Lauren lives in West Henrietta, NY with her husband Ray, three children and Labradoodle Lucy. When not at baseball, football, dance or cheer with her kids, you can find her lounging in her pool listening to a great playlist.
