Matthew J. Boyce, CFP^®
President and Director of Corporate Development

Matt Boyce is the President and Director of Corporate Development at American Financial Advisors, Inc., having joined the wealth management firm in 1995.

A 1995 graduate of Florida Southern College (Lakeland, FL) with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Matt obtained his Certified Financial Planner^® certification in 2001.

Matt focuses his effort on client relationships and developing financial strategies for their situations. He is also involved in developing strategic partnerships in the Central Florida area. Matt has extensive knowledge of the qualified plan marketplace including 401(k)s, pensions and other deferred compensation agreements.

Matt lives in Winter Park, Florida, with his wife Jennifer and three children, Payton, Marshall and Leah. Matt is involved in coaching competitive soccer and is an avid golfer.

Email Matt: Connect@AFAdvisors.com

William A. Mertes, CFA
Principal and Chief Investment Officer

Bill Mertes is a Principal and Chief Investment Officer of AFA with over 20 years of financial services experience. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Marist College and joined AFA in 1995. Bill earned the prestigious Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation in 2003. The CFA designation is a qualification for finance and investment professionals, particularly in the fields of investment management, investment banking and financial analysis of stocks, bonds and their derivative assets. The program focuses on portfolio management and financial analysis, and provides a general knowledge of other areas of finance.

Bill specializes in portfolio analysis, design and integration. He also works with many firms and sole proprietors to evaluate and implement qualified retirement plans. Bill is a member of the CFA Institute, along with the Financial Planning Association of Northeastern New York. You may have seen Bill’s name or articles in such fine publications as CFA Magazine, the Orlando Business Journal, Chiropractic Economics and the American Chiropractor.

Bill lives in Rexford, NY, with his wife, Christine, daughter Alexa and son Billy. Bill has been an ardent athlete since he was a small child and still enjoys competitive golf and soccer.

Email Bill: WMertes@AFAdvisors.com

Leslie Kelly, CFP^®
Founder

Leslie Kelly, CFP®, is the Founder and CCO of American Financial Advisors, Inc., a registered investment advisor. She has over thirty years of wealth management experience guiding the financial and life planning goals of individual clients as well as advising corporate retirement plan and non-profit fiduciaries and trustees.

Helping her clients plan for a retirement income that affords them the lifestyle they have always imagined is part of Leslie’s personal commitment. She is a fiduciary; she must always act in the best interests of the client to provide objective, conflict-free advice. Her clients know that she is interested in long term, trusting relationships based on mutual respect and understanding.

The daughter of a WWII B-17 pilot, Leslie has a special affinity for pilots and applies her expertise to helping them plan for a comfortable retirement. As a result of her personal and professional experience, she also takes special interest in helping divorcees and widows understand, create and manage their financial strategies.

Leslie graduated from Vassar College in 1971 and received her MS from the State University of New York at New Paltz in 1979. She obtained her Certified Financial Planner® certification in 1987 and earned her AIF® (Accredited Investment Fiduciary) designation in 2012.

A co-founder and past president of the Mid Hudson Chapter of the International Association for Financial Planning, Leslie has served as a resource for Forbes, Kiplinger and Working Woman magazines. She was named one of the nation’s Top 50 Distinguished Women in Wealth Management by Wealth Manager Magazine in April 2008. She has served on the boards of the Financial Planning Association, as well as The National Institute on Financial Issues and Services for Elders (a constituent unit of the National Council on Aging). She has also served as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Atlantic Center for the Arts and currently serves as Treasurer for the Hub Art Connection in New Smyrna Beach, FL.

Mark J. Bras, CFP^®, MBA
Director of Pilot Services

Mark was born and raised in Leiden, the Netherlands. He attended the prestigious Royal Netherlands Military Academy and graduated with honors in 1982 with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. Mark was commissioned as an Air Force Officer in 1983 while attending pilot training at the Euro-NATO Pilot Training Program at Sheppard AFB, Texas. He served in the Royal Netherlands Air Force as a fighter pilot and was later assigned to Sheppard AFB as an instructor and evaluator pilot. While stationed in Texas, Mark attended Oklahoma City University, and graduated with an MBA in 1988.

In 1989 Mark joined American Airlines as a Flight Officer and has been a Boeing-737 Captain since 2001. Mark joined American Financial Advisors, Inc., in 2007. Mark has been a Certified Financial Planner^® Professional since 2010, a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst^® since 2019 and holds the Series 65 registration. Mark specializes in assisting pilots with their retirement plans and financial goals.

Mark met his wife, Karen, in Texas in 1982 and has been married for 34 years. Karen and Mark have three children. Roxanne, 31, attended Oxford University in England as a Rhodes Scholar and served in the US Army. Their son Alex, 28, graduated from the University of Central Florida. Their son Andrew, 25, graduated from the University of Florida and Vanderbilt University with Masters in Finance. Both Alex and Andrew assist AFA’s Pilot-Clients with their Financial Planning needs.

Mark and Karen ran a marathon on each continent, completing this feat in 2016 running a marathon on Antarctica.

Email Mark: MBras@AFAdvisors.com

Jim Cable
Senior Investment Advisor Representative

Jim Cable grew up in southern California. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from California State University Long Beach. Jim worked throughout his college years obtaining all of his flying credentials. He taught flying, ran a flight school, flew corporate jets and eventually joined American Airlines as a flight officer in 1984. Jim retired as a 777 Captain after over 38 years with American Airlines and lives at Lake Tahoe in Nevada.

As an asset management specialist, Jim has been focused on the investment world most of his life. He has professionally managed investment portfolios since 2008 and joined AFA in 2014. He currently holds the Series 65 registration along with his life insurance license.

Jim and his wife, Leone, have been married since 1985. Jim met Leone shortly after she had obtained her pilot’s license. Leone has run her own business and has recently retired from teaching Jr. High for over 15 years. They have two children, Heather and Cole, who have both graduated from college and are working in their respective careers.

Jim grew up surfing, playing music and sports. He enjoys the outdoors, learning new things, and most of all, spending time with his wife and children.

Email Jim: JCable@AFAdvisors.com

Chuck Owston, CM&AA
Investment Advisor Representative

Chuck holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida. He is a Certified Merger & Acquisition Advisor (CM&AA) awarded by the Alliance of Merger & Acquisition Advisors.

Chuck holds the Series 65 registration.

Email Chuck: COwston@AFAdvisors.com

Joan Morales
Pilot Services Manager

Joan Morales was born and raised in Miami, Florida. Early in her career, Joan studied Hospitality and Tourism and later became a Hotel Manager in the Caribbean. With a love for the dynamic and vibrant tourism industry, Joan developed a growing ambition to work for an International airline. She joined American Airlines in 1989 and held key administrative and operational management positions in various departments for over 24 years, one of them being a Flight Administrator for American Airlines pilots.

Joan joined American Financial Advisors in 2012 as Pilot Services Manager. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her new role while specializing in assisting pilots with their retirement benefits and documentation ensuring a smooth and efficient transition.

Joan is active in a variety of civic and cultural organizations including Habitat for Humanity and Charities for Children. She enjoys boating and extraordinary sunsets. She has been married to Eddie, her husband of 22 years, lives in Miami and is a proud mom of five daughters and four grandchildren.

Email Joan: JMorales@AFAdvisors.com

Karen Torres
Chief Compliance Officer and Office Manager

Karen Torres, a seasoned professional with a rich cultural background, originally hailing from Puerto Rico and growing up in Orlando, Florida. Karen, along with her husband Jorge and their two daughters (Alyssa and Keira), shares a life filled with cherished moments, complemented by their Australian Shepherd, Geo.

Karen Torres, a stalwart member of American Financial Advisors (AFA) since 2006, has recently been appointed as the esteemed Chief Compliance Officer, marking a significant milestone in her career trajectory. Formerly serving as the Office Manager, Karen’s pivotal role continues to shape the seamless functioning of the organization. Her multifaceted responsibilities encompass not only overseeing administrative operations and providing indispensable support to AFA’s advisors but also collaborating closely with the compliance framework.

Beyond her professional achievements, Karen finds solace in nature's wonders—fishing, snorkeling, and relishing the beauty of beach sunsets. However, Karen's truest joy emanates from treasured moments spent with her beloved family and friends, the cornerstone of her happiness and fulfillment.

Email Karen: Connect@AFAdvisors.com

Alexander (Alex) Bras
Business Services Coordinator

Alex was born in Texas and is still an avid Dallas Cowboys fan. Alex and Tara are still newlyweds, having been married for 3 years. They do not (yet) have any children but just added a Boston Terrier (Peter) to the family. Tara has been a High School teacher for several years. Tara and Alex both graduated from UCF (University of Central Florida) and attend most, if not all, Knights' football games in Orlando. In his spare time Alex enjoys working out and spending time with friends.

Email Alex: ABras@AFAdvisors.com

Andrew Bras, MSF
Investment Advisor Representative

Andrew was born in Texas. He studied Finance at the University of Florida and holds a Finance Master’s Degree (MSF) from Vanderbilt University. Andrew and his best friend Spur (a Golden Retriever) live in Orlando. Andrew is passionate about football (Gators and Dallas Cowboys). If you want to talk football, whether College, Pro, or Fantasy-football, Andrew is the one to contact.

Email Andrew: AMBras@AFAdvisors.com