Matthew J. Boyce, CFP®
President

Matt Boyce is the President of American Financial Advisors, Inc., where he has built his career for more than 30 years, joining the firm in 1995.

A 1995 graduate of Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida, Matt earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and obtained his Certified Financial Planner® certification in 2001.

Throughout his career, Matt has focused on developing lasting client relationships and helping individuals, families, and businesses develop thoughtful financial strategies tailored to their unique circumstances. He works closely with clients, trustees, and families in developing and managing financial strategies, including working with Trustees of Special Needs Trusts. Matt also has extensive experience in the qualified retirement plan marketplace, including 401(k) plans, pensions, and other deferred compensation arrangements.

Outside of his professional career, Matt is actively involved in coaching girls’ high school soccer. He enjoys the leadership, mentoring, organization, and team-building that come with coaching and has a particular appreciation for helping young athletes develop both on and off the field.

Matt lives in Winter Park, Florida, with his wife, Jennifer, and their three children, Payton, Marshall, and Leah.

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 30 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

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.

Mark joined American Airlines in 1989, became a Boeing 737 Captain in 2001, and retired in 2025 after 36 years of service. 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

Joan Morales
Pilot Services Manager, Licensed Independent Insurance Agent
Professional Academy of Health Management®

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, including Flight Administrator for American Airlines pilots.

Joan joined American Financial Advisors in 2012 as Pilot Services Manager. As a PAHM-designated and Independent Licensed Insurance Agent, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role, specializing in helping pilots with retirement, Medicare benefits, and documentation to ensure a smooth, efficient transition.

Joan is active in several civic and cultural organizations, including Habitat for Humanity and Charities for Children. She enjoys boating and extraordinary sunsets. She has been married to Eddie for 32 years, lives in Miami, and is a proud mom of five daughters and six grandchildren.

Email Joan: JMorales@AFAdvisors.com

Karen Torres, IACCP®
Chief Compliance Officer and Office Manager

Karen Torres was born in Puerto Rico and raised in Orlando, Florida, where she continues to live with her husband Jorge, their daughters Alyssa and Keira, and their Australian Shepherd, Geo.

Karen has been part of the American Financial Advisors (AFA) team since 2006. Over the years, she has played an important role in supporting the firm’s advisors and helping keep day-to-day operations running smoothly. Today, she serves as AFA’s Chief Compliance Officer, where she oversees the firm’s compliance program and works to ensure the firm operates within regulatory guidelines while continuing to support advisors and clients.

Outside the office, Karen enjoys spending time outdoors—especially fishing, camping, snorkeling, and watching beautiful beach sunsets. Most of all, she values spending time with her family and friends.

Email Karen: KTorres@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 about to celebrate their 10th year of marriage in November. They have welcomed a baby boy who turned one in September and have a Boston Terrier (Peter). 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, CFP®, 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

CONNECT

Virtual contact is great, but sometimes you want human interaction. Relax, we’ve got you covered. Simply call us at the numbers provided below, and visit our office.

1031 West Morse Blvd – Suite 110 – Winter Park, FL 32789

Toll Free: 888-679-9779 | Office: 407-207-9006
Fax: 407-207-0106