About Fortecy
Simplifying the Complexity of Deferred Compensation
We believe employers succeed when they attract top-ranked talent. Continued success requires retaining such hard-won people, especially in a tight job market.
That means helping companies differentiate their total rewards package in the eyes of their most valuable employees.
We at Fortecy help clients set themselves apart from other employers who focus solely on salary, bonus and equity rewards.
The Fourth Pillar
In addition to salary, bonus and equity, the Fortecy approach adds a fourth pillar to support the long-term financial wellness of key employees: superior design of non-qualified plans coupled with crucial education and support of plan participants.
Because employees won’t value a plan they don’t understand.
At Fortecy, our mission is guidance and education on deferred compensation strategies to ensure the highly compensated continue to enjoy bright futures.
Transparency Above All Else
“For too long,” Founder Scott Holton believes, “the creation of deferred comp for executives has been driven by funding strategies. That’s completely backwards. Rather than begin with a financial product in mind, the focus must be squarely on the multitude of objectives that deferred compensation can accomplish for an employer.”
Our transparent process helps companies attain results-driven design coupled with prudent funding. Then, we personally educate key employees so they will understand and use and treasure this powerful benefit designed exclusively for them.
– Compensation & Benefits Executive
THE FORTECY PLEDGE
“Any Deferred Compensation Plan we create will be designed solely to fulfil the objectives of the employer and needs of the users, without any conflicts of interest.
Though the term Fiduciary does not legally apply in the non-qualified plan sector, we hold ourselves to this high standard.”
Meet the Fortecy Team
Scott Holton
Managing Director
Scott has been guiding clients on executive compensation and benefits for over two decades. In that time he has helped shift the focus of non-qualified plan design away from the funding mechanisms and toward how each plan can best incentivize key employees.
His holistic approach stems from developing long-term relationships with the entire range of clients – from C-suite officers and Boards of Fortune 100-sized companies down to closely-held small businesses.
Q: What past experiences best help you relate to your clients?
“Engaging with such a broad range of clients has allowed me to deeply understand how needs vary, objectives vary, and my approach needs to vary. It has taught me over time that as a consultant, each situation is different. To be the most effective means to be nimble, flexible and adapt to the situation and environment of each client.”
Q: What do you love to do in your free time outside of work?
“When you have three adolescent daughters, does “free time” really exist? My time away from work primarily consists of bouncing from one event to another, and doing my best not to embarrass them too much. On the off occasion that there isn’t a game or school function to attend, I enjoy playing golf…but as my game indicates, that isn’t happening
very often nowadays. Oh, and I do love my Cleveland Browns – it’s finally nice to not be ashamed to admit that!”
EXPERIENCE
Principal and Executive Benefits Consultant – The Todd Organization, 2003 – 2019
President – The Todd Organization, (Cleveland, OH) 2014 – 2018
Executive Compensation Consultant – Hewitt Associates (Chicago, IL and Atlanta, GA) 1996 – 2003
EDUCATION
BS in Finance – Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
BA in Psychology – Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
Michael Cawley
VP, Consulting & Concierge Services
For over a decade, Mike has been helping clients on a daily basis to improve their non-qualified deferred compensation plan experience. He has worked closely to identify, avoid and resolve potential plan challenges.
Now he works extensively with companies of all sizes across the nation to develop the best possible executive benefit plan for each.
Whether it’s conducting extensive market research or developing relationships with industry partners, Mike is continually expanding the tools and knowledge sources available to Fortecy clients and their key employees.
Q: What past experiences best help you relate to your clients?
“Pretty much every time I connect a client with an idea or solution they may not have otherwise considered. It always serves as a reminder for me as well, to keep looking for solutions that I’ve not yet discovered myself. When our curiosity ends, all growth comes to a stop.”
Q: What do you love to do outside of work?
“I enjoy spending time with my wife, Kristin and our one-year old daughter, Brynn. I am also an AVID golfer. If I’m not at work, or spending time with my family, I’m probably doing something golf related… which requires some creativity during the winter months in Cleveland!”
Q: If not this profession, what would you be doing instead?
“I think I would be involved in the golf world. Perhaps helping to produce golf events, or even owning a business that serves the needs of golfers.”
EXPERIENCE
Sr. Consultant – The Todd Organization, (Cleveland, OH) 2011 – 2019
Client Relationship Manager – The Todd Organization, 2007 – 2010
EDUCATION
BS in Business Administration, concentration in Finance – Elon University
Our Support Team
Stacey Kloepfer
Marketing & Client Concierge Associate
Michael McClary, MBA
Chief Investment Officer
Caleb Nitz, CFP®
Vice President, Business Development
Keith Miller, MBA, CLU, ChFC®
Vice President, Insurance Planning
Jamie Summerville, MBA
Vice President, Communications
Zach Hurst, CFP®
Director, Financial Planning
Phil Jackson, MBA, CLU®, CFP®
Director, Insurance Planning
Tyler Denholm, CFA
Vice President, Investment Management & Research
Stacey Kloepfer
Marketing & Client Concierge Associate
Fortecy
Stacey is the Marketing and Client Concierge Associate at Fortecy. In that role, Stacey provides marketing support for our key advisor relationships as well as providing support for our clients and their key employees. Prior to joining Fortecy, Stacey worked very closely with Scott and Mike as the Marketing Assistant at The Todd Organization. Stacey is a graduate of Radford University in Radford, Virginia where she received a BS in Psychology and a BA in English.
Michael McClary, MBA
Chief Investment Officer
Valmark Advisers, Inc and Valmark Financial Group
Michael is the Chief Investment Officer of Valmark Advisers, Inc. and Valmark Financial Group, LLC. His primary responsibility is coordinating all investment management solutions for Valmark Advisers and Valmark Institutional, including TOPS®, TOPS® Strategic Allocation Portfolios, TOPS® Managed Risk ETF Portfolios and Valmark ACCESS™, and ACCESS™ Plus solutions. Mr. McClary was named by EFTReport as one of “10 Rising Stars” in 2012 and one of “10 All Stars” in 2014. He is nationally recognized as one of the first three members of the IMN/Research Magazine “ETF Advisors Hall of Fame” in 2007 and is regularly published on ETF.com. In addition, he has collaborated with the Wall Street Journal, Kiplinger’s, Financial Advisor, and Research Magazine, to name a few, on ETF-related topics and has been a featured speaker for organizations such as the S&P and the Financial Planning Association. Mr. McClary holds FINRA series 7, 24 and 66 securities registrations, is a Member of the Cleveland Society of Chartered Financial Analysts® and is a Registered Investment Advisor. He earned an MBA in Financial Management and a BBA in Finance in Financial Services, Magna Cum Laude, both from the University of Akron.
Caleb Nitz, CFP®
Vice President, Business Development
Valmark Financial Group
Caleb is the Vice President of Business Development for our partner, Valmark Financial Group. His primary responsibility includes working with Fortecy to integrate Valmark’s unique tools, resources and people to help us grow. Previously, Caleb led Valmark’s Insurance Marketing team, enhancing Member Firm services and delivering on key insurance offerings such as Life Assurance 360™. In addition to his FINRA series 7, 24 and 66 securities registrations, Caleb is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and carries Ohio Life, Health and Variable Insurance licenses. He earned his BBA in Finance and Financial Planning from the University of Akron, Magna Cum Laude, with a Minor in Business Entrepreneurship. Caleb is a graduate of the Focus Leadership Institute [2008] and is a member of the Association of Advances Life Underwriting. In his free time, he enjoys skiing, bicycling and volunteering with his wife, Hannah.
Keith Miller, MBA, CLU, ChFC®
Vice President, Insurance Planning
Valmark Financial Group
Keith is the Vice President of Insurance Planning for our partner Valmark. Keith works with the insurance planning team to provide advanced case design and sales expertise. His core areas of focus include customized wealth transfer solutions, product analysis and holistic life insurance design. Keith received his BA from Samford University and his MBA from the University of Alabama. Keith is both a Chartered Life Underwriter® and Chartered Financial Consultant®.
Jamie Summerville, MBA
Vice President, Communications
Valmark Financial Group
In her role as Vice President of Communications for our partner, Valmark Financial Group, Jamie is responsible for cross-department development, collaboration and positioning of insurance and investment marketing initiatives. She assists Fortecy with our branding and marketing strategies, as well as the creation of marketing collateral to use with their clients. Additional responsibilities include the design and implementation of technology-based marketing solutions, including Valmark Connect and Valmark’s external website. Jamie also serves as project lead for ensuring the vision and integrity of Valmark’s brand. She earned an MBA in Strategic Marketing, Magna Cum Laude, and a BBA in International Business, Summa Cum Laude, Honor’s Scholar, both from the University of Akron. Additionally, Jamie has earned Competitive Intelligence Professional (CIP-1) Certification from Fuld-Gilad-Herring Academy of Competitive Intelligence.
Zach Hurst, CFP®
Director, Financial Planning
Valmark Financial Group
Zach is a Director of Financial Planning for our partner, Valmark Financial Group. In his role, he is responsible for aspects of design, marketing and implementation of Valmark’s unique financial planning processes. He oversees a team that assists member offices with accumulation, income distribution, and legacy planning through various processes designed to best meet the unique needs of each of our clients. Zach earned a BBA in Financial Services from the University of Akron, is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, and holds FINRA Series 7, 24 and 66 securities registrations. In addition, Zach is licensed for Ohio Life, Health, Accident and Variable Life Insurance and is a Chartered Life Underwriter®. He has been recognized for Outstanding Work and Accomplishment in the Field of Financial Planning from the University of Akron’s Finance Advisory Board (2014) and has presented on financial planning topics at Valmark’s Member Summit (formerly School of Life) as well as at various College of Business courses and panels with the University of Akron. He has also been quoted in an Investment News article titled, What Advisors Need To Know About Popular Long-Term-Care Products.
Phil Jackson, MBA, CLU®, CFP®
Director, Insurance Planning
Valmark Financial Group
Phil is the Director of Insurance Planning for our partner, Valmark Financial Group, with a focus on insurance solutions. In his role, he analyzes estate, business and retirement planning strategies specializing in life and long-term care insurance. In addition to his FINRA Series 7 and 24 securities registrations, as well as Ohio Life, Health and Variable licenses, Phil is a Chartered Life Underwriter® and a Certified Financial Planner® professional. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Business Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University, an MBA from Palm Beach Atlantic University.
Tyler Denholm, CFA
Vice President, Investment Management & Research
Valmark Financial Group
Tyler is the Vice President of Investment Management and Research for our partner, Valmark Financial Group. His primary responsibility is overseeing the investment management process and conducting research for TOPS®, TOPS® Strategic Allocation Portfolios, and TOPS® Variable Insurance Trust. In addition to his FINRA series 7 and 24 securities registrations, Tyler has earned the elite distinction of holding the right to use the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation.
Ready to make your deferred compensation plan truly perform?
Get in touch with us!
19111 Detroit Road, Suite 201
Cleveland, Ohio 44116
216-712-7009
info@fortecy.com
Securities Offered Through Valmark Securities, Inc., Member FINRA, SIPC.
Investment Advisory Services Offered Through Valmark Advisers, Inc., a SEC Registered Investment Advisor.
130 Springside Drive, Akron, Ohio 44333-2431. 1-800-765-5201.
Fortecy is a separate entity from Valmark Securities, Inc. and Valmark Advisers, Inc.
