Meet the team

Leadership

Meet our distinguished leadership team, a group of seasoned financial professionals who bring a wealth of experience to the forefront of the financial services industry. Their strategic acumen and commitment to excellence drive our mission at Firstrust Financial Resources to deliver outstanding financial strategies and exceptional client service.


David Fleisher - President, Chief Executive Officer

David Fleisher

President, Chief Executive Officer
CA License #0H12086

David serves as a managing partner of Firstrust Financial Resources and Vice Chairman of Karr Barth Associates. His focus includes professional development, strategic planning, and driving growth initiatives across the firm, including mergers & acquisitions. Together, these organizations consist of more than 350 associates.

With over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, Mr. Fleisher focuses on designing and implementing individual financial plans, portfolios, and corporate benefits. He works closely with families navigating life-altering financial events, providing strategic, personalized planning. A leader in the industry, he has appeared on CNBC, Bloomberg, Fox Business, and KYW News Radio for business commentary.

David is also dedicated to his community, currently serving as mayor of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, and as an active member of the Ithaca College Board of Trustees, where he earned his BS in Finance.

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Andrew McIlhenny

Andrew McIlhenny, AIF®

Co-Founder, Executive Vice President
CA License #4110447

Andrew is a Co-Founder and Executive Vice President at FFR, where he focuses on corporate retirement plans, employee benefits, life insurance, and investment planning. With attention on providing effective and comprehensive financial strategies, Andrew works closely with successful business owners and their management teams. He emphasizes the importance of employee education and participation when assisting firms with their retirement plans.

Andrew earned his BS in Business Management from Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY. He is an active member of esteemed organizations such as the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, Million Dollar Round Table, and Society of Financial Service Professionals. Andrew's insights have been featured in publications such as Employee Benefit News, Fund Action, and Bankrates.com, and he has appeared on CNBC.

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Paul Markowich

Paul Markowich, CFP®, AIF®

Partner, Executive Vice President
CA License #0103294

As Executive Vice President and Partner at FFR, Paul assumes a mentoring role for the firm's many financial advisors while also managing his own clients. He leads various growth-oriented initiatives aimed at enhancing the client experience.

With a diverse client base spanning Individuals, Entrepreneurs, Non-Profit organizations, and Small Businesses, Paul is dedicated to helping his clients achieve both personalized and strategic financial goals. His passion lies in connecting with clients, understanding their unique objectives, and devising innovative strategies to address complex needs.

Paul holds a BS from the University of Maryland, is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and earned the title of Retirement Planning Specialist from Equitable Advisors, based upon receipt of a Certificate in Retirement Planning from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. He has also contributed his expertise for commentary on Fox, Kiplinger’s, NBC10 and thestreet.com.

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Matthew Crane

Matthew Crane

Executive Vice President

As an Executive Vice President and member of the FFR leadership team, Matthew is dedicated to driving the growth of FFR’s Financial Advisor base. He provides guidance and coaching to financial advisors at various stages of their careers, aiming to make a meaningful impact for clients and support team members in reaching their full potential.

With over 15 years of experience in the financial planning profession, Matthew advises clients on designing and implementing retirement income strategies, constructing effective portfolios, and mitigating risks. He has developed a client-centric practice focused on helping individuals, families, and entrepreneurs achieve their financial goals through a comprehensive planning process.

Matthew graduated from Saint Joseph’s University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and has also earned the title of Retirement Planning Specialist from Equitable Advisors, based upon receipt of a Certificate in Retirement Planning from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.

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Brandon Friday

Brandon Friday, CFP®

Executive Vice President

Brandon, an FFR Executive Vice President, is focused on the firm’s core financial services and employee financial education initiatives. He is passionate about helping others achieve fiscal success through financial literacy.  Advising non-profits, high net worth clientele and small to mid-size businesses, Brandon delivers sophisticated strategies and detailed Retirement Income Analysis to meet the needs of the firm’s extensive client base.

Having been raised around his family’s multigenerational business, Brandon understands the challenges facing small businesses as they grow and seek to prosper. He is a graduate of Bucknell University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. During his time at the university, Brandon was a varsity athlete with the school’s football program. Brandon also holds a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional designation.

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Shaun O'Connor

Shaun O’Connor

Executive Vice President

Shaun, as Executive Vice President with over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, is dedicated to mentoring newer financial advisors at FFR. His practice emphasizes client education, spanning from financial fundamentals to intricate estate planning strategies, and he takes pride in guiding clients toward successful retirements.

Shaun earned the title of Retirement Planning Specialist from Equitable Advisors, based upon receipt of a Certificate in Retirement Planning from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania and has been featured in numerous industry publications.

During his time at Philadelphia University, Shaun was a member of the Varsity golf team. He continues to contribute to the sports community as a coach for his children's soccer and baseball teams.

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