Our Team – Summit RS

Summit Retirement Solutions Can Help You

PURSUE YOUR GOALS

We help individuals and families pursue their ideal retirements.

JAY FORGIONE

OWNER

Jay prides himself on helping clients elevate their financial awareness. As the owner of Summit Retirement Solutions, Jay works to help individuals and families design strategies to achieve their goals in the most tax-efficient and future-focused way.

Jay began his career as a senior regional manager for a major corporation. During this time, he realized the importance of financial planning. He started his own practice to focus on crafting retirement distribution planning strategies to help clients preserve, protect and defend their nest eggs.

Jay has a bachelor’s degree in small-business management from the University of Connecticut.

In his free time, Jay loves the outdoors, skiing, hiking, golfing and spending time with his wife and three kids.

DANI JIRACEK

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Dani began her career in Office Management after graduating from Santa Clara University in California. She loves to create an efficient and smooth experience for her team as well as their clients. After taking a break to start a family, she is excited to be working for such a great company that shares her values for helping others achieve their retirement goals.

When Dani is out of the office, she enjoys spending time with her girls, brunching with friends, and traveling.

JASON MYERS

ASSOC. FINANCIAL ADVISOR

Jason has been in the Financial Services industry for over 20 years. At one of Hartford’s top Insurance carriers, he served as a Regional Director covering the entire U.S., as well as Sales Vice President. His thoughtful and holistic approach to the challenges clients face made him a valued partner within the industry.

Jason lives in Rocky Hill, CT with his wife and two sons. When he is not helping clients, Jason plays hockey, golf, and enjoys live music.

ADVISORY PARTNERS

DAVID YOUNG

CFA, CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER

Chief Investment Officer David Young has provided investment strategy, portfolio management, and asset allocation for many of the largest and most sophisticated institutional and private investors across the globe. During his 26 years of investment experience, he served as the executive vice president of Pacific Investment Management Company (PIMCO) for fourteen years, retiring in 2008 to pursue teaching opportunities at the Paul Merage School of Business in Irvine, California. As a professor, he currently teaches finance and investment courses there and at the Financial Times Knowledge Programs in the UK, along with CFA exam preparation courses sponsored by CFA societies in California and abroad. From 1999 to 2006, David also served as head of the PIMCO account management group in London, where he built a team of investment professionals managing approximately $50 billion in assets across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

David holds the chartered financial analyst (CFA) designation from the CFA Institute, considered by many to be the most difficult test on Wall Street. He also earned an MBA with a concentration in finance from the Paul Merage School of Business, with degrees in economics and political science from the University of California, Irvine. He sits on several non-profit investment committees and boards, including the county-organized health system, CalOptima, serving residents of Orange County, California.

ERNEST J. C’DEBACA

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, GENERAL COUNSEL, & COO

As Chief Operating Officer, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, Ernest J. C’DeBaca (Ernie) oversees business operations, governance and all legal, compliance and HR matters for the firm. Active as an in-house counsel and compliance officer since 2000, he has focused on the various federal and state laws and related rules governing investment advisers and the insurance industry. He has extensive expertise in all areas of regulatory compliance and aids clients in preparation for regulatory examinations and the preparation of compliance policies and procedures. He enjoys the challenges of working on the developing side of financial services because of Foundation’s phenomenal growth pattern and the integrity at the core of the firm.

Ernie received his bachelor’s degree from the University of New Mexico and an MBA in finance from Webster University. From the University of New Mexico School of Law, he earned his Juris Doctor degree, and from Georgetown University Law Center he earned his LL.M. (Master of Laws) in securities. Ernie also holds both the Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®) and Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) designations. He began his legal career focusing on tax law and estate planning and has served as an attorney for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Away from the office, he is actively involved with several local non-profit organizations, including the church he attends with his wife and three children, and his homeowners’ association. Whenever possible, he remains optimistic about trying to improve his golf game.

DARREN LEAVITT

CFA, CHIEF INVESTMENT STRATEGIST

Darren has been working in the financial markets for over 20 years, primarily as a buy-side institutional investor. He has provided multiple investment solutions to clients utilizing his extensive knowledge of the public and private global markets. Darren has created growth-oriented equity portfolios, fundamental tactical asset allocation models, passive asset allocation models, and developed quantitative strategy solutions for clients. Throughout his career, Darren had held a variety of senior positions including Chief Investment Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Portfolio Manager, Senior Analyst, Senior Trader, and Financial Advisor.

Darren received his BS in Finance from DePaul University and an MS in Financial Markets and Trading from the Illinois Institute of Technology. Darren is a CFA charter holder and is a member of the CFA Society of San Francisco. He has also been a member of both the San Francisco and Chicago Security Traders Associations.

Outside of work, Darren enjoys spending time with his two sons, Cole and Declan. He is an avid Thoroughbred racing fan. His other interests include art, golf, travel, and cooking.

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Or give us a call at 860.269.0909

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