Experience you can trust.
Our Team
Lindsay Moran
Application Specialist
About Lindsay
Lindsay Moran is a highly detail-oriented professional with a unique perspective, holding a Bachelor’s of Science in Economic Research and a Master’s of Education. Her career history in Financial Planning has equipped her with a strong analytical skillset and a unique eye for attention to detail. After dedicating time to raising her four children, Lindsay re-entered the workforce, initially with some nervousness with leaving her children for the first time. However, joining Blue Jean Financial has not only added to her already large family but also made her feel right at home. She finds immense joy in her professional endeavors, particularly in connecting with clients and helping to make their financial decisions less stressful, which brings her great happiness.
Residing in Kinderhook, NY, Lindsay is married to Steven Moran, and together they are actively involved in supporting their children’s athletic pursuits across the country, which are their greatest joy and keep them wonderfully busy. Their active children have participated in a variety of sports, including motocross, wrestling, football, basketball, cheerleading, and lacrosse. Watching her children compete keeps Lindsay and Steven young, and the memories they build together are priceless.
Outside of her professional life, Lindsay enjoys gardening, family outings on the lake, and traveling. The Moran family also includes their beloved Goldendoodle, Ralph, who is affectionately considered their fifth child. Adding to their lively household are three cats and ten chickens, often making their home feel more like a zoo – but they wouldn’t want it any other way.
Wanda Rock
Executive Administrator
About Wanda
Wanda is a highly versatile and accomplished professional with comprehensive experience in Human Resources, including proficiency in onboarding, payroll management, and benefits administration. She actively cultivates a productive and harmonious work environment.
She also possesses a robust background in Information Technology, demonstrating expertise in desktop support, network administration, and system diagnostics. Her skill set also includes business management that includes working closely with the CCO and Partner of Blue Jean Financial. Together they keep the compliance and business aspect of the company running smoothly.
Wanda is a self-motivated contributor who excels both in collaborative team settings—actively supporting shared objectives and leveraging diverse perspectives—and when working independently, consistently demonstrating initiative in task and project management.
Outside of her career, Wanda is dedicated to her family, including her husband, Paul of 43 years, and her two adult children, Jerrod and Cassey. She values creating lasting memories with them and also enjoys leisure activities such as camping and boating in nature, which serve as a means for rejuvenation. They also love spending time in Florida where they recently purchased a second home. Their family would not be complete without her beloved Yorkshire Terrier, Abby. She is a small bundle of energy that brings much joy to their lives.
Abigail Thate
Account Manager
About Abigail
Abi Thate joins the team as an Account Manager and is excited to begin this next chapter of her career. She recently graduated from Gordon College with a BA in Business Management and minors in Psychology and Human Resources. Prior to joining Blue Jean, Abi worked with Target as both an intern and a full-time team member in executive store management, most recently serving as an Executive Manager of Human Resources. She brings a strong passion for the intersection of social psychology and business, which influences her people-centered approach to her work. Abi enjoys building strong relationships, supporting leaders, and contributing to environments where individuals and organizations can thrive, driven by a desire to see lives shaped by meaningful, purpose-driven work. Abi was drawn to Blue Jean because its values and mission closely align with how she hopes to approach both her work and the world, and she is excited to be part of a company that humbly serves its clients.
Abi comes from a family of nine children and is very close with her siblings. She was excited to move back to Upstate New York after college to marry her high school sweetheart, Ethan, and live near family, with both her parents and her in-laws living in the same town. Abi and Ethan love being in Upstate New York because it keeps them close to family while offering easy access to the beautiful mountains and lakes of the Adirondacks and the often visited ski mountains of Vermont. Together, they enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities—including skiing, hiking, boating, camping, and the occasional pickup game of nearly any sport. During college, Abi spent much of her time on the field playing field hockey alongside some of her closest friends. They also share a love of travel and dream of living internationally with their own family someday. Inspired by Micah 6:8, Abi is looking forward to serving clients, helping make financial health more accessible, and collaborating with such an incredible team.
Joshua House
Paraplanner/Account Manager
About Joshua
Food service and sports have been my main source of income in my life. When covid hit and I had time to think I decided to do something with my life before it was too late. I never liked school growing up and college was intimidating but I knew if I wanted to do something with my life I needed to get out of my comfort zone. I worked at Five Guys as an assistant manager and Saratoga National Golf Club during my four years at school.
At age 28 I decided to become a freshman at SUNY Cobleskill. Having the responsibilities of a twenty eight year old, I had to work fulltime while taking fulltime credits at Cobleskill. I commuted an hour both ways four days a week while also playing for the golf team. I did this for four years completing my Bachelor’s degree in Business administration with a 3.2 gpa. I became the school’s best golfer in program history, setting multiple school records over my four years.
The best thing that happened to me in those difficult four years was meeting my wife. We currently live in Schenectady with plans to move out to a more rural setting now that I have graduated. We enjoy hiking, fishing and county fairs along with a never ending love for animals and nature. If we aren’t in nature then we are riding our motorcycles together.
During my fall semester in financial management a guest speaker came in to talk to the class. His name was Bryan McWayne. Before hearing him speak about the financial world I didn’t really have any interest in it. I always thought it was a bunch of money hungry egos trying to take advantage of less knowledgeable hard working people. Bryan opened my eyes to a different world anchored on helping those hard working people instead of hurting them. I loved the way he spoke about the business and the company. I knew if he was the face of Blue Jean then the people working with him would be just as compassionate and caring. Asking for his business card at the end of class changed my life.
Kaitlyn Mendez Marin
Senior Account Manager
About Kaitlyn
Kaitlyn Mendez Marin is an Account Manager at Blue Jean Financial. She has previous experience in financial services, higher education, human resources, and public relations. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Journalism, and good communication is at the heart of everything she does. Kaitlyn is a young professional seeking to make the client experience clear and simple for all.
Kaitlyn worked at Bank of America/Merrill Edge, a large financial firm, and understands how complex and confusing financial services can be. A client is not just a number to her; she strives to make a connection with each interaction. From calendar invites to retirement contributions, she streamlines administrative processes so Blue Jean Financial’s advisors can help clients
make their ambitions a reality.
Kaitlyn works well individually and aims to bring structure and stability to every team she is part of. When she’s not working full-time, she’s writing. Kaitlyn is a Disney enthusiast. She loves consuming and creating Disney theme park content. She writes articles for her blog, produces
YouTube videos for her channel, and posts regularly on her Instagram page. If she’s not in a Disney park, she’s thinking about her next trip.
Kaitlyn has been married to her husband, Oscar, since 2024. They live in Holly Springs, North Carolina, a suburb of Raleigh. She enjoys traveling, hiking, strength training, attending concerts,
playing card or board games, watching movies, and spending time with her family and friends.
Jordan Brandon
Advisor Services Manager / Advisor
About Jordan
Jordan M. Brandon serves as an Investment Advisor Representative and Advisor Services Manager at Blue Jean Financial, where he focuses on guiding clients toward their long-term financial goals. He brings several years of industry experience to the firm, having previously served as an Investment Advisor Representative and Registered Representative at Thrivent Investment Management Inc. from 2018 through 2024.
Jordan’s academic background provides a strong foundation for his advisory work; he earned a Bachelor’s Degree with a concentration in Finance from Augsburg University and an Associate’s Degree in Contemporary Business from Inver Hills Community College. He is deeply passionate about helping individuals and families achieve personal fulfillment, viewing the financial planning process as a vital lens through which people can realize their true potential and peace of mind.
Beyond his professional practice, Jordan is committed to community and international service. He currently serves on the board as Secretary for “Across Nigeria,” a non-profit organization dedicated to impactful outreach and support. Originally hailing from Minnesota, Jordan moved his family to New England in 2019 and currently resides in Connecticut, where he enjoys the unique landscapes and opportunities of the region.
A true enthusiast of the outdoors, Jordan finds his greatest relaxation in nature. He loves working with his hands—whether he is gardening, fishing, or immersed in various building and construction projects. Above all, Jordan is a devoted family man; he is the husband to his wife, Callie, and the proud father of three children: Quinn, Elle, and Theo.
Tracy Dickinson
Advisor
About Tracy
Growing up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Tracy’s path led her to Oklahoma State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology. This academic foundation prepared her for a career dedicated to helping others, initially through impactful work in non-profits before transitioning into educational sales and management. Across these experiences, she ultimately found the most fulfillment in roles where she could be serving clients, emphasizing her unwavering commitment to excellent customer service. Each position deepened her understanding of people and organizations, shaping her approach to problem-solving and collaboration.
After the arrival of her first child, Tracy made the decision to become a stay-at-home mom. Now, with five kids, life is a busy and rewarding adventure. Tracy is a homeschool mom, with two high school students, two middle school students, and a 2nd grader. She has been happily married for 24 years, building a life centered on faith and family. She is also active in her church, where she serves in the youth ministry.
In 2021, a new chapter began, an answer to prayer. Tracy had been hoping for a role where she could work from home, and that’s when God brought the opportunity to work with Ben Blowers. This blossomed, leading her to officially join the Blue Jean Financial team in 2022.
Since then, Tracy has had the privilege of serving in a few different roles at Blue Jean Financial, contributing to a company culture that genuinely puts clients first. She’s excited to see what the future holds, both in her professional journey and as part of the Blue Jean team. Outside of work and family life, she finds joy in running, camping, visiting new national parks, and getting lost in a good book.
Logan Simms
Advisor
About Logan
Logan Simms has been working in financial services since 2022 when he started his internship with Blue Jean Financial that spring. He graduated from the College of Saint Rose in Albany in May of 2023 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Financial Planning after receiving his associates in business administration from Hudson Valley Community College, where he was involved with student leadership and various clubs such as the Investments Club and Student Christian association where he was president for two semesters. Prior to his higher education, Logan worked with his hands as a fine furniture maker, in retail as a kitchen designer, and locally as a woodworking instructor. These skills carry forward into his present as a hobby for an outlet for expressing physical creativity. Logan understands what it means to grind out long days of thankless work in order to provide from his business and do right by your clients and customers. Since day one of starting his Journey as a financial advisor, Logan has been striving to grow in specific knowledge and skill in order to benefit a somewhat financially neglected part of our society, what we call the “Everyday American.” Logan combines his financial expertise with his previous experience in the trades to help entrepreneurs and long time owners and workers work toward maximizing their efforts. After experiencing a familial loss, Logan saw the need to work with individuals and families to help them plan for their loved one’s final days and the aftermath, in order to limit the amount of headspace taken by the financial fallout and focus on the more important aspects of loss in grieving and comforting one another. Logan’s faith and values are clear in his professional work. Those shared values at Blue Jean Financial are what make it an easy decision for him to be here every day since the company launched. These same values opened doors for him in 2015 to use his hand tool skills to teach men and women in Kenya how to work wood and break the cycle of poverty. For Logan, the effort of giving to help another is the most fulfilling thing the world has to offer; his client’s wellbeing is always his priority.
Hahn Kang
Portfolio/Trade Coordinator
About Hahn
I chose to join Blue Jean because it aligns perfectly with how I approach the market. Technical analysis forms the foundation of my trading strategy, and I’m excited to apply those skills in a professional setting. I find it deeply rewarding to capitalize on price patterns that have stood the test of time and ultimately drive value for clients. Beyond the strategy, Blue Jean’s values, particularly its emphasis on faith and serving the everyday American, resonate strongly with me. I was also drawn to the small-team environment, which I believe fosters stronger connections and greater personal growth.
A Fun Fact About Me: I’m a bit of an adrenaline junkie. Skiing, skydiving, cliff jumping, and river fishing are some of the things that I’ve done in the past. It makes me feel the most alive!
My Hobbies and Interests: Trading, Fitness, Eating/cooking food, Golf, Fishing, Skiing
My Favorite Quote or Motto: “I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it”
Something I’m Looking Forward to in This Role: Being able to pursue my passion in a professional setting while learning from those who have gathered years of experience in this field.
Ben Blowers
Senior Advisor
About Ben
Ben Blowers has been working in financial services since 2017. Since day one in our industry, Ben has been focused on fighting for what we call the “Everyday American.” Ben combines his financial expertise with his previous experience in the trades to help entrepreneurs bring stability to their cash flow. His early-life experiences also make him uniquely qualified to help people realign their priorities to more closely reflect their goals and values.
Ben’s faith and values are clear in his professional work. Those shared values at Blue Jean Financial are what made it an easy decision for him to be here the day the company launched. He enjoys soaking up the wisdom of more experienced advisors as much as pouring it into the newer ones, so you’ll often see him working alongside other advisors. The client is always the priority.
Aside from traditional financial planning, Ben truly enjoys helping couples combine finances, escape debt, and when desired, become a one income household.
Outside of work, Ben enjoys travelling the country with Wife, Samantha, and their four children, Ella (13), Breason (10), Asher (9), and Charlie (5) in their 32′ RV, Harvey. So far they have visited 46 states, and hope to complete the “lower 48” in 2026. Visiting National Parks, Historic Sites, and Recreation areas, his kids have each earned over 70 Junior Ranger Badges!
Ben self-identifies as “the youngest snowbird you’ll know” spending his summers on the Sacandaga Lake and trying his best not to participate in winter, often seeking refuge near Houston or Orlando.
Thiago Reis
Practice Development Manager/Advisor
About Thiago
Thiago Reis is a Financial Advisor at Blue Jean Financial and the lead pastor of Church of the Redeemer in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. With a heart for both stewardship and discipleship, Thiago serves small business owners, entrepreneurs, and hardworking families who are striving to live intentionally and leave a legacy. His approach to financial advising is deeply relational and long-term, prioritizing not only smart financial decisions but a full understanding of life’s broader priorities. For Thiago, advising is not merely transactional—it’s an invitation to walk alongside others in some of life’s most meaningful decisions.
Before entering the financial profession, Thiago spent over two decades building and operating a successful landscape and property enhancement business. As a self-employed small business owner, he learned firsthand the importance of budgeting, seasonal cash flow, and planning for both risk and opportunity. These real-world experiences now inform his ability to serve clients with practical, customized strategies that address both business and personal goals. Whether helping clients increase their earning potential or build financial endurance, Thiago’s advice is grounded in wisdom, Scripture, and a commitment to generational impact.
In addition to his work in financial services, Thiago serves bi-vocationally as the lead pastor of a small Reformed Baptist church committed to expository preaching, Spirit-led living, and equipping the saints for the work of the ministry. As an elder in a collaborative and prayerful leadership structure, he shepherds his church with a high view of Scripture and a humble dependence on Christ. This same pastoral posture shapes his advisory work—reminding him to lead with humility, listen well, and always return to the unchanging truth of God’s Word. As Thiago often says, “My clients fight for their present selves; my team and I fight for their future selves.”
Thiago’s story is marked by perseverance, service, and faith. Originally from Brazil, he immigrated to the U.S. at age nine and began working to support his family at a young age, helping manage household finances and embracing responsibility well before adulthood. These early experiences—combined with his mother’s example of hard work and faithfulness—laid the foundation for a life committed to stewardship and integrity. He is passionate about helping others break cycles, create structure, and build lives that are sustainable and filled with purpose.
Thiago lives in Cape Cod with his wife, Cristyane, and their seven children—Tiffany, Aydan, Liam, Thaddeus, Aletheia, Lucy, and Adalie. Together they homeschool, stay active in their church, and enjoy Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a family. Thiago continues to pursue his love of theology, church history, and hiking in the mornings. Whether in the pulpit, the financial office, or the home, he seeks to live faithfully in the present, plan wisely for the future, and honor the God who holds it all.
Frank Deno
Chief Compliance Officer
About Frank
Frank Deno is a founding Blue Jean Financial partner. Frank brings over three decades of uniquely diverse experience spanning military service in the U.S. Army and leadership roles across a multitude of sectors. His professional journey encompasses residential and commercial construction, information technology (development and infrastructure), government banking, electrical power markets, healthcare, financial planning and investments, and leadership of not-for-profit organizations. As a serial entrepreneur, Frank has founded and operated multiple successful businesses.
His extensive and varied background, complemented by a Doctorate of Business Administration in Organizational Leadership, an Executive MBA in Management, and a B.S. in Mathematics and Computer Science, provides a robust foundation for his expertise in coaching, consulting, and leadership development. Further enhancing his capabilities are certifications in Change Management, Product Management, Operations Management (Lean Six Sigma Black Belt), MBTI, Coaching, and numerous technology certifications.
Currently, Frank leverages his comprehensive skillset to coach business executives, owners, entrepreneurs, and non-profit leaders, as well as consult in strategic planning, technology solutions, and business and non-profit management.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Frank is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys cycling, rock and ice climbing, ski diving, hiking, and skiing. He also holds certifications as a White Water Rafting Guide and SCUBA Dive Master. Above all, Frank values spending quality time engaging in activities with his friends and family.
Bryan McWayne
Founding Advisor
About Bryan
Bryan McWayne grew up farming alongside his parents, where he learned early that work wasn’t something to shy away from, it’s a way of life. That upbringing shaped his values and instilled the kind of grit and reliability he still brings to his work with clients today.
Numbers always came naturally to Bryan, which led him to study economics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he also played football. He’ll be the first to tell you he loved football more than the classroom, but it was during those college years that everything changed. He met Jamie, the love of his life, and more importantly, he encountered a faith that gave him clarity on what really matters.
Bryan and Jamie have four wonderful kids and a house that’s full of life, laughter, and the occasional argument over who left the screen door open or the lights on. They love being outside- whether growing onions and garlic in the garden, taking a hike or bike ride, or just enjoying the afternoon in the pool. Family is huge for Bryan, and it’s what fuels his commitment to the families he serves.
He brings a farmer’s work ethic, a head for numbers, and heart for people into every relationship. He’s walked his own path through trial, faith, and experience, and now helps others do the same-building financial plans that are honest, simple and built to last.
Bill Bufkins
Founding Advisor
About Bill
Bill grew up on the North Fork of Long Island. His parents were originally from Kentucky and moved to LI when his dad got stationed at Suffolk County Air Force Base. The Base was closed in December of 1969 – 8 months after Bill was born. When he was 5 they moved to Mattituck into what would be their family home for the next 40 years. His first job was on a farm, hoeing weeds, stacking straw, hay, and clover bales, moving irrigation pipes, picking raspberries, and harvesting potatoes.
He went to college at NYU, earning a BA in Psychology. Throughout most of that time he worked as a work study student first for the Vice President of Student Affairs and later for the Vice President of Enrollment Services. When he graduated he knew there were openings in the Financial Aid Office at NYU and began to work there first as an Administrative Assistant, moving up to Financial Aid Counselor and eventually taking over as Manager of Financial Aid at NYU’s College of Dentistry.
After a brief stint at Fordham University as the Associate Director of Financial Aid – where he learned he doesn’t like to be micromanaged – he took a position with a joint venture of Chase and Sallie Mae called Education First, marketing student loans.
He will tell you that he didn’t enjoy either of those jobs but now sees the value of the experience he gained. He uses the knowledge he accumulated over those 22 years in Higher Education in his practice now to help families navigate the college planning process, a process that is hardly transparent and produces a large amount of anxiety for families.
He started his career as a Financial Advisor in 2012, becoming a founding advisor at Blue Jean Financial when the company began in July of 2024. He has also served on the Board of Directors for the local Habitat for Humanity affiliate and as an Associate Pastor and Worship leader at the church he, his wife Mary, and their four sons attend. One month a week he and his family do a church service at a local assisted living facility. His message to the residents is the same one he imparts to himself, “finish strong.”
Ben Kjendal
Founding Advisor
About Ben
Benjamin A. Kjendal serves as an Investment Advisor Representative at Blue Jean Financial, bringing over a decade of dedicated experience in the financial services industry. His professional journey is characterized by a unique blend of financial expertise and community leadership, having served as a financial representative and advisor since 2014. Ben’s background provides him with a deep understanding of the diverse needs of individuals and families as they navigate complex financial landscapes.
Ben’s academic foundation is exceptionally diverse, holding a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Economics from the University of New Hampshire and a Master of Divinity in Exegetical Studies from Concordia Theological Seminary. To further enhance his ability to serve clients, he has earned the Chartered Financial ConsultantTM (ChFC). These credentials represent advanced training in holistic financial planning disciplines, including retirement planning, estate planning, income taxation, and insurance.
Currently, Ben leverages his comprehensive skillset to provide ethical and competent financial guidance to clients, focusing on the development of tailored strategies that align with their long-term goals. He is committed to functioning as a clear and articulate practitioner, helping clients utilize the intellectual tools necessary to maintain a secure financial future.
Beyond his advisory work, Ben is deeply committed to his role as a pastor at Holy Cross Orthodox Church. In this capacity, he leads church services, directs educational efforts, and provides pastoral care for his parishioners. This dual dedication to financial stewardship and spiritual guidance reflects Ben’s overall commitment to serving his community with integrity and compassion.














