OUR TEAM | Who We Are

As financial consultants, investment managers and tax practitioners, our only priority is our clients. Strong, family-oriented relationships with our clients are the reason we exist and the foundation of our firm. Today, our values continue to be reflected in the service we provide.

Meet our team, whose passion is earning your trust, sharing their knowledge, caring and offering outstanding service.


Peter J. Brent, President
pete@brentfinancial.com

After graduating from Boston College with a bachelor's degree in Economics in 1964, Pete enjoyed a successful 22-year career as a high school business education teacher. He started a small home-based income tax practice in 1968 and became an enrolled agent with the Internal Revenue Service in 1977. This practice became the foundation for Brent Financial Group, which was established in 1986. What began as a small income tax preparation business has evolved into a full-service, client-centered financial consulting and wealth management firm.

Pete's credentials include FINRA Series 7 and 63 securities registrations and life insurance licenses. He earned his CFP® certification in 1986, completed graduate work in taxation at Pace University, and is a member of the Financial Planning Association and the National Association of Tax Practitioners. He is active in all areas of the practice.

Pete enjoys walking the many trails in the Hudson Valley area. He loves baseball and has been a life-long New York Yankees fan. In addition, Pete has been active in his church and in various community organizations throughout the year. He is the proud father of three adult children and six awesome grandchildren.

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Kimberly Crose, Administrative Assistant

Kim joined Brent Financial group in 1997 as an Administrative Assistant to Peter and Laurie. She holds a degree in English and Psychology from the State University of New York at Fredonia, and she earned a certificate in Office Administration from Krissler Business Institute.She also holds her FINRA Series 6 and 63 securities registrations.

Kim lives in Hyde Park, NY, with her husband, Vince, who is an avid Yankees fan, and they have two children, Colin, an Illustrator/Cartoonist, and Cory, who is attending the College of St. Rose for Fine Arts/Business.They share their home with their cats Tim, Samantha, and Annie, and they look after a cockatiel named Leila, while their daughter, Cory, is away at college.They also have a new addition -- Jackie Chan, who is Colin's ferret, and he is residing with them until Colin relocates.He's a riot!

Kim enjoys spending time with her family, walking, exploring new places and visiting interesting gift and antique shops. She loves living by the Hudson River, and she and her family always look forward to their yearly visit to Lavellette, New Jersey.

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Laurie Brent Schiavone, Vice-President

Laurie is a 1985 graduate of Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania where she majored in economics and minored in statistics. Laurie joined Brent Financial Group in 1989 and has been a registered representative of Commonwealth Financial Network, Member FINRA, since 1992. Laurie is involved in all areas of the practice. Her credentials include Series 7 and 63 registrations and life insurance licenses and the CFP® certification.

Laurie lives in LaGrangeville, New York, with her husband Frank and their four young sons—Maxwell, Garrett , Jacob, and Nathan. The boys are her biggest hobby although she does find time for photography, gardening, and entertaining.

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Vee Miller, Tax Office Manager

Vee received her associates degree from Dutchess Community College, her bachelor's degree from SUNY Cortland, and her master's degree from SUNY New Paltz. She is enrolled to practice before the Internal Revenue Service and has been preparing taxes since 1985. In addition, Vee received a certificate of financial planning from Marist College in 1997.

Vee joined Brent Financial Group in 1995. In her role, she prepares individual returns, business returns, and payroll forms. She is an active member of the National Association of Tax Practitioners. Vee has taught numerous tax courses locally at Marist College for the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERprogram.

Vee and her husband, Rick, reside in Pougkeepsie, New York. They have three children, Julie, Kristen, and John. In her spare time, Vee enjoys reading and crossword puzzles.

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Thomas E. Bridgman, Tax Preparer/Client Services Rep

After being a programmer for nearly 20 years, Tom switched careers to income tax and financial services. He has been preparing individual and small business taxes since 2003, and joined Brent Financial in 2008.

Tom received a bachelor's degree from Pace University, in Pleasantville, and is currently pursuing a certificate in Financial Planning at Marist College.

Tom lives in Wappingers Falls, New York, with his wife, Terrie, and daughter, Chloe. They share their house with two bulldogs and a few cats, who all believe they are people. In his spare time, he spends as much time with his family as possible. He is also involved with the Myers Corners PTA, and enjoys reading and cooking.

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Heather Delman, Administrative Assistant

Heather, the "Fresh Kid" of the office, joined the BFG Team in May of 2007 as an Administrative Assistant to Pete and Laurie.She works with Kim on the Financial Planning side of the business, but during tax time, she also works part-time at the front desk doing scheduling and reception.She lives with her family in Hyde Park, NY, and she is currently finishing her degree in Liberal Arts/Business Administration at Dutchess Community College.

Heather is an avid reader, is interested in interior design, and she loves to write.She enjoys dancing, and she likes to listen to an eclectic mix of music -- from Beethoven and Louis Armstrong to Elvis and the Scissor Sisters.In her spare time, she likes to go to the movies (the scarier the better!), play horror video games, and do Sudoku puzzles.

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Linda Mierisch, Administrative Assistant

Linda joined Brent Financial Group in 2005 as an administrative assistant.She is a graduate of Berkeley College. Prior to working at Brent Financial Group, Linda was a Project Manager at AIG in lower Manhattan.

Linda lives in Wappingers Falls, NY, with her husband Don. They have three adult children.She enjoys cruise vacations, reading and playing Mahjong.

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Rosemary Zizzo, Tax Preparer

Rosemary joined Brent Financial Group in the fall of 2008 as a Tax Preparer.She has her Associate's Degree in Business Administration from SUNY Farmingdale, and a BBA in Accounting from Hofstra University.

Before her three children were born, Rosemary worked as an Audit Supervisor in the banking industry.She began preparing individual tax returns in 1991, and she has taught classes in Basic Tax Preparation, as well.

Rosemary lives in Hopewell Junction, NY, with her husband, Bill, and when she is home from college -- her daughter, Danielle.She has two other children, Billy and Jessica.

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Brenda Lee, Administrative Assistant

Brenda joined Brent Financial Group in February 2007 as an Administrative Assistant for Information Technology. Her work experience includes, but is not limited to, 15 years of service at a local credit union, beginning in Customer Service, moving to Accounting, and finally, taking a position in the Data Processing department, during which time she earned her degree in Information Systems.She “retired” in 1995 to be with her children. Having gotten them successfully into their teens, she has rejoined the workforce full time.

Brenda lives in Wappingers Falls, NY, with her husband, Ho-Ming, daughter, Raven, and their cat, Zoolander. Her son, Oliver, is currently a residential student at the Model Secondary School for the Deaf, in Washington, DC.

In her leisure time, Brenda enjoys gardening, music, and watching horror films with her family.

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CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ andare certification marks owned by the Certified Financial Planner Board ofStandards, Inc. These marks are awarded to individuals who successfully completethe CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.

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