Brent Financial Group

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, and she has a son, Colin, who is an Illustrator/Cartoonist, and a daughter, Cory, who is also an artist and will be graduating from the College of St. Rose in December 2010. Kim shares her home with her cat, Oliver, and her daughter's cockatiel, Leila.

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.

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.

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 PLANNER^™program.

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.

Thomas E. Bridgman, EA, Tax Advisor

Tom joined Brent Financial in 2008 and has been preparing individual, small business and non-profit tax returns since 2003. Previously, he was a computer programmer with IBM Research.

Tom is licensed to practice before the Internal Revenue Service and is an active member of the National Association of Tax Professionals and the NY/CT Association of Tax Professionals. He received a bachelor's degree from Pace University, in Pleasantville, and a certificate in Financial Planning from Marist College. He lives in Wappingers Falls, is active in the PTA at his daughter's school, and enjoys reading and cooking.

Rose Sasso, Tax Advisor

Rose joined Brent Financial in 2010, bringing 16 years of tax preparation experience in personal and small business tax returns, including rental property and investments, tax audits and tax planning.

Her previous experience includes 10 years as a foreign currency trader and nine years as a Child Associate for Wappingers Central School District.

She lives with her husband and three children in Wappingers Falls and enjoys spending time with her family, cooking and sports.

Susan Niebuhr, Receptionist

Susan joined the BFG Team in September of 2010 as receptionist. She has more than 30 years of office experience in the fields of Insurance, Banking, Legal, Defense Contracting, and Commercial Real Estate Management.

Susan lives in Fishkill, NY, with her husband, Ken, and the youngest of their three children. All three children are now attending college in the SUNY system. In her spare time, Susan enjoys cooking, watching old movies, and anything Disney.

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Emily Oakhill, Administrative Assistant

Emily joined Brent Financial Group as a seasonal, part-time employee in November 2007.She worked as a front desk receptionist during tax time, and returned to work at Brent Financial again in 2008 and 2009.In the off-season, she worked as a museum docent for one of the Hudson Valley's historic estates, and she also ran her own home business as a dressmaker.Emily holds a degree in history from Pace University, and her career path also includes work as an archivist, fabric conservator, and textile consultant.

In September 2010, Emily accepted a full time position at Brent Financial as an Assistant to Pete and Laurie, and she helps to run the financial planning side of the business with Kim Crose.

Emily lives in the Town of Poughkeepsie with her husband, Harold, and their youngest daughter, Sarah, who will graduate high school in 2011.They have three older children who are married, and their two cats, Dinah and Fred complete the family.

For the last 6 years Emily and Harold have been very involved in the American Field Service program, and they proudly include 5 international sons as part of their extended family.In addition, she is active in her church choir, English Hand Bell Choir, and the Hudson Valley Ladies Aide Society, which is an American Civil War Civilian Reenactment Group.She also enjoys quilting and watching classic American musicals.

Brenda Lee, Administrative Assistant

Brenda joined Brent Financial Group in February 2007 as an Administrative Assistant for Information Technology. Her work experience includes 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.

Brenda lives in Wappingers Falls, NY, with her husband, Ho-Ming, daughter, Raven, and their cat, Zoolander. Her son, Oliver, is currently attending Gallaudet University, in Washington, DC.

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

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.