Our People
Michael Creighton
Ryley Harper
Brett D. Keller
Nicole Kelly
Tyler Kingsbury
Pat Laphen
Michael J. Maher, Jr.
Sean Maher
Michael G. Mallick
Kieran McLaughlin
Edward J. McNicholas
Trina Menta Hanna
Stephen T. Mumford, Jr.
Pat joined the firm with over 25 years of diversified experience in the private equity, banking and financial services industry. He is a skilled executive with a demonstrated history of helping businesses develop a strategy for growth and executing on that plan. His career has provided him with the opportunity of sitting on every side of the table, advising, acquiring, operating, financing, and exiting privately-held, family-owned, lower middle market businesses. This diverse experience provides him with the unique insight to help business owners, and their families, as they progress through the various life cycles of their business from start-up, to growth, to eventual transition and legacy protection.
Pat and his wife Therese reside in Newtown Square and have five children. He is active in a number of industry and community organizations as a current or prior board member of multiple area non-profit organizations such as The Be Kind Initiative, Little Smiles Philadelphia, Malvern Retreat House, and the Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center (DVIRC). Pat earned his BS and MBA from Jefferson University.
Tyler joined Valley Forge Financial Group in 2024. He specializes in assisting owners of privately held businesses, and high-net-worth families manage their wealth. He also assists other advisors with their clients when needed. Previously, Tyler held a position at 49 Financial Group.
Tyler earned a B.S.B.A. in Finance from High Point University. He holds series 6, 63, and 65 licenses with FINRA, as well as the Life and Health licenses.
Tyler resides in Phoenixville, PA. In his free time, he enjoys playing golf, fishing, and supporting his favorite Philly sports teams.
Ryley joined Valley Forge Financial Group in 2020 through M Financials’ Magnet Program. He specializes in assisting owners of privately held businesses, high-net-worth families, and their advisory teams with life insurance, estate planning, and business succession. Previously, Ryley held positions at Marriott International.
Ryley earned a B.S. in Finance and Risk Management Insurance from Saint Joseph’s University. He holds FINRA 6, 22, and 63 licenses as well as the Life and Health licenses. He is currently pursuing a CLU designation and is a member of the Philadelphia Estate Planning Council.
Ryley resides in Conshohocken, PA. In his free time, he enjoys playing adult league ice hockey, golf, and boating.
Rachel consults with corporate clients on the effectiveness and efficiency of qualified retirement plans. She works closely with plan sponsors to enhance plan design, educate participants and measure the success of the plan on an ongoing basis. Rachel offers high level service and solutions to ensure corporations and participants are maximizing their retirement plan benefits.
Rachel graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in Finance from The Pennsylvania State University. She is CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and holds the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® professional designation. Rachel holds Series 7 and 66 securities licenses with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
Rachel currently lives in Conshohocken, PA with her husband, Ray. She enjoys cycling, outdoor sports, and tackling home projects in her spare time.
Steve assists individual and institutional investment clients with the initial design and on-going monitoring of their investment programs. With a focus on defined contribution retirement plans, Steve helps privately-held companies maximize their retirement plan benefits at both the corporate and employee level through effective plan design, fiduciary investment reviews and meaningful employee education.
Steve earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Gwynedd-Mercy College (now Gwynedd Mercy University), where he currently serves on the School of Business Advisory Board, and a M.S. in Financial Services from St. Joseph’s University. He is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®) and holds Series 6, 22, 63 and 65 licenses with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
Steve, his wife Cindy, and their daughter live in Worcester, PA. Outside of the office, Steve enjoys spending time with friends and family, golf and supporting the Philadelphia Union.
Trina has been with Valley Forge since 2012 and is our current Chief Operating Officer. As COO, Trina champions our strategic initiatives, focusing on design and implementation to ensure culture, vision, and operations are united. Prior to her role as COO, Trina also served as our corporate Controller (2018 – 2022), and the Vice President of Valley Forge Private Equity and Valley Forge Family Office (2012 – 2018).
Trina received a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting, from Widener University and was the Valedictorian of her graduating class. Trina is also a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) since 2014 and a member of PICPA.
When Trina is not assisting clients and employees, she enjoys spending time with her family, especially at the beach.
Ed has over 25 years of experience and specializes in the areas of qualified plan design, compliance, investment advisory, employee communication and retirement planning. He works closely with business owners, chief financial officers, human resources managers and their employees in the areas of retirement savings accumulation, investment management & asset allocation and income & distribution planning.
Ed is a graduate of Philadelphia University (B.S in Finance & Economics). He obtained a Masters in Business Administration (M.B.A) from St. Joseph’s University. Ed’s other designations include Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®), Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist (CRPS®) and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC®). An active member of the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA) since 1992, he also holds their designation of Qualified Pension Administrator (QPA). His licenses include Series 7, 63 and 65 with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
Ed resides in Ambler, PA with his wife Megan and their three children.
Kieran joined Valley Forge in 2015 and provides tailored life insurance and wealth transfer guidance to high-net-worth families, business owners, and their advisory teams.
Kieran earned a B.A. in Business Administration from Lycoming College where he was also a member of the men’s lacrosse team. He holds the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) Designation through The American College of Financial Services along with Life and Health, Series 6, 63, and 22 licenses.
Kieran currently serves as Board Treasurer for Miss Betty’s Day Camp in Chester Springs, PA, and previously served as Treasurer for Charlestown Playhouse, Inc.
Kieran is an avid outdoor sportsman and gardener and lives in West Chester with his wife, Jess, and their dog, Walter.
CA License #2125328
Nicole specializes in assisting our corporate clients in efficient qualified plan design, compliance issues and employee communication. She works closely with Plan Sponsors and their advisors to offer a high touch and personalized approach to the administration of their retirement plan. Nicole has over 15 years of experience in the retirement plan industry and enjoys helping Plan Sponsors and their employees reach their goals.
Nicole graduated from University of Delaware earning a degree in Business Administration. She lives in Douglassville with her husband and two children. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, golfing, reading, sports and anything outdoors.
Since joining Valley Forge Financial Group in 2002, Brett advises both high-net worth individuals and families as well as corporate and institutional investors. He primarily focuses on personal investment advisory services and corporate qualified-retirement-plan analysis and guidance, while also aiding foundations and endowments with investment allocation, holdings, and investment policy.
Brett graduated from the Villanova School of Business earning a B.S. in Business Administration, majoring in Finance. He holds FINRA Series 7 and Series 66 securities licenses, along with a Life Insurance & Annuity license.
Brett lives in Gladwyne, PA with his wife Jessica along with their son and daughter. He enjoys hiking and the outdoors, sports, and visiting with his family and friends.
Mike joined Valley Forge Financial Group in 2009, specializing in estate planning, life insurance consulting, business succession and executive benefits. Previously, Mike held several financial management roles at General Electric and WP Realty, a shopping center redevelopment company. His articles have been published in the Philadelphia Estate Planning Council Newsletter and he has been a featured speaker at the annual meeting of the American Society of Retinal Specialists and the Strategic Investor Alliance in Philadelphia.
Mike graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in Finance from Boston University and is a graduate of General Electric’s Financial Management Program. He also holds Life and Health Insurance licenses, FINRA Series 6, 22, 63 licenses, and maintains the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®) designation.
Mike, his wife Jenny, and three children reside in Havertown, PA. He is an avid runner and tri-athlete and enjoys competing in several races throughout the year. Mike currently serves on the Board of Directors and Finance Committee for the Malvern Retreat House.
CA license #0H37709
Mike leverages a robust analytical background to support business owners and affluent families in managing their wealth. He advises corporations on the strategic planning, design, and oversight of Qualified Retirement Programs and facilitates tailored investment strategies for foundations and endowments.
Mike earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. He holds Series 7, 24, 51, 63, and 65 licenses with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
Beyond his professional endeavors, Mike served as chairman of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the Young Presidents’ Organization. He and his family actively support the Sisters of Notre Dame and Liguori Academy.
Mike and his wife, Robyn, reside in Chester Springs, PA. In his free time, he enjoys routing for his Philadelphia sports teams, fishing, exploring the outdoors, and creating memorable moments with his family.
Sean consults with high net worth business owners and entrepreneurs to optimize life insurance within their comprehensive financial plan. Since 1996, Sean has helped clients coordinate with their advisors on estate planning, business succession, and charitable planning projects. His articles have been published in the leading financial press, including Trust and Estates, The Journal of Financial Planning, and National Underwriter. Sean has also served as a speaker for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute and The Planned Giving Council of Philadelphia.
Sean received a B.S. in Finance and Food and Beverage from School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University. He has been a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®) since 2006 and a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®) since 2016. Sean also holds his Life and Health Insurance License and Series 6, 22, and 63 Securities Licenses.
Sean and his wife Jill are the proud parents of three children. Sean enjoys fishing, biking, skiing and working in the garden when he is not volunteering for his children’s sports teams. Sean is the former Board Chairman for the Charlestown Playhouse, and former Treasurer for the Association for the Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville, PA.
CA License #0D73287
Mike joined Valley Forge Financial Group in 2019. He brings over a decade of experience in private equity and direct investing to Valley Forge Private Equity and Real Estate. Mike started his career at PNC Bank in the Financial Services and Advisory Banking division. He then spent eight years at GMH Ventures, the private equity arm of the Holloway Family Office. Mike holds FINRA Series 6, 22 and 63 licenses.
Mike attended the University of Notre Dame where he earned a B.B.A from the Mendoza College of Business as a Finance major. He was also a member of the Men’s Lacrosse team, serving as captain his senior year. Mike is an active member of several alumni associations at Malvern Prep. He and his wife, Rachel, live in Havertown with their son, Charlie, and twins Mikey and Mia. Mike enjoys golfing, playing basketball and following all things Notre Dame.