Founding Partner, Wealth Advisor

Rick grew up in Philadelphia and attended Archbishop Ryan High School. He later graduated from Temple University with a bachelor’s degree in Finance and Real Estate. During his time at Merrill Lynch, he became a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™.

Rick was raised in a family of Portuguese immigrants, and he vividly remembers his parents and grandparents’ consistent work ethic in their careers, as parents, and around the home. Seeing this play out every day as a young boy, Rick was inspired to become an entrepreneur. At 16 years old, he started his own landscaping company, which was his first step into entrepreneurship. After almost 20 years, Rick is thrilled to carry forward his work ethic and creative vision into VaMa Oak Wealth for years to come.

Rick currently resides in Bucks County, PA, with his wife, who is a Management Consultant, and their son. During his free time, Rick enjoys working out, reading, and spending time with his family, exploring the scenic towns of Bucks County.

Founding Partner, Wealth Advisor

Mario has been working in the financial services industry since 2015, and he is passionate about helping others navigate the complexities of financial decisions. He grew up in a blue-collar town outside of Scranton, PA, where he learned the values of integrity and resilience at a young age. Witnessing the strong work ethic of his parents and grandparents, he was inspired to pursue a career helping others. Mario earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance & Accounting from King’s College.

Mario began his career with Lincoln Financial in 2015, and later joined Merrill Lynch where he built a successful wealth management practice. In 2021, he obtained his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™ certification, which was a significant milestone in his career and helped pave the way for VaMa Oak Wealth.

Mario lives in Northeastern Pennsylvania with his wife and their two children. In his free time, he enjoys spending quality time with his family, playing golf, and making a positive impact in his community.

Operations Manager

Laura launched her career in finance in the Philadelphia area where she graduated from Drexel University. She built her experience in investment research, portfolio management, and relationship management through roles at PNC Bank, J.P. Morgan Private Bank and 55IP.

Working closely with both financial advisors and ultra-high-net-worth clients, Laura developed a thoughtful and detail-oriented approach to financial planning. She has experience analyzing portfolios, monitoring markets, and helping deliver customized investment strategies aligned with each client’s goals. Laura is a candidate for CFP® certification.

She partners closely with Rick and Mario to oversee firm operations and guide clients through personalized strategies designed to protect and grow their wealth, allowing clients to focus on their passions and long-term goals.

Laura lives in southern New Hampshire with her husband and daughter. In her free time, she enjoys running, biking, hiking, and tending to her family’s growing homestead, complete with a large garden and flock of chickens.