Our Team

John Gracyalny, CLU, ChFC founded FAA with Jon Abbett in 1997 and has been providing financial services in the community since 1990. John specializes in helping business owners, families and executives with insurance, investments and financial services. With over 20 years of experience, he has developed an expertise in working with individuals and business owners to find individualized solutions to the complex financial challenges they face. He serves as FAA's Executive Vice President and provides numerous financial seminars and services to FAA's clientele.

Prior to becoming a Financial Advisor, John graduated from St. Bonaventure University with an accounting degree and his Chartered Life Underwriter and Chartered Financial Consultant designations from the American College. He then entered the financial services industry as an accountant with Ernst & Young in their Washington DC office.

John is a long time and active member in Business Network International (BNI) Rockville chapter and is an active member of his industry as a member of both Securian Financial Services Premier Resource Group (a group of select advisors under his broker dealer who advocate for all advisors) and as of 2014, he is an 12 year member of MDRT* (an industry group of top sales leaders.) He and his wife Melissa live in Potomac with their two sons Nick and Max.

He is a Registered Representative and Investment Advisor Representative of Securian Financial Services, Inc., A Securities Dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC. Financial Advantage Associates is independently owned and operated.

* Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) is an independent membership organization of life insurance and financial service professionals. Membership levels are based on commissions, premiums, or fees generated within a year from investment and insurance products. Members must apply annually and pay a fee. Members must be members in good standing of a Professional Association which has met the following criteria: in existence at least 2 years, have 100 or more members, must be a nonprofit organization, must have a code of ethics and an effective means of dealing with breaches of its code. Members must also adhere to the MDRT Code of Ethics. Working with this advisor is not a guarantee of future financial results. Investors should conduct their own evaluation.

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Ben Rudy was born and raised in Northern Baltimore County, Maryland. Being the son of a small business owner, Ben experienced the entrepreneurial spirit from a very early age. He often was exposed to the family business and shadowed his father to see how he would interact with his clients and run his company. Going into college, Ben knew that he wanted to be an entrepreneur himself.

While attending the University of Maryland, Ben found a passion for finance and for helping others. During his time at UMD, he often volunteered at the American Red Cross and with other student organizations across campus to serve and give back to the community. These passions led him down the path to becoming a financial advisor at Financial Advantage, where he could assist others in achieving financial freedom.

Ben hopes to work alongside individuals, families, and small business owners to expand their wealth and achieve their financial goals. Through his personal knowledge and by surrounding himself with other scholars and professionals at FAA, he hopes to bring clarity to the most complex financial situations and help create a plan to lead others to success. Since graduating, Ben has earned his Series 7 and Series 66 FINRA securities registrations, as well as his Life and Health Insurance licenses.

In his free time, Ben can be found with his friends, working out, playing tennis, or enjoying a good book. He now lives in Rockville, Maryland, where he is embedding himself in the community. He also is always looking to talk about his favorite football team, the Baltimore Ravens.

Ben is a Registered Representative and Investment Advisor Representative of Securian Financial Services, Inc., a Securities Dealer, member FINRA/SIPC. Financial Advantage Associates is independently owned and operated. 1615426 DOFU 10/2016

Jason Silverberg started his practice in 2005 with a mission to serve the ever-changing financial needs of the community. Jason's passion lies in helping individuals, families, and business owners to create new financial visions, opportunities, and futures, while overcoming obstacles that may hinder success.

By removing the fear, anxieties, and unknowns around money, time and energy can be better spent on what matters most. Jason strives to help his clients create a brighter future by helping them understand the nuances of their personal financial plan.

Jason takes a values-based approach, which allows him to connect with his clients on a deeper level than most other advisors, diving into the "why" behind the numbers. He focuses on helping clients achieve their goals by growing their wealth through intelligent investing and protecting those goals using risk management strategies and insurance solutions.

Jason graduated from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland in 2005 with a degree in Finance. He is a CFP® (Certified Financial Planner™) and has received his CLU® (Chartered Life Underwriter) and ChFC® (Chartered Financial Consultant) designations from The American College. He is a past member of the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT)* The Premier Association of Financial Professionals®. This level of education, recognition, and credentials shows that he is committed to serving his clients with exemplary performance and high standards of professional knowledge.

In 2017, Jason released the Amazon Best-Selling book, The Financial Planning Puzzle: Fitting Your Pieces Together to Create Financial Freedom. The book serves as a framework for helping people take ownership of their financial lives and motivation to move their plan forward.

Along with the book, Jason presents a seminar series which he uses as a platform for public appearances. He has appeared on ABC's The Savvy Investor Show and is a regular financial speaker at the United States Patent & Trademark Office. Additionally, he was a financial correspondent for Take Pride Community Magazine. What this means to clients is that they are working with a professional who focuses on educating individuals, so they can make informed and confident decisions about their future.

In addition to his work, Jason spends his leisure time with his wife, Lindsay, and children, Joshua and Rebecca. He enjoys running outside and in competitive races. He completed the Frederick Marathon in 2010 and participates in the Kentlands/Lakelands 5K each year.

Jason is a Registered Representative and Investment Advisor Representative of Securian Financial Services, Inc.

* Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) is an independent membership organization of life insurance and financial service professionals. Membership levels are based on commissions, premiums, or fees generated within a year from investment and insurance products. Members must apply annually and pay a fee. Members must be members in good standing of a Professional Association which has met the following criteria: in existence at least 2 years, have 100 or more members, must be a nonprofit organization, must have a code of ethics and an effective means of dealing with breaches of its code. Members must also adhere to the MDRT Code of Ethics. Working with this advisor is not a guarantee of future financial results. Investors should conduct their own evaluation.

Securities and investment advisory services offered through Securian Financial Services, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. Financial Advantage Associates is independently owned and operated.

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Jessica Hill joined the Financial Advantage team in August 2012, upon graduating from the Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland. As a former captain on the Track & Field team at UMD, Jessie contributes a spirited leadership style and a passion for working with others.  

Jessie especially loves working with professional athletes, attorneys, and young families. By taking a holistic financial planning approach, Jessie creates strategies to help clients achieve their Big Picture goals. She currently holds her Series 7, Series 66, and her Life & Health & Annuities Licenses.

To stay connected with her alma mater, Jessie serves as the Vice President on the Board of Directors for the M Club; the University’s letter winner organization.  When not working with clients, Jessie enjoys practicing yoga, volunteering at UMD, and spending time with family, friends, and her dogs.

Jessie is s a registered representative and investment advisor representative of Securian Financial Services.

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Nicole Harrison joined Financial Advantage Associates in January of 2010 after graduating from the University of Maryland. In late 2011, Nicole partnered with Kris Kornemann, CFP, and now brings over eight years of fee-based financial planning, banking and communications experience to the firm.

Once a plan has been drafted and tailored to the client and advisor's satisfaction, and if the client chooses to implement the plan, Nicole oversees the implementation of a client's financial strategies, and plays a vital role in the asset management practice.* Working alongside the firm's analyst has benefited her clients, who entrust Nicole and her team with personal, corporate and employer retirement plan assets.

Nicole is a founding member of the Prince George's County Collaborative Professional Association, and The International Academy of Collaborative Professionals; two organizations which help facilitate positive outcomes to divorce and separation.

Nicole holds the following FINRA securities registrations: Series 7, 66, as well as the Life and Health insurance licenses. She is a resident of Silver Spring, and a native Marylander. Her favorite pastimes include spending time with her family and friends, and taking day trips on her neon green sport bike.

She is a Registered Representative and Investment Advisor Representative of Securian Financial Services, Inc., A Securities Dealer, member FINRA/SIPC. Financial Advantage Associates is independently owned and operated.

*Separate from the financial plan and her role as financial planner, she may recommend the purchase of specific investments or insurance products. These product recommendations are not part of the financial plan and the client is under no obligation to follow them.

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Steve Abbett was born and raised in the Greater Washington area. Being the son of our firm's President, Jon Abbett, Steve has witnessed firsthand the positive impact a financial advisor can have on a business and hence an individual's life. Steve officially joined the FAA team in 2014.

Steve hopes to work alongside business owners, families, and executives in order to help them grow their wealth while achieving their personal financial goals. Through the skills gained through a lifetime spent living with a seasoned financial advisor and business owner, Steve seeks to become a trusted financial resource. He strategically surrounds himself with FAA's specialists such that his clients benefit from their years of education and expertise. Steve has a passion for analyzing investments and takes an active role in FAA's Investment Center, contributing to the already sophisticated expertise that the FAA team currently thrives on.

Over the next few years he hopes to aggressively network himself in the Washington D.C. area and is always looking to meet new people.

Steve is very active in his personal life, playing softball and golf, as well as giving back to his own community. Saint Jude Research Hospital, Habitat for Humanity, the Maryland Food Bank and Children's Miracle Network have been the benefactor of Steve's volunteering efforts and coordination.

Steve is a Registered representative and Investment Advisor Representative of Securian Financial Services, Inc., a Securities Dealer, member FINRA/SIPC. Financial Advantage Associates is independently owned and operated.

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Lindsay joined the Financial Advantage team as the in-house Tax Consultant in December 2014, after a successful four years in Public Accounting. Her experience in public accounting was focused in the area of taxation and serving clients in the areas of partnerships, limited liability companies, S corporations, trusts and individual taxation.

In addition to her role at Financial Advantage, Lindsay is the Tax Director at FAA Tax, LLC a firm that offers quality income tax preparation to the community. Lindsay is known for being personable and dependable in representing, advising, informing and assisting clients with tax-related matters.

Lindsay joined the Financial Advantage Team as a result of her interest in working with individuals and families on their retirement, trust and estate planning goals. She received her Bachelors in Business Administration with a degree in Accounting from Florida Atlantic University - Go Owls!

Lindsay lives with her husband Nick and their adorable dog Moose in North Bethesda, Maryland. In her spare time she enjoys horseback riding, traveling, any activity outdoors and following her favorite local sports teams.

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Lindsay is not a Registered Representative of Securian Financial Services, Inc. Registered Representatives of Securian Financial Services do not provide specific tax advice or services. Tax Services are provided by FAA Tax, LLC. Securian Financial Services is not affiliated with FAA Tax, LLC or Financial Advantage Associates.

Kathy graduated from the University of Maryland's Smith School of Business with a BS degree prior to launching her career. As a result of her years working behind the scenes in a thriving and expanding family business, she has been an invaluable resource to FAA and the advisors. She oversees the operations of the firm, managing everything from billing and technology to labor relations. Kathy is a Montgomery County native, and when not found within the halls of FAA, she can usually be found with her horse, Dory, as she trains for competitive dressage events. In her limited free time, Kathy also enjoys distance training and running as well as summer evening baseball games with her family.