Who's On Your Team
Dan Searles CFP®, CEP®, LUTCF
Founder, Senior Partner, Financial Advisor
Dan has been a financial advisor since 1981, earning his CFP designation in 1992 before founding Medallion Financial Group. As a published author, he has written extensively on financial topics, including his syndicated column, Your Money Matters, and his book, I Can Beat the Market and Other Lies from Financial Professionals. Additionally, Dan is a screenwriter and songwriter, having collaborated with John Carter Cash and Academy Award nominee Mary Badham on his latest film, Was Once a Hero.
John Stohlman MS, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, ChFEBCsm
Senior Partner, Financial Advisor
John has been assisting his clients with investments, insurance, retirement, and estate planning for over 35 years. He is the co-author of the book Navigating Your Federal Benefits, written for government employees. John’s mission is helping his clients identify their deepest values, set personal & financial goals, and manage the complex decisions and risks involved in achieving them. He also enjoys ballroom dancing, fishing, and pickleball.
Laura Stohlman CFP®, CEP®, ChFEBCsm
Senior Partner, Financial Advisor
Laura’s dedication for helping her clients reach their goals began over 40 years ago. She is the co-author of the book, Navigating Your Federal Benefits, written for government employees. Laura’s passion for serving clients and her community is part of her faith and comes from believing what it says in Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters”. Laura also works with community outreach programs answering questions about the tool called “money” and enjoys the outdoors and ballroom dancing with her husband, John.
Ryan Dunn ChFEBCsm, ChFC®
Partner, Financial Advisor
Ryan joined the team in 2011. He focuses on helping federal employees navigate the federal benefit system. Ryan has trained federal financial professionals on the Federal Employee benefit system. In his spare time, Ryan plays D&D and board games, fishes with his kids, reads, codes video games, and rizzes up his wife. He is also the dad of four rambunctious kiddos
Josh Brunner CFP®
Assistant to Dan Searles
Josh earned his Bachelor's of Science Degree from The University of Maryland University College and earned his CFP® professional designation in October 2012. Starting in the banking industry in 1994, he held positions as Bank Manager, Business Development Coordinator, and Financial Advisor. Josh joined our Medallion family in September 2004 and has been Dan's right-hand man ever since. He and his wife, Rachel, have one child, Jack.
John "JR" Robertson
Partner, Assistant to John Stohlman
JR has a Bachelor’s degree in Business from James Madison University and joined us January 2007. Life before Medallion included nine years in client services with a large national mutual fund company as a Financial Advisor. JR and his wife, Jennifer, have two girls, Julia and Caroline, and he is a member of the St. Andrew’s Society of Washington DC, a charitable and social organization for men.
Mark Searles
Financial Advisor
Mark earned his bachelor's degrees in accounting and economics from Hood College where he played baseball. He is securities registered and working to become a CPA. In his spare time, he enjoys playing golf, watching the Orioles, and spending time with his newborn son.
Samuel De La Cruz
Financial Advisor
He is a financial planner with a passion to help serve Medallion’s clients. Sam played college baseball for Florence Darlington Tech and the University of South Carolina at Beaufort. In his free time, he likes to spend time working on home projects, going on adventures to the beach with his family and reading
Daniel Searles CFP®
Financial Advisor
Daniel earned his degree in Business and Marketing from the University of South Carolina at Beaufort, where he played Catcher for the USCB SandSharks. Excited to be following in his father’s footsteps, Daniel is working hard to get fully credentialed. As soon as he achieved all his licenses, Daniel enrolled in the University of Georgia’s CFP program. In what little free time that affords, he enjoys playing baseball, fishing and hunting, and spending time with his wife, Suzy, and their newborn baby.
Kelly Bratburd
Assistant to Laura Stohlman
Kelly came to Medallion as a project manager back in 2011 and later rejoined the team in 2018. She has worn many hats as a long-time volunteer in the community, especially with organizations that serve families in need. She currently lives in Mt. Airy, MD with her husband, Barry, and their two adult children. When not at work, she enjoys spending time with family & friends, travel, trying new recipes, reading, music, and attending her son's college football games. Go Eagles!
Barry Cantor J.D., LLM, CPA
Registered Assistant
Before joining the team, Barry worked in the tax and accounting field for many years. He is married with two children. Barry enjoys old time radio, local historic sites, and the occasional greasy burger with fries.
Vincent Jones
General Assistant
Vince was born and raised in Brunswick, GA. He served 13 years in the Marine Corps and then worked in the Beaufort County Finance Department as an Asset Accountant before relocating to be closer to family. Vince loves to play video games and enjoy family during his off hours.
Matt Brittian
Assistant to Ryan Dunn
Matt earned his Bachelor's degree in finance from the College of Coastal Georgia in 2023. He has been involved in real estate since 2018, serving the Golden Isles area. In his free time, he enjoys golf and spending time with his fiancé, Carleigh.
Paige Berry
General Assistant
Paige joined the Medallion family in January 2024 after a 10-year career as a government contractor in legal affairs. She is an assistant to JR, Laura, and John while studying to obtain a handful of financial licenses. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, spending time with her newborn baby.
Allison Oakes
Director of Marketing
Allison joined the team in 2024. In addition to her role, she co-runs a marketing agency with her partner, serving Southeast Georgia and Northeast Florida. In her free time, Allison enjoys gardening, art collecting, reading, and, most importantly, spending time with her two children and fiancé.
Leona James
Assistant to Daniel Searles
Since earning her Bachelor of Science in Physics from the University of Connecticut, Leona has applied her passion for service and meticulous problem solving across a variety of roles in retail management, STEM education, and legal services. Having spent seven fulfilling years assisting an attorney focused on estate, special needs, and long-term care planning, Leona is currently pursuing licensing to better assist Medallion’s clients with integrated solutions that align their financial planning goals with their estate planning needs. She and her husband are the proud parents of three young daughters who have all inherited their mother’s love of reading, singing, and playing outside enjoying God’s glorious creation.
Sally Thomas
Receptionist
Susan Ali
Assistant to Office Manager
Eydie Searles
Senior Partner, Director of Communications