Stewards of Your Wealth
Our team seeks to skillfully guide you through an ever-complicated financial world, so you have control of your finances and can live your life free from worry. We are good stewards of your money, watching over your wealth with intention and carefulness.
Jim Santos, ChFC®, CLU®
Financial Advisor
Jim has worked as a financial advisor since 1983, beginning his career in financial services with Merrill Lynch. He moved on to MassMutual, where he spent the next 15 years assisting his clients in both investment management and insurance services. In 2000, along with Tim Brennan, he founded the Pinnacle Financial Group and adopted Commonwealth Financial Network® as the firm's Registered Investment Adviser–broker/dealer. Its services include financial planning, investment management, and the placement of life, disability, and long-term care insurance.*
Jim’s clients include business owners, professionals, executives, and retirees. His business philosophy is quite simple—treat every client situation as if it were his own.
Jim has an economics degree from Princeton University and holds the professional certifications of Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) and Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®) from the American College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.
Jim has been married for 35 years to his wife, Suzanne, and they have three adult children. He has been active on charity boards throughout the course of his career, including the Emergency Fund, Boys and Girls Clubs, Saints Peter & Paul Greek Orthodox Church, and the Princeton Alumni Association. His hobbies include golf and travel.
Jim is proud to have been recognized as a President’s Club advisor for 2022—a distinction based on annual production that places him among the top 12 percent of advisors affiliated with Commonwealth Financial Network.
Each year, Commonwealth, the broker/dealer–RIA that helps us process investment transactions on your behalf, recognizes President’s Club advisors by inviting them to an exclusive gathering of their peers, leading industry experts, and Commonwealth home office staff. President’s Club advisors benefit from an intensive learning and networking experience designed to help them hone their expertise, share best practices, and provide ever-higher levels of service, education, and leadership to their clients.
*Fixed insurance products and services offered by the Pinnacle Financial Group.
Tim Brennan
Financial Advisor
Early in life, Tim was interested in the intricacies of finance and enjoyed meeting new people. He began working in the financial services industry in 1989 at MassMutual, advising clients on insurance matters. In 2000, he co-founded the Pinnacle Financial Group to bring a complete financial service to the variety of clients he served across the country.
Tim's specialties are investment portfolio management, insurance planning,* and corporate benefit plans. Helping clients with complex financial situations is a specialty, as is working closely with new clients to set a course for financial wellness.
He holds the FINRA Series 6, 7, 63, and 65 securities registrations as an Investment Adviser Representative of Commonwealth Financial Network® and is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a BBA in finance.
Tim and his wife, Deneen, stay very active, including keeping up with a college-aged son, Liam, and a pre-teen daughter, Grace. The whole family enjoys traveling. Tim also plays competitive softball and basketball and serves on the board of Kids Above All, a non-profit that supports kids and their families in realizing their potential.
Tim is proud to have been recognized as a Chairman’s Level advisor for 2022—a distinction based on annual production that places him among the top 4 percent of advisors affiliated with Commonwealth Financial Network.
Each year, Commonwealth, the broker/dealer–RIA that helps us process investment transactions on your behalf, recognizes Chairman’s Level advisors by inviting them to an exclusive gathering of their peers, leading industry experts, and Commonwealth home office staff. Chairman’s Level advisors benefit from an intensive learning and networking experience designed to help them hone their expertise, share best practices, and provide ever-higher levels of service, education, and leadership to their clients.
*Fixed insurance products and services offered by the Pinnacle Financial Group.
Melinda Vajdic
Associate Advisor, Illinois Office
Melinda joined Pinnacle Financial Group in 2014 and now serves as Associate Advisor with Tim Brennan in the Deerfield, Illinois office. She has earned her Series 7 and Series 66 securities registrations and enjoys helping clients find answers to their financial questions, both big and small.
With a background in financial journalism (her formative years were spent working at two of the major financial newswires, AP-Dow Jones and Knight-Ridder), Melinda makes it her goal to serve clients in a responsive and thorough fashion. Nearing the 10-year mark at Pinnacle Financial, chances are she has seen at least some version of any questions that come her way.
Her pursuits in economics began at the macro level, with her master's degree from Johns Hopkins University, including a concentration in international economics. Her undergraduate degree is from the University of Missouri.
She enjoys playing music, platform tennis, golf, and spending time with her husband and her three adult sons when they are in the vicinity. She also has two Portuguese Water Dogs, because one was not enough.
Julie Benesh
Director of Client Services, Wisconsin Office
Julie joined our Wisconsin office in 2001. In her role as Director of Client Service, she is an integral part of our team. Julie remembers everything! Her attention to detail and ability to be organized in all situations allow our team to run smoothly and efficiently. Her outgoing personality is evident to all who meet her. Her way of being with clients puts people at ease immediately. They know they are in good hands and that whatever request they have made will be handled at the highest level of service possible. Julie earned her FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities registrations in 2008. Becoming a registered team member allows Julie to take on additional responsibilities and provide even more valuable service to our clients. Julie is always eager to take on new challenges.
Julie lives in Oshkosh with her husband, Jim. Their two daughters, Kennedy and Ellyse, attend the University of Wisconsin Madison, leaving Julie and Jim empty nesters.
Pam Lefeber
Client Service Representative, Wisconsin Office
Pam joined our Wisconsin office in 2007. She is our client service representative, and it surely shows in her friendly, service-oriented demeanor. Pam is eager to make sure that things are done exactly right and will follow up carefully and closely to ensure the highest level of client service. Throughout the years, Pam has blossomed in her role with us and continues to seek out new challenges and opportunities to help clients.
Pam lives in Kewaskum with her husband, Todd, and their daughters, Kiley and Aubrey. Her family spends a lot of time at their cabin in the Northwoods of Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin where they enjoy fishing, swimming, tubing, water skiing, and relaxing by the campfire. In the winter months, they enjoy downhill skiing and ice fishing.
Elaine Carrozza
Client Service Manager, Deerfield Office
Elaine brings new energy to Pinnacle Financial, having started working for our team last year. She comes from a banking background and ensures deadlines are met, work processes are organized, and team members are up to date on essential details. She is also the friendly voice clients are likely to hear first when calling our number.
Chicago born and raised, Elaine spends her time away from the office tending to two grade-schoolers, a new puppy, and an even newer baby boy! She is also an active member of Saints Peter & Paul Greek Orthodox Church, where she met Jim Santos.
Elaine is a great addition to our team and she has been voted “most likely to have a funny story” by her colleagues.
Joe Emme
Associate Advisor, Deerfield Office
Joe joined the Pinnacle Financial Group in June 2021, and since then he has been meeting clients, sitting in on meetings, and traveling with Tim to learn the ins and outs of the business. Joe has obtained his insurance licenses and his FINRA Series 7 securities registration.
Joe is a recent graduate from the University of Alabama with a major in business management, specializing in sales with a minor in real estate finance. Joe has experience working for multiple companies and running his small business throughout college. From that, he has developed business skills including financial management and customer relations.
He has lived in Glenview his entire life. He spends a generous portion of his time at his parents’ place in Wisconsin, where he enjoys power-sports activities and works some days at our Pinnacle Financial office in Fond Du Lac.
Our Extended Team
When you work with us, you get the intimate attention of a small, friendly firm, along with the service, support, and technology of a team that is backed by a large financial institution. Use the links above to learn more about our support teams that help us better serve your needs.
