About us
Vicus Capital, Inc. is an innovative investment management firm specializing in the design and implementation of comprehensive wealth and security strategies on behalf of financial advisors. Headquartered in State College, PA, Vicus Capital has evolved into a dynamic, national, financial services company offering unique managed account investment platforms, practice management solutions, and world-class client service.
What We Do
We specialize in assisting financial advisors in the growth of their practices while helping investors accumulate, protect, and transfer wealth.
Why We Do It
- Impact the lives of advisors and clients
- Create efficiencies for advisor offices
- Increase the amount of time advisors have to spend with clients
- Generate unique experiences
Who We Serve
Through partnerships with financial advisors across the country, we offer tailored investment solutions to assist individuals and families as well as institutional investors such as corporations, not-for-profit organizations, foundations, endowments, and pension plans. Additionally, we are always seeking new opportunities to positively impact the lives of advisors and their clients.
These opportunities are forged through new relationships with various investment organizations, such as broker dealers, registered investment advisory firms, and technology platforms, where we can offer advisors and their clients access to our unique, innovative suite of solutions and exceptional service.
What Makes Us Different
- We listen to your needs and adapt our solutions and services
- We earn your trust and your business
- We treat you and your clients like family
- Your success is our success
Our Mission
As an innovative investment management firm, we aim to be the trusted partner of choice for financial advisors and their clients by delivering state-of-the-art investment products and high touch, world-class service
Our Vision
We’re driven to be the most respected investment management services firm and impact the lives of financial advisors and their clients by consistently delivering the “wow” factor.
Vicus Capital Leadership
Eric Dare, CFP®
CEO & President
Eric Dare, CFP®, is the President & CEO of Vicus Capital. In this capacity, Eric spearheads the development of corporate growth strategies. As Founding Principal of PFG Wealth Advisors, LLC, Eric has a deep understanding of the resources financial advisors require to establish and grow a successful investment advisory practice. His vast experience and personal success serve as the driving force behind the development of Vicus Capital’s services and solutions to help advisors achieve their business goals.
Eric obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from the Smeal College of Business Administration at The Pennsylvania State University. He is a Certified Financial Planner® professional and holds FINRA registrations Series 7, 24, and 66 as well as the Pennsylvania Accident, Life, and Health licenses.
Eric is very active in the community and serves on the boards of The Kevin Dare Foundation and The Beating the Odds Foundation, and is also a steering committee member of Uplifting Athletes. Other organizations to which he is committed include The Navy Seal Foundation, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, and THON.
Athletics has always been an important part of Eric’s life. He lettered as a defensive back and played special teams for the Penn State Football Team and also served as captain of the Nittany Lions Track & Field team.
Ed Dare, CLU, ChFC
Executive Vice President
As Executive Vice President of Vicus Capital, Ed Dare has been an active leader in the financial services industry since 1977. While Ed’s primary responsibility is executive leadership of Vicus Capital, he has served on several boards and held advisory positions with numerous corporate, institutional and non-profit organizations, including Aris Corporation, the Centre County Community Foundation, the Kevin Dare Foundation, Representative Advisory Council to Walnut Street Securities and NASD (now FINRA). In addition, he has written numerous articles published within the financial services industry.
Ed received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a Major in Business Management from Temple University. Ed is a founding principal of Vicus Capital, a federally registered Investment Advisor. He holds FINRA registrations Series 6, 7, 24, 26, 63, and 65.
Jacqueline Trezza
Chief Operating Officer
As Chief Operating Officer (COO), Jacqueline oversees cross-departmental growth initiatives for the firm. She is responsible for streamlining production timelines, sharpening communications, and creating efficiencies to accelerate deliverables and cultivate growth.
Prior to joining Vicus Capital, Jacqueline worked as an Associate Project Manager at JPMorgan’s Operational Headquarters in Newark, DE, where she orchestrated complex projects related to improving business efficiency and ensuring compliance with federal regulations. She also served as Operations Manager for the Equity Guidelines Team, streamlining operational processes and collaborating with senior portfolio managers to interpret and enforce mandates for institutional clients.
Jacqueline’s positive contributions to the financial services industry include proactively addressing the impact of an SEC mandate for T+2 settlement in Q3 2017, facilitating system migrations to restructure operational workflows, and onboarding automated solutions to better serve business needs.
Courtney Schmittle
Chief of Staff
Courtney has served as Chief of Staff for Vicus Capital since 2015. In this capacity, she manages strategic planning and projects, correspondence on behalf of the executive team, clients, and vendors, licensing, social media, relationship development, and coordination of incoming and outgoing communications. Courtney also oversees reporting and business tracking, preparation of background documents, meeting/event planning, and travel.
Courtney earned a Bachelor of Science from Penn State University in Biobehavioral Health in 2002 and a Masters of Education from Shippensburg University in 2007. She enjoys exercise, sporting events, travel, being outdoors, and time with family. Courtney holds a Series 11 registration.
Kimberli Casner, Esq.
Senior Vice President & General Counsel
Kim serves as Senior Vice President and General Counsel for Vicus Capital. In this capacity, she oversees all aspects of the firm’s compliance and legal departments. Kim is responsible for promoting and ensuring compliance with all federal and state financial laws and regulations. Additionally, she maintains oversight of all policies and procedures of the firm. The scope of her work extends beyond the firm, having served on the advisory board of Walnut Street Securities on behalf of financial advisors.
Kim began her career as managing attorney for AHC, Inc. in Manassas, VA. She graduated from The Pennsylvania State University, receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and earned her Juris Doctor from the Widener University School of Law. She is admitted to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as an attorney at law. Kim holds FINRA registrations Series 4, 7, 24, 53, and 66.
Dawn Kay
Vice President of Finance
As Vice President of Finance, Dawn oversees all financial matters for Vicus Capital, including financial reporting, analysis, and cash management. She also oversees all aspects of accounting operations, including payables, receivables, payroll, and tax preparation. Dawn additionally manages all insurance coverage for the organization and directs all Human Resources administration and planning.
Dawn majored in Business Management in college, and utilized this knowledge in various management roles, trust accounting, and her military career in the United States Air Force prior to joining Vicus Capital.
Dawn enjoys reading, gardening and antiquing. She proudly supports Wounded Warriors and the Save the Bay organizations.
Tessa Schultz
Vice President, Office Administration & Client Experience
Tessa Schultz joined Vicus Capital in 2020, with her role encompassing strategic project coordination, corporate event oversight, and facilities management. In conjunction with her corporate duties, she also supports and facilitates the Going to the Next Level (GNL) study groups.
Originally from Iowa, Tessa graduated from Hope College in Michigan with a double Bachelors of Arts in Studio Art and Theatre and a minor in Art History. She moved to the State College area prior to joining Vicus Capital and enjoys the wide array of outdoor activities available, like hiking, biking and kayaking. When she’s not outdoors, you can typically find her reading a new book off her reading list.
Derrick Parsons
Director, Advisor Relations
As Director of Advisor Relations, Derrick spearheads Vicus Capital’s strategic sales and marketing initiatives and serves as the leader in the firm’s brand awareness and corporate communications programs. His main goal is to provide financial advisors with the tools and services they require to maintain and grow their successful investment advisory practices.
Working within the financial services marketing arena since 2003, Derrick brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the development of Vicus Capital’s various practice enhancement programs for advisors. Derrick also plays a key role in the firm’s efforts to expand its distribution networks via broker dealer and Registered Investment Advisor partnerships.
Rob Hinson, CFA
Director, Investment Operations & Trading
Rob is a holder of the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation and serves as Director of Investment Operations & Trading. He is responsible for managing all operational aspects of the investment department, including technology systems, vendor relations, processes and procedures. Rob also serves as the primary trader for the firm’s tactical and hybrid platforms. He is a key contributor to ongoing investment due diligence and research and serves as a member of Vicus Capital’s Investment Committee.
Rob graduated Cum Laude from Central Michigan University and holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in Personal Financial Planning with a minor in Accounting. Rob also holds FINRA Series 7 and 66 registrations.
David Rosenblatt
Director, Investment Strategies
David serves as Director of Investment Strategies and is a member of the firm’s Investment Committee. He serves as the team leader for the management of the firm’s investment platforms lineup. David is responsible for leading our firm’s investment research, ongoing manager due diligence, and ultimate portfolio construction process. He plays a key role in determining strategic portfolio positioning, dynamic portfolio shifts, enhancements to existing programs, researching strategy providers, and the development of future programs.
David holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Risk Management as well as a Masters of Investment Management degree from Temple University. David is a Level III Candidate in the CFA Program and holds a FINRA Series 65 registration.
Ron Lutz
Director, Information Technology
Ron Lutz is the Director of Technology for Vicus Capital. Ron leads the IT team, leveraging his more than 30 years of experience in networking, compliance and technology, software and hardware systems, and telecommunications.
In the early 1990’s, Ron helped grow a successful technology consulting firm that served clients in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, engineering, retail, construction, medical/dental, finance, and law. His firm focused on computer networking, installing, and managing Novell Netware and Microsoft client-server networks for business clients. His company was one of the first to become a certified reseller of video conferencing solutions, installing hundreds of systems, years before Skype or Zoom became mainstream.
Ron officially joined the Vicus Capital team in 1996. Since then, he has put his considerable experience to work, serving Vicus Capital and its Advisors, and has been instrumental in driving technology initiatives across the company.
Ron lives in State College with his wife and has 2 grown children. He is an avid curler and serves on the board of Nittany Valley Curling Club.
