Executive Leadership

  James Ahern, a New York native, is a proud graduate of Florida State University and has served as a Police Officer with the Nassau County Police Department in New York for over 7 years. He is a dedicated advocate for mental health awareness and is committed not only to protecting his community but also to supporting fellow first responders.

In 2016, James founded James’ Journey, a nonprofit organization focused on promoting mental health awareness and suicide prevention throughout Long Island, NY. Building on that mission, he now serves as President of the H.E.R.O.E.S. Guiding Heroes Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization that provides vital support to first responders experiencing emotional stress and mental health challenges.

In addition to his work in law enforcement and the nonprofit sector, James brings over a decade of experience in financial advising. He volunteers as a member of the Oversight Committee for the Nassau County Police Department Federal Credit Union, where he furthers his passion for building financial transparency and trust. In this role, James works to ensure the financial well-being of police officers throughout their careers and into retirement.

 Wendy McGinnis is the co-founder of Serve & Protect Financial along with her husband Brian McGinnis. Since 2012 Wendy has been directly involved in the build out of Serve & Protect Financial as an un-registered representative. She also comes from a law enforcement background serving as a civilian member and as a sworn officer for 20 years combined. As a civilian Wendy served in communications, CID and community relations. As a law enforcement officer, she served in patrol, SWAT, SRO and PIO divisions all while obtaining her bachelor's degree in business management and her master’s degree in criminal justice. Wendy’s focus is the daily behind the scenes operations and advisor support for Serve & Protect Financial. Wendy remains passionate about building out a complete support system for first responders and their families. She is also passionate about her church and her family. 

 Michelle Beall is a native Floridian and a nurse of 20+ years who currently is enjoying living on Florida’s beautiful west coast.  She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from the University of Phoenix and as of 2022 a Series 65 designation.  Michelle has had the pleasure throughout her nursing career to work alongside many first responders and knows very well what the day-to-day stresses of being on the front lines is like. She has had the fortunate experience throughout her nursing career to work with so many first responders in the emergency situations they encounter on a daily basis. Escalating her career Michelle has decided to expand her imprint on the world and become a member of the Serve & Protect Financial Team. Michelle’s objective is to assist her fellow first responders in the growth and wellbeing of their financial strategy. She is the proud mother of two amazing young men, one of whom is currently serving his country in the US Navy. Michelle enjoys faith, fitness, fishing, sports and everything else the Florida lifestyle has to offer. 

 Kelly Cowie serves as the treasurer of the foundation. She has more than 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry, working with individuals and companies in the retirement sector, currently as an executive assistant for a financial planning office in the middle of Iowa. Kelly enjoys spending time with her husband, two daughters and three dogs. Her hobbies include adding books to her TBR pile, collecting craft supplies she may never use and trying to keep her plants alive. She is an active member of Capitol City church in Des Moines and active in the local community through CityServe, an outreach organization serving first responders and teachers. Kelly is excited to be working with the HEROES foundation to connect even more of our real-life heroes with the resources they need. 

Elio has over 12 years of experience with client servicing, investment fiduciary guidance for plan sponsors, investment management, and portfolio construction.  He has a significant background in agricultural education and economics, and he has earned the Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®) designation through the Center for Fiduciary Studies. He has also received the Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA) credential from the National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA), demonstrating expertise required to act as a plan fiduciary and help plan fiduciaries manage their roles and responsibilities. 

Elio received his BS in Agricultural Education from Penn State. He received his MS in Agricultural Education and Food & Resource Economics as well as his Ph.D. in Entrepreneurship from the University of Florida.  Elio is active in the community through his service with the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce, the First Baptist Church of Alachua, the Latin American Discipleship Outreach Mission Board and the Gainesville Ducks Unlimited Chapter.

Ray Hansen has more than 20 years experience in serving the Qualified Plan market as well as providing Wealth Management services for individuals and business owners. Ray is active in local charitable and community organizations. He has served as Chairman of The Blank Park Zoo Board of Directors, President of the Blank Park Endowment Corporation, President of the Board of Trustees for Children and Families of Iowa and has served on the Board of Directors for JDRF of Central Iowa. He has also sat on the Des Moines Community Foundation’s Investment Committee and is Co Founder of Maddy Cunninghams Classic Volleyball Tournament benefiting Children’s Cancer Connection. He is married with two children and is a lifelong resident of West Des Moines and an active member of St. Francis of Assisi Church.

 Brian McGinnis worked as a Deputy Sheriff in Florida for 25 years. His career in law enforcement included areas of corrections, courts security, patrol division, community policing, detective division, and SWAT, retiring as a sergeant in the patrol division in 2012. In 2011, Brian McGinnis founded Serve & Protect Financial with a focus on assisting law enforcement, public safety and other special high-risk classifications. With his strong working knowledge of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), as well as many Municipal Retirement Plans, Brian takes great pride in assisting first responders with all their financial planning and retirement needs. His success has come from the fact that he served as a law enforcement officer and has a special bond trust with other men and women working in the Public Safety field. 

 As a law enforcement veteran of thirty years I have been involved in hundreds of critical incidents and a wide variety of specialized assignments. This diversification has given me a unique perspective in understanding the needs and obstacles facing our first responders health and wellbeing. The greatest threat to my survival wasn’t the multiple attempts on my life from suspects but came from within. An alcoholic, addict, and adulterer, I struggled to overcome the darkness of PTS and suicidal ideation. Overcoming these obstacles made it absolutely necessary for me to show our brothers and sisters how you can fall, sometimes repeatedly, and keep getting back up. I consider it an honor and a blessing to be affiliated with this foundation. I believe your overall health is ultimately based upon your commitment to self-care, the nurturing of relationships, and your physical, and mental health. For this reason, we have joined forces to provide the first responder all the resources, guidance, and direction that they need to survive and thrive from “Self-Inflicted Wounds”.