Advisors
John M. Verfurth CFP®, CIMA®
Managing Director, Partner
Prior to joining HighTower as a Managing Director, Partner, Mr. Verfurth was with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. He became a Financial Advisor in 1995 after serving in the U.S.Navy.
Mr. Verfurth’s areas of focus with VWG Wealth Management are Estate Planning, High Net Worth Client Allocations and Relationship Management. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) and a Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®). Mr. Verfurth has been recognized for three consecutive years on the Winner’s Circle Top 50 Advisors in the Virginia Business Magazine’s Wealth Advisor List and two years on the Barron's Top 1000 Advisors (nationwide).
Mr. Verfurth has a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame where he was commissioned into the U.S. Navy. He flew as a Naval Flight Officer for ten years, three of which were as an Exchange Officer with the Royal Air Force out of the United Kingdom. He also lived in Florida, California, and Japan, before making Virginia his home. He and his wife, Susan, are raising five sons, and much of his time outside of work is devoted to them and their activities. Mr. Verfurth volunteers for the Boy Scouts of America as all his sons are Scouts, and is a Lector at St. Theresa’s Church. Any other spare time he has is enjoyed reading, playing basketball, or running.
Richard W. Weeks CFP®
Managing Director, Partner
Mr. Weeks was previously a Financial Advisor with Morgan Stanley and prior to that Legg Mason. He assists clients in achieving their long-term financial goals and objectives. Recognized for three consecutive years on Virginia Business Magazine's Top 50 Wealth Advisor List, and cited in a 1995 Washingtonian article, "Who to See for Good Advice", Mr. Weeks educated clients on the concepts and strategies that go into the development of the financial plan. He has his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) designation.
Mr. Weeks graduated cum laude with his Bachelor of Science degree in Administration and Management Science from Carnegie-Mellon University. Although he has resided in the northern Virginia area since 1993, it truly became home in 2004 when he and his wife, Maria, married and blended their respective families of her three boys and his son and daughter in the "Brady Bunch minus one". Outside of the office, he likes exercising, helping out with youth sports teams, playing golf, reading and travel.
Jeffrey S. Grinspoon CFP®
Managing Director, Partner
Mr. Grinspoon brings over thirteen years of financial industry experience to HighTower. He began his career as a Financial Advisor with Legg Mason in 1998. Mr. Grinspoon’s focus at VWG Wealth Management is helping individuals, employees and companies accumulate wealth through customized retirement programs and sound financial strategies. He has been recognized for three consecutive years as one of The Winner’s Circle Top 50 Advisors in the Virginia Business Magazine and two years on the Barron’s Top 1000 Advisors (nationwide). Mr. Grinspoon also has earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) designation.
Mr. Grinspoon has a Business Bachelor of Science degrees in Finance and General Business and an MBA in Finance & Entrepreneurship from the University of Maryland. He continues to make his home there with his wife, Marnie; and daughters, Lindsey and Jessica. Active in his community, Mr. Grinspoon volunteers as a coach for his daughter’s soccer team, and has been on the Board of Advisors for both the University of Maryland’s Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship and Grassroots.org, a charitable internet resource for non-profits seeking technological and business management services. When not in the office, he enjoys spending time with his family, exercising and playing golf.
Michelle Kuzma CFP®
Wealth Advisor
Ms. Kuzma is a Wealth Advisor with VWG Wealth Management at HighTower Advisors. She began her career in the financial services industry in 2006. Her focus with the team is in helping to find the best financial solutions for each individual investor based on their long term goals and predilection to risk.
Ms. Kuzma is a native of Greensboro, North Carolina, and earned highest honors at Tulane University graduating summa cum laude with a B.A. in Economics and Spanish, and was selected to Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. Despite studying abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina, she completed her dual degree in only three years, and then entered directly into Tulane’s MBA program. She also gives back to her local community as an active member and volunteer with the Junior League of Washington and as field hockey coach at Sidwell Friends School. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking and traveling.
Suzanne W. Berringer
Manager, Client Services
Ms. Berringer brings 18 years of experience to her role as Manager, Client Services with VWG Wealth Management at HighTower Advisors. She has worked at Folger Nolan Fleming Douglas, Prudential Securities, A.G. Edwards and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. Ms. Berringer focuses on providing personal and responsive service while also helping to inform and educate clients. She has her Series 7, 63, 65, 31, Life, Health and Variable Insurance licenses.
Ms. Berringer is a Virginian from Arlington where she attended George Mason University following an English and Psychology curriculum. Outside of the office, she loves to travel, read and spend time with her family.
Ashley A. Galvin
Senior Associate
Ms. Galvin is a 2008 dual-degree graduate of James Madison University. While pursuing her BBA in International Business and BA in Spanish, she was also interested in Finance. As a Senior Associate, Ms. Galvin focuses on providing personalized attention and being responsive to client needs.
Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Ms. Galvin has resided in Virginia since 2000. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and running.