Our Team

John J. Parise has over 32 years of experience in financial planning and wealth management. He is deeply committed to helping families navigate the complexities of generational wealth management, with a focus on keeping families intact and prosperous for generations.

John understands the big picture, the interplay between asset protection, tax efficiency, and family governance that are critical to developing a holistic generational family wealth strategy. His family CFO services utilize a family office structure to collaborate with and coordinate the expertise of client’s advisors – accountants, attorneys, and other professionals – to help protect, preserve, and grow the family’s wealth for generations. John works exclusively with owners of privately held companies and affluent and super affluent families with a net worth in excess of $15 million who are family focused.

Before forming Copper Beech, John was a leading family wealth strategist at Lincoln Financial’s Resource Group, providing a sophisticated level of wealth planning and wealth management solutions to individuals and families of high net worth through intelligent informed dialogue.

Michael has been guiding ultra-high net worth enterprising families and privately held business owners for over fifteen years.  Michael specializes in the design, structure, and implementation of advanced wealth transfer and governance plans for the ultra-high-net worth families of Copper Beech’s Family CFO platform, delivering custom-tailored solutions that meet the family’s generational wealth goals while maintaining intergenerational family harmony.  His work with families goes beyond simply the quantitative aspects of wealth, incorporating a truly holistic approach to family wealth advising.  

Michael received his undergraduate degree in Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources from Rutgers University, and his Juris Doctor degree from Rutgers Law School, Camden.  He is also a member of the New Jersey and Pennsylvania Bar.  

Michael lives in southern New Jersey with his wife Kate and two daughters, Lyanna and Keira.  He is an avid bass player and enjoys writing and performing original music as well as golfing, hiking, fishing, and camping.  

Colleen is responsible for managing the business operations & finances of the company working directly with Managing Director, John Parise. Her 25 years of experience enables her to oversee all aspects of our day to day operations as well as the development and execution of processes instrumental in the company’s growth & stability. Colleen began working for a patent administrative company directly out of college and was responsible for the management of their multimillion dollar licensing operation which included database development, marketing procedures as well as financial accounting.

She entered the financial services industry in 2004 as part of the management team at Lincoln Financial Advisors, where she supported the Managing Director and Top Advisors in the development of systems and processes working in areas of investments, financial planning, insurance, marketing & operations. Utilizing these skills, she joined John in 2008 as a Practice Manager. Today, along with overseeing the operations of the business, she is dedicated servicing the needs and relationships of our valued clients.

Vahe Jordan is a licensed real estate specialist who received his Juris Doctorate Degree from UC Davis-King Hall School of Law in 2002. He founded his real estate law practice in 2003 and in 2005 became a licensed real estate broker in California.  Early in his career Vahe had the privilege of working in the chambers of Judge Harry Pregerson of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, as well as the Los Angeles District Attorneys Office.  Vahe joined the Copper Beech Financial team in 2023 and is a JD on staff.

Vahe is currently licensed to practice law in California and has a degree in Psychology from UCLA. 

Cody first joined Copper Beech as an intern in 2020. After earning his Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Financial Planning, with a minor in Real Estate, from Temple University’s Richard J. Fox School of Business, he transitioned into a full-time role in 2021. 

As a Registered Planning Associate, Cody specializes in updating and monitoring client data while assisting in the design and implementation of various planning strategies for Copper Beech families. 

He holds his Series 7 and 66 licenses and is currently studying to obtain his Life and Health licenses to further enhance the services he provides to our valued clients. 

Outside of work, Cody enjoys playing and watching hockey and spending time with his wife, Alexia, their two cats, CC and Phoenix, and their dog, Paisley. 

Carolyn has been working in the Financial Services industry for over 30 years; since 1991.  She has experience supporting multiple financial advisors run their practices and prepare for meetings. Her warm demeanor puts clients at ease and makes their experience feel more relational and personal. Her priority is helping Copper Beech clients, and no task or client is too small.