Our Team

What Sets Us Apart

Our office listens to you, learns your goals and then analyzes your portfolio, your insurances, your position and makes recommendations to help meet your goals.

Portfolio management, planning and preservation are the Triple Crown solution to help guide your financial future. Our office seeks to have a higher standard of excellence toward meeting our clients’ objectives and goals. Our Three Step Plan for your independent financial future may have a lasting positive impact for you, your family, and your heirs. It is completed with the highest ethical standard protecting your privacy doing what is right for you at all times.

Income Distributions Strategies
Fee-Based Services for Objective Advice
Tax Smart Retirement Income Planning
Tactical Allocation
Status and Performance Updates
Monitored Financial Planning Achievement of your goals

Lea Smith Johnson, CFP®

President & Founder

Lea Smith Johnson

President & Founder

Lea is the President and Founder of Triple Crown Wealth Finance. She was a Graduate School research Assistant to the Insurance Department for the now Dean Emeritus of the Pennsylvania State University. She worked for the author of “Relationships Portfolio Theory to the Regulation of Insurer Solidity”. This study was based on the A. M. Markowitz, Diversification of Investment, and W. F. Sharpe, “Portfolio Theory and Capital Markets.” The study was published in both the American Bar Foundation Research Contributions and the Journal of Risk and Insurance.

She has professional corporate experience working for a Fortune 500 Company, Ford Motor Company, as a financial analyst. With experience as a tax auditor for the State of Florida and an independent financial representative for Financial Services Corporation, she founded Triple Crown Wealth Finance. As Founder and President, Lea brings many years of experience and knowledge in portfolio selection, financial planning, and insurance. She is dedicated to each client achieving their goals. Analytical ability along with her extensive studies in economics enables and supports her interpretation of investment cycles for appropriate portfolio allocations.

Lea is a published writer for the Bradenton Herald. Prior to the real estate crash, she wrote an article, which was published, explaining there was a bubble in the Real Estate industry that would not continue and why. She is active in the community both professionally and socially. She served as both Treasurer and President for the Manatee County National Association of Insurance and Investment Advisors. She is a current member of the International Association of Registered Financial Consultants and a member of the Estate Planning Association of Manatee. She was a leader for Manatee County Computer Investment Club for many years, where she presented software programs using technical analysis of stocks. Lea is known throughout the community as a Christian Financial Consultant. Trusted as an advisor to individuals, businesses, and charitable organizations, Triple Crown Wealth Finance is on the same side as the client.

Professional Certifications, Licenses & Degrees

Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP^®)
Registered Financial Counselor (RFC^® )
Fraternal Insurance Counselor (FIC)
Investment Advisor Representative (IAR)
Retirement Planning Specialist, MN
Accounting, University of California, CA
Finance Major, (MBA) Highest Honors, Pennsylvania State University, PA

Bachelors of Science (BS) Business
Highest Honors Penn State University, PA
Graduate Research Assistant, Pennsylvania State University, PA
Certification in Teaching, Pennsylvania State University, PA
Certification American College of Sports Medicine

Series 7 (General Securities)
Series 24 (Principal Securities)
Series 63 (State Blue Sky)
Series 66 (Investment Advisor)
Life, Health, Variable Annuity
Real Estate License (California)
Beta Gamma Sigma

view Lea's CV

CFP^®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM and federally registered CFP (with flame logo) are certification marks owned by Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. These marks are awarded to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.

Cheryl Fainelli, RFC®

Financial Advisor

Cheryl Fainelli, RFC®

Financial Advisor

A second-generation native Floridian, Cheryl Fainelli, is a Financial Advisor with a passion for helping individuals achieve their financial goals. Armed with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of South Florida, Cheryl leverages her understanding of human behavior to establish more profound connections with her clients. Her approach goes beyond the numbers and charts; she strives to understand the unique needs, aspirations, and challenges of each client, fostering a personalized financial planning experience.

Cheryl’s ability to simplify complex financial concepts makes her a preferred advisor for individuals seeking clarity and guidance in navigating the intricacies of their financial portfolios. Her clients appreciate her dedication to educating them about their options and empowering them to make informed decisions. Cheryl engages in active listening with her clients, and approaches them with genuine empathy, creating an environment free from judgement. In her role as a Financial Advisor, she stays abreast of market trends, economic developments and legislative changes to ensure that her clients receive the most up-to-date and relevant advice. Throughout her career, Cheryl has demonstrated a commitment to providing personalized financial strategies tailored to her clients. Her client-centric approach focuses on building long-term relationships based on trust, transparency, and effective communication.

Beyond her professional commitments, Cheryl is actively involved in community service. As a director on the Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) and School Advisory Council (SAC) for her children’s school, she plays a crucial role in shaping educational initiatives and enhancing the overall school experience. Her commitment to community extends to her role on the leadership team of the USF Sarasota-Manatee Alumni Association, where she collaborates with fellow alumni to strengthen ties and support community initiatives. Cheryl is also an advocate for financial literacy in her community. She actively participates in webinars and networking groups, sharing her knowledge to empower others to take control of their financial futures.

Cheryl’s multifaceted involvement reflects her belief in the importance of a holistic approach to life. She integrates her financial knowledge with a genuine passion for community betterment. This unique blend not only sets Cheryl apart in her advisory role but also underscores her commitment to making a positive impact beyond the realm of finance. With Cheryl Fainelli, clients not only gain a Financial Advisor but also a compassionate advocate who understands the intersection of financial well-being and community enrichment.

Professional Certifications, Licenses and Degrees

Series 7 General Securities

Series 66 Uniform Combined State Law

0215 Life, Health and Variable Annuity

Bachelor of the Arts (BA) Psychology, University of South Florida

Registered Financial Consultant, RFC®

Notary Public

Deverell Hughes, MBA

Administrative Associate

Deverell Hughes, M.B.A.

Administrative Associate

Deverell Hughes, who goes by Dev for short, was born-and raised in Southwest Florida and is a lifelong Bradenton resident. Dev spent much of his childhood and adolescence traveling with his family on a combination of professional vacations and church mission trips. By the time of his high school graduation Dev had been blessed to visit over 20 foreign countries on 4 continents and 47 different U.S. states and territories with more trips to come in the following years. His grandfather, a third-generation pastor and local business owner, instilled in him a deep love for people with all their different ways of life and culture and an appreciation for education and learning about the world that has followed him into adulthood.

A love of other cultures, their histories, and education led Deverell to pursue studies in Political Science and International Relations while completing his undergraduate degree at the University of South Florida's Sarasota-Manatee campus. After earning his Bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences from USF, he continued advancing in the hospitality industry, gaining his first professional experiences in business management. Dev graduated from USF for the second time in May 2018 having earned a Master's degree in Business Administration with concentrations in marketing and finance.

While working in his family’s offices in high school, Deverell learned the fundamentals of office professionalism and most importantly how to always build value, advocate for, and develop trust with your clients. During graduate school, Dev also pursued internships in marketing and financial planning. Dev has come to Triple Crown Wealth Finance from United Financial Resources, Inc. a Florida and Texas based financial services company, where he most recently worked for the trust and estate planning department.

When not hard at work at the office you can find Deverell at one of the state's many world-famous theme parks. He has been a member of Bayside Community Church for the past five years and always tries to make time to experience community events. Other interests include cooking, especially with fresh herbs and produce from his garden, and spending time with his family. He most enjoys swimming, sun-bathing, and the natural beauty of our perfect Florida sunsets.

....Deverell Hughes is not registered with Osaic Wealth, Inc.