XMLFinancialGroup » Our TEAM

Brett Shane Bernstein, CFP®
Managing Partner

Brett Bernstein is a Managing Partner and co-founding Partner of the XML Financial Group. Mr. Bernstein serves as the firm’s Chief Operating Officer, head of operations, and leads the firm’s estate and trust transactions. Previously, he was a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch, where he was designated Sales Manager for a complex that managed over $5 billion in assets. Brett was named one of the Top Board Presidents of the Year by BoardRoom magazine for his service as President at the Lakewood Country Club in Rockville, Maryland. BoardRoom magazine annually recognizes the world’s top private club presidents for their outstanding work, their understanding of the industry and role and responsibilities of the club’s board of directors (January 31, 2012).

Education & Philanthropy
Mr. Bernstein received a bachelor of science degree in finance from the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business and continued his education at Georgetown University where he completed his Certified Financial Planner™ designation. He is a volunteer for the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. Board of Examiners. Brett currently serves as the President of the Board of Directors for Lakewood Club and has been its membership chairman and Vice President. He is the Vice Chairman of the GW Cancer Institute Advisory Board and the President of the So What Else charity and he has previously served on the EagleBank Foundation Golf Committee.

Michael Patrick Jacobs, CFP®
Managing Partner

Michael Jacobs is a Managing Partner and co-founding Partner of the XML Financial Group. Mr. Jacobs serves as the firm’s Chief Financial Officer and plays a pivotal role in its merger and acquisition activity. Previously, Michael was a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch. Mr. Jacobs also served as Vice President of Classic Industries, Inc., a manufacturer of precision medical devices.

Education & Philanthropy
Mr. Jacobs received a bachelor of science degree with a dual major in finance and accounting from Loyola College in Baltimore and furthered his education at the College for Financial Planning where he earned his Certified Financial Planner™ designation. He is also a graduate of Gonzaga College High School. Michael holds several board seats for organizations including: the Mental Health Association of Montgomery County, Gonzaga College High School Development Committee, and the Planned Giving Council for Catholic University. He is a graduate of Leadership Montgomery and an active parishioner
at Blessed Sacrament in Chevy Chase.

Robert D. Kantor, ARPC
Managing Partner

Robert Kantor is a Managing Partner and co-founding Partner of the XML Financial Group. Mr. Kantor serves as the firm’s Chief Compliance Officer. He also serves as the head of the firm’s investment committee, which drives asset allocation strategies and investment securities selection. Previously, he was a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch, where he specialized in custom retirement plan design. He also served on the Advisory Counsel to Management and was a founder of the Charity Giving Committee.

Education & Philanthropy
Mr. Kantor received a bachelor of science degree in business management from the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business and continued his education through the Society of Administrators and Record Keepers earning the title of Accredited Retirement Plan Consultant. Rob serves as the Golf Chairman for both the Amity Club of Washington and Lakewood Country Club. He has served as a Lakewood Country Club board member and sits on the Board of the National Capital Area Alzheimer’s Association.

Kevin Patrick Peters
Financial Consultant
Managing Partner
XML Insurance Group

Mr. Peters has been in the financial services industry for the past ten years, specializing in Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, Long-Term Care and Estate Planning, as well as a variety of Business Insurance Planning. While working at one of the industry’s largest insurance companies, Mr. Peters hired, trained, and developed new insurance professionals and assisted them in growing their businesses and becoming financial advisors. During that time, Mr. Peters also helped small and medium-sized local businesses develop design comprehensive benefits plans. With a strong desire to provide his clients with independent insurance planning recommendations, Mr. Peters established his own independent insurance company in 2003, Benefits Insurance Group, Inc., which would eventually merge with XML Financial Group to become XML Insurance Group.

Education & Philanthropy
Mr. Peters is one of the founding members of the Washington, DC metropolitan chapter of the National Aging In Place Council (NAIPC), which assists in providing education and resources to the local aging population. Additionally, Mr. Peters serves as the President of the Board of Directors for a local non-profit organization in Washington, DC, the Kingman Boys and Girls Club. Mr. Peters attended the University of Maryland where he graduated with a degree in Government and Politics.

Jason Elliot Klopman, CFP®
Senior Financial Consultant

Mr. Klopman is a Senior Financial Consultant with XML Financial Group and has been in the financial services industry for the past five years. His specialty revolves around financial planning and asset allocation strategies. Through his training with one of Wall Street’s largest financial institutions and then XML Financial Group, Mr. Klopman acquired the necessary skills to help continue to build XML Financial Group’s practice. He is a key component to the analysis, preparation and implementation elements of the financial planning process.

Education & Philanthropy
Mr. Klopman graduated from the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of business with a Bachelor of Science degree in finance. He then went on to continue his education with Kaplan University, completing requirements to sit before the Certified Financial Planners Board of Standards to obtain his CFP® designation. Mr. Klopman volunteers at various food drives for MANNA Foodbank and supports the American Diabetes Association.

Jonathan C. Lowe
Senior Financial Consultant

Mr. Lowe has been in the financial services industry for eleven years. He specializes in financial planning and asset management. Mr. Lowe started his career at Moors & Cabot Inc, before joining Wheat First Securities, which later became Wachovia Securities. Working at Wachovia for five years, Mr. Lowe partnered with a team that specialized in working with international organizations such as the World Bank, the IMF – International Monetary Fund, and the OAS – Organization of American States. In 2005, he left Wachovia and joined Ryan Beck which later became Stifel Nicolaus. In August of 2009, Mr. Lowe joined XML Financial Group.

Education & Philanthropy
Mr. Lowe sits on the Community Leadership Board for the American Diabetes Association Washington, DC. He is the founding member of the executive board of a local charity benefiting the American Diabetes Association and sits on the board for Just Tryan It (helping kids with Cancer). Mr. Lowe volunteers regularly for such groups as the Joslin Diabetes Center and SOME (so others may eat). Jonathan’s a parishioner at Holy Redeemer in Kensington and is an active member of the Knights of Columbus. Jon is a Washingtonian Native. He attended East Carolina University, concentrating his studies in Business and Finance. Jonathan resides in Kensington, MD with his family and spends his spare time coaching, reading and being outdoors.

Leah J. Jones
Financial Consultant

Ms. Jones is a Financial Consultant with XML Financial Group and has been in the financial services industry for eight years. Her specialties include; client relationship management, investment knowledge and business development. Leah began her career at one of Wall Street’s top financial institutions as an analyst in a leadership development training program. She then went on to gain experience as an Investment Advisor Representative for a privately held wealth management firm in Chicago. Her background is focused on providing a holistic perspective on client’s total financial picture with particular attention to investments and taxes.

Education & Philanthropy
Ms. Jones graduated from the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of business with a Bachelor of Science degree in finance. While attending the University she was a member of the CIVICUS and Hinman Entrepreneurship programs. She has passed levels I and II of the CFA program and is currently a level III candidate. Leah is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst. Ms. Jones has participated in Big Brothers Big Sisters and Minds Matter.

Robert P. Abel, CPA
Financial Consultant

Robert Abel, CPA is a financial consultant with the XML Financial Group. Mr. Abel has expertise in individual, business and estate tax and accounting issues. He helps clients pursue their investment objectives in a tax efficient manner. Mr. Abel is a Certified Public Accountant and is enrolled to practice before the IRS. Through LPL Financial he is an Investment Advisor Representative (Series 65), and a General Securities Representative (Series 7). Additionally he maintains a Resident Producer Individual Insurance license (Maryland Insurance Administration). He is a member of the American Institute for Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants (MACPA), National Association of Tax Preparers (NATP), and was elected to the Board of Directors of the Association of Practicing CPAs.

Education & Philanthropy
Mr. Abel received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from the University of Maryland and continued his education there with a Master of Science degree in Computer Science. Mr. Abel furthered his education with an associate degree in Accounting from Montgomery College. Mr. Abel was a faculty member at James Madison University’s business school. Mr. Abel contributes to a number of charitable organizations with emphasis on Autism and Breast Cancer Research. He is also a contributor to Montgomery County Hospice.

Judith M. Tiktin, CPA
Financial Consultant

Judith is a CPA in private practice for 18 years in Silver Spring. Judith joined XML Financial Group to merge her financial services business, thereby enhancing the services available to her clients, and to those of the group.

Education & Philanthropy
Judith graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting, and went on to work in the tax department of Touche Ross (now Deloitte & Touche). It was at Touch Ross that she acquired experience and training in broad areas of taxation providing the foundation to start her own small accounting firm. Judith is a member of the Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants and the Maryland Society of Accountants. Judith is an Investment Advisor Representative (Series 65) and also holds Series 6 and 63 securities registrations with LPL Financial. Judith is a supporter of The Hebrew Home of Greater Washington, The Whitman-Walker Clinic, Southern Poverty Law Center and numerous local organizations including the Police and Fire Departments.

Thomas E. Jacobs, III, CPA
Financial Consultant

Tom brings more than 35 years of experience in public accounting to his clients. He is a lifelong Maryland resident. Prior to forming Jacobs & Jacobs, PA, Tom worked for firms in Baltimore and Bethesda, Maryland. He served as managing partner of Brown, Jacobs, Cronin & Meyers from
1981 to 1986 during which time he was instrumental in growing the firm from eight members to twenty-five members. He then started his own firm, and eventually relocated his practice to Edgewater, Maryland. In 2000 he formed Jacobs & Jacobs, PA with his son, Marty. He has extensive audit knowledge, as well as more than three decades of experience in business and individual tax preparation and planning. Other strengths include purchase/sale of a business, financial forecasts, operating budgets and cash flow projections.

Education & Philanthropy
After graduating in 1967 from Loyola Blakefield High School in Baltimore, Maryland, he went on to earn a BS in Accounting from Wheeling Jesuit University in Wheeling, West Virginia as a graduate of the class of 1971. He became a Certified Public Accountant in 1975. Tom is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Maryland Society of Accountants.

Tax and accounting services provided by Jacobs & Jacobs, PA are not affiliate with or endorsed by LPL Financial.

The Executive Team