Your Dedicated Team

Roger Kalina, CFP®, AIF®,ChFC®, CLU®

Founder/Managing Partner - Wealth Planner

Phone (561) 872-2035
Fax (561) 416-2993
Mobile Phone (561) 702-4369
E-mail rkalina@bfllc.com

Roger is the founder and Managing Director of Benchmark Financial. 

Roger has served as a financial professional since 1993 and has achieved the professional designations of CFP® (Certified Financial Planner® ), AIF® (Accredited Investment Fiduciary), ChFC® (Chartered Financial Consultant) and CLU® (Chartered Life Underwriter). 

CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® are certification marks owned by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. (CFP Board). Individuals certified by the CFP Board have taken the extra step to demonstrate their professionalism by voluntarily submitting to the rigorous CFP® certification process that includes education, examination, experience and ethical requirements.

The AIF® designation signifies specialized knowledge of fiduciary responsibility and the ability to implement policies and procedures that meet a defined standard of care. 

Roger also holds the Series 63, and 65 registrations and FL Life, Health & Variable Annuity license. 

Please refer to our Form ADV Part 2B for a full description of any designations and/or licenses held.

Philip Piedt, CFP®, RICP®

Partner - Wealth Planner 

Phone (561) 872-2033
Fax (561) 416-2993
Mobile Phone (954) 729-3013
E-mail ppiedt@bfllc.com

Philip is a Partner at Benchmark Financial. 

Philip focuses on families and business owners and provides clients with wealth guidance solutions through comprehensive financial planning to help protect, simplify and organize their total financial picture. He believes that an advisor’s true worth is helping align a client’s financial goals with their personal values so they can make smart money decisions and ultimately experience peace of mind.  

Philip has achieved the professional designations of CFP® (CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® ) and RICP® (Retirement Income Certified Professional). CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® and CFP® are certification marks owned by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. (CFP Board). Individuals certified by the CFP Board have taken extra steps to demonstrate their professionalism by voluntarily submitting to the rigorous CFP® certification process that includes education, examination, experience and ethical requirements.  The RICP® educational curricula is the most complete and comprehensive program available to professional financial advisors looking to help clients create sustainable retirement income. Philip also holds the Series 66 registration and a FL Life, Health & Variable Annuity license.

Philip graduated summa cum laude from Palm Beach Atlantic University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Accounting.

Philip is very active in his surrounding communities and holds the positions of:

• Board member at the Peter Blum YMCA of S. Palm Beach County
• Board member of Westminster Academy, Ft. Lauderdale
• Board member of the PULSE, young professionals group of the Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce
• Member of the Financial Planning Association of South Florida

Please refer to our Form ADV Part 2B for a full description of any designations and/or licenses held.

Thomas Jędrej, FEA, LL.M.

Chief Wealth Strategist

Phone (561) 872-2042
Fax (561) 416-2993
Mobile Phone (561) 884-5574
E-mail tjedrej@bfllc.com

Thomas is the Chief Wealth Strategist at Benchmark Financial.

Thomas brings over 25 years of wealth management experience to this executive role. His progressive leadership and commitment to excellence sets him apart. As a change agent and integrative thinker, Thomas seeks optimal outcomes for our most complex client situations. His strategic vision propels our firm’s growth trajectory, while his direct oversight of the Investment Committee ensures prudent decision-making aligned with our clients’ financial objectives.

Thomas’ extensive experience includes serving ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) clientele and managing Family Office relationships at one of Canada’s largest banks. His deep understanding of asset allocation, investment planning, and multi-generational family dynamics uniquely positions him to navigate complex wealth transfer matters.

Thomas has served on numerous not-for-profit boards, including the largest Donor Advised Fund (DAF) in Canada and chaired the Governance Committee for a community hospital foundation. As a lifelong learner, he attended Harvard Business School’s investment, governance, and leadership programs.

Thomas’s academic achievements include a Master of Laws (Business Law) degree from Osgoode Hall Law School (York University, Canada), and he holds the Series 65 registration.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Thomas is a passionate philanthropist. In 2018, he successfully climbed Lobuche East (Himalayas) in support of the veteran community, raising over $90k toward a $1M team goal. When not scaling peaks, Thomas enjoys skiing, cycling, hiking, and the local beach community with his wife and Sonny, an Australian Labradoodle.

Please refer to our Form ADV Part 2B for a full description of any designations and/or licenses held.

Andrea Spridik

Director of Operations

Phone (561) 872-2034
Fax (561) 416-2993
Mobile Phone (954) 234-6825
E-mail aspridik@bfllc.com

Andrea is the Director of Operations for Benchmark.

Andrea has been with the firm since 2003 and has hands on operations experience in Financial Planning, Insurance and Investments. Her vast experience in all areas of the firms practice enables her to efficiently oversee the firms’ administrative staff and provide support and guidance.

Andrea also serves as a liaison between clients and advisors to ensure client’s needs are being met.   Andrea's sharp eye for detail and attentiveness make her an invaluable resource for clients.

Andrea spends most of her free time chasing her 2 sons around town. She enjoys family time and loves going on new adventures.

Willard Schoch, AIF® 

Director of Investments

Phone (561) 872-2039
Fax (561) 416-2993
Mobile Phone (561) 508-9884
E-mail wschoch@bfllc.com

Will is the Director of Investments for Benchmark.

Will has been active in the financial services industry since 2007. As a Portfolio Advisor with Benchmark Financial, Will helps clients create prudent investment portfolios that are aligned with their financial goals.  

Prior to joining Benchmark, Will was employed as a Vice President and Sr. Analyst for a Boston-based investment advisor.  He has worked with clients researching, reporting on, and reviewing their traditional and alternative investment portfolios. He began his career with the Bank of New York Mellon, serving as an alternative investment analyst to some of the largest hedge funds in the US.   

Will received both a Bachelor of Science degree and MBA, with Finance concentration, from Northeastern University in Boston. He holds the Series 65 registration. 

Will lives in a historic home in West Palm Beach with his wife and two young daughters. He enjoys Sunday brunches with his family, trips to the beach, and collecting from his mango trees during harvest season.         

Please refer to our Form ADV Part 2B for a full description of any designations and/or licenses held.

Alexander Ligeti, CFA

Wealth Advisor

Phone (561) 872-2041
Fax (561) 416-2993
Mobile Phone (561) 504-7913
E-mail aligeti@bfllc.com

Alex is a Wealth Advisor for Benchmark Financial

Prior to joining Benchmark Financial, Alex worked for PNC Private Bank where he held a variety of different roles within their Asset Management Group.  Alex was part of the team that worked on creating risk reduction strategies for clients’ portfolios.

Alex will use his experience and eye for detail to support our financial planning and investment teams and will also spend time helping individuals and families with emerging wealth.

Alex graduated from the University of Pittsburgh, with a degree in finance and a minor in economics. He played collegiate soccer at Santa Clara University and The University of Pittsburgh.

Alex has been a CFA Charter holder since October of 2022. The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter is a globally respected, graduate-level investment credential established in 1962 and awarded by CFA Institute.

In his free time, you will find Alex coaching soccer, playing golf, or in the fall, attending as many Miami Dolphins games as possible.

Please refer to our Form ADV Part 2B for a full description of any designations and/or licenses held.

Alex Manolakos, MBA®

Associate Wealth Advisor

Phone (561) 872-2038
Fax (561) 416-2993
Mobile Phone (561) 414-8883
E-mail amanolakos@bfllc.com

Alex is an Associate Wealth Advisor with Benchmark and assists our Advisory Team with all aspects of the financial planning and investment process. Alex is also a member of Benchmark's Qualified Plan Group and focuses on employee education, employee enrollment and ongoing plan due diligence . 

Alex has an MBA from Florida State University with a specialty in Finance, as well as an undergraduate degree from Florida State University in Finance.  

In his free time, Alex enjoys golf, softball, basketball and is a volunteer coach for youth basketball.

Please refer to our Form ADV Part 2B for a full description of any designations and/or licenses held.

J. Gonzo Baez

Portfolio Analyst

Gonzo is a Portfolio Analyst for Benchmark Financial.

Gonzo has 20 years of experience in the financial industry, servicing U.S. and International retail and institutional clients.

As a Portfolio Analyst, Gonzo helps with all aspects of investment management for Benchmark Financial. He assists with research, portfolio construction, client service, and the preparation of financial plans.

Gonzo graduated from the State University of New York at Albany with a Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in Finance/Marketing and an MBA degree in Business Administration. 

Gonzo speaks fluent English and Spanish.

In his spare time, Gonzo enjoys spending time training his dog Bowie, drawing, painting, and fitness-related activities.

Alison Martin

Client Service Coordinator

Phone (561) 872-2036
Fax (561) 416-2993
Mobile Phone (561) 702-6109
E-mail amartin@bfllc.com

Alison is a Client Service Coordinator at Benchmark.

 Alison has been with the firm since 2015 and is responsible for onboarding new clients, as well as, servicing existing clients. Alison has over 15 years of experience in the Insurance and Investment industry and brings a great deal of knowledge and her welcoming personality to client experience. 

Alison is also responsible for our paperless office process and making sure Benchmark’s clients are not overwhelmed with paper!

Alison enjoys spending time with her family and loves going to the beach.

Lauren Zeigen

Client Service Coordinator

Phone (561) 872-2048
Fax (561) 416-2993
E-mail lzeigen@bfllc.com

Lauren is a Client Service Coordinator at Benchmark.

Lauren is responsible for client management, which entails helping new individuals, families, and corporations join our firm, their day-to-day service needs as well as answering any questions they may have.  

Lauren has over 10 years of experience in customer service and thrives on providing concierge-level service with a personal touch.  

Lauren enjoys spending time with her husband and going on new adventures.

She is also passionate about learning and enhancing her knowledge of finances and productivity.