Meet Our Team
Gary L. Stark
President &
Chief Executive Officer
Stark Financial Advisers, Inc.
President, R.M. Stark & Co., Inc.
Gary L. Stark is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Stark Financial Advisers, Inc. and the President of R.M. Stark & Co., Inc., an SEC-registered broker-dealer. With more than four decades of experience in the financial services industry, Gary has advised clients, supervised professionals, and led regulated firms through every major market cycle since the early 1980s.
Gary began his career in the securities industry in 1981 and has held extensive FINRA principal, supervisory, and operational registrations throughout his tenure. His registrations have included General Securities Representative and Principal, General Securities Sales Supervisor, Registered Options Principal, Municipal Securities Principal and Representative, Financial and Operations Principal, Investment Banking Representative and Principal, Securities Trader and Trader Principal, and Operations Professional. Many of these registrations date back to the early 1990s and reflect long-standing experience with regulatory oversight, supervision, and firm operations.
In founding Stark Financial Advisers, Gary established an advisory firm focused on disciplined portfolio construction, long-term planning, and risk-aware investment management. His approach integrates institutional-level analysis with highly personalized client service, informed by decades of experience navigating periods of inflation, recession, market dislocation, and structural change in the financial markets.
In addition to leading the advisory firm, Gary oversees the broker-dealer operations of R.M. Stark & Co., Inc., including compliance infrastructure, supervisory systems, and regulatory governance. Under his leadership, the firm has maintained a strong culture of integrity, operational discipline, and adherence to industry standards.
Outside of finance, Gary owns and operates a working cow-calf ranch in Okeechobee, Florida. He is an active member of the Florida Cattlemen’s Association and applies principles of stewardship, planning, and long-term thinking to land management and ranch operations. He also serves on the board of Okeechobee Main Street, supporting local business development and arts and cultural initiatives.
An avid aviator, Gary owns and flies a Carbon Cub aircraft known as the “Tiger Cub” and frequently incorporates aviation principles into his writing and teaching on market strategy and risk management. He divides his time between advising clients, leading his firms, ranch operations, and community involvement. Gary is the father of four.
Ellen R. Adler
Vice-President
Chief Compliance Officer
Stark Financial Advisers, Inc.
Ellen R. Adler serves as Vice President and Director of Stark Financial Advisers, Inc., where she also acts as the firm’s Chief Compliance Officer. In this capacity, she is responsible for overseeing the firm’s compliance program, regulatory policies, and supervisory framework, and for ensuring adherence to applicable SEC rules, fiduciary standards, and internal controls.
Ellen has been associated with Stark Financial Advisers, Inc. since January 2002 and works closely with firm leadership on compliance administration, regulatory filings, disclosure oversight, and annual compliance reviews. Her responsibilities include monitoring advisory activities for consistency with the firm’s Form ADV, client agreements, and applicable regulatory requirements, as well as coordinating responses to regulatory inquiries and examinations.
In addition to her advisory compliance responsibilities, Ellen has been affiliated with R.M. Stark & Co., Inc. since 1996, where she serves as Vice President with responsibility for legal and accounting functions. In that role, she supports broker-dealer operations, regulatory compliance, recordkeeping, and internal governance. Stark Financial Advisers, Inc. and R.M. Stark & Co., Inc. are separate legal entities.
Ellen earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hunter College in 1977, graduating magna cum laude with a major in Psychology and a minor in Philosophy. She subsequently earned her Juris Doctor degree from Golden Gate University School of Law in 1982. Her educational background supports a disciplined, analytical approach to regulatory oversight, risk management, and firm governance.
Ellen’s role is supervisory, legal, and compliance focused. She does not provide investment advice to clients.
Sean Kilmartin
Registered Principal – Charlotte Office
Sean Kilmartin brings nearly four decades of experience in the financial services industry and will celebrate his 39th year in the profession in 2026. He serves as the Registered Principal of Stark Financial Advisers’ Charlotte office and has worked with individuals and families across multiple market cycles.
Sean is a graduate of Appalachian State University and completed additional studies at Oxford University. Earlier in his career, he was a college and professional basketball player, experiences that helped shape his leadership style and long-term perspective.
He holds FINRA Series 4, 7, 24, 63, 65, and SIE registrations, along with Life, Accident, and Health Insurance licenses. Sean has also taught FINRA pre-licensing courses at Central Piedmont Community College, contributing to the education and development of industry professionals.
Over the course of his career, Sean has developed long-standing relationships with clients and their families, emphasizing continuity, disciplined planning, and personalized service.
Sean is married to his wife, Jane, and they have two sons. One son works in the financial services industry, while the other practices law with a focus on estate planning and probate.
Outside of his professional responsibilities, Sean is actively involved in youth athletics and health initiatives. A longtime high school basketball coach, he owns and operates USA Select Basketball, an organization that assists American athletes pursuing professional basketball opportunities in Europe. He has played or coached basketball in more than a dozen countries.
Sean has been inducted into the North Carolina AAU Hall of Fame and serves on the National Board of Directors of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), a national nonprofit organization dedicated to youth sports development.
James Scharff
Registered Representative
Investment Adviser Representative
James (“Jim”) Scharff has been associated with R.M. Stark & Co., Inc. since 1999 and works from the firm’s Charlotte, North Carolina office. He has also been associated with Stark Financial Advisers, Inc. since 2016. Although he works with both organizations, they are separate legal entities.
Jim earned a degree in Financial Management from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte before beginning his career in the securities industry. He maintains FINRA Series 7, 24, 63, 65, and 99 registrations, along with the SIE, and holds Life, Accident, and Health Insurance licenses.
Outside of work, Jim is active in the Charlotte community. He has volunteered for many years as a youth baseball coach and also coaches within the local running community. Jim has been married to his wife, Jennifer, since 2019, and together they have four children.
Bryan R. Stark
Registered Representative
Investment Adviser Representative
Bryan R. Stark is based in Stanfield, North Carolina and has been registered with R.M. Stark & Co., Inc. and Stark Financial Advisers, Inc. since 2007. Although he is associated with both organizations, Stark Financial Advisers, Inc. and R.M. Stark & Co., Inc. are separate legal entities.
Bryan maintains FINRA Series 7 and Series 66 registrations, authorizing him to provide securities and investment advisory services as permitted under applicable regulations.
His work focuses on developing individualized investment plans aligned with each client’s objectives, priorities, and long-term financial goals. He emphasizes clarity, personal engagement, and informed decision-making.
Beyond his professional responsibilities, Bryan is active in community service. He participates in Warriors and Warbirds, an outreach program honoring veterans and educating youth through the restoration of World War II aircraft. He also volunteers with the American Red Cross, participates in his local Rotary Club, and supports small business initiatives through the Locust, North Carolina Small Business Association.
Bryan and his wife have been married for 47 years and have four children and ten grandchildren.
Noah Brown
Registered Investment Adviser Representative
Registered Representative
Noah Brown is a dual-registered financial professional with Stark Financial Advisers, Inc. and R.M. Stark & Co., Inc. He holds FINRA Series 7, 24, 63, and 65 registrations, along with Life and Annuity insurance credentials.
Licensed since 2012, Noah has worked with clients through a range of economic and market environments. His work includes investment planning, portfolio construction, and long-term financial strategy.
In addition to his financial services career, Noah has a background in professional athletics and entrepreneurship. He is the founder of NoBro Enterprises, LLC, a talent-management firm, and leads mentoring initiatives through NoBro, Inc., a nonprofit organization that uses athletics to support youth development domestically and abroad. He also serves as Regional Director for USA Select Basketball.
Noah participates in community and volunteer activities, including service on local nonprofit and school boards. He is married and the father of two.
Ryan Kilmartin
Registered Investment Adviser Representative
Registered Representative
Ryan Kilmartin is a dual-registered financial professional, serving as a Registered Investment Adviser Representative with Stark Financial Advisers, Inc. and as a Registered Representative with R.M. Stark & Co., Inc. He holds FINRA Series 7, 24, and 66 registrations, along with Life and Annuity insurance credentials. This structure allows Ryan to provide investment advisory services through Stark Financial Advisers and securities and insurance products through R.M. Stark & Co., Inc., in accordance with applicable regulations.
Ryan holds a master’s degree in finance and data Analytics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Kenan-Flagler Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Finance & Banking from Appalachian State University. He also completed a Financial Planning Certificate program, supporting his technical foundation in planning and investment analysis.
In addition to his financial services work, Ryan has experience in youth sports and entrepreneurship. He is the founder of Old Skool Athletics, LLC, a youth sports and events organization and previously co-founded a software venture focused on youth sports engagement. These experiences reflect his interest in leadership, technology, and community development.
Ryan is involved in community service activities, including youth coaching and volunteer efforts. His academic, athletic, and professional background supports a disciplined and analytical approach to his role within the firm.
Brittany Nguyen
Client Services Manager – Charlotte Office
Brittany Nguyen serves as Client Services Manager at Stark Financial Advisers’ Charlotte office and brings nearly 15 years of experience supporting client relationships and firm operations.
In her role, Brittany works closely with advisors, custodians, and internal teams to facilitate account administration, coordinate client requests, and support overall service operations. She does not provide investment advice and focuses exclusively on client service and operational support.
Outside of work, Brittany enjoys spending time with her family and values maintaining a healthy balance between her professional and personal commitments.
Stark Financial Advisers, Inc.
Registered Investment Adviser
Headquarters: Okeechobee, Florida
Regional Offices: Lake Worth Beach, FL | Charlotte, NC | Stanfield, NC
Custodians: Pershing LLC and Charles Schwab
Forms ADV Part 2A and CRS are available for download or by request.
Stark Financial Advisers, Inc. is a Registered Investment Adviser regulated by the State of Florida Office of Financial Regulation. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training.