GBP Team
PROFESSIONAL
R. Todd Grandy, CLU®, ChFC® began his financial services career with Northwestern Mutual in 1989. Over the past 30+ years, Todd and his team have established a nationally recognized firm assisting successful families, entrepreneurs, business owners and executives with fiduciary level advisory services, financial planning, tax, retirement and investment planning, risk management and benefit planning. In addition to Todd's expertise in assisting companies and their executives with key person and/or stock redemption liquidity planning, he works with firms seeking assistance with carve-out and supplemental disability income, disability key person, disability buy-out and disability overhead expense planning. Mr. Grandy has also done extensive work in the qualified and non-qualified retirement plan markets, helping companies to design, implement and manage these programs. In 2018, Todd co-founded GBP Wealth Management along with long-time friend and fellow advisor, Jason Bell, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional, CPWA.
PERSONAL
Todd and his wife, Stacey, reside in Ruxton, Maryland, and have three adult children. When he is not at the office, Todd enjoys spending time at the gym, running, cycling, skiing or just being outdoors. Todd is a former Board Member of the Baltimore Chapter of the Society of Financial Service Professionals, the St. Paul's School Strategic Planning Committee and is a current Director of the Northwestern Mutual Financial Representatives Association. Additionally, Todd and Stacey are ardent supporters of animal welfare and rescue organizations in the Baltimore area.
PROFESSIONAL
Jason “Jay” Bell, CPWA®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional, is a partner at Grandy Bell Partners (GBP), overseeing the financial planning and wealth management division of the firm. Jay specializes in financial/tax planning and wealth management for executives, business owners, and professionals. He enjoys helping people figure out the balance of enjoying and spending money now while making sure to save enough to protect their future later. Jay is a problem solver who takes a holistic approach to all engagements. Every step of the way, he asks himself what he would suggest if it was his parents or best friends sitting in front of him.
BACKGROUND & INDUSTRY INVOLVEMENT
Prior to becoming an advisor, Jay graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park. He enrolled at the Yale School of Management, where he received the Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®) designation. He is also a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional. He has his series 7, 31, and 66 securities licenses.
Prior to GBP, Jay ran Bell Wealth Management Group (BWMG) for 10 years. He also worked in Morgan Stanley’s Global Wealth Management Division and was a capital markets analyst at a boutique investment bank, InCap Group.
PERSONAL
Jay was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, and attended Calvert Hall College High School. He loves spending time with his wife Katelyn and their rescue dog, Reed. Jay is an avid college wrestling fan and a die-hard Baltimore Ravens and Maryland Terps fan. He is a voracious reader and loves to travel.
Jay currently sits on the board of the Baltimore Community ToolBank. He is also a board member for Reed’s Rescue, a non-profit dedicated to rescuing senior age and terminally ill dogs from shelters.
PROFESSIONAL
As Director of Operations, Jane leads GBP in several areas. She oversees internal operations with an emphasis on ensuring scalable and effective processes alongside a distinctive client experience. Jane also drives strategic initiatives that support future firm growth and development of personnel.
BACKGROUND & INDUSTRY INVOLVEMENT
Since joining Northwestern Mutual in 1995, Jane has worked alongside several advisors, resulting in a unique combination of skills. Her exposure to complex planning situations and related service matters, along with her talent for supporting strategic growth, led to her critical role with Todd Grandy in 2002, which was followed by the addition of Jason Bell in 2018 and the birth of GBP.
Jane’s natural desire to impact others and her unique collection of skills has led to her participation in several Northwestern Mutual initiatives, speaking engagements, and the development of training programs.
Born and raised in Baltimore, Jane returned to the area after attending Virginia Tech. She earned her Chartered Life Underwriter designation (CLU®), holds her Maryland Life, Health, and Variable Annuity licenses, as well as the series 6 security license.
PERSONAL
When away from the office, Jane enjoys RV camping, reading, and is an avid sports fan, including a passion for thoroughbred horse racing. Jane lives in Baltimore City with her husband, Joe.
PROFESSIONAL
Chuck is proud to be the Director of Financial Planning for GBP. He spends his time engaging with clients to develop their holistic financial plan, so they can spend time enjoying the things they care about most. Whether their goal is to protect, grow, or prosper, Chuck takes time to understand the ‘why’ behind each client’s goals relative to their unique situation. Then he works diligently to help clients navigate their financial futures. In parallel with the counsel Chuck provides clients, he also assists clients’ adult children and grandchildren as they begin their financial planning journey. Chuck also administers the development and implementation of GBP’s fee-based planning engagements and oversees wealth management operations.
BACKGROUND & INDUSTRY INVOLVEMENT
Prior to joining the firm, Chuck graduated from Bucknell University with a degree in economics and a minor in philosophy. He began his financial services career with Northwestern Mutual as a financial advisor and joined the GBP team in 2019. In addition to being a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, Chuck holds his series 7, 6 and 63 securities licenses as well as his Life and Health insurance licenses.
PERSONAL
Chuck grew up in Baltimore, and while at Bucknell, he was actively involved in men’s rugby and new-student orientation. Outside of work, Chuck enjoys being outside, working out, cheering on the Ravens, and spending time with friends and family.
PROFESSIONAL
Stratton Grandy is a Financial Planning Specialist and is Director of Business Development for GBP. Stratton enjoys working closely with GPB’s clients as well as helping entrepreneurs, business owners, successful families, and professionals understand how GBP might help them reach their financial, estate, legacy, and/or charitable planning goals.
BACKGROUND & INDUSTRY INVOLVEMENT
Prior to joining GBP, Stratton attended SMU in Dallas, Texas, where he studied economics and concurrently pursued his Life & Health insurance licenses as well as his series 6 and 63 licenses. With these assets, Stratton worked with privately-owned businesses, professionals, and HNW families on risk-related insurance planning, including key-man, buy-sell agreements, and estate planning. After graduation, he spent a few years in private equity consulting working with c-suite executives across the country. In 2021, Stratton transitioned back to GBP Wealth Management to lead business development and expand GBP’s national footprint.
PERSONAL
Stratton lives in Dallas with his 125-pound Labrador, Hendrix, and they enjoy hiking, skiing, biking, beach volleyball, river rafting, and everything in between.
Mackenzie Tarlow
Director of Planning and Client Experience
PROFESSIONAL
Bonnie is an Investment Operations Associate and manages GBP’s investment back office. She helps clients with everything from establishing new accounts to asset movement. Bonnie also manages all asset transfers from external institutions. One of her greatest attributes is her attention to detail and her ability to provide GBP’s clients with exceptional service. She has a passion for numbers and loves making a difference in others' lives.
Since joining GBP in 2017, Bonnie has played a critical role in all areas of GBP’s business, including risk management, employee benefits, and investments. This important background has provided Bonnie the opportunity to truly understand a client’s comprehensive financial picture. She holds her Pennsylvania Life, Health, and Variable Annuity licenses.
PERSONAL
Bonnie was born and raised in Baltimore and is a Towson University graduate. She now resides in Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania, with her husband, Sean, and their four children. She enjoys spending her time with her family, cheering on her kids in their sports, and rooting for the Ravens and Orioles.
PROFESSIONAL
Christy started with Northwestern Mutual in April of 2015 and joined the GBP team in October of 2019. As our Insurance Operations Specialist, Christy serves the firm’s insurance division and supports policyowner operations. Christy is an instrumental support staff member of our team. She helps manage GBP advisors’ schedules and assists clients with servicing needs such as applications, processing policy changes, claims, and billing questions. One of Christy’s greatest attributes is her positive attitude, and she provides clients with consistent, high-level service.
BACKGROUND & INDUSTRY INVOLVEMENT
Christy began her financial services career after college, working for an accounting firm and later transitioning to become an Investment Specialist at T. Rowe Price. Christy has in-depth experience in customer service, calendar coordination, data management, and policy maintenance. She has more than 20 years of professional experience in an administrative capacity.
A Maryland native, she grew up in Northern Baltimore County. She graduated from Towson University in 2001, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing. She currently holds her Maryland Life and Health license.
PERSONAL
When not at work, she enjoys spending time with her husband Kevin and their three children. She especially loves cheering on her kids from the sidelines at their sporting events, hiking, gardening, and playing tennis.
Ronald N. Lipka ChFC®, RICP®
Financial Advisor
