Our Team

Troy V. Collins, RFC

President and CEO

Troy began his career in Financial Planning and Wealth Management in 1992 with IDS Financial Services. American Express Financial Advisors (AXP) acquired IDS, and within his first year, Troy ranked amongst the top 20 percent of AXP advisors nationwide due to the extraordinary level of service and expertise he provided. In 1996, Troy founded McKinley Financial Group (MFG) in order to broaden the sphere of products and services he could offer to clients. As an autonomous financial planning company, MFG provides comprehensive financial planning for both individuals and businesses, offering the majority of products available from insurance and financial institutions throughout the nation. Additionally, MFG specializes in real estate investment strategies that are designed to help provide income and growth for property owners and real estate professionals. Troy provides a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies that can potentially maximize cash flow and reduce tax consequences with property sales, exchanges and transfers for real estate professionals in commercial and residential real estate, lending (hard money and conventional), and real estate law.

Troy continues to educate others on advanced business and personal financial planning strategies. Some of these groups include the Women’s Council of Realtors, National Association of Estate Planning Professionals, Young Entrepreneurs Association, First Financial Planners, Pinnacle Advisors Group, and the California Chiropractic Association. Troy’s expertise in real estate and tax-advantaged strategies for individuals and businesses has progressively changed the status quo in the financial planning industry. Through cost savings and prudent planning, MFG clients continue to strive in their financial lives, which affords them the opportunity to enjoy the rest.

Troy is a registered representative through First Allied Securities, Inc (FASI). He holds Series 7 and 63 securities licenses as well as life, accident and health licenses in many states. CA Insurance Lic# 0B96613. He is also affiliated with First Allied Advisory Services, Inc. In addition to these affiliations, Troy is also a member of the IARFC as a Registered Financial Consultant, and most of all, Troy is a proud husband and father.

David A. Fiore, MBA

Vice President, Capital & Risk Management

David A. Fiore’s experience in real estate development and procuring capital for start-up companies has taught him the importance of planning from inception to exit. Through strategies in tax-efficient investing and efficient uses of capital, Dave has helped multiple companies maximize the return on their investments and meet their short- and long-term objectives. The same approach can be effectively used for individual financial planning, a.k.a. “You Incorporated.”

As a former professional athlete, Dave believes that success is a lifestyle, one that unfortunately is not attainable overnight. Instead, it requires a series of steps, and the ability to take advantage of life changing moments when they present themselves. Anticipating and preparing for the unexpected events reduces anxiety, making it possible to focus on living a successful and enjoyable life. Utilizing his focus and conviction, Dave became a perennial All-American football player at Hofstra University. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology, Dave went on to play eight seasons in the National Football League, during which he received the 2001 NFL Unsung Hero Award, and refined his professionalism on and off the field under the guidance of Bill Walsh and George Seifert. Throughout his NFL career, Dave also witnessed the financial difficulties experienced by many of his teammates.

Inspired to make a difference after his career with the NFL, Dave pursued and earned his Master’s degree in finance from Santa Clara University. He joined McKinley Financial Group to apply the knowledge he has gained through his educational background and life experiences, and to implement the revolutionary planning strategies the firm offers to his own clients. Additionally, Dave shares his comprehensive risk management understanding with business owners and individuals through education and an unlimited market of commercial and personal insurance products. CA Insurance Lic# 0F25996.

Timothy Connor, Ph.D

Senior Associate

Timothy Connor, a senior associate of McKinley Financial Group, specializes in helping clients with their insurance needs. He focuses on clients who are near or already in retirement whose main focus is a relatively low-risk strategy that will help them to maintain their lifestyles. He brings a thorough and useful set of experiences to the topic of retirement.

After obtaining his Ph. D. in Economics, Dr. Connor worked in Washington D.C. for the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare as an insurance specialist in retirement. Later, he helped large financial firms design retirement oriented financial products for their customers while at Stanford Research Institute, Arthur Andersen Consulting, and as an executive at Wells Fargo Bank and Transamerica Insurance.

For the past five years his insurance practice has helped selected families create and execute retirement plans that combine sophistication with simplicity. CA Insurance Lic# 0A95051.

Sarah Schineller

Operations Manager

Sarah Schineller has been in the financial planning industry for 10 years. In the past, she has held her Series 7 and 63 securities licenses, as well as California insurance licenses. She has owned her own practice and also worked as a planning assistant in the past, thus transitioning to a position of running the day-to-day operations of our firm has come easy. Sarah has an incredible knowledge of systems and business management and is a vital part of our team.

Ryan T. Nelson

Private Client Associate

Ryan began his career in 2007 as a Financial Advisor for AXA Advisors LLC in San Francisco, CA, where he managed retirement assets for employees of nonprofits and public school districts throughout the Bay Area. Prior to joining MFG he also worked as a registered client associate at Wells Fargo Advisors LLC in San Jose, CA, where he provided investment management support for a team of financial advisors. Currently, Ryan is a Registered Sales Assistant with First Allied Securities, Inc. (FASI) and holds FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities licenses, as well as life, accident, and health licenses in California. CA Insurance Lic# 0F90220. He is also affiliated with First Allied Advisory Services, Inc. (FAAS).

Ryan is a graduate of the University of California at Santa Cruz, with a B.A. in Economics. His responsibilities include directing the flow of business, trading, operations, and client services for the firm. A Bay Area native, in his free time Ryan enjoys backpacking in the High Sierras, and is an avid golfer.

Sofia Diazgranados

Intern

Sofia is our star intern who came to work with us from Barranquilla, Colombia in January 2011. She is currently majoring in business administration at the Universidad del Norte in Colombia, and continuing her studies here with hands-on experience in the finance world. She currently assists Troy Collins and the entire MFG staff in various administrative and marketing tasks. Upon her return to Colombia, she plans to finish her last semester and graduate with a concentration in finance. She plans to continue her studies after graduation by pursuing Master’s degree in finance, either in Colombia or the United States. In her free time, Sofia enjoys reading, traveling throughout the Bay Area, salsa dancing, and meeting new people.