Our Firm

Ascent Financial Group, LLC

HISTORY:

Our firm began in 1984 offering mutual funds and insurance to our clients.  Over the years our clients needs have grown, and our firm has progressed as well.  Our name, Ascent Financial Group, LLC, was created as part of a business reorganization and rebranding effort in 2008.  We were previously known as First Financial Planners.  Since the beginning our firm has been trusted by our clients to consistently provide personalized attention, exceptional service and quality advice.

OFFICE TEAM:

Gary Benke is the president of Ascent Financial Group, LLC.  He has more than 26 years of client experience in the financial industry.  He holds a BA from Rutgers, MS from Cornell and a Ph.D from Harvard.  Gary also holds the following designations: Chartered Mutual Fund Counselor, Registered Financial Consultant and Certified in Long Term Care.

Gary and his wife Sue have lived in Montgomery Township in Belle Mead, NJ (just north of Princeton) since 1980 where they have raised three sons.  Their oldest son Alex graduated in 2002 from Cornell University (in Engineering), lives in New York City, and works at J.P. Morgan Chase.  Mike graduated from Tulane University (pre-med) in 2003, New York University Medical School in 2007, and now is a resident at George Washington Medical Center in DC, specializing in Orthopedic Surgery.  Peter graduated from the University of Southern California in 2006 with a Degree in Theater - he is currently pursing his acting career in LA.  In his spare time Gary enjoys fishing, traveling with Sue, gardening and playing tennis.

Susan Fakes joined our staff in 2006 as Gary’s assistant.  Her primary responsibilities are in the areas of client services: preparation of investment summaries for clients. Keeping up with required minimum distributions from IRA’s for clients over 70 ½ is another major responsibility.  Susan holds a degree in Accounting with a Minor in Business Administration from the University of Jordan.  She has more than 15 years experience in the tax area as well as being an office manager for 5 years for a private company in Rocky Hill.  Susan and her husband have 2 children.
 
Donna Wolf joined our staff in January 2008 as our office assistant.  Her primary responsibility is in the area of office administration which includes client contact as well as seminar preparation and follow up.  She has over 15 years of administrative experience.  Donna and her husband have 2 sons.

OUR EXTENDED STAFF: 
 
Our firm is an Office of Supervisory Jurisdiction (OSJ) for the following brokers (each of whom have their own separate offices):

IN NEW JERSEY:

Ron Hunter, CFP®, RFC (Somerset)