Our Valor Leaders
Andy Zolper (USMC)
Executive Sponsor
Andy is a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute and is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. He served for five years as a communications and signals intelligence officer. He managed the deployment of first-generation tactical telephony/computing capabilities and integrated secure mobile voice, data, satellite, and multichannel systems while working with allied forces across Asia and Australia. Andy also served as an instructor for newly commissioned second lieutenants at The Basic School. Before coming to Raymond James, Andy led teams in technology risk, cyber security, program management, and process reengineering at JPMorgan Chase, and was CISO of UBS Wealth Management Americas, and later global head of Technology Risk Management for UBS. At Raymond James, Andy Zolper is the Head of Enterprise Technology Solutions and leads a world-class team of experts who deliver high performance, highly secure technology solutions to our business enterprise and our clients. In 2018, Andy was named to Raymond James’ Operating Committee. He also chairs the firm’s Operating Risk Management Committee and is executive sponsor of Valor, the veteran’s inclusions network. In 2021, Andy also joined the Girls Inc of Pinellas Board of Directors which supports life-changing programs and experiences that equip girls to overcome serious barriers to grow up strong, smart, and bold.
Steven LaBarbera (USMC)
Edward Sudzina (USAR)
Ed Sudzina is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and served as an Airborne/Ranger qualified Infantry Officer in the U.S. Army where he primarily served overseas and deployed to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Ed began his career in the financial services industry in 1997 as a financial advisor with Prudential Securities in Birmingham, Michigan. After a successful start to his advisory career, Ed was selected to attend Prudential’s Branch Manager Leadership Program in New York City. In 2001, Ed was introduced to Raymond James and shortly thereafter chose to return to Michigan to assume leadership of Raymond James Auburn Hills. In 2019, Ed was elevated to the role of Market Executive for the Eastern Michigan Complex, and in 2023 was promoted to Regional Director of the Western Gulf Region of Raymond James. He was twice named Raymond James Manager of the Year in 2015 and 2019 and was recognized as one of OnWallStreet Magazine’s Top 10 Branch Managers in 2016. In 2019, Ed was elevated to the role of Metro Detroit Market Executive where he works with all of the talented Raymond James managers, staff, and advisors throughout metropolitan Detroit and eastern Michigan to create a financial services organization rivaled by none. Ed holds the Wealth Management Specialist designation, is a graduate of the Securities Industry Institute at The Wharton School in Philadelphia, and earned his MBA from The Broad School of Management at Michigan State University.
Mercy Ameyaw Aston (USAR)
Mercy joined Raymond James in 2016 and currently serves as an Institutional Trader/Director of Municipal Dealer Sales at Raymond James where she serves as a trade liaison between the firm’s Municipal department and other broker/dealers throughout the country. Mercy is a highly decorated Senior NCO who retired after serving almost 17 years in the US Army. She specialized in SOF intelligence targeting and signal network operations. During her military career, Mercy served in combat operations in Afghanistan and NATO missions in Germany and Bosnia. In her last duty position, she served as the Acting First Sergeant and Platoon Sergeant in an elite Airborne Unit working closely with the Special Operations and law-enforcement partners. Mercy was the winner of the 2024 Tampa Bay Business & Wealth Magazine Women Who Win Awards “Young” category, selected as a 2021 Tampa Bay Business Journal 40 under 40 honoree, and winner of the 2022 InvestmentNews Rising Star award. Mercy is a member of the Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital Philanthropy Council, member of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay Advisory Board, serves on the Board of Directors of the Florida Municipal Bond Club, and serves on the Quantum Leap Farm Board of Directors. Mercy speaks five languages, holds a Masters in intelligence studies and operations, and a double Bachelors in political science and international affairs.
AnnMarie Hensler Davis (USN)
Rebecca Mohan-Gonzales
Austin Storck (USN)
Courtney Wallen (USMC Spouse)
Patty Wilson (USN Spouse)
Patty Wilson is married to a retired 20-year Navy veteran. She is passionate about supporting women in their careers, especially military spouses. When she was a military spouse, throughout the 80’s and 90’s, Patty experienced first-hand that it was challenging to truly immerse in a career. In 1998, just two years prior to her husband’s retirement, she was finally able to start her own career in the Financial Services industry. Patty has been affiliated with Raymond James since 2011, serving in various roles in both branch locations and the home office. Patty is currently the Complex Operations Manager for the RJA Minnesota/Dakotas Complex. She has a BS in Business Administration from the University of Southern Maine and holds Series 7,63, 66, 9, and 10 licenses. She currently lives in her home state of Minnesota with her husband, where they can be near their children and grandchildren.
Beth Jackson (USAF)
Operations: Finance Chair
Justin Maynard
Operations: Finance Vice-Chair
Justin Maynard is a Business Support Analyst in Recruiting at Raymond James. He recently graduated from Florida State University, where he was involved in finance clubs and his fraternity. Justin has a deep connection to the armed forces through his two brothers. One of his brothers is joining the Army on May 5th, while the other is returning home after six years with the Navy in December. He loves meeting new people, working on cars, exercising, and wrestling. He is ecstatic about the opportunity to join Valor and help the organization expand.
Rich Konefal
Operations: Fundraising Co-Chair
Rich joined Raymond James and moved to St. Petersburg in 2018 after spending over 20 years of his career in NYC with extensive amounts of time in London. Rich is the Chief Compliance Officer of the Capital Markets Division and his team supports the firm’s efforts in Investment Banking, Public Finance, Institutional Sales and Trading, and Research. Prior to Raymond James, Rich worked was the Global Head of Capital Markets Compliance at Barclays Capital, the Head of Equity Derivatives Compliance at Bank of America, and worked on the floor of the American Stock Exchange as a securities regulator. Rich holds the Series 4, 7, 24, 63, 79, and 99. Many years ago while at St. John Fisher College in Rochester, NY, Rich enlisted in the Army Reserve and was a Field Artillery Radar Operator spending time at Ft. Sill and Ft. Drum. Rich was with the Army Reserve until December 1999. Rich is married with two children, he is an outstanding fisherman, is a licensed Coast Guard Captain, and an avid yet sub-par golfer.
Bradley Freed
Operations: Fundraising Co-Chair
Bradley has been with Raymond James for just over 4 years—beginning his tenure in the Assistant to the Chairman (A2C) program before becoming the VP, Strategy for the Corporate Real Estate department. Prior to Raymond James, Bradley spent time all over the country. He grew up in South Florida, did his undergrad at USC in Los Angeles, worked at Apple in their headquarters in the San Francisco Bay Area, did a joint JD-MBA at Northwestern in Chicago/Evanston, and worked at the NBA in New York City. But as he puts it, has found home here in St. Petersburg, Florida. Bradley’s passions reside with his South Florida sports teams, with his weekend warrior golf game over at Feather Sound, and most importantly with his family—including his “better half” wife Samantha, son Elliott, and dog Bodie. Bonus material…. if all goes to plan, the Freed’s will be welcoming a new addition to the family in January 2025.
Bill Cosper (USAR)
My Newsome
Amanda Jones
Divina Williams
Divina Williams is a dedicated Sr. Corporate Actions Associate with over 20 years of experience in roles that emphasize service and collaboration. Throughout her career, Divina has excelled in positions such as Sr. New Accounts Associate, and before joining the firm in 2016, she held roles including Employee Recognition Specialist, Events Coordinator, and Specialty Supervisor. She consistently demonstrates a commitment to helping others and ensuring needs are met. Outside of her professional life, Divina is deeply involved in community service and volunteering, often serving at her church, in her community, and with various volunteer organizations in Memphis and Arkansas. Her passion for service extends into her personal life, where she supports her husband, a Mental Health Crisis Assessor of over 13 years. Divina is a fun mom to three beautiful daughters and one pup, Dallas, named after her favorite NFL team, the Dallas Cowboys. Divina’s values are rooted in service, community engagement, and dedicating support to make a positive impact both professionally and personally.
Jelani Gandy
Michael Takvorian
Michael Takvorian is a Division Administrator, working with the management team of the Midtown NY Alex. Brown branch at 320 Park Avenue and reporting to Mike Iaquinta. Michael joined Raymond James in September 2016 following the acquisition of the U.S. Private Client Services Unit of Deutsche Bank, which he was a part of since 2011 and which resurrected the Alex. Brown brand. Prior to unification of the AB Division with Raymond James in October 2023, he was part of the COO Team reporting to Michael Tormey. Currently he also serves a Local Co-Chair for the Mosaic Inclusion Network in NYC. Michael received a B.S. in Organizational Management from Felician University in NJ, and enjoys spending time with his wife Kim, three stepchildren, three dogs, family and friends, and one Harley Davidson.
Nicole Kelly
Ashley Williams
Cierra Howard
Julia Corrado
Julia joined Raymond James in 2022 and is a part of the Raymond James Investment Management Compliance team. She is a North Jersey native and currently resides in the Tampa area. She has been involved in community service supporting the military from a young age. Recently, her brother enlisted in the US Navy, which has further fueled her dedication to these efforts. Julia is looking forward to supporting our military communities nationwide. Outside of work, she enjoys fitness and spending time with her dog, Kona.