Staff
Dave Owens - Managing Member
Contact Info - 239-333-1031 x155
Dave Owens Bio - Click Here
Dave Owens is the President of AdvantaIRA Trust, LLC, a Third-Party Administrator for self-directed IRAs and Retirement plans. His background as a Certified Public Accountant, combined with a long history of personal retirement self-direction, provides his audiences and clients with solid advice and practical solutions to their IRA investment questions.
Dave holds a BS in Accounting from Purdue University. Dave has also earned the prestigious Certified Exchange Specialist designation through the Federation of Exchange Accomodators. He spent the first 15 years in Public Accounting starting with Deloitte, Haskins and Sells.
Dave has spoken with hundreds of groups about the power and possibilities of IRA self-direction, and provides continuing education seminars to Attorneys, CPAs and real estate professionals. He has also appeared as a guest speaker on local and national investment radio shows and at local and national conferences. You will find his passion for building wealth in your IRA contagious and entertaining.
Theresa Knower - Chief Operating Officer
Contact Info - 239-333-1031 x115
Theresa Knower is better known as Momma T in the office. It may be due to the fact that she is the first to remind everyone to clean up after themselves and always mind their manners, or it could be due to the fact that she is a thirty-something working in an office overflowing with twenty-something’s. She has had to face the harsh reality that very few people in the office share her intense appreciation for the 80s since most of them were still in diapers when she was rocking out to Bon Jovi, and Barbie and Ken were a happily married doll couple with a very bright future. If you have questions on how to successfully defer taxes on the sale of investment property through the use of a 1031 exchange, or you want to know how to invest in real estate with your IRA, or if you want to just reminisce about the time when MTV actually played music videos, give her a call!
Brandon Hall- IRA Director
Contact Info (239)-333-1031 Xt. 153
Brandon "Too Small" Hall moved to Southwest Florida after graduating from the 14-time Football National Champion, University of Alabama. Despite being surrounded by office gators, Brandon trudges forward like the old Atari "Pitfall" game, often only stopping to rest on top of the Gators. Brandon and his wife, Jennifer, who he met in college, have already successfully brainwashed their two sons, Preston (7) and Kellan (2) as well as several local friends. Brandon is certified by the American Banking Association as an IRA Specialist and can help you understand the rules and regulations of IRAs, transaction scenarios, IRS reporting, or why your team is inferior to the Crimson Tide.
Doug Robertson - Senior Associate
Contact Info - 239-333-1031 x118
Born and raised in Fort Myers Florida, Doug is often referred to as our resident “Florida Cracker”. With a B.S. in Finance from the Lutgert College of Business at Florida Gulf Coast University, Doug has nestled comfortably in our Futures and Forex Department truly allowing his NERDY side to shine through. Doug’s enthusiasm is so contagious; vaccines were created for it alone! He is the “Most Interesting Man” at AdvantaIRA.
Kevin Collins - Miami Regional Sales Manager
Contact Info -(786) 275-5870 Direct
Daniel Fisher - Senior Associate
Contact Info - 239-333-1031 x151
Daniel is very surprised to find himself in SWFL after moving here from New York 8 years go for school as he promised his mother he wouldn’t stay after graduating from Ave Maria University with a degree in Economics. His passions include IRA accounting and regulations, his wife, freshly baked goods, his new Kitty-Cat Meow Meow, and anything starring Julie Andrews. When not explaining IRA regulations to clients or complaining that the cake in the office is ‘too dry’, he can be found captaining the AdvantaIRA Asset Kickers Kickball Team in Ft Myers. So if you’re in need of knowing IRA regulations, what your fees are, or the best bakeries in the area, Dan Fisher is your man!
Kelsey Dineen - Real Estate Associate
Contact Info - 239-333-1031 x114
As a Southwest Florida native, Kelsey Dineen is as rare as the Florida Panther and twice as deadly when it comes to closing real estate transactions. Wild and elusive, she thrives in the legal jungle of self-directed IRAs and the IRS regulations surrounding them. As a Graduate from the University of Florida, she is also referred to as a Gator. Carnivorous comparisons aside, she prefers tofu over steak. If you seek to purchase real estate or notes in a self-directed retirement plan, she is happy to serve as your guide.
Audra Montgomery - Accounting Associate
Contact Info - 239-333-1031 x158
Audra Montgomery is one of our client services associates and is a graduate of the University Of Florida Warrington College Of Business. She bleeds orange and blue and can help you set up a new account and transfer funds into your IRA. She is always bringing in one of her latest baking creations in attempt to fatten up her associates. She enjoys visiting the beautiful Florida beaches and going fishing with friends and family whenever she gets the chance. If you need help filling out your new application or transfer form or just want to talk about how great the Gators are, feel free to contact her and she would be happy to assist you!
Greg Degilio - Transaction / Sales Associate
Contact Info - 239-333-1031 x116
Originally from the financial center of the modern world, Syracuse, New York, I have taken my talents to South Florida where I have spent the past five years. After graduating from Lutgert College of Business at Florida Gulf Coast University with my B.S. in Finance, I began opening new accounts and processing transfer requests. Currently, I am involved in processing private placement/LLC transactions and futures/forex business development. Logically, growing up playing ice hockey in one of the coldest snowiest places in the country, I am the first in the office to complain about how cold it is.
Amy Blanco - Accounting Associate
Contact Info - 239-333-1031 x154
Amy Blanco is originally from Windy City Chicago but is a Florida girl at heart. She attended the International Academy of Design and Technology in Tampa and is currently working on getting her Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design. Sadly, her school doesn’t have a mascot, so she was forced at gunpoint to be an adopted Gator. Since Amy is the computer savvy and creative one on the team, she is the first one everyone runs to when they can’t turn on their computers or convert a document to a PDF. Currently she assists with some accounting, answers the phones, greets the clients, does the marketing, updates the website, helps with online access, makes the breakfast, cleans the rooms, and does the laundry… Basically, she helps out everywhere she can, so please contact her if you need any assistance with your AdvantaIRA!
Amy Scott - Accounting Associate
Contact Info - 239-333-1031 x111
Amy Scott is one of our Client Services Associates that performs daily accounting transactions. She is a graduate of the University of South Florida and the only Bull in an office of Gators. She is the founder of the AdvantaIRA Asset Kickers kickball team, plays soccer locally in different leagues, and likes to take long runs during the sunset. It’s safe to say she scores both on and off the field. She also enjoys reading a good mystery while lying out on the white sandy beaches of Fort Myers. Being the second Amy to join the AdvantaIRA team, she has taken on a few nicknames such as “Amy2”, “S”, or “Other Amy.” If you have any general accounting questions regarding bills, checks, fair market valuation forms, and invoices then give her a ring!
Jeff Warda - Senior Accounting Associate
Contact Info - 239-333-1031
Jeff was born and raised in Wisconsin, and is a die-hard 'Packer' fan. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, where he majored in Accounting (with a minor in snow-shoveling). Desiring warmer weather, he moved west to Southern California, where he lived for a number of years, before recently moving to Southwest Florida. When Jeff is not 'crunching numbers', he can be found reading, playing baseball with his young son, or eating the wonderful international foods that his wife, who is originally from South America, cooks. Jeff's main responsibilities with Advanta include Accounts Receivable, Collections, and anything that needs reconciling.
