Our Team

An Alumnus of the City University of New York, Mr. Goldson majored in Communications. After completing additional coursework in Business Administration at UCLA he founded an independent marketing cooperative supporting over 100 metropolitan area entrepreneurs. After spending nearly a decade consulting with several Fortune 500 affiliates on executive and employee benefits and sitting on two boards, Mr. Goldson dedicated two years to concentrate on the financial planning needs of individuals and families.

In March of 2003 Mr. Goldson completed a comprehensive course on priority senior issues conducted by the Society of Certified Senior Advisors and has earned the Certified Senior Advisor, CSA designation. Mr Goldson has taken this educational initiative to become a professional leader in meeting the key needs and issues concerning senior citizens.

As Pinnacle’s Chief Investment Officer, Mr. Goldson is also responsible for the training and education of other investment professionals and brings over twenty years of experience to the business and personal planning arenas

Email Mr. Goldson at hsg@pinnaclewealthllc.com.

Certified Senior Advisors have supplemented their individual professional licenses, credentials and education with knowledge about aging and working with seniors. The CSA designation alone does not imply expertise in financial, health or social matters.

Sharon Merkle is a graduate of Syracuse University and Harvard Law School. Prior to joining the financial services industry, she was a law firm partner in New York and Honolulu. Her practice was concentrated in litigation involving financial transactions, estates and trusts.

Ms. Merkle’s financial services practice focuses on financial planning for business owners, professionals and key employees, with an emphasis on asset protection, financial and investment counseling and estate planning.

Ms Merkle maintains a separate law practice where she counsels clients in matters including estate planning, formation of business entities, business transition, fiduciary obligations, and all types of contracts. She is a member of the New York, Massachusetts and Hawaii state bar associations.

Email Ms. Merkle at sam@pinnaclewealthllc.com.

Fred Schmalkuche has been in public accounting since 1981 and is a founding partner of Foster & Schmalkuche, P.C., a CPA firm in Gardiner, New York.

After identifying the need to provide financial planning services to his clients, Mr. Schmalkuche earned the distinguished designations of Personal Financial Specialist and Certified Financial Planner. As a financial planner he provides clients with personalized advice regarding asset protection, risk management, retirement and estate planning, and investment counseling.

Mr. Schmalkuche is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants, the Financial Planning Association and has been an instructor at the State University of New York at New Paltz.

Email Mr. Schmalkuche at fws@pinnaclewealthllc.com.