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Rick Tonkinson, MBA, MPA, CFP®, CLU, AIF®

Founder and President
[email protected]

Rick is the founder and president of Tonkinson Financial. He has been a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional since 1991 and has more than 30 years of experience in wealth management. Rick is a former Peace Corps volunteer in Colombia, where he met his wife, Margarita, and where their son, Steven, was born. Rick grew up with a strong work ethic and learned the value of a dollar ever since his first job as a paperboy at 12. He studied at night school to earn an MBA and an MPA with a specialization in budgets from the University of Miami. Rick specializes in helping clients achieve financial security through practical and comprehensive personalized financial plans. His passion is to provide middle-class investors with a level of service that is not often available anywhere else.

Rick has also been active in the community for more than 40 years and supports more than 30 charities. He is chairman of the Dean’s Leadership Advisory Board for FIU School of Communication, Architecture and The Arts (CARTA) and treasurer for the Diabetes Research Institute National Board. Rick is also a board member for the FIU Foundation, The Woody Foundation, and The Tonkinson Foundation.

In his free time, Rick enjoys traveling across the U.S. and abroad with Margarita and learning the history. They reside in Pinecrest.

Education and Certifications:

  • Pennsylvania State University bachelor’s degree in business administration
  • University of Miami master’s degree in business administration (MBA)
  • University of Miami master’s degree in public administration (MPA)
  • CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional 
  • Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) awarded by the American College of Financial Services
  • Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) professional designation awarded by the Center for Fiduciary Studies

 

 
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Steven Tonkinson, CFP®, AIF®, CFS®

Managing Director and Co-Portfolio Manager
[email protected]

Steven is the son of Rick and Margarita and is the managing director of the firm. Steven has over 20 years of experience in retirement and financial planning, wealth management, portfolio asset allocation, compliance, and guiding clients through major life transitions. Steven earned his BS in accounting with a minor in economics from the University of Florida, where he was a 4-year recipient of the Florida Academic Undergraduate Full Scholarship. Steven has been a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional since 2006. As director, he oversees business development, compliance, investment analysis, portfolio management, and performance monitoring responsibilities.

Steven volunteers as a response team member (SRT) with the disaster relief charity ShelterBox, deploying 15 times to assist in delivering vital aid. He also coaches a standup paddleboard team for Special Olympics Florida. He serves as a board member for ShelterBox USA, The Woody Foundation, the CPHAA, and The Tonkinson Foundation.

Steven resides in Coconut Grove with his wife, Sarah, and their two chocolate labs. He is an Eagle Scout and has completed an Ironman triathlon and several ultra marathons. He is an avid kiteboarder and snowboarder. He hopes to visit all of the U.S. National Parks one day.

Licenses and Certifications:

  • CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional 
  • Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) professional designation awarded by the Center for Fiduciary Studies
  • Certified Fund Specialist® (CFS®) professional designation awarded by the Institute of Business Finance
  • FINRA Series 6, 7, 24, 63 and 66 securities registrations as an Investment Adviser Representative of Commonwealth Financial Network®
  • 2-15 Life, Health & Variable insurance license through Commonwealth Financial Network®

 

 
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Kristina Shamonina, CFP®, ChFC®, Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)®

Client Manager
[email protected]

Kristina first came to Miami in 1997 as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar from Kamchatka, Russia, and met Rick and Margarita through her host Rotary Club. She is a magna cum laude graduate of Florida International University.

Since 2005 Kristina has served in various capacities at Tonkinson Financial, first starting as the office manager and becoming an advisor in 2016. As an advisor Kristina has paired her standout customer service mindset with her financial planning skills as she seeks to provide our clients with the best experience possible. Kristina has been a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional since 2014.

Along with shelling on the west coast of Florida, Pilates and gardening, Kristina enjoys road-tripping throughout the U.S. She is also a cat lover and a Lego builder.

Licenses and Certifications:

  • CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional 
  • Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) awarded by the American College of Financial Services
  • Certified Senior Advisor (CSA®) awarded by the Society of Certified Senior Advisors
  • FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities registrations as an Investment Adviser Representative of Commonwealth Financial Network®
  • 2-15 Life, Health & Variable insurance license through Commonwealth Financial Network®

 

 
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Tom Saul

Advisor and Co-Portfolio Manager
[email protected]

First starting as an intern in June 2010, Tom has evolved into his current role as an advisor, investment analyst and co-portfolio manager. He is instrumental in building our investment models and specializes in investment research, portfolio asset allocation and financial markets analysis. He is responsible for developing many of the internal software systems and infrastructure critical for the daily operations of the investment management team.

He holds the FINRA Series 6, 7, and 66 securities registrations. Tom is a graduate of the University of Miami, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and finance. He successfully passed Level I & II examinations of the Chartered Financial Analyst® program and is working towards completing level III.

Tom’s biggest joy is spending time with his wife and two young daughters. He is involved with his temple’s young professional group, is an avid car enthusiast and skilled baker.

tom-saul-cfa-institute-cfa-program-level-ii-passed
 
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Lucy Foerster, FPQP®

Client Relations Coordinator
[email protected]

Lucy joined Tonkinson Financial in September 2020 after several years in financial services. She grew up in Miami and graduated from Temple University in Sports and Recreation Management in 2008. Lucy is responsible for handling the firm’s operational and marketing duties. She has passed the FINRA SIE, Series 6 exams and has a Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional designation and a 2-15 Life, Health & Variable License.

Lucy is very involved in the community; she is the executive director of the Woody Foundation, an organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for those living with paralysis. She is also a board member for the Junior Orange Bowl, chair of the Sports Ability Games, and member of the Junior League of Miami. She enjoys Scrabble word games, college football, and meeting up with her run club.

 
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Margarita Tonkinson, MPA

Associate
[email protected]

Margarita has worked with Rick to build the family business for more than 30 years. Margarita has extensive experience in administration, office restructuring and reorganization. She has been instrumental in the growth of the business from its early stages. Margarita earned an MPA from the University of Miami. She was a Fulbright Scholar to Germany in 1992 and helped chip down the Berlin Wall. Margarita is also very committed to several charities. She serves as a member for the Rotary Club of Coral Gables Scholarship Committee, a board of director of the Deering Estate, co-chair of the University of Miami Library, and is the executive director of The Tonkinson Foundation.

 
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Ryan Diaz

Administrative Assistant
[email protected]

Tonkinson Financial welcomed Ryan in 2022, prior to joining us he worked in the insurance industry for six years. A native of Miami, Ryan lives with his wife Diana; their family is eagerly awaiting the arrival of a baby girl this fall. As a graduate of Miami Dade College, Ryan earned his associate degree in economics and is currently studying theology with minor in philosophy from Franciscan University of Steubenville. Together with his wife, they are active volunteers at their local church. Ryan is an enthusiast of cars, cigars, boots, and watches.

 
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Baloo

Official Greeter Emeritus

Baloo is a chocolate Labrador hailing from Citra, Florida, and is Steven's loyal companion since 2010. Since then, he has been responsible for the warm, home felt greeting clients receive when they visit our office. Now you can find Baloo napping in Steven's office or in the kitchen waiting for a treat.

 
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Bogey

Official Greeter

Bogey is the third chocolate Labrador Steven has had. He is from Lakeland, Florida, which is very fitting because he loves the water. He hasn’t met a living creature he didn’t want to be friends with. Bogey became part of the Tonkinson family in 2019. He loves getting his belly scratched, going in between your legs, and sharing his toys with you.