MEET THE TEAM

Chris Thomas, CFP^®, AIF, CPFA

Co-Managing Director

I started in the financial services business in 2002 and diligently pursue my mission of helping busy professionals get organized and better define the role that money plays in their life.  In 2020, I started the Forty W Advisors team with the vision of building an independent wealth management business focused solely on helping clients be the best version of themselves.   

I’m keenly aware of the stress that money and finances can play in people's lives no matter where they are on the wealth spectrum. The individuals and families that I work with through our personal wealth management services are typically self-employed or busy executives.  Like me, they are passionate about their career, their families and personal development.  They value their time and want to know that their hard-earned money is aligned with their goals and objectives.  

I made retirement plan consulting a part of my business to help small and medium sized businesses better meet the fiduciary and administrative demands of their company’s retirement plan and to have an impact on the lives of employees.  

I spent my early childhood in the Mid-West before moving to the New Jersey suburbs of NYC and then to James Madison University.  Following college, I moved to the DC area and a decade later married my wife Jessica.  We have three awesome daughters Claire, Elise and Grace.  As our family grew we migrated north to Ellicott City, Maryland and I found a male ally in the house with our labradoodle named Sammy. 

I try and spend my free time outdoors as much as possible.  When not coaching or watching the kids activities I enjoy golf, tennis and hiking or running the trails near our house.  

Mike Hoffman,   CFP®, AIF®, CRPC®

Co-Managing Director

I began my journey in the financial services industry in 2007, with T. Rowe Price. There I discovered my true calling: assisting clients in navigating the intricate landscape of their financial lives. Over the past 15+ years, I have dedicated myself to the independent advisory sector, working closely with entrepreneurs, executives, athletes, and entertainers to develop comprehensive strategies for their business and personal finances.

In 2023, I joined Forty W Advisors. We share a client-centric mindset, fueled by our shared dedication to exceptional client service.

My early years were spent in Memphis, TN, before my family moved to Pittsburgh, PA, and later to Little Rock, AR. Following my education at James Madison University, I relocated to the Baltimore area to pursue my career in financial services. Since then, Baltimore has become my home, where I reside with my wife Amy and our two daughters, Madeline and Juliette.

Sofia Walters

Client Experience Manager 

I believe the strongest businesses are those that are relationship-based, grown through client referrals, and that strive to serve their clients first.  That’s how I ran my own boutique photography business and how I have helped other businesses throughout my career.  

I joined Forty W Advisors in 2021 because of the team’s enthusiasm for taking their client experience to another level. 

I grew up in Huntington Beach, California before trekking east through Texas and Tennessee.

I currently live in Ellicott City with my three kids.

Micah Patashnik, CFP®, AIF®, CRPC®

Financial Planning & Investment Operations 

Micah is a partner of MacroView Investment Management, LLC and provides financial planning and  investment operations support to the Forty W Advisors team.  

As an investment advisor, Micah works diligently with MacroView clients on analyzing their overall financial situation in order to build an investment portfolio around their unique goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon. Micah believes in the importance of client communication and transparency of their investment portfolio. By helping clients understand and not deviate from their investment plan, they increase the likelihood of achieving their long-term goals.

Micah graduated magna cum laude from American University with a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics & Economics. Micah is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and also holds the designations of Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC®) and Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®). In addition, Micah has his Life and Health License from the state of Maryland and is licensed as an Investment Advisor Representative.

Daniel Cohen, JD*, MBA

Chief Compliance Officer

Daniel is the Owner and Managing Partner of MacroView Investment Management, LLC.  In his role he also serves as the Chief Compliance Officer over all MacroView business including the Forty W Advisors team.

Daniel has been an investment advisor since 1997, with both small and large money management firms. Prior to joining MacroView, he was a Director at Chevy Chase Trust.  He graduated in 1985 from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor's Degree. In 1989, he graduated from the State University of New York at Buffalo with a Juris Doctor and a Masters of Business Administration.

* Not practicing

Fern Pessin

Caregiver Consultant

In 2016, Fern Pessin became a full-time caregiver for her parents. Before relocating to Florida, Fern served on the board of Senior Services of Stamford, Connecticut (now Silver Source), raised millions of dollars for Alzheimer’s disease organizations and cancer patients and their families, worked for a large public hospital, and spent fifteen years as a consultant for the fitness industry. She is a content contributor and expert column responder at Caregiving.com, is a guest on radio shows and podcasts, and submits blogs and articles for many organizations. From a caregiver’s perspective Fern is committed to illuminating ways for caregivers and their family members to find assistance, recognition, inspiration, ease, and joy.

I’ll Be Right There: A Guidebook for Adults Caring for their Aging Parents (2019) was written to remove the overwhelm of the caregiving role and support families on the caregiving journey by providing a road map with worksheets, schedules, and strategies.

When Can We Talk? A Caregiver Guidebook for Holding Discussions Around Difficult Topics (2023) helps families collaborate together rather than having confrontations that lead to conflict.