Our People

Introductions

Who We Are

Our versatile team of specialists will tailor the services we offer to fit each and every client. That is why we are intentionally selective in who we serve. We have built our business on the philosophy that the stewardship and preservation of your wealth is paramount to a successful lifelong relationship.

Brian D. Wruk, MBA, CFP (US), CFP (Canada), CIM, TEP

President

Born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Brian is a Certified Financial Planner™ specializing in high net worth individuals making the transition between Canada and the U.S.  He founded Transition Financial Advisors Group, Inc. in 2001 as a fee-only, comprehensive Canada-US financial planning, investment management, tax planning and preparation firm. A dual Canada-US citizen, Brian holds both the Canadian and U.S. CFP designations, is a Registered Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) with the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners in the U.K. and holds the Canadian Investment Manager (CIM) designation. Based in Arizona, Brian is the author of “The Canadian in America: Real-life tax and financial insights into moving and living in the U.S. – 3rd Edition” and “The America in Canada: Real-life tax and financial insights into moving and living in Canada. – 2nd Edition” In addition, Brian has written many articles, been quoted in numerous newspapers and journals and speaks frequently on Canada-U.S. financial planning matters. 

He founded and co-chaired a Canada-U.S. International Tax Council with the IRS, in addition to having personal experience with his own Canada-US moves. Brian has been working with Canada-U.S. cross-border transitions since January of 1997. In addition to his professional designations, Brian holds an MBA from the University of Arizona, a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Alberta, a Business Administration diploma from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), and a Certified Advertising Agency Practitioner designation from the Institute of Canadian Advertising. Brian assists the community by speaking on financial matters, doing pro bono budget counseling, financial planning and tax work. Brian loves watching reality tv, following his beloved Edmonton Oilers and Arizona Cardinals, travelling, playing in a recreational Texas Holdem league, riding bicycle and recently became a grandpa.

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Mitch E. Marenus, MBA, CFPÒ (US), CFAÒ

Chief Investment Officer

Transition Financial Advisors Group, Inc.    www.transitionfinancial.com

Mitch is a Certified Financial Planner™ and Chartered Financial Analyst that directs the investment management process through investment research and analysis, portfolio construction, and asset allocation for clients relocating between Canada and the U.S.  In addition to the CFPÒ and CFAÒ designations, Mitch holds a Masters of Business Administration Degree in Finance from New York University. Mitch began working in the financial services field in 1986 and has almost 35 years of experience in the industry. He has taught investment management and financial planning at three different universities and enjoys speaking at industry conferences.

Mitch is married to Lourdes and they have two daughters Michele and Laura. Mitch likes the outdoors and in particular, river rafting and snorkeling.

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Jorge Alonso

Investment Associate

Jorge Alonso has been working in the financial services field for 20 years.  He was the office manager at his previous employer but the focus of his experience has been the back office function of investment management (trading, asset allocation, running/managing portfolio accounting software, producing investment statements and reports). He has a two-year degree from Miami-Dade College and is currently working towards obtaining his Series 65 certification.

Jorge is married to Vilma and they have no children. Jorge is an avid sports enthusiast (he loves the Lakers and Yankees!) and loves to travel.

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Eva Sunderlin

Financial Paraplanner

Eva Sunderlin holds the Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional® designation from The College for Financial Planning and has specialized in Canada/US financial planning and tax since 1991. Based out of the Arizona office, Eva works closely with clients through the financial life planning and taxation process.

During the financial life planning process, Eva helps our clients gather the necessary planning data and then reviews, edits, and processes the data through our custom-built Canada/US financial projections software. She then assists clients in implementing any planning recommendations. During tax season and throughout the year, she assists clients in every phase of the Canada/US tax preparation process.

Eva also doubles as our office manager and, along with Jorge and Tony, is one of the first voices you will typically hear when calling Transition Financial.

On a personal note, Eva has been married to Mark, a Technology Director for a charter school, since 2005 and they reside in Glendale, AZ, along with Eva’s mother.  They have three grown boys, two daughters-in-law, and six wonderful grandchildren.  In her leisure time, Eva enjoys watching a good British crime show, doing crossword puzzles, listening to jazz music, and taking road trips that include the mountains, forest, or water.

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Tony Caba

Associate Financial Planner

Tony Caba joined Transition Financial Advisors Group in June of 2021 as an Associate Financial Planner. He is currently a candidate in the US CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional designation and upon completion, will work towards earning the designation in Canada. Tony holds a degree in finance from Florida International University.  

Tony interned with Transition Financial in the summer of 2017 during his junior year of college. Upon graduating, Tony joined a large eCommerce company where he worked in search engine optimization and operations for three years before returning to Transition Financial Advisors to embark on a career in personal financial planning.

Born and raised in South Florida, Tony and his wife Laura love to travel, ski, play volleyball and spend the day out on the boat whether it be fishing, snorkeling or just cruising around with family and friends.

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Evonne Avalos

Office Management

Evonne Avalos is the newest addition to the Transition Financial Advisors Group team and will likely be the first voice you will hear when you call in. She has a background in higher education admissions, and office management spanning over 20 years. As the office manager, she makes sure everyone has what they need to do their job effortlessly and keeps the firm operating like a well-oiled machine by scheduling appointments, pitching in where needed. Evonne holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism & Mass Communication, and a degree in History from Arizona State University.

Evonne is married to Jesse and they have two teenaged daughters and two spoiled Chihuahuas. Evonne is a pop culture junkie, trivia buff, and is a self-professed Anglophile.

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