Building Relationships, Empowering Financial Professionals
Founded in 1997, Kovack Financial Network has grown into a leading independent RIA and broker-dealer. We are committed to providing you with the tools, resources, and support you need to succeed in a rapidly evolving financial landscape. As a boutique, mid-sized, family-owned firm, we offer a unique blend of personalized service and national reach.
Our Mission
We empower independent financial advisors to thrive through personalized support, proactive guidance, and a foundation for sustainable growth. As a family-owned Broker-Dealer and RIA, we build lasting partnerships grounded in our four core principles: Relationship-Centered Partnership, Proactive Risk Management, Growth Through Protection, and Service Excellence—ensuring integrity and advisor success go hand in hand.
– Dr. Ronald J. Kovack
Our Core Values
Through these four values, we create an environment where ethical practice and business success go hand in hand. We’ve created a community of advisors who share our dedication to doing what’s right for their clients and maintaining the highest standards of professional conduct.
Relationship-Centered Partnership
We foster deep, enduring relationships with our advisors, understanding that true partnership means being present in both challenges and triumphs. Our family-oriented culture ensures every advisor receives personalized attention and support, making them feel like valued members of our extended family rather than just business associates.
Proactive Risk Management
We safeguard our advisors’ practices through vigilant oversight and preventive guidance. By identifying potential challenges before they materialize, we help our advisors navigate regulatory complexities and market uncertainties with confidence. Our risk management approach combines sophisticated analysis with practical, actionable solutions.
Growth Through Protection
Sustainable growth flows naturally from doing things the right way. Helping our advisors avoid common pitfalls and maintain compliance creates a stable foundation for their success. Our approach emphasizes quality over quantity, ensuring growth never comes at the expense of integrity.
Service Excellence
We embrace a culture of servant leadership, where every interaction is guided by a genuine desire to help. From senior management to support staff, we maintain the highest standards of respect and professionalism in all relationships. This commitment extends beyond our advisors to their clients, employees, and business partners.
Meet the Kovack Team
We’re proud to introduce you to our executive team.

Brian J. Kovack, Esq.

Brian J. Kovack, Esq.
CEO and President
Brian Kovack is the CEO, President, and Co-Founder of Kovack Financial Network. Brian and his father, Dr. Ronald Kovack, started the firm in 1997. Brian has over 29 years of experience and oversees KFN’s strategic vision and growth for its affiliated financial professionals nationwide. His dedication to independent financial professionals is evident in his enthusiasm for providing exceptional, personalized service and leading strategic management solutions.
He served on the FINRA Board of Governors from 2016 to 2021 and completed a three-year term on the FINRA District 7 Committee. He has been a FINRA Dispute Resolution arbitrator since 2003 and has served as an Enforcement Hearing Officer for FINRA disciplinary hearings.
Brian has a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Florida, where he played Division I football and was an SEC Academic All-American. He earned a Master of Accounting & Juris Doctorate (JD) from Nova Southeastern University and has been a member of the Florida Bar and the American Bar Association since 2000.
In 2004, he graduated from the FINRA Institute at Wharton Program at the University of Pennsylvania, earning the CRCP designation.
Brian lives in Lighthouse Point, FL, with his wife, Stacey, and daughter, Harbor. In his free time, he enjoys travel, boating, and aviation.
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Carlo Bidone

Carlo Bidone
Executive VP and Director of Branch Development
Carlo joined Kovack in July 2002, where he focused on expanding the firm’s network through strategic recruitment of high-caliber representatives. Bringing over three decades of financial industry experience, he leverages his comprehensive expertise to cultivate meaningful relationships with financial professionals, advisors, custodians, strategic partners, and sponsors.
His extensive background encompasses personal production, equity and fixed-income trading, offshore banking, compliance, and operations. Prior to Kovack, Carlo refined his expertise in the independent financial sector at Investacorp.
He attended and completed his academic studies at the University of Miami and Florida International University. He maintains Series 7, 24, and 63 licenses.
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Isabelle Shick

Isabelle Shick
Executive VP and Chief Financial Officer
Isabelle Shick joined Kovack in June 2005 and is responsible for preparing financial statements for all of KFN and its subsidiaries. She oversees all accounting functions for the entities, conducts net capital computations, and prepares FOCUS reports.
Isabelle holds a BS in Economics and Finance from Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania and an MBA with a concentration in Entrepreneurship from Nova Southeastern University. She possesses Series 7, 24, 27, 66, 79, and 99 licenses and a Life Health and Variable Annuity (2-15) license.
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Melinda Wolfe

Melinda Wolfe
Executive VP and Chief Compliance Officer
Melinda Wolfe joined Kovack in 2006 and assumed the role of Chief Compliance Officer in 2010. She oversees all compliance and regulatory matters. With approximately 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, she has served two terms on the FINRA District Committee and acts as a FINRA Hearing officer.
She graduated from Florida International University with a BBA, majoring in Accounting. She holds Series 6, 7, 24, 27, 79, and 99 licenses.
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Harold Soria

Harold Soria
Senior VP, Advisor Relations
Harold Soria joined Kovack in March 2014 as cashiering team lead, became VP of Advisor Relations in September 2016, and was promoted to Senior VP in November 2020. He acts as a liaison for various branch offices and departments.
Harold has been in the securities industry since 2006, starting his career as a brokerage department manager at a broker-dealer in Central Florida. He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a BS in Business Administration and holds Series 7, 24, and 66 licenses.
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Winnaa Wright

Winnaa Wright
Senior VP, Operations
Winnaa Wright joined Kovack in September 2009 as a compliance officer and moved to operations in 2013 as the VP of Operations. In November 2020, she was promoted to Senior VP of Operations. She oversees the new accounts, account services, and cashiering departments. Before Kovack, Winnaa worked at an independent broker-dealer in Boca Raton, FL, progressing from operations analyst to accounts operations supervisor. She also worked as a mortgage processor.
Winnaa studied Business at the University of Westminster in London and earned her BA in Finance from Florida International University. She holds Series 4, 7, 24, 66, 79, and 99 licenses.
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