About Us
Who We Are.
Fortem Loans aims to offer an expansive selection of brokerage services for our clients to choose from. We will personalize each client experience to find the lending solutions that works best for their unique needs.
Our Values
Professionals You Can Trust.
At Fortem Loans we put clients’ first. Our dedicated and personalized services allow us to cater solutions to each individual’s unique goals. We take pride in our confidentially and integrity. We maintain high standards to meet and exceed client expectations and hold ourselves accountable.
A Group of Professionals
Meet Our Team
Fortem [fawr-tem]: Derived from the Latin fortis; meaning strong. Financial planning isn’t about just investments but rather shared values and lifestyles. Discover if Fortem is right for you.
Blaine Amidei
Director of Lending
NMLS# 2111866
Fortem NMLS# 2315626
Blaine is the Director of Lending at Fortem Loans, a division of Fortem Financial. She brings over 12 years of experience in client relationship building through her strong foundation that began in the Hospitality industry.
Blaine earned her Bachelors of Science degree from San Diego State University where she majored in Recreation and Tourism Management with an emphasis in Recreation Systems Management. This firm basis in leadership, organization, and management skills allowed for a natural transition into the Financial industry.
From start to finish, it is her goal to collaborate with clients to find the perfect financing options available in the market today. Her philosophy is based on the concept of continued lending solutions, as opposed to an isolated transaction-oriented approach. She focuses on the achievement of the clients' stated objectives and building client relationships that have continued success stories.
Blaine enjoys being involved in the local community and coaches Cheerleading throughout the desert. She is an avid traveler, lover of reality television, and checking off concerts on her bucket list. Above all, her favorite thing to do is to spend quality time with her family, friends, and beloved pets.
NMLS# 2111866
Fortem NMLS# 2315626
Office: 760.206.8500
Contact Blaine AmideiAwards
- 2019 Recipient of Imagination First Award | Encompassing the company culture of delivering inspired experiences to clients by making the impossible possible.
- 2019 Recipient of Service Obsession Award | Identified client’s needs and delivered 100% above and beyond expectations.
- 2019 Recipient of Top Customer Service Award company-wide | 48 programs/corporate events operated, 100% of the Customer Satisfaction Surveys returned reflecting a cumulative 99.1% satisfaction overall rating.
- 2019 Top 3 in Sales Regionally as First Year Regional Sales Manager
- 2017 Record-setting Team Sales Company-Wide as Regional Account Manager
Blaine Amidei
Director of Lending
NMLS# 2111866
Fortem NMLS# 2315626
Brian P. Amidei
AIF®, CRPC®
Chief Executive Officer
NMLS# 2229622
Fortem NMLS# 2315626
CA Insurance License No. 0C12368
Brian is the CEO and a Founding Partner of Fortem Financial. With nearly 26 years of experience in the financial industry, he specializes in creating and implementing wealth management strategies with a focus on risk management, insurance planning and estate planning issues.
Previously, Brian was a Managing Director and Partner at HighTower, as well as have spent 13 years as a Senior Vice President and Wealth Management Advisor for Merrill Lynch in Indian Wells, California. At Merrill Lynch, he was a member of the Charles E. Merrill Circle of Excellence, a recognition given to a select group of Financial Advisors. A native of Chicago, Brian began his career by purchasing a seat on the Chicago Board of Trade. As a member of the exchange, he traded Municipal bond and Treasury bond options and futures for his own account.
Brian was recognized in Barron’s annual rankings of financial advisors as one of the Top 1,000 Advisors in America* in 2013 and 2014. He has been featured in various industry publications, including the Wall Street Journal, CNBC.com, Forbes, On Wall Street and InvestmentNews. Brian was the Financial Analyst for the Desert’s KMIR NBC Television in 2014 and 2015 and has been featured on CNBC and Fox Business News.
Brian is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) and a graduate of Executive Program for Financial Planning and wealth management at the Wharton School of Business. He is also a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC®), as designated by the College for Financial Planning.
Brian served on the Martha’s Village & Kitchen Board for 20 years, President emeritus of Legatus Palm Springs, Founding Corporate Sponsor of the Patrick Warburton Golf for Kids Celebrity Tournament benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and an active supporter and member of the finance council of Saint Francis of Assisi Church in La Quinta, CA.
NMLS# 2229622
Fortem NMLS# 2315626
CA Insurance License No. 0C12368
Office: 760.206.8500
Contact Brian P. Amidei
*Awards and recognitions by unaffiliated rating services, companies, and/or publications should not be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience a certain level of results if Fortem is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services; nor should they be construed as a current or past endorsement of Fortem or its representatives by any of its clients. Rankings published by magazines and others are generally based on information prepared and/or submitted by the recognized advisor. Awards may not be indicative of one client’s experience or of the Firm’s future performance. Neither Fortem nor the recognized advisor has paid a fee for inclusion on a list, nor purchased any additional material from the award provider. The criteria for each award is listed below:
*The Five Star Wealth Manager award is based on 10 eligibility and evaluation criteria: 1) Credentialed as an investment advisory representative (IAR) or a registered investment advisor; 2) Actively employed as a credentialed professional in the financial services industry for a minimum of five years; 3) Favorable regulatory and complaint history review; 4) Fulfilled their firm review based on internal firm standards; 5) Accepting new clients; 6) One-year client retention rate; 7) Five-year client retention rate; 8) Non-institutionalized discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9) Number of client households served; and 10) Educational and professional designations. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by Five Star Professional or the magazine. The award methodology does not evaluate the quality of services provided. Additional information about this award is available at: fivestarprofessional.com/2016FiveStarWealthManagerMethodology.pdf*Recognition for the Charles. E Merrill Circle of Excellence is based on (1) length of service, (2) total production or total adjusted revenue, and (3) a satisfactory compliance record.
Form ADV Part 2B | Brochure Supplement
Item 1- Cover Page
Brian P. Amidei
Fortem Financial Group, LLC
74-710 Highway 111, Suite 102, Palm Desert, CA 92260
708-206-8500
February 1, 2018
This Brochure Supplement provides information about Brian P. Amidei that supplements the Fortem Financial Group, LLC (“Fortem Financial”) Brochure. You should have received a copy of that Brochure. Please contact Brett D’Orlando, Chief Compliance Officer, if you did not receive Fortem Financial, LLC’s Brochure or if you have any questions about the contents of this supplement.
Additional information about Brian P. Amidei is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
Item 2- Educational Background and Business Experience
BRIAN P. AMIDEI, AIF®, CRPC®
BORN: 1964EDUCATION:
Brian P. Amidei has no formal post-secondary education.
BUSINESS BACKGROUND:
➢ Fortem Financial Group, LLC, Managing Member and Investment Adviser Representative, February 2018 to Present
➢ Fortem Financial, LLC, Managing Member and Investment Adviser Representative July 2016 to January 2018
➢ HighTower Advisors, LLC, Investment Adviser Representative, April 2011 to July 2016
➢ HighTower Securities, LLC, Registered Representative, April 2011 to July 2016
Additional Information about Professional Designations
Brian P. Amidei holds the professional designations of Accredited Investment Fiduciary (“AIF®”) and Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM (“CRPC®“).
The AIF® designation is a credential awarded by the Center for Fiduciary Studies, LLC, a division of Fiduciary360, to individuals who meet its professional, educational and ethical requirements, and demonstrate a commitment to fiduciary principles. The AIF® training curriculum culminates in a 60- question exam on the fiduciary practices, which requires a passing score of at least 75 percent. AIF® designees must agree to abide by the applicable code of ethics and complete six hours of continuing education each year on an ongoing basis.
The CRPC® designation is a retirement planning credential awarded by the College for Financial Planning® to individuals who meet its educational, examination and ethical requirements. Certificants are required to have completed the CRPC® Designation Program, a self-taught educational program focused on various pre- and post-retirement needs of individuals. Recipients are further required to have successfully passed a multiple-choice examination addressing a range retirement related matters, such as estate planning and asset management. On an ongoing basis, CRPC® designees are also required to affirm their adherence to the applicable Code of Ethics and complete at least 16 hours of continuing education every two years.
For additional information about each of these credentials, please refer directly to the website of the issuing organization.
Item 3- Disciplinary Information
Fortem Financial is required to disclose information regarding any legal or disciplinary events material to a client’s evaluation of Brian P. Amidei. Fortem Financial has no information to disclose in relation to this Item.
Item 4- Other Business Activities
Fortem Financial is required to disclose information regarding any investment-related business or occupation in which Brian P. Amidei is actively engaged.
Licensed Insurance Agent
Brian P. Amidei is a licensed insurance agent and in such capacity may recommend, on a fully- disclosed commission basis, the purchase of certain insurance products. A conflict of interest exists to the extent that Fortem Financial recommends the purchase of insurance products where Brian P. Amidei receives insurance commissions or other additional compensation. Fortem Financial seeks to ensure that all recommendations are made in the best interests of clients regardless of any additional compensation earned.
Item 5- Additional Compensation
Fortem Financial is required to disclose information regarding any arrangement under which Brian P. Amidei receives an economic benefit from someone other than a client for providing investment advisory services. Fortem Financial has no information to disclose in relation to this Item.
Item 6 - Supervision
Brett D’Orlando, Chief Compliance Officer, is generally responsible for supervising Brian P. Amidei’s advisory activities on behalf of Fortem Financial. Brett D’Orlando can be reached at the firm’s main telephone number listed on the cover page of this Brochure Supplement.
Fortem Financial supervises its personnel and the investments made in client accounts. Fortem Financial monitors the investments recommended by Brian P. Amidei to ensure they are suitable for the particular client and consistent with their investment needs, goals, objectives and risk tolerance, as well as any restrictions previously requested by the client. Fortem Financial periodically reviews the advisory activities of Brian P. Amidei, which may include reviewing individual client accounts and correspondence (including e-mails) sent and received by Brian P. Amidei.
Brian P. Amidei
AIF®, CRPC®
Chief Executive Officer
NMLS# 2229622
Fortem NMLS# 2315626
CA Insurance License No. 0C12368
Joseph G. Romano III
AIF®, CRPC®
President, Chief Operating Officer
CA Insurance License No. 0D04769
Joseph is President, Chief Operating Officer and a Founding Partner of Fortem Financial. He works with individuals and business owners to develop financial planning strategies, asset allocation solutions and investment plans. Joseph focuses on consulting with small - to mid-sized corporations and public entities on strategies for managing their operating capital, investment portfolios, retirement plans, lending solutions and liquidity strategies.
Previously, he served as a Managing Director, Partner at HighTower, as well as a First Vice President of Investments at Merrill Lynch. Joseph is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) and a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor(CRPC®), as designated by the College for Financial Planning.
In 2010, Joseph was named one of Palm Springs Life’s ‘40 Under 40’ Professionals to Watch in the Coachella Valley*. A graduate of Kent State University, he studied Marketing and was awarded a full athletic scholarship as the starting placekicker for the Golden Flashes.
Joseph is an active member of the prestigious Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) and has championed several board ladder positions for his local chapter. He is also an enthusiastic board member for the Patrick Warburton Golf for Kids Celebrity Tournament that benefits St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as well as currently holding a position on the Desert Classic Charities Board of Directors.
CA Insurance License No. 0D04769
Office: 760.206.8500
Contact Joseph G. Romano
*Awards and recognitions by unaffiliated rating services, companies, and/or publications should not be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience a certain level of results if Fortem is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services; nor should they be construed as a current or past endorsement of Fortem or its representatives by any of its clients. Rankings published by magazines and others are generally based on information prepared and/or submitted by the recognized advisor. Awards may not be indicative of one client’s experience or of the Firm’s future performance. Neither Fortem nor the recognized advisor has paid a fee for inclusion on a list, nor purchased any additional material from the award provider. The criteria for each award is listed below:
*The Five Star Wealth Manager award is based on 10 eligibility and evaluation criteria: 1) Credentialed as an investment advisory representative (IAR) or a registered investment advisor; 2) Actively employed as a credentialed professional in the financial services industry for a minimum of five years; 3) Favorable regulatory and complaint history review; 4) Fulfilled their firm review based on internal firm standards; 5) Accepting new clients; 6) One-year client retention rate; 7) Five-year client retention rate; 8) Non-institutionalized discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9) Number of client households served; and 10) Educational and professional designations. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by Five Star Professional or the magazine. The award methodology does not evaluate the quality of services provided. Additional information about this award is available at: fivestarprofessional.com/2016FiveStarWealthManagerMethodology.pdf
*The 40 Under 40 honorees were selected from among 229 nominees in a variety of professions, and described as being “self-admitted geeks, risk takers, hard workers, philanthropists, and open-minded thinkers who represent myriad professions from designers, tribal leaders, and entrepreneurs to medical professionals, marketing gurus, educators, artists, and innovative chefs.” Additional information about this award is available at https://www.palmspringslife.com/a-generation-of-leaders/.
Form ADV Part 2B | Brochure Supplement
Item 1- Cover Page
Joseph G. Romano III
Fortem Financial, LLC
74-710 Highway 111, Suite 102, Palm Desert, CA 92260
708-206-8500
February 01, 2018
This Brochure Supplement provides information about Joseph G. Romano III that supplements the Fortem Financial Group, LLC (“Fortem Financial”) Brochure. You should have received a copy of that Brochure. Please contact Brett D’Orlando, Chief Compliance Officer, if you did not receive Fortem Financial, LLC’s Brochure or if you have any questions about the contents of this supplement.
Additional information about Joseph G. Romano III is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
Item 2- Educational Background and Business Experience
JOSEPH G. ROMANO III, AIF®, CRPC®
BORN: 1975EDUCATION:
Kent State University, B.A., Marketing, 1998
BUSINESS BACKGROUND:
➢ Fortem Financial Group, LLC, Managing Member and Investment Adviser Representative, February 2018 to Present
➢ Fortem Financial, LLC, Managing Member and Investment Adviser Representative July 2016 to January 2018
➢ Registered Representative, Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments, August 2016 to Present
➢ HighTower Advisors, LLC, Investment Adviser Representative, April 2011 to July 2016
➢ HighTower Securities, LLC, Registered Representative, April 2011 to July 2016
Additional Information about Professional Designations
Joseph G. Romano holds the professional designations of Accredited Investment Fiduciary (“AIF®”) and Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM (“CRPC®“).
The AIF® designation is a credential awarded by the Center for Fiduciary Studies, LLC, a division of Fiduciary360, to individuals who meet its professional, educational and ethical requirements, and demonstrate a commitment to fiduciary principles. The AIF® training curriculum culminates in a 60- question exam on the fiduciary practices, which requires a passing score of at least 75 percent. AIF® designees must agree to abide by the applicable code of ethics and complete six hours of continuing education each year on an ongoing basis.
The CRPC® designation is a retirement planning credential awarded by the College for Financial Planning® to individuals who meet its educational, examination and ethical requirements. Certificants are required to have completed the CRPC® Designation Program, a self-taught educational program focused on various pre- and post-retirement needs of individuals. Recipients are further required to have successfully passed a multiple-choice examination addressing a range retirement related matters, such as estate planning and asset management. On an ongoing basis, CRPC® designees are also required to affirm their adherence to the applicable Code of Ethics and complete at least 16 hours of continuing education every two years.
For additional information about each of these credentials, please refer directly to the website of the issuing organization.
Item 3- Disciplinary Information
Fortem Financial is required to disclose information regarding any legal or disciplinary events material to a client’s evaluation of Joseph G. Romano. Fortem Financial has no information to disclose in relation to this Item.
Item 4- Other Business Activities
Fortem Financial is required to disclose information regarding any investment-related business or occupation in which Joseph G. Romano is actively engaged.
Licensed Insurance Agent
Joseph G. Romano is a licensed insurance agent and in such capacity may recommend, on a fully- disclosed commission basis, the purchase of certain insurance products. A conflict of interest exists to the extent that Fortem Financial recommends the purchase of insurance products where Joseph G. Romano receives insurance commissions or other additional compensation. Fortem Financial seeks to ensure that all recommendations are made in the best interests of clients regardless of any additional compensation earned.
Registered Representative
Joseph G. Romano has obtained a securities license and is a Registered Representative of Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments (PKS). PKS is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is a member of FINRA and the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board. Mr. Romano will receive normal and customary commission compensation for his business activity through PKS.
Item 5- Additional Compensation
Fortem Financial is required to disclose information regarding any arrangement under which Joseph G. Romano receives an economic benefit from someone other than a client for providing investment advisory services. Fortem Financial has no information to disclose in relation to this Item.
Item 6 - Supervision
Brett D’Orlando, Chief Compliance Officer, is generally responsible for supervising Joseph G. Romano’s advisory activities on behalf of Fortem Financial. Brett D’Orlando can be reached at the firm’s main telephone number listed on the cover page of this Brochure Supplement.
Fortem Financial supervises its personnel and the investments made in client accounts. Fortem Financial monitors the investments recommended by Joseph G. Romano to ensure they are suitable for the particular client and consistent with their investment needs, goals, objectives and risk tolerance, as well as any restrictions previously requested by the client. Fortem Financial periodically reviews the advisory activities of Joseph G. Romano, which may include reviewing individual client accounts and correspondence (including e-mails) sent and received by Joseph G. Romano.
Joseph G. Romano III
AIF®, CRPC®
President, Chief Operating Officer
CA Insurance License No. 0D04769
Brett D'Orlando
AIF®, CRPC®
Chief Compliance Officer
CA Insurance License No. 0D04769
AZ Insurance License No. 8386526
Brett specializes in portfolio analysis, asset allocation, financial planning, personal lending, lines and letters of credit, and business development.
Previously, he was a Managing Director and Partner at HighTower, as well as a Senior Financial Advisor and Assistant Vice President at Merrill Lynch.
Brett earned a degree in Business Management and Information Systems from Brigham Young University and has successfully completed the Level 1 Exam for the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. Brett is also an Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®), and is a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC®) as designated by the College for Financial Planning.
Along with his partners, Brett is a corporate sponsor of Martha’s Village & Kitchen, as well as a Founding Corporate Sponsor for the Patrick Warburton Golf for Kids Celebrity Tournament benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
CA Insurance License No. 0D04769
AZ Insurance License No. 8386526
Office: 760.206.8500
Contact Brett D'Orlando
*Awards and recognitions by unaffiliated rating services, companies, and/or publications should not be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience a certain level of results if Fortem is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services; nor should they be construed as a current or past endorsement of Fortem or its representatives by any of its clients. Rankings published by magazines and others are generally based on information prepared and/or submitted by the recognized advisor. Awards may not be indicative of one client’s experience or of the Firm’s future performance. Neither Fortem nor the recognized advisor has paid a fee for inclusion on a list, nor purchased any additional material from the award provider. The criteria for each award is listed below:
*The Five Star Wealth Manager award is based on 10 eligibility and evaluation criteria: 1) Credentialed as an investment advisory representative (IAR) or a registered investment advisor; 2) Actively employed as a credentialed professional in the financial services industry for a minimum of five years; 3) Favorable regulatory and complaint history review; 4) Fulfilled their firm review based on internal firm standards; 5) Accepting new clients; 6) One-year client retention rate; 7) Five-year client retention rate; 8) Non-institutionalized discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9) Number of client households served; and 10) Educational and professional designations. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by Five Star Professional or the magazine. The award methodology does not evaluate the quality of services provided. Additional information about this award is available at: fivestarprofessional.com/2016FiveStarWealthManagerMethodology.pdf
Form ADV Part 2B | Brochure Supplement
Item 1- Cover Page
Brett C. D’Orlando
Fortem Financial Group, LLC
44801 Village Court, Suite 201 Palm Desert, CA 92260
708-206-8500
February 1, 2018
This Brochure Supplement provides information about Brett C. D’Orlando that supplements the Fortem Financial Group, LLC (“Fortem Financial”) Brochure. You should have received a copy of that Brochure. Please contact Brett D’Orlando, Chief Compliance Officer, if you did not receive Fortem Financial, LLC’s Brochure or if you have any questions about the contents of this supplement.
Additional information about Brett C. D’Orlando is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
Item 2- Educational Background and Business Experience
BRETT C. D’ORLANDO, AIF®
BORN: 1977
EDUCATION:
Brigham Young University, B.S. Business and Information Systems, 2004
BUSINESS BACKGROUND:
➢ Fortem Fianancial Group, LLC, Member, Chief Compliance Officer and Investment Adviser Representative, February 1, 2018 to Present
➢ Fortem Financial, LLC, Member, Chief Compliance Officer and Investment Adviser Representative July 2016 to January 2018
➢ HighTower Advisors, LLC, Investment Adviser Representative, April 2011 to July 2016
➢ HighTower Securities, LLC, Registered Representative, April 2011 to July 2016
Additional Information about Professional Designations
Brett C. D’Orlando holds the professional designation of Accredited Investment Fiduciary (“AIF®”).
The AIF® designation is a credential awarded by the Center for Fiduciary Studies, LLC, a division of Fiduciary360, to individuals who meet its professional, educational and ethical requirements, and demonstrate a commitment to fiduciary principles. The AIF® training curriculum culminates in a 60- question exam on the fiduciary practices, which requires a passing score of at least 75 percent. AIF® designees must agree to abide by the applicable code of ethics and complete six hours of continuing education each year on an ongoing basis.
For additional information about this credential, please refer directly to the website of the issuing organization.
Item 3- Disciplinary Information
Fortem Financial is required to disclose information regarding any legal or disciplinary events material to a client’s evaluation of Brett C. D’Orlando. Fortem Financial has no information to disclose in relation to this Item.
Item 4- Other Business Activities
Fortem Financial is required to disclose information regarding any investment-related business or occupation in which Brett C. D’Orlando is actively engaged.
Licensed Insurance Agent
Brett C. D’Orlando is a licensed insurance agent and in such capacity may recommend, on a fully- disclosed commission basis, the purchase of certain insurance products. A conflict of interest exists to the extent that Fortem Financial recommends the purchase of insurance products where Brett C. D’Orlando receives insurance commissions or other additional compensation. Fortem Financial seeks to ensure that all recommendations are made in the best
interests of clients regardless of any additional compensation earned.
Item 5- Additional Compensation
Fortem Financial is required to disclose information regarding any arrangement under which Brett C. D’Orlando receives an economic benefit from someone other than a client for providing investment advisory services. Fortem Financial has no information to disclose in relation to this Item.
Item 6 - Supervision
Joseph G. Romano, Member, is generally responsible for supervising Brett C. D’Orlando’s advisory activities on behalf of Fortem Financial. Joseph G. Romano can be reached at the firm’s main telephone number listed on the cover page of this Brochure Supplement.
Fortem Financial supervises its personnel and the investments made in client accounts. Fortem Financial monitors the investments recommended by Brett C. D’Orlando to ensure they are suitable for the particular client and consistent with their investment needs, goals, objectives and risk tolerance, as well as any restrictions previously requested by the client. Fortem Financial periodically reviews the advisory activities of Brett C. D’Orlando, which may include reviewing individual client accounts and correspondence (including e-mails) sent and received by Brett C. D’Orlando.
Brett D'Orlando
AIF®, CRPC®
Chief Compliance Officer
CA Insurance License No. 0D04769
AZ Insurance License No. 8386526
Veronica (Vern) Sickenberger
Director of Operations
Veronica (Vern) has more than 25 years of experience in the financial industry. Vern has worked since 2007 in a team with Brian Amidei, Joseph Romano and Brett D’ Orlando. She has worked with the team at Fortem Financial since 2016. Prior to that, the team worked together at HighTower, where she was a member of HighTower’s Client Service Council and the client associate west coast training coach for 5 years, and at Merrill Lynch, where Vern was the 5-office complex training coach for 7 years. Her emphasis is providing pro-active client service and operational support to Fortem Financial’s clients. Vern’s goal is to provide Fortem Financial’s clients with the “ Ultimate Client Experience.” Vern resides in La Quinta with her husband Mark.
Office: 760.206.8500
Contact Veronica (Vern) Sickenberger
Veronica (Vern) Sickenberger
Director of Operations
Lisa Kazandjian
Director of Portfolio Management
Lisa has over 30 years’ experience in the Financial Services Industry. She received her BA from California State University, Los Angeles, where she majored in English Literature and Business Administration. Lisa has worked on a team with Brian Amidei, Joseph Romano, and Brett D’Orlando for nearly 20 years. She has worked with the team at Fortem Financial since 2016. Prior to that, the team worked together at HighTower and at Merrill Lynch.
Lisa served as Vice President of Portfolio Management Marketing at Prudential/ Wachovia Securities. She specialized in Fixed Income investments, having spent much of her career working on Institutional sales desks at First Interstate Bank, Piper Jaffray and Prudential Securities. Lisa’s current responsibilities include the analysis of High Net Worth portfolios to determine appropriate asset allocation. She manages all fixed income portfolios for all of Fortem’s clients with a specialty in Municipal, Government and Federal Agency bonds. Lisa resides in Indio, CA with her beloved dog, Zuzu.
Office: 760.206.8500
Contact Lisa Kazandjian
Lisa Kazandjian
Director of Portfolio Management
Ready to Get Started?
Our Philosophy
It Begins With a Solid Foundation.
Our philosophy is based on the concept of continued lending solutions, as opposed to an isolated transaction-oriented approach. We focus on the achievement of the clients’ stated objectives, with as little risk as possible.
Our process starts with a comprehensive understanding of the clients concerns and goals, followed by the presentation of the best lending options available in the market today, and finally the commitment to partner together and move forward with the loan. We will then work with our clients throughout the lending process in a timely manner. Any requests for documentation, updates provided by the lender, and celebration of milestones will be promptly communicated.
Once the loan is approved and funded, our most important function sets in: maintaining guidance for our clients for all their lending needs. We pride ourselves on preserving repeat clients and referrals which is the foundation of our success.
Our History
An Experienced Financial Firm.
Fortem Loans is a division of Fortem Financial Group – an independent fiduciary firm – that has been serving clients since 2018. We have extended our services into lending in order to provide our level of personal commitment to those in need of lending solutions.