We moved! 99 Swift Street, Suite 300 South Burlington, VT 05403
You Receive a Total Team Effort
We are a friendly, authentic, and approachable team. We are always in your corner, looking out for you. We'll guide you through life’s transitions and the important financial decisions you face along the way.
Meet Our Team
Mindy Pakulski
President
Bobby Torney
Managing Director and Financial Planner
Kyle R. Nicholls
Wealth Advisor
Michelle Kuhar
Client Service Associate
Makenna Higbee
Concierge Service Associate
Jamie Thayer
Office Manager and Advisor Support
Mindy Pakulski
President
With more than 24 years of experience in the investment and banking industries, Mindy founded Legacy Financial Services in 2010. Mindy loves working with individuals and families and is dedicated to the success of her clients and her community. She provides guidance in investment and risk management, strategic life planning for retirement, cash flow and budget planning, and income tax and estate planning awareness. Mindy’s success can be attributed to many things, but mostly, her philosophy is to limit client debt and reduce their cash flow need.
In addition to completing formal training in fiduciary responsibilities, Mindy holds her FINRA Series 7, 63, and 66 securities registrations as a Registered Representative and an Investment Adviser Representative of Commonwealth Financial Network®. To maintain her qualifications, Mindy attends conferences and workshops covering the economy and markets, investment principles, pensions and social security, financial solutions, estate planning, social trends, ethics, and other topics of importance in a constantly changing world.
Mindy’s commitment to her clients, along with her expertise, has led her to be recognized for many awards through the years. Since 2012, Mindy has been a member of Commonwealth's Winners Conference, President, and Summit Club and has been recognized among the top 7 percent of Commonwealth advisors based on annual production.
Mindy is a graduate of the University of Vermont and lives in Underhill, Vermont, with her husband and children. Outside of the office, Mindy loves boating, hiking, swimming, reading, and skiing. She is also very active in the local community and church.
Mindy is proud to have been recognized as a President's Club advisor for 2023—a distinction based on annual production attained by 11 percent of advisors affiliated with Commonwealth Financial Network®. Each year, Commonwealth, the Registered Investment Adviser–broker/dealer that helps us process investment transactions on your behalf, recognizes President's Club advisors by inviting them to an exclusive gathering of their peers, leading industry experts, and Commonwealth home office staff.
President's Club advisors benefit from an intensive learning and networking experience designed to help them hone their expertise, share best practices, and provide ever-higher levels of service, education, and leadership to their clients.
Bobby Torney
Managing Director and Financial Planner
Bobby joined Legacy Financial Services in 2023 and has more than 13 years of experience in the investment management industry. Bobby joined Legacy Financial Services from Morgan Stanley where he worked as a Portfolio Manager developing solutions for multi-generational families, businesses, and institutions. Prior to Morgan Stanley, Bobby began his career in Boston, MA and held positions with Raymond James & Associates, UBS, and State Street Global Advisors. In addition to his focus on portfolio and investment management, Bobby works with clients to design and implement complex financial and estate plans to help his clients achieve their goals. Bobby’s proudest accomplishment is his deep relationships with his clients and their families, he loves being a trusted advisor and serving the needs of his clients.
Bobby lives in South Burlington, Vermont with his wife Hannah and their three boys. He is active in the community serving as Chair Emeritus on the Board of Directors for Special Olympics Vermont as well as the Board of Directors of the St. Lawrence University Hockey Alumni Association in addition to numerous committees for other nonprofit organizations throughout Vermont.
Bobby earned his bachelor’s degree from St. Lawrence University and attended University of Rochester’s Simon Business School for his MBA. In addition to extensive fiduciary training as a Portfolio Manager Bobby holds the FINRA Series 7, 63, and 66 securities registrations as a Registered Representative and Investment Advisor Representative of Commonwealth Financial Network. When not in the office Bobby can be found enjoying the great outdoors with his family, either on the water of Lake Champlain or downhill skiing the sides of the green mountains.
Kyle R. Nicholls
Wealth Advisor
Kyle joined Legacy Financial Services in 2022 and has more than 9 years of experience in the financial services industry as an advisor in the banking and credit union space. He is focused on investment research, portfolio management and construction, as well as customized financial planning. Kyle has an incredible skillset and listens well to help build and execute financial plans that will help our clients pursue their goals and plan for their legacies. Kyle holds his FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities registrations as a Registered Representative and Investment Advisor Representative of Commonwealth Financial Network®. He is also licensed for life insurance in Vermont.
Kyle is a native Vermonter who earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina. He now lives in South Burlington, Vermont with his wife, Jennifer, and son, Liam. As an active member of our local community Kyle currently serves on the Board of Directors for Special Olympics Vermont as well as the South Burlington Rotary Club, including sitting as past President. Outside of the office Kyle also enjoys golfing, skiing, hiking, being on the water, and spending time with his family.
Michelle Kuhar
Client Service Associate
Michelle has more than 21 years of experience in the financial services industry and has been with Legacy Financial Services since 2010. Originally from Boca Raton, Florida, Michelle earned her bachelor's degree in marketing and communications from the University of Florida before relocating to Vermont and joining Morgan Stanley as a financial assistant. She later joined TD Wealth Management and Mindy as a client service associate before arriving at Legacy Financial Services in 2010. Michelle currently oversees firm operations, including database management, scheduling, and general client relations. In her free time, Michelle enjoys reading, cooking, and a wide variety of craft and sewing hobbies.
Makenna Higbee
Concierge Service Associate
Makenna joined the Legacy Financial team in September of 2020, bringing enthusiasm and passion for servicing clients. One of her favorite things about working at Legacy Financial is building lasting relationships and hearing from clients about how they are reaching their financial dreams. Makenna provides direct support to our financial advisors and is responsible for establishing, maintaining, and building relationships while providing first-class personalized services.
Makenna earned a bachelor’s degree from Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island while competing on the varsity equestrian team. Although Rhode Island will always hold a sweet spot in Makenna’s heart, she always knew that she wanted to return to her home state of Vermont.
Some of Makenna’s favorite things to do outside the office include horseback riding, downhill skiing, boating, and golfing.
Jamie Thayer
Office Manager and Advisor Support
Jamie joined the Legacy Financial team in 2022, bringing more than 8 years of experience in client solutions and marketing. With his vast background, Jamie strives to bring projects in the office to completion and helps to make our financial advisors shine. Jamie brings enthusiasm and passion to his position on the team and looks for ways to create an even more impactful experience for our clients.
Jamie earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Vermont in 2017. Outside of the office, Jamie enjoys fly-fishing, golf, and hockey. He also gives back in our community with his deeply rooted passion for the environment and conservation of the Green Mountain State.
Our Extended Team
Through our affiliation with Commonwealth Financial Network®, we have access to teams of investment research specialists and a robust technology platform to help us better serve your needs. Use the buttons below to learn more about our support teams.
