President & CEO

Darren Varano

Darren is well known throughout the Financial Services and Executive Search industries as one of the top consultants for Advisor Recruiting, Advisor Compensation, Competitive Analysis, Firm Infrastructure, and Firm Recruiting Strategies for the Independent, Career, Banking and Wirehouse channels.  Darren’s Advisor Recruiting systems are the benchmark for what most Financial Services organizations use today. 

Darren Varano started his career with Grayling Associates in 1992 as an Account Manager and has spent over 30 years developing his expertise. 

Director of Operations

Megan Schuck

Megan started with Grayling in 2002 as the Office Manager, supporting the firm and its owners in a variety of ways. In 2019, she was promoted to the role of Director of Operations.

Meg has created processes, brought in new technology and ideas to help the firm grow and run smoothly.   As the Director of Operations, it is her job to help clients navigate their accounts, support staff with day to day operations, and promote the company’s well- being in partnership with the management team.

Prior to Grayling, Megan worked for Key Tech, LLC, and most recently Touchstone Advisors, where she was the Office Manager.  She is a 1999 graduate of Northeastern University in Boston, MA with a B.S. in Human Services.

Megan is the proud mom of 3 amazing kids, which are always her top priority! When not spectating and helping out with one of the kids activities, you can find her working in her gardens, and enjoying time with family and friends.

Account Manager

Darius Goss

Darius originally was born and raised just West of Philadelphia, PA.  He received his degree from Elizabethtown College in Business Administration with a Minor in Accounting.  Darius has worked with Grayling over the last 15 years as a recruiter in both the main office located in Bloomfield, CT and also remotely based back in the Philadelphia area.  His areas of focus have been both Agent and Management recruiting as well as overseeing client accounts.  In his free time, he enjoys watching sports, hiking, kayaking and spending time with family.

Account Manager

Julia Helbling

Julia moved to Florida two years ago from her hometown in Cincinnati, Ohio to pursue her love of the ocean and warm weather. She recently graduated from The University of Cincinnati with a degree in Business Management and Technology, which has given her insight into Analytics, Information Technology, and Human Resources.

For the past eight years she has worked in Customer Service, as well as the recruiting industry. Her love for people has been her inspiration in her work life and she plans to continue that work with Grayling Associates. 

In her free time, she enjoys reading a good book out in nature, trying out new restaurants, and spending time with her family and friends. 

Account Manager

Jessica Warner

Jessica began her career as an Account Manager at Travelers, supporting financial advisors in Annuity Services. She has spent the last 20 years in education, teaching writing at the University of Hartford and later teaching upper elementary at a public Montessori school in a socio-economically diverse setting. In her role as an educator, she served on the school’s Racial Equity Committee and facilitated its Gender Sexuality Alliance. Advocating for diversity and inclusion is important to her. She brings strong communication skills and a desire to help others as she pivots out of teaching into a new career.

Jessica holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from Eastern Connecticut State University and a Master’s degree from the University of Hartford in Education. She enjoys helping others with her writing and editing skills and often edits articles for friends and colleagues.

In her free time, she can be found refinishing furniture or cheering for her sons at their games and meets. She enjoys hiking, kayaking, and reading self-help books. She also teaches paint classes at wineries. 

Account Manager

Lindsey Sieffert

Lindsey Sieffert was born and raised in Western PA. She graduated from BC3 with an associate degree in Office Administration in 2014. She then earned her bachelor’s degree in Technical Management with a focus on sales and marketing in 2021 from DeVry University. Lindsey recently graduated from Keller Graduate School of Management where she earned her MBA with a focus on Human Resources. 

Lindsey joined us after working for the cable industry in the sales and retention department for 10 years. Her main focus is to assist others in achieving their goals and growing into the role they desire. She is passionate about helping others in their life journey. 

Outside of work she is always keeping busy with DIY projects, enjoys making homemade gifts, and loves spending time with her husband, family, and friends. 

Account Manager

Sarah Broderick

Sarah has spent the last seven years working with individuals with developmental disabilities. Most recently, she has served as a Job Coach at Farmington Valley Transition Academy, teaching life skills to young adults in a vocational setting. Additionally, Sarah continues to work in the service industry where strong communication and interpersonal skills are at the forefront of her responsibilities. 

Sarah holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Western New England University and a Master’s degree in Applied Behavioral Analysis from Bay Path University. She enjoys helping others identify their strengths and applying their skills to be successful. 

In her free time, Sarah finds joy in spending time outdoors with her dog, attending sporting events, and hosting her family and friends.

Director

Alek Zervos

Alek was born and raised in Florida and spent most of his youth in his quiet home town of Port Saint Lucie before moving to Orlando to attend UCF. He graduated from UCF with a BA in Finance before moving to south Florida to be closer to the beaches and the broad range of things to explore. Alek has spent his time since college in the fast pace and demanding sales industry, with strong communication and relationship management skills being the focal point of his career.

Alek seeks fulfilment through the relationships he forms and making the most out of every connection. In his spare time, Alek finds excitement in exploring new things, reading books, and socializing with others.