Your future is our priority.
Diane Dodson, Brenda Johnson, Paul Miller, Kelsey Neal, Cory Nutter, and Smita Samant are each CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professionals.
CFP® professionals must meet rigorous coursework, training, and experience qualifications. One of the most notable requirements of CFP® professionals is the fiduciary — or trustworthiness — aspect.
This mandates that every CFP® professional must put their clients’ needs ahead of their own.
SUPPORT STAFF
Michael Knirnschild
Mahua Sengupta
Bryce Holt
Smita Samant, CFP®, CRC®, AIF®
Financial Advisor (Solon Office)
Born and raised in India, Smita came to the US in 1997 with a BSc-tech degree from the University of Bombay. Smita has over 23 years of professional experience in the Financial Services sector. After working for seven years at a local bank, including a role as the bank manager, she joined BDS Financial in 2007.
Smita is an Investment Advisor Representative of Commonwealth Financial Network®, a Registered Investment Adviser. She obtained the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification in 2012. Smita is also a Certified Retirement Counselor® (CRC®) and was also awarded the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) designation. She has obtained FINRA Series 6, 7, 26, 51, and 63 securities registrations (held through Commonwealth Financial Network®). Smita holds an Ohio variable annuities, life, and health insurance license. She has a holistic approach to investing and financial planning. In addition to advising her clients, Smita takes pride in educating them.
Smita lives in Twinsburg, OH with her husband Nitin. She is passionate and active in her community serving as President of a local nonprofit organization in 2016. She has also served as an Executive Board Member of another local, community, non-profit organization for six years. In her spare time, Smita likes to take walks in the metro-parks, try different recipes and listen to inspirational podcasts on a variety of topics.
SUPPORT STAFF
Kelly Marshall
Shae Smith
Melissa Shepherd
Brenda Johnson, CFP®, CKA®
Financial Advisor (Solon Office)
Brenda Johnson began her career at BDS Financial in 2002, transitioning from a full-time Human Resources position at Swagelok. After a career break to focus on raising her two sons, she returned to BDS Financial in 2012 as a Marketing Coordinator before transitioning to the role of Financial Advisor in 2014.
In her role as Advisor, she leverages her passion for serving others to build trust and forge lasting relationships with her clients, both professionally and personally.
Brenda has earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, certification. She holds the FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities registrations through Commonwealth Financial Network®, as well as life and long-term care insurance licenses. She is a Certified Kingdom Advisor® and has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Ohio University.
Brenda is an Investment Advisor Representative of Commonwealth Financial Network®, a Registered Investment Adviser.
SUPPORT STAFF
Catherine Nutter
Cory Nutter, CFP®, CPFA®, NQPC™
Financial Advisor (Solon Office)
Cory Nutter is a financial advisor with a wealth of experience and a passion for holistic financial planning. Joining BDS Financial Network in 2008, Cory has ascended through the ranks to become both an advisor and business owner. Known for his approach and commitment to long-term client relationships, his youth and experience provide a distinct advantage, ensuring that clients benefit from a forward-thinking financial strategy.
Cory earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a major in Finance and a minor in Economics from Ashland University. He holds the FINRA Series 7 and 66 registrations as well as maintains life and health insurance licenses. In 2017, he achieved the designation of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional, further advancing his capability to deliver comprehensive financial solutions. Additionally, Cory is a Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA®), focusing on assisting business owners in designing retirement plans tailored to business-specific goals.
He takes great pleasure in working with clients across diverse demographics, enjoying the process of piecing together the full picture of each client’s financial puzzle. His approach to financial planning is rooted in a holistic methodology, ensuring that every aspect of a client’s financial life is considered and integrated into a cohesive strategy.
Cory’s personal journey enhances his professional approach. Having grown up in a lower-middle-class household and struggling with student loan debt in his early 20s, he brings a grounded, realistic perspective to his craft. His own experiences give him a distinct understanding of the challenges his clients face, allowing him to offer empathetic and practical advice.
Cory is a devoted family man, married with two school-age children and a playful Aussie Doodle. As an Eagle Scout, he enjoys sharing his enthusiasm for the outdoors with his family, often spending weekends hiking, gardening, or fishing. He is also an active member of the Solon Chamber of Commerce and a proud graduate of Leadership Geauga (Class of 2024).
He looks forward to continuing his impactful work in the industry for many years to come, always driven by the joy of seeing clients' financial plans come to fruition and making a positive difference in their lives.
Diane Dodson, CFP®
Financial Advisor (Solon Office)
Diane, originally from central Pennsylvania, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from Penn State University. The Cleveland area has been her home now for over 30 years. After working as an Engineer for 15 years, Diane took a career break to focus on her family before transitioning into the finance sector.
At BDS Financial Network, Diane started with marketing responsibilities and advanced through roles in client services and investment research, eventually being promoted to Financial Advisor in January 2021. She holds FINRA Series 7 and Series 66 securities registrations, as well as Life, Health, and Variable insurance licenses. Diane achieved her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification in August 2021.
Diane is committed to a comprehensive approach to financial planning, focusing on strategies that align with her clients’ overall life goals and values. Her method ensures that every aspect of a client’s financial well-being is addressed, offering tailored solutions for a secure financial future.
Outside of work, Diane enjoys staying active, exploring the outdoors, traveling, and watching sports with her husband and son. With their son now in college, Diane and her husband have embraced new adventures, including joining golf leagues and a summer stint teaching Sunday School for 3- to 4-year-olds.
Paul E Miller, Jr., CFP®
Financial Advisor (Medina Office)
In 2016, Paul founded the Medina office of BDS Financial Network. He has 37 years of experience helping people to achieve their financial dreams. Paul grew up on a beef cattle farm in Holmes County Ohio. While working on the farm he learned that while hard work usually pays off, it does not always help you achieve your dreams. For that, you must find out what makes you passionate. For his dad, it was farming but for Paul it was not. So, he studied finance at Kent State to learn about business, economics and investing because he wanted to understand how people become financially independent.
In 1987, Paul joined the former investment firm, Kidder Peabody, which was a division of GE Capital. While there, he had niche training to help GE employees prepare and invest for their retirement. His specialty took him to different GE divisions around the country. In 1994, Paul earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification which further expanded his knowledge in income tax, risk management, investment management, retirement savings, education funding and estate planning.
In 1995, GE sold Kidder Peabody and though Paul still advises his former GE clients, his business has evolved to include people from various backgrounds and locations. This includes small business owners like himself. Paul’s mission has always been to help clients achieve financial independence. Being financially independent to him means that you can continue to work if you enjoy it but, you do not have to work to survive and, you do not worry about outliving your money.
Paul is married to his best friend, Jackie. They are a blended family with six grown and responsible adult children. Paul likes to joke that the CFP® certification on his business card does not stand for “certified family planner.” He points out, “as we all know, kids are expensive.” Furthermore, having been divorced in the past and enduring such a painful and expensive experience, Paul has a great deal of empathy for all who have suffered loss and are working to revise their financial plans. Therefore, he welcomes all who have experienced a life changing experience and need an empathetic ear.
Now that you know a little about Paul, he would like to learn about you. Feel free to set up a meeting to talk!
Kelsey Neal, CFP®
Financial Advisor (Lake Norman Office)
Kelsey is a Financial Advisor at BDS Financial Network, committed to delivering exceptional client service while continuously expanding her expertise in the financial industry. She holds both the Series 7 and Series 66 registrations and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional. With a strong analytical background and a passion for helping others, Kelsey embraces new challenges and opportunities to provide insightful, personalized financial guidance.
Before transitioning into finance, she graduated Summa Cum Laude from Cleveland State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering. Her engineering career began at Karpinski Engineering, where she contributed to building design, cost estimation, and energy-conservation studies. These technical experiences built a strong foundation in problem-solving and strategic thinking—skills that now shape her approach to financial planning and investment management.
Kelsey previously served in the Army National Guard from 2013 to 2025. She enlisted as an Intelligence Analyst (35F) before becoming a helicopter pilot (153M) and Warrant Officer within Army Aviation. She separated honorably at the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 3 (CW3) and was a qualified pilot in command with FAA instrument ratings in both Lakota and Blackhawk helicopters. Her military career included active-duty assignments as a Readiness and Training Officer; flying missions in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait in support of Operation Spartan Shield and Operation Inherent Resolve; supporting missions around the nation’s capital with The Army Aviation Brigade at Fort Belvoir, VA; and assisting stateside response efforts during natural disasters. These experiences instilled deep discipline, adaptability, and commitment—qualities she brings to her work with clients every day.
Kelsey is dedicated to building strong, lasting relationships grounded in trust, transparency, and genuine care. She believes financial planning is not just about numbers; it’s about understanding each client’s unique needs and aspirations and guiding them through life’s complexities with clarity and confidence.
Originally from Northeastern Ohio, Kelsey now lives in Sherrills Ford, North Carolina, where she enjoys paddle boarding, snowboarding, hunting, golfing, and flying. She is passionate about fitness and values time spent with her husband, Terry, and her two stepsons, Bryson and Talon.
Abbey Klag
Financial Advisor Assistant (Medina Office)
At the heart of Abbey’s career—both in healthcare and financial services—is a genuine passion for caring for others. She began her professional journey as a registered nurse, earning an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing from Cuyahoga Community College and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Ohio University. Abbey spent nine years with the Cleveland Clinic, where she developed a strong foundation in compassion, advocacy, problem-solving, and teamwork.
Abbey’s nursing career began in pediatric surgery and later led her to Medina Hospital, where she worked as a surgical nurse and eventually became the Assistant Manager of the Surgery Department. In that role, she supported both patients and care teams while helping oversee daily operations in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment. She strongly believes in leading by example and has always approached her work with a hands-on, team-oriented mindset.
After the birth of her first son, Abbey transitioned into a Care Coordination role with the Cleveland Clinic Employee Health Plan. There, she worked closely with caregivers and their families to manage complex healthcare needs, navigate benefits, and proactively plan for long-term wellness. This experience reinforced the importance of clear communication, thoughtful planning, and personalized guidance—principles that continue to shape her work today.
Abbey entered the financial services industry to continue serving others in a new yet deeply meaningful way, joining her father and sister in a family-centered practice. In her role, she supports both clients and the advisory team by helping ensure clear communication, thoughtful follow-through, and smooth overall client experience. She is often a first point of contact for clients and takes pride in being responsive, organized, and attentive to each individual’s needs. Abbey brings the same care, attention to detail, and advocacy to this work that defined her years as a nurse.
She is married to her husband, Nick, and is the proud mother of two young sons. Family is at the center of everything Abbey does, and her role as a parent has deepened her understanding of the importance of planning for the future and creating lasting security. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking and baking for family and friends, which is one of the many ways she expresses her love of caring for others. Her goal is to ensure every client feels supported, confident, and empowered at every stage of their financial journey.