Our Team

Neil brings more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. Neil joined IFS in 1994 as the Manager of Technical Research. Over time, his responsibilities expanded to overseeing all operational and compliance functions for the firm, co-heading the investment and portfolio committee, and developing client relationships. Today, Neil works closely with the founder of firm, Martin J. Mancuso, to guide clients in the management of their wealth and work to achieve their unique goals and objectives.

Neil earned his Bachelor of Science degree in economics from the University of Pittsburgh. Committed to his profession and ongoing learning and excellence in his field, he earned an Executive Certificate in Financial Planning from Duquesne University. He is a Certified Financial Planner™ professional and earned a designation from the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. Additionally, Neil holds FINRA Series 24, 7, and 63 securities registrations through LPL Financial along with his Life, Accident, and Health Insurance license.

Active in his community, Neil currently serves on The Kiski School Board of Visitors, Parent Committee, and Planned Giving Committee. Additionally, he completed the prestigious Leadership Development Initiative program (LDI) through Leadership Pittsburgh Inc.

Neil and his wife Cheryl live in Cranberry Township and they have twin boys who are in college, Dylan attends High Point University in North Carolina and Ryan attends Roanoke College in Virginia. When not visiting his sons at their respective schools, Neil enjoys traveling, skiing, and mountain biking.

With more than 40 years of experience in the financial services industry in disciplines including accounting, audit, retirement plan design, financial and estate planning. Martin continues to provide a foundation and wealth of experience and knowledge to IFS. In addition to developing new relationships, Martin focuses on setting the tone for the business he founded more than 40 years ago while continuing to guide clients in the management of their wealth to achieve their goals and objectives. He also works closely with his business partner, Neil H. Pettes, CFP^®, to oversee the firm’s dedication to personal client services, independence, and integrity.

Over his career, Martin has been instrumental in helping clients navigate through some of the most difficult market cycles and economic events in history. Grounded in beliefs and discipline acquired over four decades of experience, coupled with a focus on assisting each client’s family to achieve and maintain their financial independence while passing on their wealth and values to future generations.

Martin earned his Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Pittsburgh, Katz Graduate School of Business and his Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from Allegheny College. He has a certificate in Executive Taxation from the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William & Mary and holds the Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC^®) designation from the American College^. Martin holds the FINRA Series 7, 24 and 63 securities registrations through LPL Financial along the Life, Accident, and Health Insurance License.

Martin and his wife, Susan, split time between homes in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, and Cornelius, North Carolina (Lake Norman), where he can continue his passion of water skiing while being closer to their grown daughters and four grandchildren.

Matt joined Individual Financial Services (IFS) in 2012 in the role of Registered Sales Assistant. Before IFS, Matt held various research, operational, and support positions with a local independent financial planning firm.

In addition to supporting Neil and Martin, Matt’s responsibilities include assisting in the ongoing management of client relationships, assisting in the design and management of client portfolios, and investment research and product analysis. He is also responsible for the day-to-day interactions and relationships with the various financial and investment firms and coordinating with the operational, compliance, and trading departments at LPL Financial, our broker/dealer.

Matt earned his Bachelor of Science degree in finance from Slippery Rock University. Committed to learning and excellence in his field, Matt holds the Certified Fund Specialist^® (CFS^®) designation. In addition, he holds the FINRA Series 7 and 63 professional licenses through LPL Financial along with the Life, Accident, and Health Insurance license.

Matt, his wife Ashley, and daughter Marlianna, live in Saxonburg, Pennsylvania. He enjoys running in North Park, going to concerts, and weekend getaways to Tionesta.

Cheryl officially joined IFS as a part-time Operations Analyst in the Summer of 2021 to assist her husband, Neil Pettes, Managing Partner of the firm with special projects and operational items as needed. Cheryl spent the last several years as a “stay-at-home Mom” raising their twin boys, Ryan and Dylan, who are now both off to college in Virginia and North Carolina respectively.

Before being her vital role of “Mom”, Cheryl spent nearly ten years in the Institutional Services area with Federated Investors (now Federated-Hermes, Inc.) interfacing daily and providing technology, administrative and relationship support for personnel of bank Trust Departments, Savings and Loans, and independent Financial Advisory firms which utilized the company’s web-based sub-accounting system for trading, account reporting, statements, data collection and many other functionalities.

Cheryl enjoys being back in an office environment when she can and balances that with a still busy household caring for their three (3) very independent and loving, yet needy, dogs. She was born and raised in the Pittsburgh area and earned her Bachelor degree in business administration and international studies at the University of Pittsburgh, including two summers studying abroad. She and Neil love the outdoors, walking and playing with their dogs, travel, and exploring new restaurants and cuisines. Cheryl will find any excuse to visit their sons while they are away at college and looks forward to their academic breaks which allow them to come home for longer than a week’s time. Never bored, Cheryl also enjoys reading, organizing just about anything, and solving a copious number of crossword puzzles/mind games. She will never pass up a good horror flick either.