And that starts with having the right team by your side.
We are more than financial professionals. We are partners in your journey, committed to understanding your vision for retirement and helping you build a future filled with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
As the employer of choice in the Lake Norman area, we’ve built a team that values innovation, meaningful relationships, and giving back. Through our Human and Social Impact initiatives, we actively foster a culture of service, ensuring that our work creates lasting value—not just for our clients, but for our community.
When you work with A4 Wealth Advisors, you gain more than financial guidance, you gain a team that truly cares about what comes next for you.
With 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, John Balcerzak has dedicated his business career to helping families and small businesses accomplish their financial goals by focusing on their core values which involve balance and clarity of all four asset classes. (Financial, Intellectual, Social and Human).
With all the turmoil in the markets and conflicts of interest with advisors, John believes clients can be best served when advisors act as fiduciaries for their clients. John also believes that “if you always take care of the clients’ best interest first the clients will take care of you and you can build real trustworthy lifelong client relationships.” John has been a multi-year winner of the Five Star Professional award¹, he is a regular contributor to WCNC’s Charlotte Today show, he hosts a radio show called “Creating Lifestyles Building Legacies” and is a published author. John has also been featured in Forbes and Fortune magazine and has the following licenses: Series 65, Life & Health, Long-Term Care, and Property and Casualty. To further his education and ethics, John attained the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification.
John resides in Lake Norman with his wife Anya, and their two sons John and Aiden. John and Anya attend Elevation Church. John is also a member of the National Ethics Bureau and the Financial Planning Association. One of John’s true passions is giving back so both A4 Wealth Advisors, LLC and John are actively involved in the Gradient Gives Back program and also helps support the following charities: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Toys for Tots, and the Knights of Columbus. John enjoys boating, skiing, golf, traveling, reading and attending Carolina Panthers football games. John is committed to truly make a positive difference for all the people in his life.
Contact A4 Wealth Advisors to discover how to build a priceless life and legacy today!
Shauntae Funkhouser is a seasoned financial advisor based in Huntersville, North Carolina, with a focus on retirement planning and divorce financial analysis. She serves as an Investment Advisor Representative at A4 Wealth Advisors, LLC, where she provides fiduciary financial planning services tailored to individual client needs. In addition, Shauntae is the founder and principal of LKN Finance and Divorce Consultants, LLC, a firm dedicated to guiding clients through the financial complexities of divorce with clarity and confidence.
Shauntae holds the Certified Personal Retirement Specialist™ (CPRS™) and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®) designations, reflecting her commitment to specialized financial expertise. She is currently advancing her knowledge by pursuing a Master of Science in Financial Planning and the CFP® Certification Education Program at The American College of Financial Services.
With over a decade of experience in financial services, insurance, and mortgage services, Shauntae is dedicated to empowering clients through education and personalized financial strategies. Her approach is client-centric, aiming to help individuals and families structure their finances for both immediate stability and long-term success.
A lifelong Charlotte native, Zac is an Investment Advisor Representative, IRS Enrolled Agent, and licensed Life, Disability & Long-Term Care agent, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, with a Bachelor’s in Economics from UNC Chapel Hill. He also holds a credential in Quantitative Financial Economics, sponsored by the NASDAQ Educational Foundation. Zac found his calling to financial services through a core passion for helping others make informed decisions. His expertise lies in tax planning, portfolio construction, and delivering comprehensive financial planning that dutifully serves the client’s best interests.
Zac lives in the Steele Creek area of Charlotte, NC, where he enjoys spending time with his family and girlfriend, building Lego to unwind, staying involved at church, volunteering with local charities, and working on music. He also loves tackling projects around the house and taking beach trips with his family.
As a near 20-year resident of Charlotte, Cory is a dedicated Investment Advisor Representative as well as a CHARTERED RETIREMENT PLANNING COUNSELOR®️ and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®️. Before joining the A4 Wealth Advisors team, he spent time with UBS Financial Services and LPL Financial where he developed a specialization for comprehensive retirement planning and investment portfolio management.
Cory believes that the strongest financial plans begin with strong relationships. Known for his personable and education-focused approach, Cory takes the time to truly understand each of his clients’ unique goals and priorities. He partners with individuals, families, and business owners to design tailored financial strategies that align with their values, aspirations, and long-term objectives.
Having grown up in Waxhaw, NC and now a resident of the Montclair area of Charlotte, it’s not uncommon to find Cory and his wife, Ali, enjoying the local live music scene, collecting vinyl records, and taking in everything that southern living has to offer. He also carries strong passion for golf, snowboarding, and everything college football. Most importantly, Cory values sharing these passions with his family and lifelong friends that have shaped who he is today.
Micheal Foster serves as a Financial Advisor with A4 Wealth Advisors, where he specializes in helping individuals, families, and business owners pursue greater financial clarity and confidence. His primary role is conducting educational seminars and personal consultations designed to help clients identify opportunities to strengthen their financial well-being through thoughtful retirement planning, tax-efficient strategies, wealth preservation, and protection planning.
Micheal is passionate about building lasting relationships with the families he serves. He enjoys walking alongside clients through every season of life and takes great pride in seeing families and businesses thrive. Whether helping clients prepare for retirement, create lasting legacies, or simply gain peace of mind about their future, Micheal believes financial planning should provide clarity, confidence, and purpose.
His journey into financial services was shaped by deeply personal experiences. After losing his wife following a two-year battle with cancer, Micheal experienced firsthand the emotional and financial impact that can come from being underinsured and unprepared for life’s unexpected challenges. That difficult season inspired him to enter the financial planning profession with a mission to help others prepare wisely so finances become a source of strength rather than stress. Today, his purpose is helping families build secure financial foundations while protecting the people and goals that matter most.
Micheal earned his Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Management and Human Resources from Colorado Christian University in 2005. He obtained his Series 6 and 63 securities licenses in 2017, followed by his Series 7 and 65 securities licenses in 2018. One of Micheal’s greatest strengths is his ability to simplify complex financial concepts into practical, understandable conversations. He believes clients deserve to fully understand the strategies and investments they are implementing, allowing trust to be built through education, transparency, and clarity rather than confusion or pressure.
Family and faith are central to Micheal’s life. He is the proud father of four children: Kaylynne Willis, who is married and enjoys life on her family farm; Jamianne (“Jae”) and Martina, who recently completed their collegiate volleyball careers at Catawba College while earning both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees. They have since launched careers in human relations management, coaching, and personal training. His youngest son, James, is an active middle school student involved in football and baseball. The Foster family enjoys spending time together through church activities, sporting events, races, festivals, and family cookouts.
Beyond financial advising, Micheal is deeply involved in mentoring and coaching young athletes. He currently coaches football at SouthLake Christian Academy and is the founder of Refuse 2 Lose HEART Camps, a youth sports program focused on teaching both athletic fundamentals and life principles including Honor, Excellence, Attitude, Respect, and Togetherness.
Micheal attends Freedom House Church and remains passionate about improving financial literacy and helping individuals and families better understand their financial opportunities. He also enjoys encouraging young people to become Christ-centered leaders who positively impact the world around them.
Heather brings over 17 years of experience in the mortgage and financial services industry and has been an essential part of A4 Wealth Advisors since 2023. She supports both clients and advisors with care and attention to detail, managing scheduling, reporting, compliance tasks, and administrative support across the firm.
Heather moved to Denver, North Carolina in 2023. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, foraging, mushroom hunting, and spending time at the beach. She’s also a passionate animal lover, proud cat mom, and stays busy with her two teenage sons exploring the outdoors and local nature.
Born and raised in Huntersville, NC, Conrad brings a unique blend of local knowledge and professional expertise to A4 Wealth Advisors. A proud alumnus of Appalachian State University, where he ran Cross Country and Track for the University.
Outside of work, Conrad enjoys spending time with his dog, Sam. You might find him fishing at a local pond, exploring hidden coves of Lake Norman, or wading through North Carolina’s rivers. When he’s not enjoying the outdoors, he can often be found on a local disc golf course. His passion for the outdoors and connection to the community are reflected in his thoughtful and personalized approach as a Planning Advisor at A4 Wealth Advisors.
Tonja brings over 20 years of experience in financial operations and plays a vital role in supporting both our clients and advisors with reliability, efficiency, and care. Since relocating from Florida to Huntersville, North Carolina, Tonja has become an integral part of the A4 Wealth Advisors team.
She is known for her strong work ethic, attention to detail, and genuine commitment to client service. Tonja is deeply valued by both her colleagues and the families we serve.
Outside of the office, Tonja enjoys spending quality time with her children and grandchildren, as well as her beloved dog, Mia.
Kate is a North Carolina native with a degree in Finance and Marketing, which she earned in 2023. She joined A4 Wealth Advisors in November and brings a thoughtful, client-focused approach to her role.
Outside of work, Kate enjoys spending time in nature, attending live music events, and being with friends. She’s also a proud cat owner and loves relaxing with her feline companion, Seamore, after a day at the office.
I am thrilled to join the team at A4 Wealth as a Client Associate, bringing with me 10 years of experience in the mortgage industry. Throughout my career, I have been dedicated to helping clients achieve their homeownership goals, and I am excited to transition my skills into the financial services sector. My passion for guiding clients, fostering meaningful relationships, and delivering personalized solutions aligns perfectly with the values of A4Wealth, and I look forward to contributing to the continued success of the team.
Originally from New York, I relocated to the South due to life’s adventures, and I am deeply family-oriented. I cherish the time spent with my loved ones and am fortunate to have two nieces, two nephews, and a Godson who serve as a daily reminder to embrace life’s simple joys.
Outside of work, I enjoy taking long walks, reading, and traveling, always seeking new experiences to enrich both my personal and professional life.
Hi everyone! My name is Anjenie Garcia, and I’m beyond excited to be joining the A4 team this year. I was born in New Jersey, and my family is from the Dominican Republic, which has shaped my love for the beach, the outdoors, and new adventures. Travel is one of my greatest passions! I love learning from people and believe one of life’s biggest gifts is the ability to experience different cultures.
In my free time, I enjoy hiking, practicing pilates, and spending time with my Shih Tzu, CJ. Staying active, exploring nature, and connecting with others are the things that bring me the most joy.
I’m excited to continue exploring my passion for client service and for serving others through A4. I look forward to the opportunity to learn, grow, and experience as much as I can!
Christine brings more than a decade of experience leading strategic marketing and communications for financial services firms, nonprofits, media organizations, and mission-driven brands. As Director of Marketing at A4 Wealth Advisors, she shapes how the firm’s story is told. Her work includes overseeing campaigns, events, and digital experiences designed to serve and engage the families A4 supports.
Originally from New York, Christine now calls Charlotte home and is passionate about contributing to the Lake Norman community through thoughtful, community-centered marketing.
Outside of work, she is an author and lifelong writer who enjoys deepening her faith, spending time in nature, going on adventures with her daughter, and working on her next creative project.
I’ve been immersed in the financial services industry since 2019, driven by a passion for serving others. Over the past few years, I’ve dedicated myself to assisting clients with their employer-sponsored retirement plans. Life has taught me the invaluable lesson of having a financial plan and protecting what truly matters, and I am incredibly grateful for a career that allows me to share these insights with others.
Today, I’m proud to serve clients as part of the team at A4 Wealth, where I continue to help individuals and families build meaningful, personalized financial strategies aligned with their goals.
I love getting to know each individual client and guiding them through the process of organizing their finances. The uniqueness of each person and family fascinates me; no two are the same. Learning about what my clients are passionate about helps me tailor their experience to suit their specific needs.
The loss of my mom to cancer was a profound experience for our family, highlighting the importance of being financially prepared. We were not ready for the financial burden that accompanied our grief. This experience fuels my commitment to helping families prepare for any situation, allowing them to focus on grieving and spending time with loved ones without financial worries.
My life revolves around faith and family. I’m married to my high school sweetheart, Andrew, who is my biggest supporter. Together, we have a baby and run a small farm filled with horses, chickens, dogs, and cats, keeping us busy when I’m not working. Originally from Colorado, I moved to North Carolina at the age of eight and fell in love with the friendly people of the South. I am the oldest of four siblings, all of whom are active in sports and church activities. I cherish attending their games and church events, sharing in their passions.
My dad, Mike Foster, has been a strong influence in my life and career, and I value the foundation he’s helped instill in me as I continue building my path in the financial industry.
In my free time, I enjoy riding horses, walking my dogs, baking, cooking, and riding jet skis on the lake near our home. I have a deep love for the mountains and the great outdoors. As a preschool teacher at my church, I find joy in working with kids and their boundless enthusiasm for life and learning. They offer me fresh perspectives every week, enriching my life in countless ways.
Born and raised in NC, Jennifer has spent more than 20 years building a successful career in the financial services industry, specializing in executive administration, strategic meeting planning, and business operations support. Jennifer is passionate about fostering collaboration, building strong relationships, and creating positive experiences for both colleagues and clients.
Today, Jennifer resides in Troutman, NC, with her husband, their 16-year-old daughter, and her extended family. Jennifer values family, integrity, and hard work. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time on the lake and making memories with her children and grandchildren.
Administrative Assistant / Bookkeeper
Bachelor of Engineering Technology graduate with a passion for quality work, lifelong learning, and the hobbies that bring creativity and joy to everyday life. I believe in working hard, paying attention to the details, and always giving my best.
