Meet Our Team
At Semmax Financial Group, you get more than just a financial advisor; you get a team of professionals, all of whom are experts in their field. And all with one goal, to make sure you have the retirement you deserve.
Jay Tyner, RFC®
Founder
Driven by an innate desire to help secure a bright future for the retirement demographic, Jay founded Semmax Financial Group in the Greensboro, North Carolina, area. He brings 20 years of experience helping this segment of the population protect its legacy. Dedicated to addressing its clients’ unique and diversified financial needs, Semmax Financial Group can assist with everything from retirement planning and wealth transfer strategies to charitable gifting and 401(k) coaching.
Matt Landon, CFP®
CEO
Matt Landon, CFP®
Matt joined the Semmax team as an Advisor in January 2017. A Winston-Salem local he grew up in the Triad and feels a passion to help others in the local community, he is a CFP®, a licensed insurance agent and has passed the Series 65 securities exam. He is a graduate of UNC Greensboro with a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and a double minor in English and History. Matt has a passion for learning and feels that knowledge applied is incredibly powerful; he loves to connect with clients and share why their unique plan has been tailor-made to their specific needs.
Matt and his wife, Kristen, have been married since 2015. They are active in their church where Matt serves as a deacon, and they have two rescue dogs. He is also an endurance athlete who enjoys competing in half marathons and triathlons. In his free time, Matt enjoys reading, running, and volunteering with his church.
Rebecca Johnston, RFC®
Director of Operations
Rebecca Johnston, RFC®
Rebecca is our Director of Operations here at Semmax Financial Group. Born in Tennessee and raised in Northern Virginia, Rebecca attended the College of Charleston where she studied History and Political Science. For the next several years, she traveled back and forth across the country as a proud Navy Spouse. Rebecca is also a Marine Corps daughter with deep ties to the military and veteran communities.
Rebecca brings more than 20 years of banking and investment experience to this organization. Half of that time, she continued to serve the military community by working at USAA. She has her Series 65 license and is a licensed investment representative. She also has her North Carolina Life and Health Licenses as well as a Notary.
Rebecca finally settled in North Carolina two years ago, with her husband and two teen children. She and her family enjoy the natural beauty of the area by spending as much time as possible outdoors. On sunny weekends, you can find her on the hiking trails, with her husband, Ken, and their Boerboel (South African Mastiff), Zoe. When it is cold or rainy, you can find her at the movies.
Michael Sellers, CFP®
Financial Advisor
Michael Sellers, CFP®
Michael brings over 25 years of experience in financial services to Semmax. After earning his B.A. in Economics from Wake Forest University, he gained valuable knowledge in private banking, lending, and independent wealth management. He achieved his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) professional designation while working at Vanguard in 2017.
As a Financial Advisor, he enjoys helping clients sort through the complexities of their unique situations and communicating their plans in a simple, easy-to-understand manner.
Michael and his wife, Anna, have been great friends since attending middle school in Concord, NC. They now have a blended family and stay very busy raising three young men in Concord. Parker just graduated with his MBA from UNCC. Austin is finishing up his degree at East Carolina, and Barkley is loving middle school and sports at Cannon School.
Between attending school events and football/basketball games, Michael and Anna enjoy real estate investing, travel, and cooking at home. They are active with their local Church and the Boys & Girls Club and support various military and first responder charities.
Kyle Leonard, CFP®, MBA
Financial Advisor
Kyle Leonard, CFP®, MBA
Kyle is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) Practitioner and Investment Advisor Representative. Kyle is originally from King, NC but now calls Mt. Airy home, where he, his wife, and four children live. He graduated from Wingate University, where he captained the golf team his senior year, and then completed his MBA through Liberty University.
Kyle began his career in the financial industry in 2013. In 2020 Kyle completed and passed the certification exam for the CFP® designation. He has worked as a financial advisor for Edward Jones and Fund Direct Advisors. Recently before joining Semmax, Kyle was with Truliant Federal Credit Union as a financial advisor. He looks forward to being a true fiduciary to Semmax clients and their interests and needs first.
Kyle and his family love to spend time at the pool year-round, and he still enjoys playing golf from time to time. When not at work, Kyle and his wife, Mary Alice, spend time chauffeuring their kids between their different swimming events and other activities.
Larry VanLandingham
Financial Advisor
Larry VanLandingham
Larry graduated from Liberty University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance. After starting in the retail banking industry, he experienced the effects of family and friends not preparing for their retirement years. He realized his heart was drawing him to help people prepare for their financial future. He passed his Series 66 exam and obtained his North Carolina Life and Health Insurance and North Carolina Medicare Supplement/Long-Term Care Licenses. He also has 35+ years of client service experience to help others with their financial needs. Larry is studying for his CFP® designation at The American College of Financial Services, to be an even better resource for his clients.
He likes to travel (anywhere there is a beach) in his spare time with his wife, Laureen, of 20+ years. He also loves spending time with his four children and their families (6 grandchildren). In addition, he and his wife enjoy being involved in church, playing golf, reading an enjoyable book, and enjoying time with their rescue dog, Kalie.
Jordan Shinsky, CFP®
Financial Advisor
Jordan Shinsky, CFP®
As a Financial Advisor, Jordan adds to the personal connection Semmax has with our clients and family culture. In addition, he has passed his Series 66 exam, FINRA Series 7, and obtained his North Carolina Life Insurance License.
Jordan grew up in rural Southwest Pennsylvania and moved to North Carolina in 2005 after graduating from California University of Pennsylvania with a major in BS – Applied Computer Science, and achieved his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) professional designation through George Mason University in 2023.
When Jordan is not helping our clients with their financial plans, he enjoys spending time with family, being out in nature, and working with his hands. Someday, Jordan plans to travel to Antarctica. He has been married for 15 years and has two children, ages 13 and 10.
Jordan considers Neil Armstrong his mentor because of his humility and great intelligence.
Jonathan Short
Financial Advisor, CCO
Jonathan Short
Jonathan joined the Semmax team after working in banking as a Broker Agent having passed the FINRA 6 and 63 Exams and afterward in the insurance industry as both an Insurance Agent and Adjuster. He passed his Series 65 Uniform Investment Adviser Law Exam, and also obtained his NC Life and Health Insurance license in 2016. Since 2022, Jonathan has served as the Chief Compliance Officer for Semmax Financial Group. Over the course of his career, Jonathan’s passion has been to work with people to make a positive difference for them and help them achieve their various financial goals in many different aspects of their lives.
Jonathan lives in Winston-Salem with his wife, Anna, and together they have been a licensed Foster Family helping to serve families and children in the community alongside the Children’s Home Society of NC. They have been very blessed to adopt two children, daughter Madeleine and son Colin, and welcome their son Ian, born to them the following year.
In his spare time, Jonathan loves to spend time outdoors with his family, play the piano, and serve the community with his local church.
Marc Snodgress
Agent
Marc Snodgress
Marc is the owner of Elder Planning Services and has been a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors since 1986. He evaluates the need for insurance, retirement and estate-planning protections for families nearing retirement while educating them on the various income planning tools available to them. Marc has helped over 1,000 families develop their own individualized savings and retirement accounts based on the unique needs of this new phase of life.
Robin Tyner
Consultant
Robin Tyner
After working in a corporate environment, Robin dedicated 18 years to homeschooling her three children. In 2009 she began assisting with her husband’s dream of building a company that has the best interest in mind of those close to retirement; a company they could trust. While she has suffered with Lyme’s disease for 22 years, God has blessed her with the opportunity to serve others through various avenues: Wife, mother of 3, grandmother of 2, owner, and employer.
Robin has been with Semmax Financial for 14 years. She graduated from Tennessee Temple and brought 21 years of experience in the Sales and Marketing industries. She plays a key role in the day-to-day operations of Semmax and its three companies. Robin is involved in all aspects of the company’s operation and fully understands what is necessary to ensure Semmax’ s success. She has a heart for people and truly cares about their best interest taking a proactive role in developing and strengthening relationships.
Tamela Ingram
Paraplanner
Tamela Ingram
Tamela joined the Semmax team in January of 2019. She is a graduate of Bob Jones University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in Finance. She has 16 years of administrative experience in the mortgage insurance industry, along with bookkeeping, tax preparation, and sales experience.
Tamela and her family enjoy serving at their home church, Freedom Baptist in Rural Hall. Tamela enjoys baking, sewing, and playing with her grandchildren. She is a classic car enthusiast and owner and often acts as her husband’s assistant during his restoration projects.
Jeanette Flynn
Client Services & Transfer Specialist
Jeanette Flynn
Jeanette is a Client Services & Transfer Specialist at Semmax Financial Group. Originally from Florida, Jeanette obtained her certification in Business Occupation Administration from Charlotte Vocational Technical Center, NC Real Estate Brokers License from Superior School of Real Estate, and her NC Notary Public from Wake Technical Community College.
Jeanette began her career as an Office Administrator in 2005 with Berkshire Hathaway Florida Realty & relocated to North Carolina in 2017 to work with Berkshire Hathaway Carolinas Realty so she could live closer to the mountains.
Jeanette & her husband, Michael, retired from the military after 28 years. They enjoy spending time with their 2 rescue cats, Onyx & Callie, weekends relaxing in their mountain house, traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway, & traveling to Virginia, Georgia, & Florida to visit family.
Keyana Rhodie
Client Services & Transfer Specialist
Keyaya Rhodie
Keyana Rhodie is a Client Services & Transfer Specialist at Semmax Financial Group. Originally from Eastern North Carolina, Keyana obtained her Bachelor of Business Administration with a Trust and Wealth Management concentration and a minor in financial planning from Campbell University.
Keyana began her career in the financial industry as a Client Associate for AAFMAA Wealth Management and Trust in Fayetteville, North Carolina, in 2021. Before joining the Semmax family, Keyana was with GCG Wealth Management as a Business Manager in Greensboro, North Carolina. She looks forward to building relationships with Semmax clients and fulfilling all their needs.
Keyana and her two sons, Aiden and Arlough, recently moved to the Triad area in November 2022. They enjoy playing at the park, swimming, or reading books together. Keyana also enjoys participating in the youth ministry and helping the children at her local church in her spare time.
Michael Ardoline
Client Services & Transfer Specialist
Michael Ardoline
Michael has lived in many areas, domestically and internationally, and has over ten years of experience in the financial services industry. He has a bachelor’s degree in Applied Mathematics from the Metropolitan State College of Denver and a master’s degree in International Finance from the University of Colorado.
Michael recently married his wife, Jamie, and they enjoy a life with their dog, Pepé, and their two cats, Tori and Walker. Since moving to North Carolina, Michael and his wife have taken advantage of their location and frequent the mountains and the beaches for some leisure time.
Jen Land
Client Care Specialist
Jen Land
Jen is a Client Care Specialist at Semmax Financial Group. Originally from Maryland, Jen moved to North Carolina to play basketball at Guilford College while studying Psychology and Elementary Education.
Jen began working as an Assistant Manager in the restaurant industry in 2008 in the triad area in North Carolina. For the next twelve years, she worked diligently to create a dining experience for the community that would leave a warm and genuine impression while building lasting relationships with those she met along the way. During that time, she got involved with the MDA Foundation and helped raise over $12,000 to fight for a cure for muscular dystrophy.
Jen and her husband Warren met in 2004 and were married in 2013. They welcomed their miracle baby girl, Elizabeth Jane, in June 2022. On the weekends, they enjoy watching sports, playing corn hole, and spending quality family time with their daughter and three dogs, Xena, Apollo, and Baboon!
Diane Winter
Client Care Specialist
Diane Winter
As a Client Care Specialist, Diane is an integral part of the Semmax team, dedicated to providing exceptional care and support to clients. Born in Indiana and having lived in the Midwest, deep South, and Washington DC area, she has called North Carolina home since 2001. Throughout her career, Diane has worked as an administrative professional in the legal, sales, financial, and academic fields.
Diane and her husband, Keith, have been married since 1989. They are the proud parents of two adult children. They also have a trio of rescues: a dachshund and two orange tabby cats. Since becoming empty nesters, they have been tackling a long list of home improvements and have started traveling to the places on their bucket list. Diane enjoys reading, baking, gardening, and knitting in her spare time.
Cheryl Snodgress
Client Care Assistant
Cheryl Snodgress
Cheryl is a licensed insurance agent and a graduate of Palm Beach Atlantic College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Behavioral Science. Cheryl is active in all areas of the company’s operation. She truly cares about each person they assist with retirement needs. Cheryl has been married to Marc for over 33 years. They are blessed with three children. Cheryl enjoys spending time with family, serving at her local church, singing and traveling.
Taylor Self
Marketing Specialist
Taylor Self
Taylor is a Marketing Specialist at Semmax Financial Group. Originally from South Carolina, Taylor graduated at the top of her class with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports, Arts, and Entertainment Management from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA.
Taylor began her career as an Event Specialist in Pittsburgh, PA, in 2011 and returned to the Carolinas in 2015 to further her experiences as an Event Coordinator and Catering Manager in Charlotte, NC. Enjoying the opportunity to build relationships and continue developing her marketing and customer relations skillset, Taylor joined a local company as the Marketing and Community Manager in a competitive custom home improvement industry.
She and her husband, Alex, a local palliative care social worker, were recently married in October 2021. They enjoy spending time with their 2-year-old rescue dog Josie Mae, hiking in the Triad and Western NC, traveling around the East Coast to visit family, cooking, volunteering in their community, and reading.
Logan Davis
Marketing Specialist
Logan Davis
Logan is a Marketing Specialist at Semmax Financial Group, bringing expertise in digital marketing and a passion for innovative strategies. Originally from Mocksville, North Carolina, Logan holds a Masters of Business Administration Degree with a focus on Marketing from Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, TN.
Throughout his career, Logan has excelled in digital marketing, specializing in SEO and email campaigns. He is driven by a desire to understand and implement cutting-edge marketing techniques while honing his leadership and communication skills.
Outside of work, Logan enjoys a fulfilling personal life. He recently married his wife, Brooke, in 2023, and together, they share their home with their two beloved dogs, Basil and Rayray. In his leisure time, Logan indulges in learning new skills, pursuing woodworking projects, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Clifford Peake
Digital Consultant
Clifford Peake
Clifford Peake is a seasoned Digital Consultant at Semmax Financial Group, bringing over 20 years of experience in digital marketing, content marketing, and social media marketing. Clifford has dedicated his career to helping organizations navigate the ever-evolving digital landscape, leveraging his expertise to deliver impactful digital strategies and measurable results.
Clifford holds a Bachelor of Communications (Business) from Bond University, Queensland, Australia, and has completed the Program for Management Development through the Gordon Institute of Business Science, Pretoria, South Africa.
Clifford’s dedication extends beyond his professional life. He married Christine in 2008, and together they have a daughter, Susan, a Yorkie named Lexi, and a cat named Mort. In his spare time, Clifford cherishes moments in the African bush with his family, a testament to his strong personal values and priorities.
The CFP® certification is the standard of excellence for the financial planning profession. All CFP® professionals commit to the CFP Board that they will comply with the CFP Board’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct. This helps give clients confidence they’re partnering with a financial advisor who will put them on the path to a secure future. Find out more at www.cfp.net.
