Meet Your Team

JOE OTTAVIANO, CFP®, CKA®

President, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, Certified Kingdom Advisor®

As President and CEO of APC, Joe Ottaviano brings strategic leadership and deep financial expertise to every aspect of the firm — from financial planning to investments to operations. Clients and colleagues alike value Joe’s steady presence, vast knowledge, and heartfelt passion for helping families make wise financial decisions. He leads with both heart and conviction — described as a “faith-full entrepreneur” who tirelessly carries APC into the future for the benefit of the community. Team members admire Joe’s unwavering commitment to excellence, his insistence on the highest standards in every client interaction, and his deep care for both clients and staff. His enthusiasm is contagious, and his commitment to excellence elevates the experience for everyone around him. Whether he is coaching others through complex planning decisions or showing up on weekends to ensure every detail is right, Joe brings unmatched dedication. As one teammate put it, “He’s like a machete — cutting through the noise to make sure we do the right thing for the client.”

Joe’s career spans decades across corporate finance, operations, and entrepreneurial ventures, including leadership roles at Texas Instruments, Compaq Computer (now Hewlett Packard), and a family-owned business. A graduate of Bentley University (B.S. in Accounting), Joe also holds an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, Certified Kingdom Advisor®, and CPA. Joe is an active member of the Financial Planning Association and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. His decision to transition from the corporate world to personal financial planning reflects his desire to make a deeper, more personal impact in the lives of individuals and families.

Joe’s journey with APC began in 2004 — not as a team member, but as a client. He was drawn to the firm’s values, culture, and unwavering commitment to putting clients first. In 2016, he officially joined the team as Vice President and financial planner, building on his client experience with hands-on leadership. In 2021, Joe acquired ownership of APC, stepping fully into his role as President and CEO. He remains passionate about the firm’s mission and the fiduciary model and is committed to continuing the legacy that has made APC a gold standard in financial planning since 1975.

Joe and his wife, Carol, have four children and six grandchildren, and they cherish the time spent with their growing family. Joe has a knack for balancing professionalism with personality — when he is not guiding clients toward their financial goals, you might find him detailing cars to a mirror shine, coaching t-ball, or savoring a great meal. He and Carol are active members of Grace Presbyterian Church, where Joe teaches Sunday School weekly. They also love to travel the world together, serve their community, and enjoy an active lifestyle. Joe brings joy, integrity, and a powerful sense of purpose to all he does, whether in the boardroom or the backyard.

CONTACT
joe@apcplan.com
Call: 865.690.1231
Text: 865.217.1507

PAUL K. FAIN, III, CFP®

Chairman Emeritus and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

As a financial planner, educator, and mentor, Paul Fain is known for his calm presence, depth of wisdom, and heartfelt commitment to helping others. Clients and colleagues alike describe Paul as the “heart and soul” of the financial planning profession — humble, thoughtful, and always eager to share both his experience and his encouragement. A “veritable Yoda of financial planning” (just not as wrinkly or green), Paul brings clarity and care to every planning conversation, making even the most complex topics approachable. New team members quickly learn that Paul is not only a walking history book of APC, but also one of its kindest storytellers. Paul also serves as a staff mentor, helping guide the firm’s values behind the scenes.

Paul began his financial planning career 37 years ago and earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® designation in 1990. He holds a B.S. from the University of Tennessee and an M.S.A. from Ohio University. Throughout his career, Paul has contributed to the profession as an educator, columnist, and national speaker. He has held leadership roles with the Financial Planning Association (FPA). Paul has also shared his expertise as an adjunct professor at the University of Tennessee and as a go-to media source on financial topics across East Tennessee.

Outside the office, Paul and his wife, Tina, enjoy a rich family life with their three children—Macy, Jackson, and Harrison—and delight in being grandparents to Hollis and Anderson. The Fains are active in their faith community and love spending time outdoors, catching a good movie, or exploring new travel destinations. Their household is brightened by two dogs, Pete and Zuzu, who are always up for a walk or a treat. Fun facts about Paul: he is a past multiple medal winner in the Tennessee Senior Olympics (sprints, long jump, and discus, swimming); and, he has sung in a dozen weddings for family members and friends. Whether he is pushing his grandchildren on a swing set or writing a column for the newspaper, Paul brings warmth, curiosity, and a deep appreciation for life’s meaningful moments.

CONTACT
paul@apcplan.com
Call: 865.690.1231

SUZANNE HORNICK, CFP®

Director of Financial Planning, Chief Compliance Officer, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

Suzanne Hornick helps clients align their financial decisions with their life goals through APC’s holistic planning process. She is known as the “encyclopedia” of comprehensive financial planning and a true “planner and compliance guru.” Clients appreciate her thoughtful guidance, deep experience, and steady presence—while her teammates value her calm insight, generosity, and collaborative spirit. As one team member put it, “She’s so fun to work with—and every Monday, I’m reminded just how sharp and experienced she is.” Suzanne also serves as APC’s Chief Compliance Officer, ensuring we always do right by our clients.

Suzanne began her career in accounting but discovered financial planning by chance—and never looked back. Drawn to the field’s unique blend of financial expertise and human connection, she found her professional home at APC in 1999. Since joining APC, she has served clients in a variety of roles and become a trusted leader on the team. She holds a BBA in Accounting from The University of Texas at Austin and earned her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® designation in 2008. She completed an intensive CFP® professional residency in 2011, and has been active in the Financial Planning Association, including six years on the FPA of East Tennessee board and serving as chapter president in 2020. Suzanne has also shared her knowledge on WBIR’s morning show as a guest financial expert.

When she’s not crafting thoughtful financial plans, navigating the ins and outs of compliance, or trading stories with a teammate at the coffee machine (where accidental collisions are a daily hazard!), Suzanne is likely enjoying life with her husband, Mike — whom she married at Walt Disney World in 2022. Their free time is filled with DIY projects, listening to music, exploring local art, trying new wines, planning beach trips, hosting game nights with friends and family, and supporting organizations like Second Harvest, Rise Against Hunger, and Knox Area Rescue Ministries. Whether they are traveling or enjoying a quiet evening at home, Suzanne brings the same warmth and intentionality to her personal life that she shares with her clients every day. Suzanne’s blend of wisdom, warmth, and mindfulness makes her a treasured part of APC — both for the difference she makes and the joy she brings.

CONTACT
suzanne@apcplan.com
Call: 865.690.1231
Text: 865.217.1665

KATHY PATTY, FPQP®

Director of Client Care

As APC’s Director of Office Operations — and affectionately known around here as our “Director of Client Care” — Kathy Patty is the steady hand and caring heart behind so much of what makes APC special. Known for her tireless dedication, can-do attitude, and the way she effortlessly juggles every detail, from accounting to loving on our clients. Teammates call her a “multi-tasker extraordinaire” for good reason: if you want something done, Kathy knows how to do it. Whether she is helping a client navigate a life transition or making sure internal systems run without a hitch, Kathy’s warmth and expertise shine through. She also leads our behind-the-scenes office operations — from HR and IT to service workflows and employee management — with the same level of care. She is deeply connected to our clients, often knowing their families by name, and her colleagues affectionately say that everything about her screams “care.”

Kathy has been an essential part of the APC team since 1999. Over her decades of service, she has become not just a cornerstone of the firm but a trusted expert in both people and processes — she brings deep institutional knowledge and practical wisdom to her role. She is a certified Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional (FPQP®), and she has a gift for designing efficient systems that support both clients and team members. Her commitment to excellence is matched only by her love for the APC mission — those who work with her say she “bleeds APC.”

A Knoxville native, Kathy is a joyful multitasker outside of the office, too. She is an avid volunteer at her church and a familiar face at Camp Ba-Yo-Ca, where she loves to cook for campers. When she is not cooking at camp or playing tennis, you will find her tending to her farm, canning vegetables from her garden, or spending time at the beach. Best of all, Kathy is “Nana” to five grandchildren who keep her calendar full and her heart fuller. Whether she is planning the next chapter of APC or cooking for a camp full of kids, Kathy lives out her favorite part of the job every day: putting people first and making a difference, one caring moment at a time.

CONTACT
kathy@apcplan.com
Call: 865.690.1231

ADAM KORNEGAY, CFP®, CKA®

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, Certified Kingdom Advisor®

With an enthusiastic and upbeat style, Adam Kornegay is passionate about serving the clients and community of APC with excellence. Clients and colleagues alike appreciate Adam’s ability to connect big-picture financial strategy with personal values, always bringing optimism, encouragement, and insight to the conversation. He is known for being quick to smile, quick to listen, and quick with a well-timed joke. He is the kind of team member who takes initiative, brings fresh ideas, and is always willing to help however he can. Clients and colleagues alike appreciate his humble leadership, tech-savvy thinking, and ability to connect strategy with heart. In addition to serving as a financial planner, Adam also leads as our Director of Marketing—making sure the APC story is easy to share so more people can experience the life-changing impact of thoughtful planning.

Adam brings a broad and unique perspective to his role, shaped by a diverse background in financial services and consulting. He began his career at Experian, where he spent over a decade as a strategy consultant helping major financial institutions manage risk and build credit scoring models. He later worked as a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors in Knoxville before co-founding Pathfinder, a coaching and consulting firm serving financial advisors nationwide, in partnership with his mother, Susan Kornegay. A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional, Certified Kingdom Advisor®, and Registered Corporate Coach, Adam earned his Bachelor of Science in Economics with a marketing concentration from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. He served as President of the Financial Planning Association of East Tennessee and leads their bi-monthly practice management roundtables. His work has been published in the Journal of Financial Planning and Next Generation Planner.

A native of southern Illinois and a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, Adam brings passion and energy to everything he does—from planning to percussion. He plays at Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church and enjoys collecting unique percussion instruments (his latest find: an impressive set of castanets). At home, Adam, and his wife Amy, who teaches music at Sequoyah Elementary—share life with their Shih-tzu/Yorkie mix, Wrigley, and love cheering on their two kids: Abby, a student at East Tennessee State University, and Benjamin, who attends Bearden High School. Whether he is reading, creating music, or helping a client gain a new perspective, Adam shows up with heart, humor, and a deep desire to serve well.

CONTACT
adam@apcplan.com
Call: 865.690.1231
Text: 865.444.4886

STEVE CARLSON

Investment and Portfolio Administrator

Steve Carlson brings a unique mix of warmth, wit, and wisdom to his role at APC. As a key member of our team, Steve is known for his upbeat attitude, attention to detail, and deep commitment to serving others — qualities that both clients and team members greatly value. Whether he is answering a client question or helping prepare for a financial review, Steve brings a genuine passion for making a positive impact. Clients and teammates alike appreciate his respectful, sociable nature and his gift for making complex ideas easy to understand. Steve is widely considered the “math guru” of the team—whether he is explaining investment strategies or tossing out a math puzzle for fun. Known for playing devil’s advocate in the most constructive way, Steve helps ensure every angle is considered for the client’s best interest. He is natural at putting people at ease, often breaking tension with a well-timed joke or story. Behind the scenes, Steve also contributes as a member of the APC Investment Committee, lending his expertise to help guide our investment approach.

Steve’s solid foundation in financial services began with a BS in Business Administration from Central Michigan University, where he majored in finance and minored in economics. He spent over a decade working as a financial advisor in the Detroit area, following three years as a portfolio administrator in Boston. Since joining APC in 2015, Steve has blended his investment acumen, decades of experience in both education and financial services, with a service-oriented mindset to support clients in achieving their financial goals.

Outside of work, Steve’s energy and enthusiasm do not slow down. He lives in Knoxville with his wife, Jo, and their son, Kevin, and is a proud dad to two grown daughters, Katie and Kristy, who are thriving in the fields of education and business. A former middle school math teacher, Steve still loves sharing brain teasers and solving puzzles. He is also a competitive volleyball player (always ready to recruit teammates!), a movie buff, an avid reader, and a coin collector. Alongside Jo, Steve co-founded Klothes4Kidz, a nonprofit that provides clothing to elementary-aged children in need across 14 local schools and donates around 1,000 items annually — just one more example of his big heart and community spirit.

CONTACT
steve@apcplan.com
Call: 865.690.1231

HOLLY BURNETT, FPQP®

Paraplanner

Holly Burnett plays a vital client-facing role at APC, where she is known as the “project queen” for her unmatched efficiency, diligence, and ability to make the client onboarding experience as smooth and easy as possible. Clients and teammates alike describe her as simply wonderful—serving with a helpful heart, a big smile, and genuine care. Whether she is gathering key information for a meeting or managing a complex process behind the scenes, Holly brings grace, warmth, and expertise to every task. She is the teammate you can always count on—hardworking, humble, and quietly dedicated to getting the job done right.

Holly is a 2023 graduate of Lee University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in finance — completing her degree in just three years. She holds the Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional™ designation and is currently preparing for her Series 65 exam to become an Investment Adviser Representative. Holly was drawn to financial planning because of its unique ability to positively impact people’s lives, helping them feel confident and cared for as they navigate major life decisions. She found a perfect match in APC’s nurturing culture, where thoughtful planning and deep client relationships are at the heart of everything.

When she is not supporting clients or collaborating with the APC team, Holly is likely spending time with her family, serving at her church, or catching a Vols game. She volunteers through her church’s children’s ministry and basketball program — two passions that reflect her love for community and teamwork. A country music fan with a soft spot for Golden Retrievers, Holly also loves to travel, with favorite destinations ranging from the scenic beauty of the American West to the relaxing rhythm of the beach. She believes life is best lived with a full heart, a good playlist, and meaningful connections along the way.

CONTACT
holly@apcplan.com
Call: 865.690.1231

DANIEL MYERS

Client Service Associate

As a Client Service Associate at APC, Daniel Myers brings warmth, energy, and reliability to every client interaction. He plays a key role in supporting both our clients and planning team — client onboarding, coordinating plan logistics, managing data, answering questions, and making sure each relationship is managed with care and precision. His humble demeanor, sharp attention to detail, and genuine care for others have quickly made him a trusted resource among clients and a go-to teammate within the APC office. Daniel is the kind of person who remembers the small things, asks thoughtful questions, and always follows through — which makes working with him a pleasure. Whether he is managing Donor Advised Funds, handling tech support, or changing the occasional office lightbulb, Daniel helps ensure that APC’s collaborative, client-first approach is felt in every interaction.

Daniel graduated from Western Kentucky University in 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Finance, dual concentrations in Personal Financial Planning and Business Finance, and a certificate in Applied Data Analytics. A graduate of a CFP Board-certified program, he is gaining experience to obtain his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification — a major step in his goal to become an expert, trustworthy advisor. During his college years, Daniel worked as a Financial Coach and held multiple leadership positions through the Baptist Campus Ministry, experiences that helped shape his strong communication skills, work ethic, and servant-leader mindset. His colleagues describe him as a “financial planning sponge” who is eager to learn, always asking insightful questions to better serve clients.

Outside of work, Daniel is active and endlessly curious. He is a dog lover and spends a lot of time with his German Shepherd-Schipperke mix, Captain and his Chinese Crested-American Hairless Terrier-Pug mix, Josie. He is an avid movie watcher, reader, and music fan who thrives on connections and conversation. He loves cooking new recipes, staying active (especially using his standing desk or playing sports), and co-leading a middle school boys’ group at church. Handy by nature, Daniel once had carpentry school in his future and still enjoys building things, fixing things, and working with his hands. He is driven by curiosity, faith, and a deep appreciation for genuine relationships — whether those are built in client meetings, team huddles, or backyard frisbee games. Daniel’s future at APC is bright, and he is proud to be part of a team where integrity, collaboration, and the client’s best interest come first.

CONTACT
daniel@apcplan.com
Call: 865.690.1231

RANDEE SCHOENIKE

Staff Associate

As a Staff Associate, Randee Schoenike is the heartbeat of APC’s client experience. She is the first smile our clients see when they walk through the door—and that is no accident. Known as our “client celebration master,” Randee adds an individualized touch to everything she does, from creating thoughtful welcome baskets to remembering each client’s favorite drink. She is always one step ahead— keeping our schedules smooth, our office humming, and our clients feeling seen and appreciated. Behind the scenes, Randee also serves as our Client Experience Coordinator, helping ensure APC continues to deliver exceptional, personalized service at every turn.

Randee joined APC in January 2021 and has a strong background in business administration and client service. She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater. With roots in Wisconsin and a warm Tennessee spirit, she combines Midwestern diligence with Southern hospitality. With a natural knack for organization, her attention to detail—perhaps inherited from her printer father—makes her meticulous and dependable, whether she is managing logistics or perfecting the small touches that make a significant impact.

Outside of work, Randee’s life is rich with music, faith, and family. A season ticket holder with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, she has a deep appreciation for the arts. She and her husband enjoy beach getaways, detective shows, and spending time with their growing family — especially being “Grandma” to her grandson, who keeps her active and endlessly entertained. The Schoenikes share their love for giving by supporting various charities close to her heart, including their church and a team of Bible Translators. Whether she is relaxing at home or learning something new, Randee brings heart and humor to everything she does. With three children, a daughter-in-law, and a grandson, her world is full — and she would not have it any other way.

CONTACT
randee@apcplan.com
Call: 865.690.1231
Text: 865.229.9892

RANDEE SCHOENIKE

Randee joined APC in January 2021 as a Staff Associate and loves to learn more about APC and the clients we serve. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. Randee spent most of her formative years in Wisconsin and has lived in Tennessee since 2009. She will tell you, “I prefer to shovel the sunshine instead of snow.” Randee and her husband have three children, one daughter-in-law, and a grandson.

CONTACT
randee@apcplan.com
Call: 865-690-1231
Text: (865) 229-9892