John J. Brais
Financial Planner
Family Wealth Counselor
Licenses: Series 65
IAPD – Investment Adviser Public Disclosure report
John formed Horizon Financial Services, LLC in 2011 and New Horizon Financial Services, Inc. in 2004 to serve his clients and offer a solid selection of investment options to help them achieve their retirement goals. John believes people are empowered by being able to choose from a wide range of options through which to help secure their futures. His focus is on comprehensive financial analysis, conservative investment strategies, and “big picture” planning.
He is committed to educating clients about the various investment options available and guiding them in choosing the appropriate plan to fit their unique needs. Since John considers his clients to be his “extended family,” the work he finds most challenging and rewarding is individual retirement counseling, tax minimization strategies, and estate/legacy planning.
John has maintained a steady increase of new clients through the quality of services he provides. John’s eagerness to learn, his excitement to share his knowledge and his standing as an active, positive force in the community has earned him the respect and admiration of his clients and staff.
Scott D. Walker
Family Wealth Counselor
Licenses: Series 65
IAPD – Investment Adviser Public Disclosure report
Scott joined Horizon Financial Services, LLC in June of 2011. As an independent Financial Planner and Family Wealth Counselor, Scott has a simple philosophy that most people are really looking for someone they can trust to always do the right thing and a true friend who will not just tell them what they want to hear or take advantage of the relationship. He is a teacher at heart. He truly loves to educate his clients about appropriate financial products specific to their individual needs that are available in today’s confusing financial marketplace.
Prior to joining Horizon Financial, Scott came from the retail banking world where he worked for both Wachovia Bank and Wells Fargo Advisors as a Regional Bank Private Banker in Winston-Salem. With more than two decades of experience working with individuals and businesses, he has considerable knowledge of insurance and investment products, a solid professional reputation and passionate commitment to helping others achieve financial success. Scott believes there is nothing more crucial to building and maintaining long-term relationships than integrity. He takes his client responsibilities seriously and continuously strives to develop a deeper, more comprehensive understanding of the financial concerns and needs of all of his clients.
Scott was born and raised in Winston-Salem. His wife, Cheryl, likes to tease him by claiming “Walkers never leave Forsyth County” which is not a stretch since part of his family history dates back to the original settlers of Bethania. The proud father of two wonderful daughters, Rebecca and Samantha, Scott is actively committed to our community.
Joe M. Perkins, MBA, CLTC
Financial Planner
Family Wealth Counselor
Licenses: Series 65
IAPD – Investment Adviser Public Disclosure Report
Joe joined Horizon Financial Services, LLC as an independent Financial Planner, Family Wealth Counselor in July of 2017. Approaching his role as that of a financial coach, Joe endeavors to direct his clients toward their stated financial goals while helping them avoid financial risks along the way. He encourages his clients to be forward-focused and courageous in conversation.
He began his career in the capital markets industry in 2004 and became a registered representative of a broker/dealer in 2014.
A collegiate wrestler at Appalachian State University, Joe completed his undergraduate degree in Finance and Banking in 2002. In 2008, he earned his MBA with a concentration in Finance from Wake Forest University. Joe holds a Life/Health/Medicare Supplement & Long-Term Care License and obtained his Series 65 securities registration. He previously held his Series 6 and 63 securities registrations. Joe is an Investment Advisor Representative registered with the state of NC.
Joe is an active member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) and the National Ethics Association (NEA). In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter in the great outdoors, volunteering at his church and local non-profits, and coaching youth athletics.
Specialty Planning Areas Include:
Strategic Financial Planning | 401(k) & Retirement Planning | Tax Planning Strategies Life Insurance | Long-Term Care | Supplemental Disability Insurance | Medicare Benefits Planning
Sam S. Merrick, MBA
Financial Planner
Licenses: Series 65
IAPD – Investment Adviser Public Disclosure Report
Sam Merrick joined Horizon Financial Services, LLC as a Financial Planner in July 2024, bringing a strong background in finance and a passion for helping clients achieve their financial goals. With an MBA from Loyola University and a Series 65 license, Sam contributes to Horizon through investment analysis, technical support, and client service.
Sam is dedicated to providing clients with personalized financial strategies tailored to their needs and dreams. He believes the key to successful financial planning is building strong relationships and ensuring clients feel supported at every step of their financial journey.
Sam’s role includes working closely with Horizon’s managing founder, John Brais, to deliver comprehensive financial solutions. Sam makes complex financial concepts understandable, empowering clients to make informed decisions about their futures.
Outside of work, Sam is an avid tennis player, a history enthusiast, and enjoys spending time with his family. His dedication to building personal connections with clients aligns with Horizon’s mission to always prioritize clients’ best interests.
Jared G. Johnson, CPA
Financial Planner
Family Wealth Counselor
Licenses: Series 65
IAPD – Investment Adviser Public Disclosure Report
Jared joined Horizon Financial Services, LLC in February 2021 as an independent Financial Planner, Family Wealth Counselor. Jared specializes in providing financial and tax planning services to individuals and small business owners. The commitment Jared makes to each of his clients is to provide them with financial guidance that is both sound and timely. He strives at all times to minimize clients’ tax expenses and maximize their financial return with their long-term goals always in mind.
With 10 years of accounting experience, Jared is not only able to provide financial planning but also give tax advice to help clients with their financial futures, through his accounting practice, Jared G. Johnson, CPA, PLLC. Before starting his own small business, Jared spent about five years in North Carolina firms as an auditor for KPMG, a tax preparer for a CPA firm in Greensboro, and the corporate controller for a mortgage brokerage firm in Winston-Salem.
He is a member of the North Carolina Association of CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs. Jared became a registered representative of a broker/dealer in 2013 and is an Investment Advisor Representative registered with the state of NC since 2017. Jared currently holds his Series 65 securities registration and previously held his Series 6 and 63 securities registrations.
Jared graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a B.S. in accounting. During his college tenure, Jared was a member of Phi Beta Kappa.
During his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family, gardening, and hitting a little white ball around large well-manicured fields.
Debra Mackie
Insurance Professional
Debra joined New Horizon Financial Services, Inc. in July of 2010. As a Financial Professional, Debra uses her experience in the financial services and retirement income planning industry to help clients cut through all the noise and confusion and keep their focus on reaching financial goals. She enjoys a special camaraderie with her clients; working with energy, enthusiasm and genuine care for their best interest.
Debra has been in the financial services and retirement income planning industry for more than 20 years. She began her financial services career in 1994 as a representative with Nationwide Financial Services. After being named the top representative in the Southeast Region for Nationwide, she was promoted to State Director for North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. In 2001, Debra started her own company specializing in individual retirement income planning. Prior to joining New Horizon Financial, she was a representative with a local wealth management group for eight years.
As a native of Yadkin County and a resident of Forsyth County, Debra specializes in retirement planning for women in the Triad. Debra regularly shares her professional expertise through educational workshops focused exclusively on the unique financial needs of women. Her passion is working with retirees and those nearing retirement to help produce useful results through insurance planning.
Joe King, CLTC
Medicare Benefits
After receiving his degree in Business Administration from Duke University, Joe enjoyed a career in sales as the Oldsmobile/Nissan dealer in Spartanburg, South Carolina. His dealership was consistently recognized by General Motors and Nissan for achieving the highest possible ratings in sales and customer satisfaction.
In addition to his professional career, Joe has been and continues to be an active member of various civic and charitable organizations. While in Spartanburg, he served as a chairperson for the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and United Way. Joe led the annual campaign for United Way and served as capital fund chairman for Salvation Army.
In 1998, Joe moved to Winston-Salem to be closer to family and pursue a career guiding seniors on the insurance issues involved in planning for their futures. He earned the designation of Certified in Long Term Care and as a member of the New Horizon Financial Services, Inc. team, Joe specializes in the complex arena of Medicare Supplement plans, Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare Part D benefits, life insurance, and long-term care planning.
Angel Moorefield
Paraplanner
Angel joined Horizon Financial Services, LLC in April 2023 as a financial paraplanner. She provides support to our advisors with financial planning and case design. Angel works closely with clients to gather important information, prepare for meetings, and assist with service needs as they arise.
She is an experienced financial assistant and in addition to her skills and talents, she’s a positive, outgoing person that truly enjoys working with people.
Angel lives in Winston-Salem and enjoys spending time with her husband, Cassidy, two boys, Carter and Max, and Izzy, their Goldendoodle. In her spare time, Angel loves to travel, be outdoors, solve jigsaw puzzles, and dance.
Dawn Rutledge
Dawn joined Horizon Financial Services, LLC in January of 2006. She assists clients with their account needs including new securities applications, transfers and withdrawals, Required Minimum Distribution (RMD), IRA contributions and Roth conversions.
She has 20 years of customer service experience with a focus within the financial services industry.
Dawn is a resident of Clemmons and enjoys spending time at her place in the North Carolina mountains and with her family and friends.
Ashley Parrish
Assistant Director of Client Services
Ashley joined Horizon Financial Services, LLC in July of 2019. As Assistant Director of Client Services, she provides client support for brokerage accounts as well as annuities and other insurance products. Ashley processes ad hoc money requests, assists with new annuity applications, and coordinates withdrawal & reallocation requests.
Prior to joining Horizon Financial, Ashley was the Administrative Assistant at Miracles In Sight. She handled accounting, IT, and facilities while there for more than four years.
Ashley is originally from Danville, VA until moving to Orlando, FL in 2005 and then to the Winston-Salem/Kernersville area in 2007. She enjoys spending time outdoors with her daughter Chloe and son Nate.
Katie Johnson
Receptionist/Administrative Assistant
Katie joined Horizon Financial Services, LLC in July 2023. As Receptionist/Administrative Assistant, Katie greets office visitors, answers the phone, schedules appointments, and assists with front office duties & other general service needs.
Katie’s experience includes more than 20 years in similar roles.
She and her husband, Jeremiah, have been married since 2007. They love to travel and spend time on their Harley Davidson.
Leslie Blankenship
Accounting & Back Office Support Specialist
Leslie joined Horizon Financial Services, LLC in August of 2021. She assists with accounting/finance duties which include accounts payable/receivable and monthly bank reconciliations. She provides back-office support including running reports, as needed, assists with payroll processes, helps with various projects (database clean-up, server clean-up, etc.), and assists with insurance carrier contracting/licensing and annual renewals.
Prior to joining Horizon Financial, Leslie was a licensed Property and Casualty insurance agent for 29 years and was also a licensed Life & Health insurance agent for 21 years. She worked for an insurance agency in Greensboro for more than 17 years handling agency-billed, surplus lines insurance policies and previously worked for her father’s Allstate agency in Lexington for 12 years handling many aspects of the agency’s daily operations.
Leslie has been married to her husband, Brad, since 1992 and has resided in North Carolina for the majority of her life. She has one daughter, Taylor, and one grandson, Lucas. She most enjoys weekend getaways with the family, close friends, and her dog, Cooper, “glamping” at campgrounds nearby.
Julie Sayers
Julie joined Horizon Financial Services, LLC in February of 2007. As Director of Finance & Operations, she is responsible for overseeing many of Horizon Financial’s operations from marketing to corporate financial compliance, human resource management, accounts payable/accounts receivable, corporate financial planning and reporting.
Prior to joining Horizon Financial, Julie served as the office manager for a law firm in Kernersville for more than seven years. In addition to the duties associated with that position, she also assisted with the firm’s marketing efforts and client services.
Julie and her husband, Bryan, have called Winston-Salem home since 1999. In addition to their love for travel and the outdoors, they enjoy spending time with family and friends. Their daughter, Emma, was born in March of 2009.
Yvonne Albarran
Assistant Compliance Officer/Accounts Receivable Specialist/IT Solutions Coordinator
Yvonne joined Horizon Financial Services, LLC in November of 2003. As Assistant Compliance Officer, Accounts Receivable Specialist and IT Solutions Coordinator, her responsibilities range from working closely with the Chief Compliance Officer and accounting departments of various insurance carriers to ensuring that all client files are maintained and current. She also provides information technology (IT) support and coordinates technological needs to keep the office processes running smoothly.
She has more than 20 years of experience in the financial services and insurance industry. Prior to joining Horizon Financial, Yvonne served as a Senior Service Coordinator with Prudential Financial where she worked collaboratively with financial and insurance associates to help them provide sustainable, customer-focused solutions.
Yvonne and her husband, Wilfredo, have called North Carolina home since 2002. She enjoys volunteer work, gardening, cooking, reading and the outdoors, but her greatest enjoyment comes from being a mom to her son and daughter.
Our Strategic Partnership
Our strategic partner, Advisory Alpha, LLC, is focused exclusively on portfolio construction, investment analysis, and trading. They collectively oversee an intentionally crafted collection of investment strategies that are carefully selected based on your specific needs and goals. On an ongoing basis, extensive research processes are implemented to re-evaluate the asset selection, asset allocation, and fund managers for each investment strategy.
Subadvisory services are provided by Advisory Alpha, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Horizon Financial Services, LLC, and Advisory Alpha, LLC, are not affiliated and operate independently.
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Learn More About Our Holistic Approach