Our Team
Mel brings more than 40 years of experience as a financial advisor and is proud to serve clients in his hometown of Raleigh, NC. Over four decades, he has guided individuals and families through multiple market cycles, helping them build, preserve, and transition their wealth with confidence. Many of his client relationships span decades and multiple generations.
Throughout his career, Mel has focused on constructing investment portfolios aligned with each client’s long-term goals – balancing growth opportunities with reliable income strategies. He has a particular focus on fixed income investing, both taxable and tax-free, and works closely with Janney’s in-house fixed income specialists to design thoughtful, client-centered solutions.
In 2017, after more than 20 years with Scott & Stringfellow (later BB&T Securities, now Truist Securities), Mel chose to join Janney Montgomery Scott. He was drawn to Janney’s private, independent structure and its commitment to putting clients’ interests first – a philosophy that mirrors his own approach to advice.
Mel attended Wake Forest University – a family tradition – and can often be found cheering on the Demon Deacons. He and his wife, Ginny, have been married for more than 35 years and are proud parents of three children: Virginia (Derek), Hunter (Josh), and Mel IV; and grandparents to their granddaughter, Mary Caleb. He is an active member of Holy Trinity Anglican Church, an avid fisherman, and involved with several local organizations including the NC Museum of History Associates, Kiwanis Club of Raleigh, and Coastal Conservation Association of NC.
Derek is a Financial Advisor focused on delivering comprehensive, goals-based financial planning to individuals, families, and business owners. He brings a disciplined, process-driven approach shaped by more than 15 years of service in the U.S. Navy, combined with professional experience at Fidelity, where he conducted high-volume client engagements and developed expertise in holistic financial planning across a wide range of client situations. He holds a BS from Appalachian State University, an MS from the University of Mississippi, and maintains his CFP® certification along with Series 7/66 and Life, Health, and Long-Term Care licenses.
Derek specializes in retirement planning, investment strategy, business retirement plans, and legacy planning. He works closely with business owners, driven professionals, and established families—particularly those navigating major financial transitions such as scaling or selling a business, preparing for retirement, or building long-term wealth. His advice is highly individualized, designed to bring clarity to complex financial decisions while helping clients stay disciplined through changing market conditions.
At the core of Derek’s philosophy is the belief that financial planning should reduce anxiety, not create it. He emphasizes long-term thinking, aligning financial decisions with each client’s broader life goals, and ensuring every component of a financial plan works together cohesively. Clients benefit from a clear roadmap, proactive guidance, and a structured planning process that promotes confidence and accountability over time.
Derek is known for building long-term relationships grounded in trust, transparency, and consistent communication. He provides thoughtful, structured guidance with clear next steps, offering ongoing support through regular reviews and proactive outreach during key market or life events. His clients value having a dedicated partner who looks beyond investments alone to help coordinate their entire financial picture.
We collaborate with other Janney specialists, as needed, who have in-depth experience in specific disciplines. Together, we can assess your unique situation, analyze difference strategies, and develop a plan fit for your unique needs and goals.
Guy LeBas is Janney’s Chief Fixed Income Strategist, as well as Head of Fixed Income for Janney Capital Management. As Strategist, he is responsible for providing direction to the Firm’s clients on the macroeconomic, interest rate, and bond market investing climate.
Guy authors bond market periodicals, which provide relative value recommendations across the fixed income spectrum. With Janney Capital Management, Guy is responsible for overseeing the Firm’s discretionarily managed bond portfolios, which take a client-tailored approach to generating consistent income across interest rate environments.
Guy joined Janney in 2006. Prior to joining Janney, Guy served as Interest Rate Risk Manager for U.S. Trust’s bank asset and liability portfolios, a role in which he oversaw risk and return on $20 billion of bank assets and derivatives.
Guy is also a frequent guest on CNBC, Bloomberg TV and Fox Business News, as well as a regular speaker at financial industry conferences. He received his education from Swarthmore College, holds an M.S. in Applied Economics from Johns Hopkins University, and is a CFA Charterholder.
Mark Luschini is the Chief Investment Strategist for Janney Montgomery Scott LLC, leading the Investment Strategy Group. In that capacity Mark is responsible for establishing the Firm’s broad outlook relating to conditions in the capital markets and the economy and to develop investment strategies that align with the best interest, goals, and objectives of individual and institutional clients. He also establishes the Firm’s asset allocation models used for portfolio construction and financial planning.
As Chief Investment Strategist, Mark serves as the Janney's investment spokesperson, offering national market commentary and developing asset allocation models and investment strategies. He chairs the investment committee and actively interfaces with both current and prospective clients.
Additionally, Mark directs Janney Capital Management, the Firm’s discretionary investment management division. Under his leadership, Janney Capital Management has delivered competitive investment results across multiple strategies. The total assets under management has grown to more than $4 billion, with nearly $3 billion in traditional equity and fixed income assets, and over $1 billion in various strategic and tactical asset allocation strategies utilizing exchange-traded solutions and mutual funds. Mark served on the Board of Managers for Janney, and currently serves as a Trustee for the Firm’s Pension & Profit Sharing Plan. He is a member of the Janney Wealth Management Department’s Mutual Fund and Alternative Investment Committees.
In Janney Capital Management, Mark chairs the Investment Committee which sets asset class and sector policy and directly participates in managing the equity, fixed income, and asset allocation strategies under its advisory. Mark has spent more than 30 years in the investment industry. He utilizes that experience to speak on topics related to macroeconomics and investment management at seminars and conferences.
His comments and written articles have been circulated in numerous publications ranging from the Wall Street Journal and Barron’s to the New York Times, USA Today, Financial Times, and Money magazine. He has appeared in various media outlets including CNBC, Bloomberg Television, Fox Business News, and CNN.
He has a BA and MBA from Gannon University and holds the Chartered Market Technician (CMT) designation from the Market Technicians Association
Scott is a Financial Planner with Janney’s Wealth Planning Department. He serves as a financial planning resource for Janney’s Financial Advisors and partners with them to deliver advice and planning to their clients.
Scott has over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has extensive experience delivering comprehensive financial counseling in retirement, estate, tax, philanthropic, and wealth transfer planning. Before joining Janney, he worked as a Wealth Strategist and Financial Planner at Wells Fargo Wealth & Investment Management, PNC Private Bank Hawthorn, and The Ayco Company L.P., a financial planning subsidiary of Goldman Sachs.
Scott received his bachelor’s degree in finance and a master's degree in business administration from West Virginia University. He is a Certified Financial Planner® professional and holds FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities licenses.