Who We Are
Meet Our Team
Our team works as a unit to comprehensively support your financial wellbeing. We collaborate constantly, so that every team member, at any moment, can provide insight and guidance about your financial plan. We strive to exceed expectations. Through soliciting client feedback, adopting new industry best practices, and employing professional coaching, our service to you improves with each interaction.
Why Us?
We offer a highly sophisticated approach to wealth management delivered with personal attention and care. Our service model allows us to be generous with our time while offering every client a comprehensive experience. Our mission is to bridge the gap between your personal values and your financial resources. We’re here to help guide you to the intersection of your finances and heart’s desires—a place of true wealth.
Our Affiliations
We’ve strategically aligned our practice with industry organizations, enabling us to provide fully comprehensive
service and sophisticated resources that enhance your wealth management experience. Through our employment with Steward Partners,
we have access to an extended network to offer solutions and support for even the most complex planning cases.
Protecting Your Privacy and Your Accounts
Managing your wealth is no minor responsibility. We’re honored to serve in such a singular role, which is why we’re diligent about protecting your privacy and safeguarding the assets under our care.
Community Involvement
Year Up
Chris Detmer and Aaron Brachman are volunteer mentors at Year Up, a nonprofit that provides education, mentoring, and internships to at-risk youth. They were honored with Year Up’s Urban Empowerment Award for their dedication to community support in the National Capital Region. In addition to mentoring, Aaron is passionate about social impact investing and frequently appears in media interviews. Vas and Andrew also enjoy being involved in the organization.
Year Up mentors guide young adults in career and personal development through coaching, resume building, interview prep, networking, emotional support, and professional exposure. They play a key role in fostering workplace skills and expanding mentees’ opportunities through regular meetings and ongoing support.
Levine Music
Chris Detmer and Aaron Brachman proudly support the Levine Music Gala, which helps provide tuition assistance, community engagement programs, and music instruction for children across the region. Their support also funds programs for early childhood and senior learners while fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable music community.
Levine Music inspires a love of music throughout the National Capital Region, serving 4,000 students weekly with instruction in styles from classical to contemporary. Committed to excellence and opportunity, Levine ensures access to music education regardless of age, ability, or financial circumstances. Gala proceeds support tuition assistance, community partnerships, and free music experiences, making music education accessible to all.
Rowing Team Coaching
Andrew Lalley is a passionate and dedicated rowing coach with a strong commitment to the athletic and personal development of his student-athletes. He has coached in the DC area for over a decade and is currently serving as an assistant coach of the Varsity Girls rowing team at Jackson Reed High School, Andrew has cultivated a competitive and supportive environment, fostering both individual growth and team success. His leadership style emphasizes discipline, teamwork, and a strong work ethic, values that are reflected in his athletes' performances on and off the water.
Prior to his time at Jackson Reed, Andrew served as the head coach of the Walter Johnson High School Varsity Boys rowing team, where he achieved remarkable success, including leading the team to medals at multiple prestigious regattas. Under his guidance, the team earned the only two medals in program history at the SRAA Nationals, a testament to his ability to inspire and elevate his athletes to new levels of achievement. Andrew’s impact on the rowing community extends beyond coaching; he remains an advocate for the sport, working to build a strong sense of camaraderie and pride among his athletes while maintaining high standards of excellence. He is passionate about the mission of expanding opportunities to participate in the sport regardless of socio-economic background.
The Trustees of Reservations
The Trustees of Reservations is a nonprofit dedicated to preserving and maintaining over 120 exceptional properties across Massachusetts, including woodlands, parks, coastal sites, historic houses, gardens, and farms. Their mission is to protect these spaces for public use and enjoyment, ensuring accessibility for future generations. One of their unique properties is the Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge on Nantucket, a rugged coastal landscape home to diverse wildlife and some of New England’s best shoreline fishing. The refuge features maritime dunes, salt marshes, tidal ponds, and the historic Great Point Lighthouse, built in 1785 to guide whaling vessels safely through Nantucket’s treacherous waters.
Chris and Kyra have been dedicated supporters of the refuge for over 30 years, contributing at the highest level through the Great Point Circle. With rising sea levels threatening the area, they actively support conservation efforts, including planting erosion-resistant vegetation. Each winter, they visit the refuge to spot snowy owls that migrate from the Arctic. Over his 60+ years of visiting, Chris has shared this special place with Kyra and their two sons, who continue the family tradition of annual visits.
Chris's Role
Chris is the lead advisor for a select group of individuals, families, and institutions, and his deepest motivator is to help his clients obtain meaningful, lasting peace of mind. In addition to architecting and refining custom family office services, Chris leads Family Summits which create opportunities for clients to explore, discuss, nurture, and transmit values across generations.
As the founder of Washington Wealth Group, mentoring his team is also incredibly important to Chris. With his passion and years of experience, he spearheads the team’s efforts to deliver an exceptional client experience. He strives to cultivate an environment where clients feel valued and cared for, and he encourages every advisor to develop high-quality relationships that put clients at the center—creating legacies that last for generations.
Aaron's Role
Aaron's primary role is to create client portfolios and generally oversee investing for the practice. He researches new investment opportunities, determines which options best suit clients' objectives, and monitors investment activity to ensure everything operates according to their financial plans. He continually looks for innovative ways to further his clients' goals, and he especially loves the challenge of examining unique and cutting-edge developments in the investment world. He also sits on the firm's New Product Committee, reviewing the practice's new products.
Aaron directs Washington Wealth Group's pro-bono efforts and founded their Next Generation Initiative, which focuses on teaching finance basics to emerging professionals and clients' children.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP® (with plaque design) and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.
Source: Forbes.com SHOOK considered advisors born in 1981 or later with a minimum 4 years as an advisor. Advisors have: built their own practices and lead their teams; joined teams and are viewed as future leadership; or a combination of both. Ranking algorithm is based on qualitative measures: telephone and in-person interviews, client retention, industry experience, credentials, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, such as: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research, LLC, and are not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client's experience. Neither Steward Partners Investment Solutions, LLC nor its Welath Managers pay a fee to Forbes or SHOOK Research in exchange for the ranking. For more information, see www.SHOOKresearch.com.
Keith's Role
As a wealth manager, Keith offers independent, objective advice with a focus on wealth accumulation and preservation. He began his financial services career in 1995, and since then, his goal with every client has been to develop a long-term relationship built on trust, as he believes these relationships are his most valuable assets. In 2023, Keith partnered with Washington Wealth Group to deliver comprehensive family-office-style services for his multigenerational clients. His practice is based in Philadelphia, and he represents clients from all over the country.
Vas Vlcek joined the Washington Wealth Group in 2014 and has been helping the next generation of investors to achieve their financial goals since then. He enjoys working closely with clients to address their ongoing needs and changing life circumstances within their financial plans. Vas currently holds Series 7, 66, and 31 securities licenses. In 2019, he earned the Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS®) certification obtained through the College for Financial Planning.
Vas was born and raised in the Czech Republic and moved to the United States in 2004. He graduated with highest honors in Economics and Political Science from Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia, and started his career at the International Monetary Fund where he was a research and staff assistant from 2011 to 2012. Vas later joined RBC Wealth Management and subsequently received the “RBC Wealth Management Award of Excellence” for outstanding client service.
Outside of the office, Vas spends most of his free time with his wife and two young daughters. He also enjoys skiing, soccer, tennis, mountain biking, and hiking.
Andrew works closely with Managing Directors Chris Detmer and Aaron Brachman to deliver an exceptional client experience. In addition to spearheading the creation and implementation of advanced financial plans, Andrew performs due diligence and monitors all alternative investment strategies. He particularly enjoys finding solutions for client’s financial needs, and proactively developing strategies to take advantage of opportunities in the investment marketplace.
Born and raised in Washington D.C., Andrew followed his passion for rowing to the University of California, Davis, where he competed as a member of the Aggie rowing team. Andrew served as president and captain of the team. While working for the student-run bus company, he drove authentic London double-decker buses, mastering the art of driving with the steering wheel on the right side of the vehicle. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics, Andrew joined the Washington Wealth Group in 2016. Andrew holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification and is Series 7 and 66 securities licensed.
Andrew enjoys rowing, reading, and listening to macro-trend podcasts. When not in the office, he is likely found in Scotland visiting his wife’s family. He is passionate about youth development and is currently Head Coach of the Walter Johnson High School rowing team. Under his leadership, the team has medaled multiple times at the Scholastic Rowing Association of America National Championships.
Aziz joined Washington Wealth Group in September 2022 as a Vice-president, Client Administrative Manager. Aziz provides operational support to the team’s Financial Advisors and specializes in building personalized client experiences using efficient communication tactics and complex problem-solving skills. Prior to joining the firm, Aziz worked on consulting projects in international trade at the World Bank, focusing on policy analysis and providing recommendations for Malaysia and Kazakhstan.
Born and raised in Kyrgyzstan, Aziz witnessed the collapse of the Soviet Union and the painful transition to the market economy and opening up of post-communist countries to the world. Aziz received his BA in Business Administration from the American University in Bulgaria and MA in Political Science from the Central European University in Hungary. After returning to Central Asia, he worked for 9+ years in various roles for international financial institutions including HSBC, ABN AMRO, and RBS. Throughout his banking career he has focused on creating value for retail and high-net worth individuals, business development, process improvement and enhancing customer experience.
Aziz married his college sweetheart Madina and live with their three sons in Falls Church, VA. They enjoy traveling, cooking, and spending time outdoors. He is fluent in English, Russian, Turkish, Kyrgyz and Kazakh.
Michelle's Role
Michelle works closely with Chris and Aaron to provide clients with exceptional, personalized service by leveraging her outstanding interpersonal skills and creative approach to problem-solving. Since joining the Washington Wealth Group as a Vice President and Client Administrative Manager in 2023, she has collaborated with each team member to streamline operational support to more successfully address urgent client requests.
In the dynamic world of wealth management, Michelle brings a blend of experience, dedication, and a well-rounded perspective. As a vital member of The Washington Wealth Group, Michelle is ready to help you achieve your financial goals while making the journey enjoyable and successful.
Lee's Role
Lee joined the practice in February of 2024 and provides vital support to each member of the Washington Wealth Group team. With his sharp focus and analytical skills, he provides timely support for clients, helps our advisors prepare for meetings, and organizes client documents. Lee appreciates the impact made by each team member throughout the financial planning process, and his goal is to provide exceptional service that fosters a fruitful and enjoyable client experience. Lee also holds the Series 7 and Series 66 securities licenses.