We are a small, nimble, and experienced team dedicated to earning your trust, striving daily to be ahead of the curve, and striving to deliver high-touch client service.
Meet the Team
Phillip J McKellop, CEO
Registered Representative
Following a European upbringing, the son of a US military officer and South Tyrolean mother, at the age of 18, Phillip moved to the United States to pursue what the free enterprise system allowed… pursuit of the “The American Dream”… and many would say he succeeded. With little more than $40 to his name, he began designing a new life for himself.
He began his career in the financial industry over 20 years ago, helping others who were determined to achieve well-being, regardless of the odds. He thinks in truly unconventional ways, with high moral expectations.
Phillip loves mountain biking, boating and free-dive spear fishing. He’s involved with Amazon Xpeditions, Go To Nations’ water well drilling projects and Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign. He speaks fluent Italian.
Phillip has met the requirements by the American College and has the industry-wide recognized designation of Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow (LUTCF). His registration credentials include FINRA Series 24: General Securities Principal, FINRA Series 7: General Securities Representative, NASAA Series 63: Uniform Securities Agent State Law, and is a licensed life, variable annuity and health insurance agent.
We invite you to visit BrokerCheck to view Phillip’s FINRA standing. His CRD# is 2205239.
Trisha Bailey, Ph.D.
Chief Operating Officer
Registered Representative
Following careers with the State Department in Seoul, Korea, and a real estate developer, Trisha discovered the financial services industry. She grew up in Plant City, Florida, and was an honor graduate of the University of Florida with a B.S. in Food and Resource Economics, and a minor in Communications, and a Master of Agribusiness Management. She earned a Ph.D. in International Business from Northcentral University, graduating with high honors.
What Trisha loves most about her work is helping make difficult concepts easy for people. Friends and clients expect her to give the hard truth- whether they like it or not, with a spoonful of sugar, of course. Phillip refers to her as “the ultimate diplomat”. She has a desire to empower and enlighten people. She believes life is challenging enough, without being overwhelmed by one’s financial picture.
Trisha believes, “What sets us apart at Verso Wealth is that we work for our clients – not the firm. Our business is to thoroughly understand our clients, inside and out. Serving the best interests of our clients is my job and my commitment.”
She loves sharing time with her husband, John, and their fur-child, Buddy, their family and close friends. She relaxes with travel magazines, pleasure reading (not academic or business), and any activity on or near the ocean.
She’s involved with several non-profits and social enterprises around the world, is an Ellis Island Medal of Honor Recipient, a member of Delta Mu Delta Honor Society of Business and is a published author in the business-as-mission repository of academic works, as well as other academic journals.
Trisha is an expert in social enterprises, businesses which serve a social mission while striving to be profitable for long-term viability. She is a global advocate and intends to speak before the United Nations regarding the contributions of social enterprises to reaching the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Trisha holds the FINRA Series 24: General Securities Principal, FINRA Series 7: General Securities Representative, NASAA Series 66: Uniformed Combined State Law, and is a licensed life, variable annuity and health insurance agent.
You can view her FINRA standing at BrokerCheck. Her CRD# is 4841515.