Specialist Consulting Group

Our Specialists

Advisors at the center

Whether you’re seeking technical guidance or trying to build skills and implement better processes, our Specialist Consulting Group is here to support you. With more than 20 dedicated specialists and consultants, we strive to help you tackle challenges and implement solutions across key practice areas.

Specialist Consulting Group chart

Working together for optimal outcomes


Hear from Matt Sommer, Managing Director, Head of Specialist Consulting Group, as he shares his journey from intern to industry leader, and how his team of specialists deliver differentiated insights to help advisors and clients achieve optimal outcomes.

Wealth Strategists


Expertise in wealth transfer, family governance, business succession, philanthropy and charitable planning and tax strategies.

Jeffrey R. Brooks, JD

Executive Director, Wealth Strategist

Ben Rizzuto, CFP®, CRPS®, CPWA®

Director, Wealth Strategist

Practice Management Consultants


Insights on client engagement, team performance, and the management and governance of your practice.

Bryan Powell, PCC, CPBA, CPMA

Executive Director, Practice Management Consultant

Marquette Payton, CRPS®, CDFA®

Director, Practice Management Consultant

Defined Contribution Specialists


ERISA expertise, thorough knowledge of plan design and implementation, and partners in plan sponsor engagement.

Taylor Pluss, CFP®, CRPS®, APMA®, CDFA®

Executive Director, Defined Contribution Specialist

Eric Magyar, CFP®, AIF®

Executive Director, Defined Contribution Specialist

Jennifer Brockwell

Director, Defined Contribution Specialist

Tony Nikaj

Director, Defined Contribution Specialist

Investment Specialists


Differentiated perspectives on macroeconomic issues and insights on asset classes and sub-asset classes.

Amer Hasan, CFA

Director, Investment Specialist

Erika Oquist

Executive Director, Investment Specialist

Michael McNurney

Executive Director, Investment Specialist

Roberto Langstroth

Director, Investment Specialist

SMA Model Specialists


Expertise on separately managed accounts and model portfolio capabilities.

Kirk Leslie

Director, SMA & Models Portfolio Specialist

ETF Specialists


Deep understanding of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and strategic guidance on implementation and portfolio construction.

Daniel Aronson, CFA

Managing Director, ETF Client Product Specialist

Craig Dehner

Executive Director, ETF Client Product Specialist

Lee Gross, CFA

Executive Director, ETF Client Product Specialist

Michael Laughlin, CFA, FRM

Executive Director, ETF Client Product Specialist

Jake Kreiter

Associate Director, ETF Client Product Specialist

Annuity Specialists


Insurance and annuities expertise and how to best leverage these products in a portfolio.

Sheila Jelinek

Executive Director, Variable Annuities & Insurance

Ryan Burcham, CIMA®, QPFC

Director, Variable Annuities & Insurance

Portfolio Construction and Strategy


Expert strategists that deliver custom portfolio insights and risk-modeling to help you meet your clients’ needs.

Lara Castleton, CFA

US Head of Portfolio Construction and Strategy

Peter Harrington-Howes

Senior Portfolio Strategist

Andrew Molinet, CFA

Senior Portfolio Strategist

CJ Van Dyke, CFA

Portfolio Strategist

Insights


For a better client onboarding experience, embrace the Uber model

How advisors can incorporate elements of the popular rideshare app into their client onboarding process for a more consistent, personalized experience.

Chart to Watch: Comfort (cash) is king when it comes to retirement planning

Our 2025 Investor Survey found that investors are piling more money into cash as they near retirement.

Chart to Watch: Volatility causing clients to question their retirement income plans

Our 2025 Investor Survey found that recent market volatility increased the level of concern affluent investors had regarding their ability to generate retirement income.

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