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

Wealth Strategists

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

Jeffrey R. Brooks, JD
Jeffrey R. Brooks, JD

Senior Wealth Strategist

Ben Rizzuto, CFP®, CRPS®
Ben Rizzuto, CFP®, CRPS®

Wealth Strategist

Practice Management Consultants

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

Bryan Powell, PCC, CPBA, CPMA
Bryan Powell, PCC, CPBA, CPMA

Senior Director, Practice Management

Marquette Payton, CRPS®, CDFA®
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.

Eric Magyar, CFP®, AIF®

Executive Director, Defined Contribution Specialist

Ruben Gonzalez, CPFA

Executive Director, Defined Contribution Specialist

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

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
Michael McNurney

Equity Investment Specialist

Roberto Langstroth
Roberto Langstroth

Fixed Income Investment Specialist

SMA Model Specialists

Expertise on separately managed accounts and model portfolio capabilities.

Kirk Leslie

SMA & Models Portfolio Specialist

ETF Specialists

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

Daniel Aronson, CFA

Senior Director, ETF Client Product Specialist

Craig Dehner
Craig Dehner

Director, ETF Client Product Specialist

Lee Gross, CFA

Director, ETF Client Product Specialist

Jake Kreiter
Jake Kreiter

ETF Client Product Specialist

Annuity Specialists

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

CJ Nizich
CJ Nizich

Director, Variable Annuities & Insurance

Sheila Jelinek

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

Portfolio Strategist

Insights

Wealth Planning Trends 2025: The Super Bowl, asset values, and the silver tsunami

Actionable insights on taxes, estate planning, and helping older Americans better prepare for retirement.

2025 goal setting: Three steps to maintain your team’s momentum

Three strategies to help advisor teams stay focused on the goals they establish at the start of the year.

The Social Security Fairness Act: What advisors and clients need to know

What has changed, who is affected, and how advisors can help clients receive the benefits they have earned.

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