Research Team
As our client, you benefit from a dedicated, full-time team of investment research professionals who specialize in areas ranging from alternative investments to equities and beyond. Through our partnership with Commonwealth Financial Network®, our Registered Investment Adviser–broker/dealer, we have access to an extended office that provides us with timely research, market insights, and guidance for our clients.
Brad McMillan, CFA®, CAIA, MAI
Managing Principal and Chief Investment Officer
- Chairs the Investment Committee and is the primary spokesperson for Commonwealth’s investment divisions
- Shares his comments and thoughts on the economy in his blog, The Independent Market Observer
- Is a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) charterholder, holds the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designation, and is a member of the Appraisal Institute
- Earned a BA from Dartmouth College, an MS in real estate from MIT, and an MS in finance from Boston College
- Has prior experience as the founder of Dartmouth Realty Advisors
Brad McMillan, CFA®, CAIA, MAI
Managing Principal and Chief Investment Officer
Brian Price, CFA®
Managing Principal, Investment Management and Research
- Manages the Research team
- Oversees asset allocation, fund selection, and overall management of Commonwealth’s Preferred Portfolio Services® Select program
- Is a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) charterholder and holds the FINRA Series 7, 63, and 65 securities registrations
- Earned a BA from Georgetown University
- Has prior experience as a senior financial advisor associate at Bernstein Investment Research and Management
Brian Price, CFA®
Managing Principal, Investment Management and Research
Peter Essele, CFA®, CAIA, CFP®
Senior Vice President, Investment Management and Research
- Oversees asset allocation, fund selection, and overall management of Commonwealth’s discretionary platform, Preferred Portfolio Services® Select
- Holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional certification and the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designation, and is a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) charterholder and a member of the Boston Security Analysts Society
- Holds the FINRA Series 7, 24, 31, 53, and 66 securities registrations
- Earned a BS in industrial economics from Union College
- Has prior experience in positions at Albany International and Kestner Engineers
Peter Essele, CFA®, CAIA, CFP®
Senior Vice President, Investment Management and Research
Chad LaFauci, CFA®, CAIA
Vice President, Alternative Investments
- Analyzes, approves, and monitors all alternative investments products (e.g., private equity, private credit, hedge funds, real estate, infrastructure, and commodities)
- Manages the Alternative Investments team, which assists advisors with portfolio construction, as well as individual investment research and analysis
- Is a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) charterholder and holds the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designation and the FINRA Series 7, 24, 63, and 65 securities registrations
- Earned a BS in economics from Bates College
Chad LaFauci, CFA®, CAIA
Vice President, Alternative Investments
Jim McAllister, CFA®
Vice President, Equity Research
- Oversees the Equity Research team, which assists advisors with ongoing due diligence and analysis of equity-based mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, separately managed accounts, and individual securities
- Manages the Preferred Portfolio Services® Select Equity Income SMA models
- Responds to advisor inquiries on equity portfolio construction, individual equity research, and equity portfolio reviews
- Is a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) charterholder
- Earned a BS in finance from Lehigh University
- Has prior experience as a research analyst at Loomis, Sayles & Co. and State Street Global Advisors in the U.S. quantitative group
Jim McAllister, CFA®
Vice President, Equity Research
Brian McCormick, CIMA®
Director, Investment Management and Research
- Manages evaluation, selection, and dissemination of research in the small- and mid-cap asset classes
- Conducts research and due diligence on exchange-traded products
- Responds to advisor inquiries on various investment topics, including asset allocation, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, and separate account managers
- Holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) designation and the FINRA Series 7, 24, and 63 securities registrations
- Earned a BS in management from Quinnipiac University
- Has more than 22 years of industry experience including at positions at Signator Investors and Putnam Investments
Brian McCormick, CIMA®
Director, Investment Management and Research
Sam Millette
Director, Fixed Income
- Oversees the team’s fixed income research initiatives, responds to advisor inquiries, analyzes individual bonds, and creates market research and commentary
- Earned a BA in economics from Tufts University and is a member of the CFA Society Boston
Sam Millette
Director, Fixed Income
Robert Kane, CAIA
Manager, Alternatives
- Facilitates due diligence and research activities on products within alternative financial strategies (e.g., managed futures, hedge funds, private credit, private equity and structured products)
- Holds the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designation, FINRA Series 7, 63, and 66 securities registrations and a certificate in Advanced Derivative Market Strategies
- Earned a degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst
Robert Kane, CAIA
Manager, Alternatives
Andrew Kitchings, CFA®, CAIA, CMT, ERP, FRM
Manager, Investment Due Diligence – Investment Management and Research
- Helps oversee Commonwealth’s Preferred Portfolio Services® Select program and the Commonwealth Model Portfolios
- Assists with asset allocation, security selection, and ongoing portfolio monitoring
- Holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®), Chartered Market Technician (CMT), Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA), Energy Risk Professional (ERP), and Financial Risk Manager (FRM) designations and is a member of the Boston Security Analysts Society
- Holds the FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities registrations
- Earned dual degrees in economics and history with a concentration in East Asian studies from Emory University
- Has prior experience in positions at LPL Financial and Bank of America
Andrew Kitchings, CFA®, CAIA, CMT, ERP, FRM
Manager, Investment Due Diligence – Investment Management and Research
Fred DeBaets
Portfolio Manager, Fixed Income
- Manages Commonwealth’s Preferred Portfolio Services® Select Fixed Income SMA strategies
- Assists with portfolio construction and ideas on fixed income market opportunities
- Earned a BS in financial management and economics and an MBA from Plymouth State University
- Has prior experience in fixed income positions at Morgan Stanley and Bear Stearns
Fred DeBaets
Portfolio Manager, Fixed Income
Chris Fasciano
Portfolio Manager, Investment Management and Research
- Oversees Commonwealth’s Preferred Portfolio Services® Select program and the Commonwealth Model Portfolios
- Assists with asset allocation, security selection, and ongoing portfolio monitoring
- Responds to advisor inquiries about their own model portfolios
- Earned a BA in economics from Bates College and an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Kenan-Flagler Business School
- Has more than 20 years of experience in small- and mid-cap stock research and managing small- and mid-cap value portfolios for institutional and high-net-worth clients
Chris Fasciano
Portfolio Manager, Investment Management and Research
Rob Swanke, CFA®, CAIA
Senior Research Analyst, Equity
- Analyzes individual fixed income securities, responds to advisor requests, and assists with fixed income market research
- Is a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) charterholder and holds the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designation and the FINRA Series 65 securities registration
- Earned a BS in finance and accounting from Boston College
Rob Swanke, CFA®, CAIA
Senior Research Analyst, Equity
Nathan Parker, CFA®, CAIA
Senior Research Analyst, Equity
- Facilitates due diligence and research activities on real asset-focused investments (commercial real estate, commodities, infrastructure, and natural resources)
- Is a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) charterholder and holds the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designation and the FINRA Series 7 and 63 securities registrations
- Earned a bachelor’s in business administration from California State University, Chico, and a master’s in finance from San Diego State University
- Has prior experience at LPL Financial
Nathan Parker, CFA®, CAIA
Senior Research Analyst, Equity
Peter Roberto
Senior Research Analyst, Equity
- Provides due diligence and research activities on International mutual funds, exchange traded-funds, and equities
- Evaluates and selects managers and disseminates research in the Global and Foreign Large Cap, EM and Foreign SMID markets asset classes
- Assists the Investment Management team with calculating, analyzing, and updating both internal and external performance and attribution reports
- Earned a BS in management, with an emphasis in finance, from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and is currently a Level II Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) candidate
Peter Roberto
Senior Research Analyst, Equity
Tom Scarlata
Senior Research Analyst, Fixed Income
- Provides due diligence activities on fixed income mutual funds and exchange traded funds. Evaluates and selects fixed income managers for the mutual fund recommended list.
- Assists the Investment Research team in the production of the mutual fund recommended list and other advisor facing content.
- Earned a BS in Finance from Bentley University and is currently a Level II Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) candidate
Tom Scarlata
Senior Research Analyst, Fixed Income
Wayne Richardson
Research Analyst, Equity
- Provides due diligence and research activities on Mid and Small Cap mutual funds, exchange traded funds, and equities
- Evaluates and selects managers and disseminates research in the Mid Cap and Small Cap equity asset classes
- Assists the Investment Management team with calculating, analyzing, and updating internal performance reports
- Earned a bachelor’s in economics from UConn, and is a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) designation holder
Wayne Richardson
Research Analyst, Equity
Justin Cleare, CFA®
Senior Research Analyst, Real Assets
- Facilitates due diligence and research activities on real asset-focused investments (commercial real estate, commodities, infrastructure, and natural resources)
- Is a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) charterholder and holds the FINRA series 6, 26, and 99 securities registrations
- Earned a BBA in Finance and Operations Management from the University of Massachusetts Amherst
Justin Cleare, CFA®
Senior Research Analyst, Real Assets
Aaron Gigliotti
Research Associate, Investment Management and Research
- Supporting analysts and senior analysts with ad-hoc investment research requests and administrative functions.
- Researching and analyzing mutual funds, ETFs, and alternative investments and summarizing findings.
- Responding to inquiries from Commonwealth’s advisors on investment topics and products.
- Providing assistance with asset allocation, portfolio construction, case design, and consultation.
- Holds a BSBA with a concentration in finance from Boston University
Aaron Gigliotti
Research Associate, Investment Management and Research
Sarah Hargreaves
Platform Manager, Investment Management and Research
- She provides advanced technical, consultative, and platform-based support on a variety of topics to advisors and clients, particularly as it relates to Commonwealth’s Preferred Portfolio Services® (PPS) Select program.
- Holds the FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities registrations
- Earned a degree from Elon University
Sarah Hargreaves
Platform Manager, Investment Management and Research
Sara Bray
Research Analyst, Investment Management and Research
- Conducts due diligence and research activities on various mutual funds, ETFs, or individual securities as a member of the fixed income team
- Assists the Investment Management and Research team with updating both internal and external attribution reports
- Holds a BS in Finance from Bentley University
Sara Bray
Research Analyst, Investment Management and Research
Joe Dunn
Research Analyst, Fixed Income
- Analyzes fixed income portfolios & individual fixed income securities, responds to advisor requests, and assists with fixed income market research
- Earned a BS in Finance from UMass Amherst
Joe Dunn
Research Analyst, Fixed Income
Mike Legacy
Alternative Investments Consultant, Investment Management and Research
Mike Legacy
Alternative Investments Consultant, Investment Management and Research
Eli Cronin
Research Associate, Investment Management and Research
- Researching and analyzing alternative investment products and writing comprehensive research reports, performing initial and ongoing due diligence on alternative investments, and responding to inquiries from Commonwealth’s advisors on investment topics and products
- Holds a Master of Finance in Alternative Investments degrees from University of Massachusetts Amherst
Eli Cronin
Research Associate, Investment Management and Research
Erik Domolky
Associate Portfolio Manager
- Assists in managing the municpal bond SMAs under the PPS Select program.
- Conducts reserach on fixed income investments for advisors.
- Creates regular market and eocnomic commentary.
- Earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from UMass, an MBA from Boston University, and FINRA Series 4, 7, 24, 53, and 63 securities registrations.
Erik Domolky
Associate Portfolio Manager
Advanced Planning Team
Charitable planning, trusts, estates, and social security are just some of the areas we’re able to provide you with guidance through our partnership with Commonwealth Financial Network®, our Registered Investment Adviser–broker/dealer. This highly specialized team of Advanced Planning professionals is available to us as we serve your comprehensive financial planning needs.
Justin Duft, JD, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, MSFS®
Vice President, Advanced Planning
- Responsible for the strategic direction of the department, as well as providing a resource for advisors on issues involving trust, estate, tax, charitable, social security, business, insurance, and education planning
- Holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional certification and the Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®) and Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) designations, as well as Massachusetts life, accident, and health insurance licenses
- Holds the FINRA Series 6, 7, 24, and 63 securities registrations
- Earned a BS in business administration from Northeastern University; an MSFS from the American College of Financial Services; and a JD, with a focus on estate, trust, and tax law, from New England Law Boston
- Has prior experience in positions at Renaissance Insurance Group, John Hancock, and Ernst & Young
Justin Duft, JD, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, MSFS®
Vice President, Advanced Planning
Heather Zack, JD, LLM, MSFP, CAP®
Manager, Advanced Planning
- Leads a team of consultants that serve as a resource for advisors on issues involving estate, charitable, tax, social security, and education planning
- Holds the Certified Advisor in Philanthropy® (CAP®) certification as well as the FINRA Series 7, 9, 10, and 63 securities registrations
- Earned a bachelor’s degree from Endicott College, a JD from the University of San Diego, an LLM (Master of Laws) in taxation with a focus on estate planning from Boston University; and an MS in financial planning from Bentley University
- Has prior experience in positions at Bank of America Investment Services/Merrill Lynch and Investors Capital, as well as extensive operations experience at Commonwealth
Heather Zack, JD, LLM, MSFP, CAP®
Manager, Advanced Planning
Maureen Baxter, MBA, CLU®, ChFC®
Advanced Planning Consultant
- Serves as a resource for advisors in all areas of financial planning, including executive benefits, as well as high-level insurance planning and social security, estate, and business planning
- Holds the FINRA Series 7, as well as the Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®) and Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) designations
- Earned an MBA from Plymouth State University
- Has prior experience as an assistant vice president of advanced sales and sales development at Lincoln Financial Group; has also worked at Western and Southern Financial Group, Lafayette Life Insurance Company, and Jefferson Pilot Insurance Company
Maureen Baxter, MBA, CLU®, ChFC®
Advanced Planning Consultant
David Haughton, JD
Team Lead, Advanced Planning
- Serves as a resource for advisors on financial planning issues, including trust, estate, business, education, social security, and charitable planning
- Earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts and a JD from the Massachusetts School of Law
- Is admitted to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts bar and the State of New Hampshire bar
- Was a practicing estate planning attorney
- Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA) practitioner
David Haughton, JD
Team Lead, Advanced Planning
Martin Baker, CFP®
Supervisor, Paraplanning & Advanced Planning Consultant
- Serves as a resource on issues involving estate, trust, charitable, education, business, and social security planning strategies
- Oversees a team providing financial planning support through assisting with plan creation, analysis, and recommendations for advisors’ clients.
- Holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional certification and the FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities registrations
- Earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Bentley University
- Previously held several positions at Fidelity and UBS
Martin Baker, CFP®
Supervisor, Paraplanning & Advanced Planning Consultant
Krista Teegarden, CLU®, ChFC®, CPWA®, CSLP®, NSSA®
Senior Advanced Planning Consultant
- Serves as a resource for advisors on issues involving estate, trust, charitable, education, business, deferred compensation and social security planning strategies
- Is a National Social Security Advisor Certificate Holder (NSSA®), holds the Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®), Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®), Certified Student Loan Professional (CSLP®) andCertified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA) practitioner designations, as well as the FINRA Series 7 and 24 securities registrations and California life, accident, and health insurance licenses
- Earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in finance from Biola University
- Has prior experience conducting research and analysis and implementing advanced estate and business strategies with independent advisors
Krista Teegarden, CLU®, ChFC®, CPWA®, CSLP®, NSSA®
Senior Advanced Planning Consultant
Aric Jacobson, JD, LLM, CFP®, CEP
Advanced Planning Consultant
- Serves as a resource for advisors on financial planning issues, including trust, estate, business, education, social security, and charitable planning
- Earned a bachelor’s degree from Tulane University, JD from Tulane University School of Law and LLM in Taxation from NYU.
- Holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional certification, the Certified Equity Professional (CEP) designation, and FINRA 6, 63 and 65 licenses
- Member of the New York State Bar (retired) and American Bar Association
Aric Jacobson, JD, LLM, CFP®, CEP
Advanced Planning Consultant
Elizabeth Meyer, JD
Advanced Planning Consultant
- Serves as a resource for advisors on financial planning issues, including trust, estate, business, education, social security, and charitable planning
- Earned a bachelor’s degree from the Merrimack College and a JD from Suffolk Law School
- Is admitted to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts bar
- Was a practicing estate and elder law attorney
Elizabeth Meyer, JD
Advanced Planning Consultant
Rafael Bernard, CFP®, MSFP®
Advanced Planning Consultant
- Serves as a resource for advisors on financial planning issues, including trust, estate, business, education, social security, and charitable planning
- Earned a bachelor’s degree from Emerson College, a master’s degree in financial planning from the McCallum Graduate School of Business at Bentley University and a financial therapy certificate from Kansas State University
- Is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional
- Was previously a financial advisor with Lincoln Investment and a subject matter expert for In Good Company, a MassMutual learning initiative
Rafael Bernard, CFP®, MSFP
Advanced Planning Consultant
Anne Fontanet, BCL, LLM, Enrolled Agent
Advanced Planning Consultant
- Serves as a resource for advisors on financial planning issues, including trust, estate, business, education, social security, and charitable planning
- Spent two years at the University College Dublin in Ireland and the Université Paris Panthéon-Assas in France pursuing a double degree in comparative law and international law, earning the French and Irish equivalent of an American JD. She then earned an LLM in U.S. and international law from the Chicago-Kent College of Law. Obtained
- Passed the three-part exame to become an enrolled agent (EA), the highest credential awarded by the IRS
- Has prior experience as an associate at an estate planning firm.
Anne Fontanet, BCL, LLM, Enrolled Agent
Advanced Planning Consultant
Mike Simolo, JD
Advanced Planning Consultant
- Serves as a resource for advisors on financial planning issues, including trust, estate, business, education, social security, and charitable planning
- Earned a bachelor’s degree from Hobart College and a JD from Cornell Law School
- Is admitted to the New York State and Commonwealth of Massachusetts bars
- Was a practicing estate planning attorney
Mike Simolo, JD
Advanced Planning Consultant