Meet Our Officers
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Listed as one of the “100 Great Financial Planners” by Mutual Funds magazine, Alan is a co-founder and president of Asset Strategies, Inc., as well as, the founder, and principal, of Rothstein & Co., CPA’s.
Alan has been recognized by many professional organizations for his outstanding achievements within the industry. He was honored by the AICPA as a recipient of the Distinguished Service Award of the Personal Financial Planning Division. Previously, he has received the CTCPA Member of the year award. Alan is passionate about helping individuals, families, and businesses meet their financial goals.
With over 35 years of experience as a CPA and financial advisor, Alan knows the in’s-and-out’s of successful tax planning and long-term investing. Alan holds a Bachelors and Masters degree in Accounting and has earned the Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) designation from the AICPA.
Alan is committed to public service. He is a current Board Member and Treasurer of Journey Home, whose mission is to end chronic homelessness in the Greater Hartford area. Alan is also an active member of the Probus Club of Greater Hartford, which helps mentally and physically challenged adults.
As a partner in Schulman Lobel, Andy provides business management for performing and creative artists, athletes, and other celebrities, including US nonresident aliens, as well as tax and financial planning for high net-worth individuals and their closelyheld businesses. In addition, he has special expertise in representing clients in the settlement of tax controversies. While his career focus has been personal financial planning (PFP), at Schulman Lobel his predominant clientele have careers in screen, television, and live stage, including several nominees and winners of Academy, Emmy and Tony Awards. The firm also represents other established talents such as authors, photographers, painters, musical performers, songwriters, models, and athletes. Additionally, Andy has developed an expertise in the representation of nonresident alien performing and creative artists; presently the firm represents over a dozen British artists.
The financial media has often acknowledged Andy’s expertise including Worth magazine naming him one of the nation’s Best Financial Advisers for several consecutive years, Accounting Today including him as one of the 50 Names To Know In Financial Planning each time this list of “influential practitioners” has been published, and Consumers’ Research Council Of America listing him in their Guide To America’s Best Financial Planners. Furthermore, his financial and tax advice has appeared in dozens of publications including The Wall Street Journal, Investor’s Business Daily, USA Today, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Daily News, The Star Ledger, The Record, The Arizona Republic, Newsweek, Business Week, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, Worth, Financial Planning, Dow Jones Investment Advisor, and Accounting Today and he has been a featured guest on ABC, Fox, CNN, E!, and Bloomberg among others.
Andy co-authored the AICPA publication Guide To Planning For Performing And Creative Artists and edited the AICPA course Tax Considerations For Professional Athletes And Entertainers. He also appeared in the AICPA video Education Funding. He assisted the AICPA in planning its Certificate of Educational Achievement program in PFP, as well as planning and lecturing at several of the AICPA’s PFP Technical Conferences and PFP Investment Conferences. He has also edited PFP materials for The CPA Journal, as well as for other professional publications and has lectured throughout the country on the subjects of PFP and his specialty of representing performing and creative artists. He is proud to have assisted the New York State Society of CPAs in developing their Task Force to provide pro bono assistance to victims of the September 11th disaster and of creating and developing, as well as serving as the chairman of the Disaster Recovery Conference held in New York City in February, 2002.
Andy holds several professional licenses. He has active CPA Licenses in New York, California, and New Jersey. In 2006, Andy obtained a New York Life, Accident, & Health License and has since been licensed in several other states.
Andy earned a BSBA in Accounting at Boston University’s School of Management, graduating Magna Cum Laude. He earned an MBA in Taxation at Fairleigh Dickinson University graduating with honors.
In 2013, Andy authored a two-part article, “Tackling TaxPlanning of Nonresident Alien Artists,” for the Law Journal Newsletters, Entertainment Law & Finance.
Ann joined the firm in 2007. Her expertise is in the areas of portfolio management and financial planning. Ann regularly works with clients to provide them with a comprehensive analysis and evaluation of their financial needs including investments, tax, estate planning, retirement goals, insurance, and cash flows.
Ann is a Certified Public Accountant, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, a Personal Financial Specialist, and an Accredited Estate Planner. She has over 35 years of public accounting experience as well as financial planning experience as a partner of the accounting firm, Schwartz & Hofflich LLP, CPA. She has maintained a focus on financial planning and portfolio management for a majority of her career.
Ann graduated with a BS Cum Laude from Sacred Heart University and has a diploma in financial planning from the College of Financial Planning. Ann is a past President of the Connecticut Society of CPA’s, and is a past President of the Estate Planning Council of Lower Fairfield County.
Anthony Z. Gennaoui, CFP®
Managing Principal
Anthony’s journey in in the financial sector began with a decade-long tenure at Deutsche Bank and The Hartford, where he served as an ‘advisor to financial advisors’. After joining Droms Strauss Wealth Management in 2013, he added to his financial services background with comprehensive training across various financial disciplines, including financial and estate planning, insurance, investments, taxes, employee benefits, and retirement planning. In 2015, he earned his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification.
In June 2016, Anthony’s commitment to Droms Strauss Wealth Management was recognized as he ascended to the role of shareholder and took his place on the firm’s management committee. His leadership extends to the Droms Strauss investment committee, helping to oversee the construction of client portfolios and the strategic selection of investments.
Anthony’s approach to client service is both personalized and goal-oriented. He meticulously crafts recommendations that align with each client’s aspirations and financial resources, helping form a path to their future objectives that is both effective and efficient.
A proud alumnus of Miami University of Ohio with a Bachelor of Science in finance, Anthony’s zeal extends beyond the financial realm. He is a passionate supporter of St. Louis sports, an enthusiast of golf and skiing, coaches youth hockey, and cherishes the time spent with his family and friends.
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional
I am certified for financial planning services in the United States by Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (“CFP Board”). Therefore, I may refer to myself as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional or a CFP® professional, and I may use these and CFP Board’s other certification marks (the “CFP Board Certification Marks”). The CFP® certification is voluntary. No federal or state law or regulation requires financial planners to hold the CFP® certification. You may find more information about the CFP® certification at www.CFP.net.
CFP® professionals have met CFP Board’s high standards for education, examination, experience, and ethics. To become a CFP® professional, an individual must fulfill the following requirements:
Individuals who become certified must complete the following ongoing education and ethics requirements to remain certified and maintain the right to continue to use the CFP Board Certification Marks:
Connie Brezik, CFP®, CPA/PFS, is a Wealth Advisor with Buckingham Strategic Wealth, managing the Casper, WY and Scottsdale, AZ offices. Connie works with clients to form a comprehensive financial plan tailored to their individual circumstances, one that includes portfolio management, tax strategies, wealth transfer considerations, retirement analysis and education planning. She welcomes the chance to help clients work through difficult situations, finding solutions that they may not have thought of and guidance about what to do if their plans don’t work out as anticipated.
Connie has found that helping clients manage their finances is often tied to their business and family lives. Serving those comprehensive needs is all part of delivering on the promise of true wealth management. Connie specializes in practical estate planning, helping clients appropriately title assets, arrange for the disposition of personal assets and accounts, and implement effective wealth transfer strategies.The personal relationships that Connie develops are for the long term, and they often involve meeting and working with a client’s children and grandchildren.
Connie, who takes great pride in educating investors in a clear and understandable way, writes amonthly column on investment and wealth planning for the Casper Star Tribune. Her financial advice has also appeared in a number of other national and industry media outlets, including USA Today, Worth, Mutual Funds Magazine, Financial Planning and the Journal of Accountancy.
Connie served as president of Asset Strategies Inc. from 2002 until joiningBuckingham Strategic Wealth in 2015. In that role, she oversaw operation of the Registered Investment Advisor’s offices in Casper, Wyoming, and Scottsdale, Arizona.
Connie earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Wyoming in 1979. A CPA, she also holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER and Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) professional designations.
Outside of work, she is involved in the community with Rotary and various nonprofit entities. Connie, who hails from Rapid City, South Dakota, relocated to Wyoming in 1975.
Diann McChesney is the Executive Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer at Asset Strategies, Inc. She is a principal of the firm, along with her business partner, Alan Rothstein. She has been guiding ASI clients through the financial planning process, as well as managing their investment assets since early 2012.
Diann has earned several prestigious designations including the Certified Financial Planner ® professional designation. In addition, she earned a Master’s Degree in Personal Financial Planning from The College of Financial Planning in Denver, CO. Her life experiences with the challenges of military life, special-needs children, adult children, and aging and dying parents enrich Diann’s ability to advise clients through every step of financial planning. She believes strongly that “nothing happens in a vacuum”; that decisions made now affect decisions into the future, making comprehensive financial planning a top priority.
Diann is a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA), National Association of Financial Planning Advisors (NAPFA), and the AICPA Personal Financial Planning division. She’s also a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, an international philanthropic organization that assists and supports women who seek to further their education. Through her affiliation with P.E.O., Diann serves as a Trustee on the Cottey College Board of Trustees. (Cottey College is a 4-year women’s college wholly owned and supported by the P.E.O. Sisterhood.)
He was the founder of The Overseas Oversight Group in 1998 that has oversight responsibilities as protector of overseas trusts and companies, along with three other financial advisory organizations. He sold his investment advisory business in 2012 and co-founded Precision Fiduciary Analytics Inc. in 2014 with Stewart Frank CPA/PFS, AIFA. In 2019 they organized THE INSTITUTE FOR PORTFOLIO DIVERSIFICATION (PFI). Mr. Vernazza is Managing Director of the Institute. PFI’S MISSION is to provide Artificial Intelligence capable of facilitating the procedural process necessary to manage the benefits of diversification and satisfying compliance with fiduciary laws and regulations. The benefits of diversification are readily achievable using the User-Driven Artificial Intelligence developed by The Institute.
Ben became a CPA in 1961 and he was an investment adviser for 40 years. He is a graduate of Stanford University with a BA in Economics and a joint MA from the Stanford Business School and the Food Research Institute where he was coached by his mentor, Professor Dr. Karl Brandt, a member of President Eisenhower’s Council of Economic Advisers. Ben received the Private Sector Initiative Commendation from President Ronald Reagan in 1984.
He served four-year terms on committees of the American Institute of CPAs including the Investment Committee that had oversight over the pension and health plans of the employees of this 350,000 member organization. He is a past chairman of the AICPA special task force on International Tax Reporting Requirements. Prior to these nationwide professional assignments, he participated actively in California CPA Society Committees. Additionally, he served on the asset protection committee of the American Bar Association and as a member of the Probate and Trust Division.
On the Personal Side:
When not working, Juan enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, attending concerts, surfing, hiking, and playing guitar. He listens to a wide range of musical genres and is constantly looking for new music. When given the opportunity, he enjoys encouraging and motivating students by volunteering at Grossmont College, San Diego State University, and Junior Achievement.
Some Things You May Not Know About Juan:
Juan was born in Mexico, he is fluent in Spanish, and he has two daughters. He enjoys spending quality time with his girls exploring San Diego, museums in Los Angeles, Santa Monica beach, and amusement parks, and is constantly looking to create new memories.
Juan joined the Rowling & Associates team in November 2013. His primary responsibilities include developing and updating comprehensive financial plans, providing portfolio research & analysis, spearheading the firm’s Marketing initiatives and most recently, overseeing Operations. In addition to these tasks, he also participates in servicing client accounts, portfolio administration, and trading, as well as other projects. Prior to joining the firm, Juan worked for an asset manager in Del Mar, CA. He also spent two years working for The Vanguard Group where he received a great foundation while providing investment guidance to high-net-worth clients. Juan holds an Executive Financial Planner Advanced Certificate and B.S. in Finance from San Diego State University.
Bio coming soon!
For the past 16 years Liz L Flores has been providing financial planning advice and services. By fostering a long-term relationship with every client, she has created a foundation basedon understanding each person’s unique needs and objectives, thus allowing her to help clients obtain their goals. Liz works with integrity, objectivity and experience to help clients and their families pursue financial security...
As a Certified Public Accountant and a Personal Financial Specialist she is required to adhere to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountant’s Code of Professional conduct.
She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from San Jose State University. Then became a Certified Public Accountant, providing tax services. Wanting to help client’s with more specific financial services she pursued the Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) accreditation from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Liz is a member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, (AICPA), the California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA). She is a committee member of the California CPA Society’s Personal Financial Planning Committee. She served on the Personal Financial Planning Executive Committee and Financial Literacy Commission for the American Institute of CPA’s.
She has serviced as the Treasurer of the Fallen Officer Foundation of Santa Cruz County since 2004.
The best thing about the work I do is knowing that you have made a positive difference in your client’s lives.
In her free time Liz enjoys spending time with her husband and son as well as friends. She loves to cook and garden and taking long walks with her dogs on the beach.
Mackey McNeill is the Founder and President/CEO of Mackey Advisors™ The Prosperity People. Mackey Advisors has been recognized as one of the largest women-owned businesses in Greater Cincinnati. She has been quoted in The Wall Street Journal, TIME, Money andReader’s Digest, along with many other publications.
Mackey Advisors, The Prosperity People, is a multidisciplinary financial services firm serving the small to mid-size business community in Greater Cincinnati and beyond. The firm brings a diverse set of talents, including, CPA, PFS, CFP, MBA, Controller, Bookkeeper, Tax Specialist together using their unique, award winning process, The Prosperity Experience (TPE). TPE for Individuals and Couples helps clients builds a prosperity plan and coaches them to live into that plan throughout their lives. TPE for Business begins by buildinga strategic and financial plan for the business, and then coaches business owners to implement the plan using accountability, monitoring and predicting systems.
Mackey's passion is to support her clients in expanding their prosperity. These ideas are captured in her award-winning book: The Intersection of Joy and Money, namedMost Life-Changing Book andOutstanding Book of the Year byIndependent Publishers.
Mackey has the credentials to support her passion. She is a CPA, Personal Financial Specialist, Investment Advisor Representative and a certified Enneagram teacher. A native Georgian, Mackey graduated cum laude from the University of Georgia.
Professionally her honors include:
Mackey believes in and devotes a significant amount of her time to community service. She has held active and leadership roles in many business and civic organizations such as:
Mackey’s personal mission is to passionately expand prosperity in her community, in her life and in her relationships.
Marshall Rathmell, CPA®/PFS®, CFP® is the Managing Member of BCR® Wealth Strategies in Birmingham, Alabama. BCR is a fiduciary, fee only, financial planning and wealth management firm that is Passionate about helping people succeed®.
Marshall’s time is split at BCR allowing him to continue his enjoyment of working with the financial puzzles clients bring to the table while managing the firm and mentoring associates who will one day take care of our clients themselves.
Marshall was born and raised in Birmingham. At least six generations of his family have called Birmingham home, as well. He is fortunate to have a large number of family members living within a short distance of his home.
Marshall and his wife, Susan, met while at the University of Alabama and married in 2007.Susan is a clinical psychologist at the Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center.They have two young children. Their son, John Marshall, was born in 2008 and their daughter, Amelia, was born in 2011. Both children attend Brookwood Forest Elementary School and have a myriad of after-school sports and activities.
Marshall is committed to community service and serves in leadership positions in several of Alabama’s non-profit organizations.His community service and business leadership led him to being in the Leadership Birmingham class of 2018 and being named 2015 Top 40 Under 40 by the Birmingham Business Journal.
Martin has been involved in the financial services industry since 1982. He served as the founding principal of Treybourne Wealth Planners from 1985 until it joined with Savant in 2021. Before founding Treybourne, Martin co-founded the accounting firm Sherman & Armbruster, LLP. Prior to that, he worked for a regional CPA firm and served as controller of a southside Indianapolis construction products company.
Martin earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and was awarded a Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) designation. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Indiana CPA Society.
For eight years, Martin organized the St. Baldrick’s Foundation fundraising event in Indianapolis, raising more than $375,000 for children’s cancer research. He served in various leadership and consultative roles for the Johnson County Community Foundation for 31 years.
Martin is actively engaged in outdoor activities, including running, biking, hiking, and golf. He is married to Carol K. Armbruster, PhD., an author and teaching professor emeritus, department of kinesiology at Indiana University.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. (CFP Board) owns the certification marks CFP® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ in the U.S., which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.
In Loving Memory of Michael M. Eisenberg, CPA, PFS, JD
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Michael M. Eisenberg, a distinguished professional in the field of accounting, a devoted family man, and an inspirational mentor to many. Michael's journey from a traditional Certified Public Accountant to a pioneering figure in Personal Financial Planning (PFP) has left an indelible mark on the profession and those fortunate enough to have crossed paths with him.
Michael's career took a transformative turn after attending the AICPA’s annual PFP Conference, a pivotal moment that ignited his passion for personal financial planning. This newfound zeal led him to join the AICPA’s PFS Credential Committee, eventually serving as its chair, where he played a crucial role in expanding the PFS credential's recognition and influence. Under his leadership, the committee met and exceeded its goals, fostering growth in the credential's numbers and stature within the accounting profession.
A fervent advocate for financial literacy, Michael also served as the first chair of the CalCPA Financial Literacy Committee, contributing significantly to the public's understanding of personal finance. His dedication to the profession was recognized with the 2007 PFP Division Distinguished Service Award, a testament to his contributions and impact.
Beyond his professional achievements, Michael was a pillar of support and inspiration within the community. He believed deeply in the power of volunteering, often saying that the rewards of giving back far outweighed the efforts. His mentorship has shaped the careers of countless CPA/PFS professionals, leaving a legacy of excellence and service.
Michael was a remarkable professional and a loving husband to Linda, his high school sweetheart, and a caring father to Rachel and David. He was also a devoted grandfather, cherishing every moment spent with his four grandchildren. Alongside Linda and his late mother, Alice, Michael had made his work a family affair, embodying the essence of commitment and love in every aspect of his life.
A respected voice in the profession, Michael's insights were sought after by major publications like Money, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, The Wall Street Journal, and more. His contributions to the discourse on personal finance and his efforts to demystify complex concepts for the public will not be forgotten.
Michael's educational journey, culminating in a J.D. degree from the West Los Angeles School of Law after graduating from California State University, laid the foundation for his illustrious career. His legacy is a testament to his belief in continuous learning, growth, and the importance of family.
As we mourn the loss of Michael, we also celebrate his remarkable life, filled with achievements, love, and an unwavering commitment to bettering the world around him. His legacy will continue to inspire and guide us. Michael will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and the countless professionals and individuals whose lives he touched.
Mitchell Freedman is the founder and President of M Freedman Co., Inc. an Accountancy Corporation, specializing in Multi-Family Office Services (Business Management) and Financial Counseling for performing and creative artists and individuals with complex and unique financial needs. He is founder and President of MFAC Financial Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisory (RIA) Firm. Mr. Freedman is a founding member and past vice president of The All-Star Financial Group, Inc. He received his bachelor’s degree from Adelphi University. Mr. Freedman is a licensed CPA in California and New York and an RIA. He earned the credential Personal Financial Specialist (PFS), from the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA).
Mr. Freedman was recognized as a recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from the Personal Financial Planning (PFP) Section of the AICPA. He was named by Worth magazine as one of the '250 Best Financial Advisors' in the United States for five consecutive years. Accounting Today named him as one of the ‘Top 100 Most Influential People’ in the accounting profession for two consecutive years. The same publication named him to three consecutive lists of 50 ‘Name$ to Know in Financial Planning.’ The San Fernando Valley Business Journal recognized Mr. Freedman as one of the ‘25 Top CPAs in the San Fernando Valley.’ He is a sought-after speaker, giving presentations throughout the United States and Canada before numerous groups on subjects related to tax, financial, investing, entertainment industry,Elder Care, and pre-and post-disaster planning subject matters. He has appeared on CNN, "Entertainment Tonight," BBC, and numerous other television and radio programs. Mr. Freedman has written articles for and been featured in many national news, accounting, financial planning, investment, business, and general interest publications. He taught a course in personal finance for California State University, Northridge and he was formerly an adjunct professor in accounting for the Adelphi University Graduate School ofBusiness.
Mr. Freedman is a member of the California Society of CPAs (CalCPA). He is serving his fifth term on CalCPA’s governing Council and has served one term as Trustee of the California CPA Education Foundation, where he Chaired the Investment Committee. Mr. Freedman is a founder of and the Chair of the CalCPA Financial Literacy Committee. He is both a past Chair and past Co-chair of CalCPA's State PFP Committee and past Chair of CalCPA’s Communications Advisory Committee. Mr. Freedman currently serves as a member of the aforementioned committees. He also served on the planning committees for the Entertainment Industry, PFP, and Eldercare Conferences for the California CPA Education Foundation. Mr. Freedman is a member of the AICPA. He served for twelve years as a member of the AICPA and Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants Elder Care Task Force. He formerly served three-year terms each on the AICPA PFP Member Services Sub-committee and the AICPA PFP Executive Committee. Mr. Freedman has served on the Planning Committees and as a speaker for the AICPA Advanced PFP Conferences for five years.
Mr. Freedman co-authored both the Guide to Planning for Performing and Creative Artists and the Guide to Planning for Divorce, for the AICPA PFP Library. He edited Disaster Recovery, A Guide to Financial Issues, and Disasters and Financial Planning, a Guide for Preparedness, both distributed by the AICPA and the American Red Cross. In addition, he edited the AICPA continuing education course entitled "Tax Considerations for Professional Athletes and Entertainers.” Mr. Freedman was a panelist on an educational video entitled "The Financial Issues of Aging" and has moderated an educational video entitled "Effective Asset Protection Planning," both for the AICPA.
Mr. Freedman is a founder, past Chair, past Treasurer and a Director of California Jump$tart Coalition, a not-for-profit organization with the mission to improve the financial literacy of California's youth. He is also serving his second term as Director, and had, for seven years served as Chair of the Budget/Finance Committee of Westlake Yacht Club (WYC). He currently sits on both the Budget/Finance and Risk Management Committees of WYC. Mr. Freedman is on the Board of Directors and is Chair of the Communications Committee and member of the Scholarship Committee of the Westlakers, a community club which provides fellowship and raises funds for college scholarships for seniors at Westlake and Agoura High Schools in Southern California.
Sheryl Rowling, CPA/PFS, is Editorial Director, Financial Advice at Morningstar.
Rowling has been named one of the nation’s top 250 financial advisors by Worth Magazine and was named one of Accounting Today’s Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting. In December 2016, InvestmentNews named her to its list of 20 Icons & Innovators. She writes regular columns for the Advisors4Advisors.com, InvestmentNews, and San Diego Jewish World.
Rowling holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in business administration in finance from San Diego State University. She is the author of the book Tax and Wealth Strategies for Family Businesses (CCH, 2006) and Your Financial Travel Guide To Life (Lulu, 2017). She is a Certified Public Accountant and Personal Financial Specialist.
Stephanie has been involved in the financial services industry since 1999. She served as a principal of Treybourne Wealth Planners from 2010 until it joined with Savant in 2021. Prior to joining Treybourne, Stephanie co-founded WealthPoint Advisors, LLC. Before that, she was an auditor with RJ Pile, LLC.
Stephanie earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Indianapolis. She is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, an Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®), a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), and earned a Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) designation. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).
Stephanie is a member of St. Barnabas and lives on the south side of Indianapolis with her husband Scott and their sons, Sean and Steven. She loves being a boy mom and enjoys spending time with her family and friends, going on walks, Broadway musicals, and photography.
"You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending." - C.S. Lewis
Steven N. Strauss, CPA/PFS
Co-Founder & Managing Principal
Together with Bill Droms, Steve co-founded the firm in 1995. Steve began his career as a CPA and brings over 35 years of experience as a CPA to the Droms Strauss Wealth Management team. Steve is especially proud of the fact that Droms Strauss, which began as a means to provide planning and investment management for a small group of friends and accounting firm clients, has, through referrals from Droms Strauss clients, grown to be an organization serving clients across the United States, the Middle East and Asia. He believes that Droms Strauss has grown, not due to a focus on the growth of the business, but instead, because the firm has always focused on providing the highest level of service and advice to our clients.
For nearly two decades, Steve was an active member and innovator in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Personal Financial Planning Division. In 1993, Steve co-developed a personal financial planning software, PFP Partner which for many years was widely used by CPAs in providing personal financial planning services. Steve is a member and previously served as president of the All Star Financial Group, LLC, a national association of CPAs specializing in financial, tax and investment planning and management for high and ultra-high net worth individuals.
Steve holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from the University of Missouri in Columbia and a Master of Science in taxation from DePaul University. Steve has served on the Board of an Early Childhood Education organization and as Board President of his Temple.
Publications:
After graduating from the University of Illinois with a BS in Accounting, Tracy started her financial career in a corporate setting, holding positions in audit, strategic planning, and operations financial management. She earned her MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management in 1995, concentrating in finance and organization behavior.
From 1999 –2002 Tracy consulted with entrepreneurs and non-profit organizations in the areas of strategic planning, operational effectiveness and efficiency, financial systems and employee benefits. Tracy became a Certified Financial Planner in 2002 and joined Private Vista, a prominent Chicago area financial planning firm to expand the areas of advice that she provides to her clients. Her clients include owners of closely held businesses, executives preparing for retirement, and families with multi-generational wealth plans. In 2019 Tracy transitioned her business to Treybourne Wealth Planners, Inc of Greenwood Indiana. In 2021 Tracy transitioned her business to The Mather Group.
Tracy is an active alumnus of Northwestern University and the University of Illinois. She is also a member of the AICPA and the All-Star Financial group.
Tracy is past Chairman of the Board of Age Options, a 501c3 “Dedicated to Connecting Older Persons throughout Suburban Cook County with Resources and Options to Live Their Lives with Dignity”. Other charitable involvements include Make-a-Wish of Northern Illinois, Alzheimers Association of Illinois Planned Giving Advisory Board, and CPA's for the Public Interest.