%

of investors mistrust the financial services industry, specifically brokers & financial advisors, to work in their best interest.

Source: American Association of Individual Investors

Our Mission

As an independent advisor, we believe that strong relationships are built on trust. That trust is achieved by providing advice that is objective and aligned with your interests, being transparent in our recommendations and fees, and developing open and honest communication with our clients.

As stewards of our clients’ wealth, our fiduciary responsibilities ensure that we keep our clients front and center. We are committed to using comprehensive wealth management counsel and tailored planning to help our clients build, manage and preserve their wealth. Helping our clients achieve their personal and financial goals is our number one priority.

Our Approach

We believe that no two clients are alike; that every client has different needs and objectives they wish to achieve.

Our approach is designed to work in concert with you, not just for you. The result is a process designed to bring organization, accountability, objectivity and collaboration to your financial life.

Our Story

St. Clair Advisors was founded in 2010 with a simple mission – to provide a full range of services to successful individuals and families seeking comprehensive wealth management and planning solutions. The individuals and families we serve understand the benefit of a thoughtfully formulated, carefully managed financial plan based on their goals and objectives.

To avoid any conflicts of interest regarding our decisions or advice, we have retained our independent status. As a result, we are free to be completely impartial in our advice. The criteria we use to determine each recommendation is simple: what course of action is best for you and your goals?

 

Clients choose to work with us for a variety of reasons.  In almost every case, the decision comes down to a mutual feeling of trust, integrity and transparency.

St. Clair Advisors is proud to have been a recipient of the 2016 Weatherhead Upstart 100 award in recognition of local Greater Cleveland companies who are the best examples of leadership, growth and success in our region.

Ronald E. Bates, CPA, CFP®

Chairman

Ron is responsible for the overall coordination, quality and delivery of the firm’s Family Office services. He also serves on the Investment Committee, which is responsible for setting the firm’s investment strategy, asset allocation and selection of investment managers. He has been in the wealth management business for over 30 years.

David W. Sommer, CIMA®

President and Chief Investment Officer

Dave has over 25 years of experience in the investment industry. Dave serves as the Chief Investment Officer of St. Clair Advisors, where his duties include developing strategic and tactical asset allocation targets based on client goals and risk tolerance.  He is also responsible for the development, execution and communication of appropriate client investment strategies.

Craig A. Steinbrink, CIMA®

Partner and Senior Investment Advisor
Craig has over 20 years of experience in the investment industry. Craig’s role as a Senior Investment Advisor includes the development, execution and communication of appropriate investment strategies for clients. He is also responsible for the external manager search and selection process, as well as private investment due diligence. Craig is investment committee chair and a board member of Bluecoats, Inc.

Fred Botek, JD

Partner and Director of Family Office Services

Fred has 30 years of experience in the wealth management industry. He focuses on tax and wealth planning matters for our client families, while also playing a key role in managing the structure and development of the Family Office team. Previously, Fred held a senior management role serving wealthy families and foundations with a Registered Investment Advisor, and maintained a private family office practice providing tax and estate planning services to a select group of families. In addition to serving on several non-profit boards, Fred serves as Chairman of Gilmour Academy’s Board of Trustees.

Judy Balazs Pistner, CPA

Senior Client Service Director

Judy has over 15 years of experience working in the wealth management industry. She is responsible for financial planning, comprehensive tax compliance for individuals, trusts, partnerships, corporations and tax exempt organizations, as well as preparation of financial and cash flow statements.

MJ Skutt, EA

Senior Client Service Director

With over 30 years of experience in the tax and financial planning industry, MJ’s role includes financial planning, comprehensive tax compliance for individuals, trusts, partnerships, corporations and tax exempt organizations, as well as preparation of financial and cash flow statements.

Jill Miterko

Director of Investment Operations

Jill has over 25 years of experience working with ultra-high net worth families. She works directly with clients in guiding the account on-boarding and funds transfer process as well as portfolio accounting, trading and custodial reconcilement functions.

Kelly Schmidt

Director of Process Improvement

Kelly joined St. Clair Advisors in 2016 supporting the financial planning and tax functions.  Kelly’s previous experience includes the education and mortgage servicing industries.

Sean Kuenzig | Saint Clair Advisors

Sean Kuenzig, CPA, AWMA

Client Service Director

Sean has 10 years of experience working in the tax industry. He is responsible for assisting with financial planning, comprehensive tax compliance for individuals, trusts, partnerships, corporations and tax-exempt organizations, as well as preparation of financial and cash flow statements.

Theresa Certo | Saint Clair Advisor Cleveland Ohio

Theresa Certo

Financial Planning Associate

Theresa joined St. Clair Advisors in 2021. She is responsible for assisting with comprehensive tax compliance for individuals, trusts, partnerships, corporations and tax-exempt organizations, as well as preparation of financial and cash flow statements.

Evan Schreiner | Saint Clair Advisor Cleveland Ohio

Evan Schreiner, CFP®, EA

Investment Operations Associate

Evan joined St. Clair Advisors in 2023. He has more than 10 years experience in the wealth management industry and is responsible for supporting the investment and family office teams with client onboarding, portfolio accounting, and all aspects of wealth planning.

Donna Kennedy

Office Manager

With over 20 years of experience in the wealth management industry, Donna is responsible for supporting the administrative functions associated with serving our clients.