%
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
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
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?
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 Emeritus
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 35 years.
David W. Sommer, CIMA®
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer
Dave has over 30 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®
Chief Operating Officer and Senior Investment Advisor
Craig has over 25 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
Director of Family Office Services
Fred has 30 years of experience in the wealth management industry. He focuses on complex 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. 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 20 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 35 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 30 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, CPA, CFP®
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
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, 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.
Mark Cleary
Financial Planning Associate
Mark joined St. Clair Advisors in 2024. With 7 years of experience in the wealth management industry, he is responsible for supporting the family office team in all aspects of wealth planning, estate planning and tax compliance.
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.