Our partnership with Commonwealth Financial Network®, a leading Registered Investment Adviser–broker/dealer, provides us access to a team of investment research specialists who assist us in our efforts to provide you with the best possible service. Each of the professionals on this team brings a breadth of experience in the industry and within his or her own specialization.
Brad McMillan, CFA®, CAIA, MAI
Managing Principal, Chief Investment Officer
Brad started at Commonwealth in 2006. As managing principal, chief investment officer, he oversees Commonwealth’s investment and asset management groups, chairing the investment committee and acting as the primary spokesperson for the firm’s investment divisions. Brad is a frequent commentator on the financial markets, U.S. economic policy, and the global economy for a range of national media outlets. He also acts as a key consultant for advisors and clients when markets get difficult. Brad maintains a daily blog, The Independent Market Observer, and is a regular contributor to Forbes. He also is a frequent guest speaker at industry conferences. Brad’s professional qualifications include designated membership in the Appraisal Institute (MAI), the CFA Institute, and the CAIA Association. Prior to joining Commonwealth, he founded several companies. He has an undergraduate degree from Dartmouth and graduate degrees from MIT and Boston College.
Brian Price, CFA®
Senior Vice President, Investment Management and Research
As senior vice president, investment management and research, Brian manages the Research team, as well as oversees the asset allocation, fund selection, and overall management of Commonwealth’s Preferred Portfolio Services® Select program. Brian is a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) charterholder and holds his FINRA Series 7, 63, and 65 securities registrations. He graduated from Georgetown University with a BA in American government. Prior to joining Commonwealth, Brian worked at Bernstein Investment Research and Management as a senior financial advisor associate.
Peter Essele, CFA®, CAIA, CFP®
Vice President, Investment Management and Research
As vice president, investment management and research, Peter oversees asset allocation, fund selection, and overall management of Commonwealth’s discretionary platform, Preferred Portfolio Services® Select. Peter is a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) charterholder and holds the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designation, the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional certification, and his FINRA Series 7, 24, 31, 53, and 66 securities registrations. He is also a member of the Boston Security Analysts Society. Peter graduated from Union College, where he earned his BS in industrial economics. Prior to joining Commonwealth, he held positions at Albany International and Kestner Engineers.
Jim McAllister, CFA®
Director, Equity Research
Jim 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. He manages the Preferred Portfolio Services® Select Equity Income
Separately Managed Account (SMA) models. He also guides the ongoing implementation and execution of the
team’s investment philosophies and processes and responds to advisor inquiries on equity portfolio construction,
individual equity research, and equity portfolio reviews.
In addition to earning a BS in finance from Lehigh University, Jim is a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) charterholder.
Prior to joining Commonwealth, he was a fundamental equity research analyst for Loomis, Sayles & Co. and a research
analyst at State Street Global Advisors in the U.S. active quantitative group.
Fred DeBaets
Portfolio Manager, Fixed Income
As a portfolio manager, Fred manages Commonwealth’s Preferred Portfolio Services® Select Fixed Income Separately Managed Account (SMA) strategies. He also assists with portfolio construction and ideas on fixed income market opportunities. Fred holds his BS in financial management and economics and an MBA from Plymouth State University. Prior to joining Commonwealth, he worked in fixed income positions at Morgan Stanley and Bear Stearns.
Chris Fasciano
Portfolio Manager, Investment Management and Research
As a portfolio manager, Chris oversees Commonwealth’s Preferred Portfolio Services® Select program and the Commonwealth Model Portfolios. He also responds to advisor inquiries about their own model portfolios. Chris earned his degree in economics from Bates College and his MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Kenan-Flagler Business School. He 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.
Andrew Kitchings, CAIA, CMT®, ERP, FRM®
Portfolio Manager, Investment Management and Research
As a portfolio manager, Andrew helps oversee Commonwealth’s Preferred Portfolio Services® Select program and the Commonwealth Model Portfolios. He also assists with asset allocation, security selection, and ongoing portfolio monitoring. In addition to holding FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities registrations, Andrew holds the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA), Chartered Market Technician® (CMT®), Energy Risk Professional (ERP), and Financial Risk Manager® (FRM®) designations. He is also a member of the Boston Security Analysts Society. Andrew holds dual degrees in economics and history from Emory University and has worked at LPL Financial and Bank of America.