Our Expert Team

Our Investment Policy Committee

Susan Strasbaugh, CFP®, EA, AIF® Wealth Advisor, Advisory Team Leader – Current Tenure: 22 years

Susan takes a team approach to planning, building, and managing customized client investment portfolios aligned with their most important financial goals. She is an Enrolled Agent, a credential that equips her to be sensitive to and adeptly manage the significant impact that taxes can have on an otherwise well-developed financial plan. Susan holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Southern California.

Jared Kizer, CFA Chief Investment Officer – Current Tenure: 17 years

Jared Kizer and his team evaluate findings from academic research and apply that learning to develop investment strategy recommendations. Jared collaborates daily with advisors and clients, helping investors better understand the complicated concepts that can have a tangible effect on their financial lives. Jared hold a master’s degree in finance from Washington University in St. Louis.

Kevin Grogan, CFA, CFP® Managing Director, Investment Strategy – Current Tenure: 13 years

Kevin analyzes the latest research in investment and finance to draw practical applications and apply findings to help clients improve the structure of their portfolios and achieve their goals. He has co-authored two books about investing and holds and MBA from St. Louis University and a bachelor’s of science in finance from Missouri State University in Springfield, MO.

Larry Swedroe Chief Research Officer – Current Tenure: 24 years

As Chief Research Officer for Buckingham Larry regularly reviews the findings published in dozens of peer-reviewed journals, evaluates the outcomes and uses the result to inform the firm’s formal investment strategy recommendations. Larry has authored or co-authored over a dozen books and is regularly published on Advisor Perspectives. Larry holds an MBA in finance and investment from New York University, and a bachelor’s degree in finance from Baruch College in New York.

Jonathan Scheid, CFA, AIF Managing Director, Solutions – Current Tenure: 2 years

Jonathan is responsible for developing and implementing wealth management services and solutions for advisors and their clients. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business, with an emphasis in Finance, and a minor in Computer Engineering from Santa Clara University. Jonathan also earned his Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Accredited Investment Fiduciary® designations.

Sheldon P. McFarland Vice President, Portfolio Strategy & Research – Current Tenure: 14 years

Sheldon manages the portfolio strategy group, oversees the investment planning center, and develops tools to support advisors at Buckingham. He earned his MBA from Santa Clara University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Brigham Young University.

Tim Jost, CFA Institutional Services Advisor – Current Tenure: 5 years

Tim is responsible for the day-to-day management of institutional portfolios, providing customized analysis, and supporting all of Buckingham’s institutional clients in addition to advising individual clients. He holds a MBA from Southern Methodist University and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from St. Louis University. Tim also holds the Chartered Financial Analysts designation.

Brian Haywood Investment Strategy Advisor – Current Tenure: 14 years

Brian and his team spend their time customizing portfolios on behalf of Buckingham clients and upholding their fiduciary responsibility of doing what is in the best interest of each client. Brian holds a bachelor’s degree from St. Louis University.

Investment Policy Committee Advisors

Harry M. Markowitz, Ph.D. Research Advisor

Harry M. Markowitz is best known for winning the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 1990 for his work on portfolio selection. In his distinguished career, Dr. Markowitz has served in various academic posts at many universities, including Rutgers University and UCLA. Recognized as the father of Modern Portfolio Theory, Dr. Markowitz is a professor of finance in the Rady School of Management at UC San Diego. He received his Ph.D. in economics from the University of Chicago.  

Meir Statman, Ph.D. Research Advisor

Meir Statman is the Glenn Klimek Professor of Finance at the Leavey School of Business, Santa Clara University. His research focuses on how investors and money managers make financial decisions and how these decisions are reflected in financial markets. His research has been published in many publications, including The Journal of Finance and The Journal of Financial Economics. Dr. Statman received his Ph.D. from Columbia University. 

Alex Potts Chairman, Advisor Services

Alex is the Chairman of Advisor Services for Buckingham Strategic Partners. Previously, he was President and CEO of Loring Ward and before that, the Chief Operating Officer of LWI Financial Inc. Potts earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics from Santa Clara University.

Bob Bannon, CFA, FRM Research Advisor

Bob Bannon’s investment career spans more than 30 years across portfolio construction, risk management, economic analysis and statistical modeling. He currently serves as the president and founder of Bannon Consulting. Bob holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Financial Risk Manager (FRM) designations and he received a master’s degree in economics from the University of California, Los Angeles.