Meet Our Advisors

Michael Heller

CCO and Internal Counsel

The reason I got into this profession

I was four years out of law school (yes, I'm one of those) and, after spending countless hours conducting research and writing investigative due diligence reports, I wanted to change the direction of my career and move into a role where I could help clients grow their investments and businesses by identifying opportunities (not only potential pitfalls) and advise them on how to take practical steps to reach their goals.

I shared these feelings with a close, trusted mentor who introduced me to Abacus. My first “research” task was to learn more about the firm. I got a copy of Brent Kessel’s book "It’s Not about the Money.” Twenty pages into it, I already knew Abacus was the right fit. Brent’s book completely reinforced my feelings around money, and how psychology is just as (if not more) important as quantitative factors when it comes to personal finance.

I grew up in West Los Angeles where it was clear that wealth and happiness do not go hand in hand. I'll never forget my friend who nearly had a nervous breakdown when, for his sixteenth birthday, his parents bought him a ”less expensive” model of a luxury car than what he had expected. This experience motivated me to leave LA after high school and spend the next ten years studying and working in multiple cities in the US and overseas in order to gain perspective over my personal and financial priorities.

The primary way I'm advancing my career knowledge is

I am currently enrolled in the Personal Financial Planning Certificate program at UCLA Extension and expect to sit for the CFP® exam in the summer of 2013.

One thing I'm doing to help the planet

I am currently a proud Jewish Big Brother

Outside of work, my passions include

I am an avid cyclist who enjoys following global economic and political trends almost as much as discovering a new hole-in-the-wall restaurant with excellent food.

One goal I'm saving for is

A new road bike

Sort Team by:

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Last Name

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Position

Our Team :

David DeWolf
Financial Advisor and Partner
Los Angeles

David provides wealth strategy for a select group of successful executives and business owners undergoing transitions; he ensures that the Meet David >>

Darius Gagne
Partner and CIO
Los Angeles

As far back as I can remember I have been asking questions such as “who are we?”, “why are we Meet Darius >>

Neela Bushnell
Financial Advisor
Los Angeles

My dad created and sold several large companies in the 70's, netting multi-millions of dollars. Through some bad financial advice Meet Neela >>

Greg Aloia
Financial Advisor
Philadelphia

As a young lawyer, I found that the adversarial and confrontational nature of practice was neither in tune with my Meet Greg >>

Zivia Beniflah
Client Service Associate
Philadelphia

As a wife and a mother of five children, my primary role for many years was that of nurturer, caretaker, Meet Zivia >>

Barrett Porter
Financial Advisor and Partner
Los Angeles

One moment that I'll never forget from my childhood was when my mom suggested to my dad that a college Meet Barrett >>

Janine Sternleib
New Client Steward
Bay Area

In 1985, I graduated from Oberlin College with a degree in English literature. I knew nothing about business and Meet Janine >>

Michael Heller
CCO and Internal Counsel
Los Angeles

I was four years out of law school (yes, I'm one of those) and, after spending countless hours conducting research and Meet Michael >>

Adam Salas
Trader
Los Angeles

I was very fortunate, and extremely grateful, that my parents were able to pay for my education and allow me Meet Adam >>

Spencer Sherman
Founder and Co-CEO
Bay Area

I grew up in Queens, New York. About 90% of my classmates were Jewish. So when I took Meet Spencer >>

Angela Spirrison
Client Service Associate
Los Angeles

As a very young single mother raising two girls, I didn’t know what to do, so I did anything and Meet Angela >>

Brent Kessel
Founder and Co-CEO
Los Angeles

To understand why I founded Abacus, we need to travel back in time almost two decades. I’m 27 years old, Meet Brent >>

Barbara Wolf
Financial Advisor
Philadelphia

During college, I gradually began to realize that I would be on my own financially very soon. Perhaps it Meet Barbara >>

Ericka Neagley
Client Service Associate
Philadelphia

Ever since I have been working, my jobs have revolved around finance. In high school I sat on the Native Meet Ericka >>

Michelle Dench
Financial Advisor
Bay Area

After nearly ten years in the world of corporate banking I felt drained and used up. There was no personal Meet Michelle >>

J.D. Bruce
President, CPA, PFS
Los Angeles

My father was a hippie, so naturally I became a CPA. Being a hippie criminal defense attorney, my father fought Meet J.D. >>

Annemarie Happee
Client Service Associate
Los Angeles

I was raised by a very young, single father. When I was three, my father and I moved in Meet Annemarie >>

Brian Canning
Financial Advisor
Los Angeles

I remember I was 9 years old and racing into my house, ready to open the case that held the Meet Brian >>

Jason Cole
Financial Advisor and Partner
Philadelphia

I took my late grandpa Jesse's advice by majoring in accounting at Penn State. He said "you will always be able Meet Jason >>

Kari Jean Glosser
Director of Advisor Support
Los Angeles

As a young girl, I discovered that even smart people can make bad financial decisions. My father is one of the Meet Kari >>

Kelly Acheson
Client Service Associate
Bay Area

Coming Soon! Meet Kelly >>

Charles Kochel
Financial Advisor
Los Angeles

I am a father, husband and friend.

My financial services practice opened in February 1999 managing a successful practice Meet Charles >>