FOUNDING PARTNERS
Our experience runs deep across investment banking, specialty finance, quantitative innovation, financial planning, operational expertise, generational wealth, and reams of advanced asset management. Our extensive industry connections amplify the professional expertise at your table, providing you the benefits of perspective, scale, and flexibility.
Theresa Morrison, CFP ®
Founding Partner
Bio
Theresa is responsible for managing clients’ financial planning and investment banking needs. In addition to client advisory, she oversees the firm’s regulatory compliance and security frameworks.
Theresa’s experience blends traditional finance with start-up operations as both an intrapreneur and an entrepreneur. Her natural curiosity led her to develop a strong understanding of the bitcoin ecosystem. She has been quoted in numerous leading media outlets, including Bloomberg, Time, Investment News, and more.
A dual citizen, Theresa held management positions at Investec Merchant Bank in Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa, where she led the development of interest rate swaps and laid the foundation for the country’s derivative infrastructure. She was a founding team member in multiple divisions: international tax structuring, project finance, and treasury corporate lending. She also developed the business plan and raised private equity to launch Two Oceans Aquarium.
She founded and ran a national wine import and distribution company in the United States. Working with highly regulated products involved managing international shipping logistics, marine risk mitigation, country of origin plus US federal and state compliance, and ensuring operational and delivery accuracy. She sold the business in 2017.
Theresa has a Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of Arizona, successfully passed the coursework for a Master of Commerce, and Financial Management from the University of Cape Town, and obtained a financial planning certificate from Georgetown University. She is a registered Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) professional.
Nick Gelso, MSF
Founding Partner
Bio
Nick is responsible for portfolio construction, investment management, and strategy, and leads the firm’s client relationship and business development.
Prior to Beckett, Nick worked in Commercial Banking underwriting for Middle Market companies with revenues between $50MM to $1B annually. Nick specialized in Commercial Real Estate Underwriting as well as led underwriting on multiple $1B+ syndicated revolving lines of credit. Due to the unique portfolio Nick underwrote, he also worked in a consulting capacity to identify opportunities for portfolio companies to improve their balance sheets.
Nick has a Master of Science in Finance with a dual focus on Quantitative Asset Valuation and Portfolio Construction as well as Venture Capital. During his time in the MSF program, Nick was captain of the University of Arizona Venture Capital Team, leading them to a top 3 regional finish in the 2016 Venture Capital Investment Competition in Boulder, CO. Nick holds the Series 65.
INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS
Congress Wealth
Congress Wealth, one of the leading wealth management firms in the nation, manages over $7 Billion for institutions, foundations, and families worldwide. CW Advisor Solutions partners with a limited number of qualified, independent wealth management firms. We are honored to be selected. Aligned with our vision and approach to investing and business practices, the Congress team supports our public securities investment activities to ensure you receive premier, risk-managed investments and institutional level resources. The dedicated client service team provides high-quality administration to ensure you experience a pleasant, seamless service. Please meet our Congress team.
INVESTMENT TEAM
Rich Barrett
Chief Investment Officer
Bio
Rich joined CWM as Chief Investment Officer (CIO) in 2016 bringing more than 25 years of investment experience. Prior to CWM, Rich was CIO for the Flatley Family Office and held positions at Fidelity Investments, Andover Capital, and Wellington Management Co. Together with the investment team, Rich produces regular investment communications for our Strategic Partners and clients. Rich also leads our monthly Investment Committee call for Strategic Partners. Rich graduated from Boston College with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance and earned his M.B.A from Harvard Business School.
Sean Dillon, CMT, CFTe®
SVP, Investment Strategies
Bio
Sean is responsible for analyzing and reporting technical conditions to the Investment Team. Previously, Sean was Pinnacle’s Chief Investment Strategist and technical analyst having originally joined Pinnacle in October 2005 as a Portfolio Trader. Sean is a Chartered Market Technician charterholder (CMT) and Certified Financial Technician® (CFTe). Sean graduated from Neumann College with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing.
Sauro Locatelli, CFA®, FRM™, SCR™
Director of Quantitative Research
Bio
Sauro is primarily responsible for the management and development of our in-house quantitative research models at CWM. Sauro held the same position at Pinnacle and has been a member of the Investment Team for more than 10 years. Sauro is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®), a certified Financial Risk Manager (FRM) and has earned his Sustainability and Climate Risk (SCR) Certificate. Sauro earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and his master’s degree in Finance from Bocconi University
Carl Noble, CFA®
Senior VP, Investments
Bio
Carl is primarily responsible for helping to manage CWM’s ETF-based investment strategies. Prior to joining CWM in 2021, he spent 19 years in different roles on the Investment Team of Pinnacle, including time as Chief Investment Officer. Carl is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and graduated from the University of Maryland with a bachelor’s degree in Finance.
Joe Zimmerman
Head Trader
Bio
Joe joined CWM in May 2021 and oversees the rebalancing and daily trading of client portfolios, as well as manages the trade execution of ETF block orders for all portfolio models managed by CWM. Previously, he worked for Morgan Stanley before joining Pinnacle as its in-house trader in 2013. Joe has held Series 7 and 66 licenses. Joe is a graduate of the University of New Mexico with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration
Ross Causley
Trader
Bio
Ross supports Joe Zimmermann in the daily trading of client portfolios and execution of ETF block orders. Prior to joining CWM in May 2021 Ross joined Pinnacle in 2017 as a junior trader. In addition, he previously worked for Galecki Financial Management as an asset manager. Ross is a graduate of the Indiana Institute of Technology with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
CLIENT SERVICES TEAM
Kristin Tucker, CFP®
National Director of Client Relations
Bio
Kristin joined CWM in May 2021. She was promoted to National Director of Client Relations in September 2021. Kristin is responsible for overseeing CWM’s Operations team, ensuring an exceptional client experience for both retail clients and our Strategic Partners and their clients. With a background in banking and many years in client service, Kristin joined Pinnacle in 2006. She obtained her Certified Financial Planner (CFP) certification in 2011. She is a graduate of Salisbury University with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology.
Karima Haynes, FPQP™
Senior Operations Specialist
Bio
Karima has been with CWAS since 2021. Karima originally joined Pinnacle in 2013 as an Operations Associate and worked in support of our retail clients. Karima and her many years of experience in back-office operations became welcome additions to the CWAS group in 2014 where she continues to be an integral member of our Operations team. Karima earned her Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional (FPQP) designation in 2015. Karima has a bachelor’s degree in Operations Management from Baruch College and a M.B.A in Finance from Walden University.
Ildefonso Pillot-Olive III
Relationship Manager
Bio
Ilde joined CWM as a Relationship Manager in October, 2021 and is now a valued member of both the CWM and CWAS teams. His career in financial services began at Morgan Stanley where he was on the North American Dividends team before becoming an Associate for Operations Control, processing Equity and Fixed Income Products. Ilde earned his bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Salisbury University.
Charles Schwab & Co.
We have chosen to work with Charles Schwab to custody the majority of our clients’ accounts. For over 35 years, Schwab has provided independent investment advisors like ourselves with digital integrations, enhanced trading technology, and services built to support the complexities that investment advisors navigate. For us, this means that we can focus on you, our client.
Located in Tucson
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