Brad McMillan, CFA®, CAIA, MAI

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 ®

As managing principal, 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®

As senior 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 PLANNERTM 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.

Chad LaFauci, CFA®, CAIA

As Vice President, Alternative Investments, Chad is responsible for analysis, approval, and ongoing monitoring of all alternative investment products (e.g., private equity, private credit, hedge funds, real estate, infrastructure, and commodities). In addition, he trains and educates Commonwealth advisors through print and web-based media.

Chad graduated from Bates College with a degree in economics, is a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) charterholder, and holds the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designation and his FINRA Series 7, 24, 63, and 65 securities registrations.

Jim McAllister, CFA®

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 Separately Managed Account (SMA) models. He also guides the ongoing implementation and execution of the team’s investment philosophies and process, 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.

Brian McCormick, CIMA®

Brian joined Commonwealth in August 2004 as a member of the Retirement team. In January 2008, he joined the Research team as an investment research associate. inquiries on various topics, including asset allocation, mutual funds, ETFs, and separate account managers.

Brian is responsible for the small-cap asset classes as well as ETF due diligence and the ETF Reference Guide. In addition to holding FINRA Series 7, 24, and 63 securities registrations, Brian holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) designation. He has over 21 years of industry experience with prior positions at Signator Investors and Putnam Investments. Brian earned a BS in management from Quinnipiac University. Brian played college hockey at Quinnipiac and spends his spare time coaching youth hockey. He is on the board of directors for the South Shore Eagles and a head coach for the Bay State Breakers girls hockey program.

Fred Debaets

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

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, CFA®, CAIA, CMT, ERP, FRM

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 Financial Analyst (CFA®), Chartered Market Technician (CMT), Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA), 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 prior experience in positions at LPL Financial and Bank of America.

Robert Kane, CAIA

As a manager of alternative investments, Rob facilitates due diligence and research activities on products within alternative financial strategies (e.g., managed futures, hedge funds, private credit, private equity and structured products).

Rob holds the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designation, FINRA Series 7, 63, and 66 securities registrations and a certificate in Advanced Derivative Market Strategies. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Sam Millette

As manager, Sam’s primary responsibilities include overseeing the team’s fixed income research initiatives, responding to advisor inquiries, analyzing individual bonds, and drafting market research and commentary.

Sam graduated from Tufts University with a degree in economics and is a member of the CFA Society Boston.

Rob Swanke, CFA®, CAIA

As a senior research analyst, Rob responds to advisor inquiries on corporate fixed income portfolios, as well as analyzes individual corporate bonds, preferred stock, and structured product issues. He also conducts asset class and market research related to fixed income.

Rob is a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) charterholder and holds the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designation and his FINRA Series 65 securities registration. He is a graduate of Boston College, where he concentrated in finance and accounting. Prior to joining Commonwealth, he worked at Cambridge Associates, an investment consulting firm, as a performance analyst and analyzed alternative investments for a single-family office.

Nathan Parker, CFA®, CAIA

As a senior research analyst, Nathan facilitates due diligence and research activities on real asset-focused investments (e.g., real estate, infrastructure, natural resources, and commodities).

Nathan is a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) charterholder and holds the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designation and his FINRA Series 7 and 63 securities registrations. He received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from California State University, Chico, and his master’s degree in finance from San Diego State University. Prior to joining Commonwealth, Nathan worked at LPL Financial.

Aaron Gigliotti

As an investment research associate, Aaron supports analysts on the Alternative Investments team with due diligence and research activities as well as assisting with aggregating investment analysis, performance reporting, attribution reports, and portfolio construction.

Aaron graduated from Boston University in May 2020 with a BSBA and concentration in Finance.

Peter Roberto

As a research analyst, Peter provides due diligence and research activities on mutual funds, exchange traded-funds, and equities. He evaluates and selects managers and disseminates research in Global and Foreign SMID markets asset classes. He also assists the Investment Management team with calculating, analyzing, and updating internal and external performance and attribution reports.

Peter graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute with a BS in management, with an emphasis in finance, and is currently a Level II Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) candidate. Prior to joining Commonwealth, he interned for Strategic Financial Partners and Baystate Wealth Management in Waltham and Boston.

Tom Scarlata

As a fixed income analyst, Tom is responsible for responding to Fixed Income inquires including portfolio and fund reviews. He is also responsible for manager evaluation, due diligence and selection on the Fixed Income side of the Mutual fund recommended list. Tom also assists in market research and commentary as it relates to Fixed Income.

Prior to joining Commonwealth, Tom interned for a private equity firm in Boston. Tom graduated cum laude from Bentley University in 2018 with a BS in Finance. Currently, he is a Chartered Financial Analyst®(CFA®) candidate (level II).

Wayne Richardson, CFA®

As a research analyst, Wayne provides due diligence and research activities on mutual funds, exchange traded-funds, and equities. He evaluates and selects managers and disseminates research in the mid-cap equity asset class. He also assists the Investment Management team with calculating, analyzing, and updating internal performance and attribution reports.

Wayne graduated from UConn with a bachelor’s in economics, and is a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) designation holder. Prior to joining Commonwealth, he worked at MassMutual, Edward Jones, and The Hartford.

Justin Cleare, CFA®

As an investment research analyst, Justin facilitates due diligence and research activities on real asset-focused investments (e.g., real estate, infrastructure, natural resources, and commodities).

Justin is a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) charterholder and holds FINRA Series 6, 26, and 99 securities registrations. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in Finance and Operations Management.

Sara Bray

Sarah Hargreaves

As platform manager, Sarah provides platform-based support for Commonwealth’s discretionary investment solution, Preferred Portfolio Services Select. In addition, she helps respond to ad-hoc investment research requests and identifies strategies to enhance adoption of the platform.

Sarah holders her FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities registrations. She earned a degree in Marketing from Elon University.

Joe Dunn

As a Research Analyst, Joe analyzes fixed income portfolios & individual fixed income securities, responds to advisor requests, and assists with fixed income market research

Joe earned his BS in Finance from UMass Amherst.