Gene Goldman is responsible for the strategic direction and continued growth of the firm’s investment offerings. His role includes setting the vision for superior capabilities and enabling the delivery of objective investment advice. He provides day-to-day oversight of Cetera Investment Management, with a focus on providing unbiased research about the economy and financial markets, asset allocation strategies, mutual funds and other investment-related topics. He also leads the investment committee and their commitment to delivering superior investment oversight.

Gene has more than 33 years of experience in the development of investment strategies, money manager research and overseeing investment analysts. Prior to joining Cetera, he served in a variety of roles at LPL Financial including market strategist and lead strategist of the manager strategy group. Earlier in his career, has was a mutual fund product analyst at Liberty Financial.

Gene is frequently cited in a range of national media outlets including The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg News, The New York Times, Forbes, and Reuters and he is a regular guest on high-profile news networks including CNBC and Fox Business News. He has been a featured or keynote speaker at dozens of industry events.

Gene earned his Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and his Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Northeastern University. He also holds Series 7 and 63 securities registrations and is a Chartered Financial Analyst^® (CFA).

Brian Klimke oversees Cetera Investment Management’s Investor Strategy Group, which oversees portfolio management, asset allocation, and investment strategy. His work focuses on guiding portfolio positioning and risk management through in-depth analysis of economic and financial market trends. He regularly provides market commentary for financial advisors, investors, and the media. His market insights have been quoted in national media outlets such as Reuters and MarketWatch.

Brian has more than 20 years of experience in investment oversight, monitoring, and investment platform positioning. Prior to joining Cetera Investment Management, he served as Director of Investment Research at Transamerica, where he played an integral role in developing Transamerica Financial Advisors’ asset allocation models and proprietary ETF portfolios. He has worked in the financial services industry since 1999.

Brian earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, majoring in Finance, Investment, and Banking, from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, with a specialization in International Business. He holds the Series 7, 24, 27, 63, and 87 securities registrations and is a CFA^® charterholder.

Ivan Gruhl leads Avantax Planning Partners in his role as VP, Chief Investment Officer.

He joined HK Financial Services, now Avantax Planning Partners, in 2011 and was chief investment officer of the company when it was acquired by Avantax in 2020. Prior to joining Avantax Planning Partners, Ivan was VP of client investment development at Aviva Investors, where he developed and marketed separately managed account (SMA) and mutual fund products to institutional investors.

He spent the prior 23 years with Lehman Brothers in New York, where he was Senior Vice President in the capital markets area. He also headed the Lehman bond index franchise, led a portfolio advisory team for managing institutional investor portfolios, and was involved in various roles including trading futures, corporate bond sales, and research while at Lehman.

Ivan has a bachelor’s degree in finance from Pacific Lutheran University and a Master’s in Finance from the Stern School of Business at NYU. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and holds Series 7 and 63, and Series 65 registrations.

Hristo Stefanov is primarily responsible for managing Cetera Investment Management’s Manager Research Group, which is focused on delivering specific investment strategy recommendations. In this role, he is responsible for coordinating the efforts of the Manager Research Team to deliver actionable and timely recommendations across a variety of asset categories, which can be used as ideas in portfolio implementation. Investment recommendations made by the team are represented in Cetera Investment Management's Research Select Lists and also form the basis of several investment programs offered by the firm. A major part of the team's duties also involves maintaining ongoing monitoring of current recommendations.

Hristo has more than 20 years of experience in investment oversight, manager selection and monitoring. Prior to his current role he was responsible for overseeing Cetera Investment Management's Portfolio Strategy Group, where he was responsible for market insight and portfolio construction guidance. In this role he generated ideas to be used in Cetera Investment Management's strategic and tactical asset allocation strategies and incorporated the Research team's overall market outlook into portfolio construction and risk mitigation.

Hristo earned his Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from the University of California, Riverside. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst^®, Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst℠, and Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement™ designations as well as the Series 7 securities registration.

Shannon Otterbeck provides leadership for Cetera Investment Management’s operating platform, with accountability for day-to-day execution, strategic initiative delivery, and organizational growth. She oversees the end-to-end governance, planning, and execution of the firm’s research communications function, leading the teams responsible for producing and publishing hundreds of financial market perspectives and communications annually for advisors and investors.

Shannon has more than 25 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Cetera Investment Management, she served as the vice president and senior product manager for First Allied Asset Management where she played a vital role facilitating growth in sales through the coordination of various aspects of marketing, advisor and wholesaler support, and advisory operations.

She earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and holds Series 7 and 65 securities registrations.

Austin Schaul serves as the Head of Research at Avantax Planning Partners℠, bringing over a decade of experience in the investment management industry. Since joining the firm in 2015, he has played a pivotal role in shaping and executing individual and institutional investment strategies. As a key member of the investment team, he consults on the development, implementation, and oversight of client-focused investment solutions. Austin is a driving force behind the firm’s investment philosophy and serves as a thought leader on the Avantax Planning Partners’ Investment Advisory Committee.

With a passion for investor education, Austin actively engages with clients and prospects to demystify market trends, economic developments, and the broader financial landscape. He contributes regularly through blog posts, media outlets, webinars, podcasts, and one-on-one conversations—working to elevate the perception of Financial Professionals and the investment management industry.

Austin is committed to transforming the investment narrative by partnering with financial professionals to cut through market noise and build financial plans centered on what matters most to clients. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Iowa State University, is a Chartered Financial Analyst^® (CFA) charterholder, and maintains a Series 65 securities registration.

Richard Anderson is primarily responsible for market insights, publishing hundreds of commentaries a year. He leverages his extensive background in both trading and research to produce actionable insights for advisors and investors. Over the past 30 years, he continues to be the primary author of the Daily Market Briefing firmwide email. He also authors periodic market recap publications and coordinates research support for field advisors, ensuring timely, collaborative responses from the research team. Richard also manages Cetera’s subscription-based third-party equity and ETF research platforms, including Premium Research.

Prior to his current role, he managed the Trading Desk and was the first equity research director at PrimeVest Financial Services (now Cetera Investment Services), founding the department in 1998. Now in his 42 years with Cetera, Richard has more than two decades of equity research experience and over two decades of Wall Street trading experience.

Richard holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Minnesota State University, St. Cloud. He also holds the Series 7, 4, 24, 52, 53 and 63 securities registrations.

Collin Martin is responsible for providing portfolio construction guidance and oversight of Cetera Investment Management’s asset allocation models. Additional responsibilities include publishing research and quantitative analysis on the economy and global capital markets, producing commentaries and dashboards, and supporting the firm’s market outlook and tactical positioning across its asset allocation solutions.

Prior to his current role, Collin worked in portfolio management for First Allied Asset Management, where he created and managed customized portfolios for the Private Client Services advisory program. He also worked in Quality Assurance, focusing on operational analysis and developing profitability models for First Allied Securities. He has nearly two decades of experience in the financial services industry.

Collin graduated cum laude from the Max M. Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University and is a Chartered Financial Analyst^®. He also holds the Series 65 securities registration.

Brian is a Senior Research Manager for Cetera Investment Management. In this role, Brian reviews Cetera publications, leverages his investment and quantitative background to analyze investment processes, and to review the performance of recommended funds and investment portfolios.

Brian has more than 20 years of industry experience. Before his current role, he worked as a Senior Investment Consultant at Securian Financial, where he conducted manager research, selection, and monitoring of mutual funds, ETFs, SMAs and other investment vehicles. Prior to joining Securian, Brian led a team of Investment Performance Analysts at Ameriprise Financial; plus served as a Quantitative Equity Analyst at Thrivent Financial.

Brian holds a BS degree in Finance from Minnesota State University, Mankato. He has also earned the Chartered Financial Analyst and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst designations.

Ross is a Senior Research Manager for Cetera Investment Management. In his role Ross reviews Cetera publications, leverages his investment and quantitative background to analyze investment processes, and reviews the performance of recommended fixed income funds, as well as fully-discretionary and customized investment portfolios.

Ross has more than 20 years of industry experience. Before his current role, he worked as an Investment Services Senior Consultant for Securian Financial Services, where he performed manager due diligence on mutual funds, ETFs, SMAs, and private funds. Ross also created and maintained recommended portfolios for ESG, Goals Based, and Retirement Income investing. Additionally, he provided advisors with portfolio analysis for current and prospective clients.

Ross Kronholm holds an MBA in Finance. He is also a holder of the Chartered Financial Analyst, Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst, Certified Financial Planner, and Certified Investment Management Analyst designations. Ross also holds the Certificate in ESG Investing from the CFA Institute.

Tyler serves as a lead portfolio manager within Cetera Investment Management, with responsibility for portfolio strategy, strategic and tactical asset allocation, and ongoing oversight of the Cetera Freedom model portfolios. His role focuses on shaping portfolio decisions, ensuring the firm’s market perspectives and investment philosophy are consistently reflected across the model portfolios, and helping drive broad adoption of the Cetera Freedom models through disciplined portfolio implementation and alignment with the firm’s investment framework.

He has more than 13 years of industry experience. Prior to his current role, Tyler worked as an Investment Services Senior Consultant at Securian Financial, where he was the lead analyst for asset allocation, sector, single state tax exempt and TAMP strategies. He also managed high net worth client portfolios for Securian Trust Company and served as a member of the model portfolio management team.

Tyler received his Bachelor of Science degree in applied economics from the University of Minnesota and is a CFA^® charterholder. He also holds the Series 7, 24, and 63 securities registrations.

Aayush is responsible for portfolio construction and research support for Cetera Investment Management’s asset allocation models, including tactical positioning. His role includes conducting asset allocation and investment research, supporting model development and enhancements, and calculating and maintaining composite performance for the firm’s models. He also provides ongoing research and analytical support to other members of the investment team.

He has more than 10 years of industry experience. Prior to his current role, he worked as a Research Associate at Pence Wealth Management (LPL Financial), where he supported asset allocation, equity research, and options strategies for the firm’s high net worth clients. Before that, he worked on the research desk of an investment bank, covering small cap securities.

Aayush earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in finance. He also holds an MS in Business Finance from the University of London and MBA and MS in Accounting from Chapman University (California). He holds Series 7, 63, and 65 securities registrations.

Vaishali Kothari is a senior investment analyst for Cetera Investment Management. In this role, she is primarily responsible for the research, selection and ongoing oversight of domestic large cap strategies. She also leverages her compliance background to drive efficiencies within investment processes, analyzes the performance of recommended funds and investment portfolios, and contributes to Cetera publications.

Vaishali has more than a decade of industry experience. Prior to joining Cetera Investment Management, she worked for Cetera Financial Group as a director of due diligence. In this role, she performed due diligence on mutual funds and worked collaboratively with fund sponsors, broker-dealers, and Pershing LLC. Vaishali was also a member of the firm’s Advisory Services department, where she validated data integrity and provided reconciliation methodologies. Before her tenure at Cetera Financial Group, she spent four years at National Planning Corporation (NPC)/National Planning Holdings (NPH). There, she held varied positions within Advertising Review, providing compliance with policies and procedures, and within Advisory Services to deliver value-added marketing and research services for their separately managed account program.

Vaishali earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, and holds Series 7, 24, and 66 securities registrations.

Milton Hadinoto is a Senior Investment Research Manager at Cetera Investment Management. In this role, he contributes to Cetera’s investment publications and applies his quantitative and engineering background to evaluate investment processes, analyze performance, and support the firm’s recommended fund and portfolio lineup. His primary areas of coverage include international equity, emerging markets, and domestic small- and mid-cap equity strategies.

Milton has more than 10 years of experience in the investment industry. Prior to joining Cetera, he served as a Quantitative Analyst at Standard & Poor’s Global (S&P Global), where he supported portfolio managers in the design and implementation of quantitative investment models using S&P Global’s equity investment management platform. In addition to providing analytical and technical guidance, Milton managed client relationships and helped investment teams leverage the platform and S&P Global’s proprietary data and tools to enhance portfolio construction and performance evaluation.

Milton holds a Master’s degree in Finance and a Master’s degree in Engineering from Texas A&M University and is a Chartered Financial Analyst^® (CFA) charterholder.

Neel Hasan is a senior investment analyst for Cetera Investment Management. In this role, he reviews Cetera publications, leverages his account management and advisory services background to evaluate investment processes, and analyzes the performance of recommended funds and investment portfolios. Additionally, he oversees international developed, global, and emerging market equity funds.

Neel has more than ten years of industry experience. Prior to joining Cetera Investment Management, he worked as an account executive in the short duration and money market fund business, working with Fortune 500 and multinational corporations to assist institutional treasury teams with their short-term investment needs. Neel began his career with Bank of America Merrill Lynch. There, he held several positions within investment services, their elevated trade desk, and finally as a financial solutions advisor.

Neel graduated from the University of Arizona with degrees in Finance and Business Economics and holds Series 7 and 63 securities registrations. He is also a Chartered Financial Analyst^®.

Jason is a Senior Investment Analyst for Cetera Investment Management. In this role, Jason oversees the Investment Fiduciary Manager and Cetera Retire investment platforms. He leverages his investment and quantitative background to analyze investment processes and reviews the performance of recommended funds and investment portfolios.

Jason has more than 20 years of industry experience. Before his current role, he worked as a Senior Investment Consultant at Securian Financial, where he oversaw the investment platform for variable insurance and retirement-related products. Prior to that role but also at Securian Financial, he conducted manager research, selection, and monitoring of mutual funds, exchange traded funds, separately managed accounts and other investment vehicles. Jason also led asset allocation research and was a portfolio manager of turnkey investment programs.

Jason holds a BA degree in Finance from the University of St. Thomas. He has also earned the Chartered Financial Analyst^® designation.

Kelly Edmonds is an Associate Investment Research Analyst for Avantax Planning Partners℠. She has been with the company since 2007. Kelly assists financial planning consultants with monitoring accounts to ensure they are invested according to their investment policy statement. She is responsible for monitoring high net worth client accounts, reviewing assets within client accounts, and making recommendations per Avantax Planning Partners℠ recommended allocations and investment policies to bring them closer to model while also considering tax consequences. She is also responsible for model performance calculations, addresses questions regarding client account performance, and assists with tax-loss harvesting.

Before joining Avantax Planning Partners℠, Kelly worked as a business credit analyst at a regional bank, an office manager of a local non-profit, and a branch manager of a cash advance company.

Kelly has the Series 65 and the Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional (FPQP ®) designation. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration with a double minor in finance and accounting from Columbia College, Missouri.

John Gruhl is an Investment Research Analyst for Avantax Planning Partners℠. He has been with the company since 2019. As part of Avantax’s business development team, his focus is on investment solutions. John’s main responsibilities include communication with financial planning consultants and Financial Professionals, analyzing prospect client statements, fact sheet adjustment, and assisting team members with projects.

John brings a tech-savvy approach to his work with experience in gaming communities, e-commerce business, and as a digital content creator.

John holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance, with a minor in Entrepreneurship from University of Northern Iowa.

Ashley Tran is an Investment Research Analyst for Cetera Investment Management. She supports index oversight and leads data-driven research initiatives that enhance portfolio analysis and investment decision-making.

Ashley brings over seven years of experience spanning asset management, investment research, and financial analytics. Prior to joining Cetera, she held analyst roles at Colchis Capital Management, CoreLogic, and Signature Estate & Investment Advisors, where she developed custom reporting tools, built financial models, and leveraged SQL, VBA, and data visualization to streamline processes and improve insight delivery.

Ashley holds a Bachelor of Arts in Finance and Accounting from California State University, Fullerton, and has passed the CFA Level I examination.

Andrew Evans is an Investment Analyst for Avantax Planning Partners, having been with the company since 2022. As part of Avantax’s business development team, his focus is on investment solutions. Andrew’s main responsibilities include communication with financial planning consultants and Financial Professionals, analyzing prospect client statements, providing tax alpha information to financial planning consultants, and assisting team members with projects.

Andrew earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Accounting at University of Northern Iowa.

Jacob plays a key role in supporting the day-to-day business functions for Cetera Investment Management through the execution and operational delivery of investment communications to financial professionals. He partners closely with cross-functional teams to support and enhance the publishing of market perspectives, ensuring efficient processes, accurate distribution, and a seamless user experience. He also monitors and analyzes engagement and distribution data to support strategic direction and communication effectiveness. In addition, Jacob supports the manager research team through quantitative reporting and database management.

Prior to joining Cetera Investment Management, Jacob attended Louisiana State University, where he obtained his MBA in Data Analytics.

Jennifer plays a key role in supporting the day-to-day business functions for Cetera Investment Management through the execution and operational delivery of investment communication to Cetera Financial Professionals and their clients. She partners closely with cross-functional teams to support and enhance the publishing of the team’s investment collateral, ensuring efficient processes, accurate distribution, and a seamless user experience. She also supports the team’s initiatives involving special projects.

Jennifer has nearly 20 years of financial services industry experience, with a strong background in Brokerage Operations. Throughout her career, she has led teams and initiatives focused on driving positive changes, improving processes, and enhancing the end-client experience. Prior to joining Cetera, Jennifer served as a Team Manager at LPL Financial, where she supported operational teams and contributed to key business initiatives. She began her career at TD Ameritrade, where she quickly advanced into leadership roles, developing a reputation as a client advocate, problem solver, and change champion.

Jennifer earned her Associate of Arts and Associate of Business degrees from Rockingham Community College. She holds Series 7, 99, 24, and 63 securities registrations.

Tyler Hendrickson is an Investment Research Manager with Cetera Investment Management, where he contributes to the firm’s asset allocation research and portfolio construction process. His work includes monitoring portfolio strategies, analyzing market and sector trends, and helping develop investment resources that support portfolio positioning and ongoing investment oversight. Tyler leverages his background in technical analysis to incorporate market-based signals into his investment research and portfolio insights.

Before joining the Portfolio Management Team, Tyler worked on Cetera’s trading desk, supporting the execution of equities, options, and mutual funds for investment professionals and their clients.

Tyler holds the Chartered Market Technician (CMT^®) designation and the Series 7 and 63 securities registrations. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Financial Markets from the University of Minnesota Duluth.

Alan Kutsch is an Associate Investment Research Analyst for Avantax Planning Partners℠. He has been with the company since March 2012. Alan assists financial planning consultants with monitoring accounts to ensure they are invested according to their investment policy statement. He is responsible for monitoring high net worth client accounts, reviewing assets within client accounts and making recommendations per Avantax Planning Partners℠ recommended allocations and investment policies to bring them closer to model while also considering tax consequences. He also conducts account reviews upon request, assists with tax-loss harvesting, and is responsible for various operational tasks in the department.

Before joining Avantax Planning Partners℠, Alan held various positions within the retirement services industry for almost 20 years.

Alan has the Series 65 and the Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional (FPQP^®) designation. He holds an Associate of Applied Arts degree in accounting from Northeast Iowa Community College.