Professional Resources
The strategies developed for our clients capitalize on the experience and knowledge of a diverse and highly qualified team of professionals.
Steven Lieberman, MBA, CFP®
Steve Lieberman is the President and CEO of The Private Client Group ~ WM, LLC.
Steve has been a financial advisor for over 30 years, specializing in providing clients with a range of sophisticated wealth management services, including proprietary comprehensive and advanced financial planning techniques, investment consulting and management, risk management, retirement planning, and estate planning. The Private Client Group chooses to work with a select number of families, those where they can have a significant impact.
Steve graduated with honors from the Wharton School of Business with both his Bachelor of Science in Economics (B.S.E.) and his Master of Business Administration (M.B.A) in Finance. He has been an active Board Member and/or Investment Committee member of numerous privately held and charitable organizations, clubs, and societies.
Steve has been a member of both the Genius Network and the Behavioral Finance Network, as well as the Select Advisors Council, the Financial Planning Association (FPA), the Essex County Estate Planning Council, the Wharton Club of New Jersey, and the Penn Clubs of Metro New Jersey and New York. He is a member of the UJA Ben Gurion and Lester Societies, and is a National Cabinet alum, as well as a class officer of the University of Pennsylvania, and a member of the Benjamin Franklin Society. Steve is a founder of Simcha Chai and an active patron of the Weizmann Institute of Science, Stand with Us, ZOA, and Chai Lifeline. Each year, Steve and The Private Client Group host their annual team charity event supporting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Steve resides in Short Hills, NJ with his wife, son, and identical twin daughters.
Steven Weinman, CPA, MBA, APC
With more than three decades of experience in the financial industry, Steve specializes in investment strategies, estate and income tax planning, and business structuring. He is a Certified Public Accountant, General Securities Principal, Finance and Operations Principal, and Registered Options and Security Futures Principal.
Steve holds a B.S degree in Accounting from Fairleigh Dickinson University, an M.B.A. in Finance from New York University Graduate School of Business, and has an A.P.C. in Taxation from the Tax Program at New York University Graduate School of Business.
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Joseph F. Rowek, JD, LL.M.
Joe has been an attorney for more than 35 years. He is responsible for estate, tax, retirement, charitable and business planning. He is a General Securities Principal, Licensed Producer with the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, and Registered Representative of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. He also is an adjunct Professor at William Paterson University where he teaches Estate Planning and Retirement Planning.
After graduating from Fairleigh Dickinson University with a B.S. in Accounting, Joe earned his Juris Doctorate from St. Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio, Texas. He received his Master of Laws in Taxation (LL.M.) from New York University.
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Brandon Smith, JD, LL.M.
Brandon has been an attorney for more than 28 years. His efforts focus in the areas of tax, business continuity, philanthropic, retirement, and gift & estate planning. He is a former Board member of the Rocky Mountain Society of Financial Service Professionals. Brandon was responsible for the content & administration of that Society’s continuing education programs.
After receiving a B.A. degree from Emory University, he obtained a Juris Doctorate from Washburn University School of Law in Topeka, Kansas. Afterwards, Brandon received a Master of Laws in Taxation (LL.M.) from the University of Denver College of Law Graduate Tax Program.
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James Rabasca, JD
Jim provides guidance on estate, tax, retirement, charitable, and business planning. He is a General Securities Representative, and Registered Representative of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.
Jim has been an attorney for over 12 years. As an attorney, he focused his practice on estate planning, business planning, and tax counseling. Jim has also provided comprehensive financial and tax counseling to corporate executives and high net worth individuals. Jim graduated from Rider University with a B.S. in Business Administration, and earned his Juris Doctorate from Seton Hall University School of Law.
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Steven Melnick, CFA®
With nearly 15 years of investment experience within the private wealth sector, most recently from Brown Advisory. At Brown Advisory, he was a Senior Research Analyst where he served as a key member of the centralized Investment Solutions Group (ISG). Prior to Brown Advisory, Steve was at Dyson Capital Advisors and Cambridge Associates where he also served in investment due diligence and portfolio construction functions. Steve helps lead the Investment Team’s due diligence efforts, authors regular market commentary, and offers pivotal investment support to Summit’s advisor base.
Steve holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from George Washington University and is also a CFA Charter holder.
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Noreen M. Brown, CFA®
With almost two decades of experience in the financial industry, Noreen’s areas of specialization include alternative investments, economic and capital markets research, asset allocation, investment strategy and portfolio construction, and manager due diligence. She holds a CFA Charter, which is an internationally recognized designation of distinction for investment professionals.
Noreen earned a B.A. in Mathematics from Amherst College, and an M.B.A. in Economics from the Stern School of Business at New York University.
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Michael Bremer
Michael Bremer joined The Firm in 2007 as Chief Operating Officer and Vice President, and is responsible for providing the leadership, management, and vision necessary to ensure that the company has the proper operational controls, administrative and reporting procedures, and people systems in place to effectively grow the organization and ensure operating efficiency. He is a 30-year veteran in the insurance and financial services industry with experience in various executive and management roles. Previously, Michael spent 18 years at MetLife working across multiple disciplines such as running sales offices, annuity departments and marketing.
Michael is a Rutgers graduate and holds 9 FINRA licenses, including the Series 7, 24 and 4. He lives in Hillsborough, NJ with his wife and dog while his younger son attends college in South Carolina. Michael’s older son is a resident of Charlotte, NC.
Keith Soltis
Keith brings over 25 years of experience in various capacities within the financial services industry driving revenue, profitability, and performance. He helps steer The Firm’s sales organization by providing leadership and direction.
Keith is a Veteran Officer of the U.S. Army and a graduate of the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. He resides in NJ with his wife Barbara and their son.
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Jenna Bloomgarden
Jenna Bloomgarden joined The Firm as a Director of Marketing and Advisor Development. She was with Dynasty Financial Partners most recently as a Vice President of Relationship Management, supporting multiple independent advisory firm clients. Prior to Dynasty, Jenna worked at Morgan Stanley’s Graystone Consulting in client service for their institutional business. Jenna has spent most of her career working with advisors on marketing initiatives to create effective messaging and brand positioning for current and prospective clients as well as the broader marketplace. Jenna also has extensive experience with practice development and business planning, helping advisors to enhance team processes and increase effectiveness.
Jenna has a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Cornell University and a Master of Business Administration with a dual major in Finance and Strategic Management from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.
Barbara Hawkesworth, JD
Barbara Hawkesworth joined Summit Financial LLC as the Chief Legal Officer in April 2019. Most recently, Barbara had been consulting with her private practice. Prior to that, she was Managing Counsel at BNY Mellon/Pershing, Executive Director at JPMorgan Chase, and EVP-Deputy General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer at Rochdale Investment Management. While at Rochdale, she was responsible for overseeing all legal and compliance matters related to the firm’s SEC registered investment companies, investment advisors, and affiliated registered FINRA broker dealers. She also worked with the CEO and the senior leadership team on new business strategies and initiatives. Barbara attended New York Law School where she earned her J.D.
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David Porro, CLU, ChFC®
David specializes in life insurance analysis, design, and planning. He holds a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®) designation, which denotes achievement and professional excellence in life insurance, business and estate planning. He is also a Registered Representative of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.
David received a B.S. in Business and Management from Boston University.
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*Although some members of The Private Client Group and the Summit Financial Planning Teams are admitted attorneys and/or CPAs, they act in a non-representative capacity. Neither entity provides tax, accounting, or legal advice to clients. Clients should make all decisions regarding the tax and legal implications of their investments and plans with their independent tax or legal advisors.
