Altfest Personal Wealth Management

Dr. Lewis Altfest
CFA^®, CFP^®, CPA, PFS^™, Ph.D
Lewis J. Altfest, Ph.D., is CEO, Chief Investment Officer and a Principal Advisor for Altfest Personal Wealth Management. He directs the firms Investment and Leadership Committees, and leads the Portfolio Action Group, which sets investment strategy for client portfolios. Prior to founding the firm in 1983, he was a General Partner and Director of Research for Lord Abbett & Co., a large mutual fund and investment management company that manages more than $100 billion in assets. Lew began his investment career as a research analyst at Wertheim & Co. Lew was the sole recipient of the 2007 Charles R. Schwab IMPACT - arguably the highest distinction in the profession for his sustained vision, outstanding leadership and client commitment.

Lew is an Associate Professor of Finance at the Lubin School of Business at Pace University, where he teaches financial planning and investments. Lew lectures frequently to investors, pre-retirees and retirees as well as to other financial professionals. He is often interviewed by the media and currently writes a monthly investment column for Medical Economics. Lew received his Ph.D. from the Graduate Center of the City University of New York (CUNY). He has an MBA from New York University and a BBA from Baruch College.

Dr. Karen Altfest
CFP^®, Ph.D
Karen Caplan Altfest, Ph.D., CFP^®, is a Principal Advisor at Altfest Personal Wealth Management. She helps many of the firms clients on a variety of investment and financial planning issues, and specializes in helping women clients and widows. Karen's Financially Savvy Woman programs, including the Women's Financial, are popular with clients. Her focus is to educate and empower women.

Karen is frequently a speaker on the subject of women and money, and conducts educational seminars for recent widows and people looking to retire. In 2017, Karen's article, Life After Loss: 6 Smart Steps for Coping with Widowhood, was published by the American Association of Individual Investors Journal.

Karen was also featured in "What? A Dying Man Says Don't Worry About His Wife" on WSJ.com in 2016.

Karen is a graduate of McGill University in Montreal, holds BA and MA degrees from Hunter College, and holds the CFP designation. Karen received her Ph.D. in history from the Graduate Center of the City University of New York (CUNY).

She was the Co-Director of the Financial Planning and Investments Program at The New School in New York City and the Coordinator of the Financial Planning program, a professional program for financial planners, which she originated at Pace University in White Plains, N.Y.

Andrew Altfest
CFP^®, MBA
Andrew advises clients about their personal finances and drives financial planning strategies for team members across the firm. He is also an active member of Altfest's Investment Committee and the Portfolio Action Group, which sets investment strategy for client portfolios.

As a leader of Altfest Personal Wealth Management, Andrew has spearheaded a number of initiatives to expand the firm. These have included organizing different practice groups focused on client segments, launching private equity solutions and directing the firm's Young Professionals group aimed at millennials. He also has encouraged further formalizing investment processes and led the introduction of a new technology process mandate with digital planning, to enhance decision-making, client experience and productivity. Additionally, Andrew leads the firm's efforts in the tax management of investment portfolios, and advises clients on charitable contributions.

Andrew was named a Best-In-State Wealth Advisor in New York City by Forbes in its 2018, 2019 and 2020 ranking, as well as a Young Advisor to Watch by Financial Advisor in 2020. He was included in Forbes list of America's Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors in 2017, 2018 and 2019; InvestmentNews 2018 list of 40 Under 40 in the financial advisory industry; and Financial Advisor's Due Diligence/Research Manager All-Star Team in 2012 and 2013.

He received his BA with honors in English from Cornell University, and his MBA from Columbia University's Graduate School of Business.

Michael Prendergast
CFP^®, MBA
Mike is a Director of the firm, helping clients with all aspects of their investment and personal financial planning matters. In addition, he is Director of the Altfest Dental Practice Group and sits on the firm's Financial Planning and Investment Committees. Mike has a focus on advising on Social Security as well as on workplace retirement plans for business owners, such as healthcare and other professionals with their own practices.

Mike joined the firm in 2001, and has served in both the financial planning and investment departments. Mike received his BA in Russian studies from Amherst College and his MBA from the Stern School of Business at New York University. He is a CFP licensee who graduated from the Pace University Financial Planning program, and is a member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA).

Mike is a member of the New York Tax Study Group. He is also a previous member of STEP New York, part of a worldwide professional organization that works to improve public understanding of the issues families face with inheritance and succession planning.

Mike has written about financial topics such as tax-qualified plans, makes presentations to healthcare professionals, has been a featured speaker in Altfest's client education series and has been interviewed for such publications as The Wall Street Journal, Kiplinger's Personal Finance, Investors' Business Daily, and Financial Advisor magazine.

Ekta Patel
CFP^®, MBA
As Director of Financial Planning, Ekta helps clients with all aspects of their investment and personal financial planning matters. She is a member of the Portfolio Action Group and works collaboratively with financial advisors to ensure Altfest's personal touch is incorporated throughout each aspect of our service.

Ekta is passionate about working with women at the firm to promote self-confidence and career growth. She has spoken at a number of Altfest's events for women clients with the aim of providing education and advocating for financial literacy.

While with the firm, she has had numerous speaking engagements on investments and financial planning, and has appeared in InvestmentNews and other publications.

Ekta is a CFP^® licensee and a member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA), and was named to Financial Advisor magazine's Due Diligence/Research Manager All-Star Team in 2012 and 2013.

Ekta joined the firm in 2000. She holds a BS in Mathematics from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and an MBA in Investment Management and Information Systems from Pace University.

Dan Duca
CFP^®
In his role as a Managing Advisor, Dan leads a team of advisors who help clients achieve their financial objectives through comprehensive investment management and financial planning. He also works with many clients on all aspects of services provided by the firm.

Dan is a member of the Altfest Executive Wealth Management Group and has a specialty in executive compensation, including stock options and deferred compensation.

Prior to joining Altfest in 2013, Dan started his wealth management career in 2007 at AMG National Trust Bank, where he was involved in cash-flow, tax and retirement planning for high-net-worth clients.

Dan graduated from Villanova University with a BS in Business Administration with a concentration in finance. He also completed the Financial Planning Program at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Dan is a CFP^® professional and a member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA), serving on the group's Programming Committee.

Dan is an avid golfer, and enjoys playing softball and skiing.

David Kressner
CFA^®, CFP^®
David advises clients to help them meet their financial goals. He is responsible for research on sustainable investments for the firm. He is also a member of Altfest's Financial Planning Committee, with a focus on the firm's financial planning software. He joined Altfest in 2016.

Previously, David worked for JPMorgan and AssetMark, starting his finance career in 1998. He has extensive experience with investment research and managing portfolios of mutual funds, stocks, and bonds on behalf of individual investors.

David earned a BA in Economics from Emory University, and holds the CFA^® and CFP^® designations. He is a member of the CFA Institute and CFA Society New York.

Before joining Altfest, David volunteered with the Peace Corps in Paraguay. Outside of the office, he enjoys running, biking, traveling and volunteering. He has participated in many running races, including a few marathons and several triathlons.

James Bassett
CFA^®, CFP^®
Jimmy works with clients and their families to develop and execute financial plans designed to accomplish their short-term and long-term goals. He also implements and monitors investment portfolios that coincide with clients' goals and risk tolerance, and covers real estate investment research for the firm.

Prior to joining Altfest in 2016, Jimmy started his financial career in 2008, and has worked at Personal CFO Solutions and AMG National Trust Bank.

Jimmy earned a BA in Economics from Loyola University Maryland, and holds the CFA^® and CFP^® designations.

Outside the office, Jimmy enjoys running, cooking and volunteering in the New Jersey town where he lives with his wife, daughter, and son.

Ross Wolfe
CFP^®, MBA
Ross advises clients on investments and financial planning strategies, working with them to achieve their financial objectives. He has been with Altfest since 2005. Ross covers large-cap equity mutual funds on the Investment Committee. He also specializes in long-term care insurance. He has been quoted in The Wall Street Journal.

Before coming to Altfest, Ross served as an Analyst with Thomson Financial. He received a BA in psychology from the State University of New York at Binghamton, his MBA in Finance from Fordham University and is a graduate of Boston University's Financial Planning Program. Ross is a member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA).

In his spare time, Ross enjoys cycling and tennis.

Ryan Graham
CFA^®, CFP^®
Ryan works with clients and their families to develop and implement financial plans designed to achieve their personal and financial goals. In addition, he serves as an analyst for developed international markets, helped advance the development of the Corporate Trustee Solution at the firm, and is a member of the Technology and Best Practices committees at Altfest.

Prior to joining Altfest in early 2017, Ryan began his financial career in 2015 at PwC, where he worked as a risk consultant in financial services.

Ryan earned degrees in both Finance and Accounting at the University of Arizona, and holds the CFA^® and CFP^® designations. He is a member of the CFA Institute and CFA Society New York.

Ryan likes to play basketball and volleyball in his spare time, and enjoys exploring New York City and all it has to offer. He loves listening to music, and met his wife at a concert.

Steven Novack
CPA, CFP^®, MBA
Steven works with Altfest Personal Wealth Management clients and their families to develop and implement financial plans designed to achieve their personal and financial goals.

Before joining the firm in 2018, Steven started his career in public accounting, including a position at Deloitte, and also was employed as finance director for trading desks at international investment banks such as Bear Stearns, Lehman Brothers and Deutsche Bank.

Steven earned a BS in Accounting from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and an MBA with concentrations in Finance and Marketing from New York University. He is a licensed CPA, and a CFP^® professional.

In his free time, Steven enjoys running, playing various sports and traveling.

Jessica Nelson
CPA, CFP^®
Prior to joining Altfest in 2021, Jessica was a senior tax accountant within the financial services high net worth individual tax practice at Deloitte and Ernst and Young. Before that, Jessica was an independent auditor at Ernst and Young within the Banking and Capital Markets sector. At Altfest Personal Wealth Management, Jessica works with clients to develop and implement comprehensive financial plans designed to achieve their personal and financial goals.

Jessica earned a MS in Financial Management and a BBA in Public Accounting from Pace University. Additionally, she is a CPA licensed in the State of New York and a CFP^® professional.

Jessica enjoys reading, exploring artisans' shops in NYC and is involved in various volunteer activities including iMentor and the National Association of Black Accountant's Financial Literacy Committee.

Feifei Xing
CFA^®, CFP^®, MBA
As an Advisor, Feifei works with clients to develop and implement comprehensive financial plans designed to achieve their personal and financial goals. Feifei is also part of the Financial Planning Committee at Altfest which helps optimize and improve the financial planning client experience.

Feifei holds a BS in Finance and Mathematics from The University of Alabama, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. She also earned a Master of Finance from Tulane University and an MBA in Investment Management and Information Systems from Pace University. Additionally, Feifei holds the CFA^®, CFP^® and FRM^® designations. She is a member of the CFA Institute and CFA Society New York.

In her free time, Feifei enjoys participating in marathon running, snowboarding, and teaching swimming during the summer.

Jesse Frehling
AIF^®
Jesse advises Altfest's 401(k) retirement plan clients and spearheads initiatives to provide Altfes's comprehensive wealth management services to business owners and employees as part of an organization's 401(k) offering. In addition, Jesse educates and assists business owners in fulfilling their fiduciary responsibilities to their company's 401(k) plan by analyzing investment policy statements, fund menus, fee disclosures and plan design initiatives. Jesse regularly updates 401(k) clients regarding industry best practices and regulatory changes affecting 401(k) plans. Jesse frequently speaks about 401(k) plans at conferences and various other events attended by business owners and other financial advisors.

Prior to joining Altfest, Jesse previously worked with Focused Wealth Management where he was Vice President of Wealth Management and led the firm's business development initiatives in the employer-sponsored retirement plan market.

Jesse is a graduate of Skidmore College where he obtained a B.A. in International Affairs with a concentration in Government. He also received the school's Chinese Language Prize.

Jesse's hobbies include travel, athletics of all types, attending concerts and playing guitar.

Dennis Huergo
CFP^®, ChFC^®
As a Director on the Client Services team, Dennis works with prospective clients as they explore a partnership with Altfest Personal Wealth Management. Much of his work is focused on tying financial planning and investment management concepts to each new client's personal life goals to enhance outcomes. He evaluates opportunities and inefficiencies in a client's financial situation in order to provide a clear Financial Planning Roadmap and insight to clearly outline the value of our client experience.

Prior to joining Altfest in 2022, Dennis was a Director of Client Success at Facet Wealth where he helped lead the firm's growth through two rounds of venture funding. Before that, he was with New York Life's internal consulting team where he worked with the Advanced Planning Group helping advisors serve High Net Worth and Ultra-High Net Worth clients in tax, estate and business planning matters. Dennis also served with the U.S. Army for 9 years in various roles from Infantry to PSYOPs in the New Jersey National Guard and Army Reserve.

While working full time and serving, Dennis earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Aspen University, his CFP^® and ChFC^® designations. He's a lifelong learner and is currently pursuing more professional education in the hopes of better serving clients with it.

Outside of work, Dennis enjoys reading, running and spending time with his two daughters and wonderful wife.