FIM Group Michigan

Paul Sutherland, CFP^®

President & CIO -  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Paul Sutherland has worked in the investment and financial advisory business since 1975. As a senior portfolio manager, he has been managing global total return investment portfolios (under the "investing without borders" style) for more than 23 years. In 1984, Paul formed the Financial & Investment Management Group, Ltd. (FIM Group) a Traverse City, Michigan-based registered investment adviser that manages investment portfolios on a discretionary basis for individuals, trusts, foundations and retirement plans. He currently serves as the company's president.

Beyond his extensive investment experience, Paul is the author of numerous books on financial planning and money management, including Zenvesting: The Art of Abundance & Managing Money, 12 Steps to a Care-Free Retirement and the AMA Physicians' Guide to Financial Planning. Paul began his writing career in 1979 with an article on international investing that was published by Physician's Management Magazine. Over the past 27 years he has had academic and consumer articles published in magazines, newsletters and other publications on subjects such as benchmarking global portfolios, asset allocation, retirement investing, income investing, forecasting and global investing. His work has been published in Business Ethics, Financial Planner, Dental Management and NAPFA News. He is a regular columnist for Spirituality & Health magazine and has been interviewed by Bloomberg News, Barron's, The Wall Street Journal, The Wall Street Transcript, Investors Business Daily (IBD), Investment News, Money Magazine and others.

Paul received his M.B.A. from Lake Superior State University. In addition, he is a Certified Financial Planner and has completed the College of Financial Planning's Advanced Studies Course: Investment Strategies and Portfolio Management.

Individuals and corporations from across the United States have sought his advice on estate and tax planning, retirement and investment management. He has spoken to professional groups nationally and internationally — including Singapore, Beijing, Sydney and Toronto — on topics such as international investing, investment economics and portfolio management.

Paul is co-founder of the Children of the World Foundation, past chairman of the Traverse City Rotary Club's World Community Service Committee, past chairman of Safe Passage, and founder and chairman of the board of the Utopia Foundation.

www.paulhsutherland.com | www.zenvesting.com

Suzanne Stepan, CFA, CFP^®

Portfolio Manager - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Suzanne Stepan’s primary role is managing client portfolios. She is responsible for aligning individual holdings within each portfolio to meet specified target risk tolerances. This process entails modeling portfolios to ensure a diverse spread of quality holdings which requires daily security monitoring, market analysis and asset allocation review. With more than 18 years of experience as an investment professional, Suzanne possesses a broad knowledge in a variety of financial securities, trading strategies and financial markets.  Her product experience includes fixed-income and convertible securities, equities and warrants.

Prior to joining FIM Group, Suzanne was employed by Noddings Investments as a vice president and senior portfolio manager. In this role, Suzanne used proprietary mathematical models to identify undervalued convertible securities while managing a convertible arbitrage strategy. The strategy employed convertible bonds while simultaneously executing a short position in the underlying stock. The strategy required strict daily monitoring of market movements for short stock hedge adjustments or possible convertible security sales.

Suzanne holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Northern Illinois University and a degree of Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) with distinction from Lawrence Technological University.  In September 1999, she received her Charter Financial Analyst certification and in July 2010, certification as a Certified Financial Planner in accordance with CFP^® Board Certification and renewal agreements.

Robin Bahle

Client Services - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Robin Bahle joined FIM Group in 1994. Robin is part of the Client Services team and is responsible for working with clients on an ongoing basis as their financial, personal, employment and estate plans evolve. Robin is a key liaison between FIM Group clients and the various custodians, brokers and service. She has enjoyed a longstanding relationship with many FIM Group clients over the years while taking care of each client's needs.

Robin graduated from the University of Michigan with degrees in History of Art and Psychology. She serves on the board of the Friends of the Suttons Bay-Bingham Area Library. She also volunteers for Safe Passage of Guatemala, the Traverse City Film Festival, and the Missions Board of the Suttons Bay Congregational Church.

Robin lives in the village of Suttons Bay with her husband, Chris, and two sons, Peter and Paul. They enjoy sailing, water sports, winter skiing and biking in the seasons in between.

Amber Becker

Accounting - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Amber Becker joined FIM Group in October 2000. She works in our Accounting department, managing payables and administrating our human resource benefits. Amber has a bachelor's degree in Economics from Huntington University in Huntington, Indiana, and her Master of Business Administration from Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, Michigan.

Before joining FIM Group Amber was a broker's assistant in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and a shareholder services representative for Kemper Funds in Chicago, Illinois.

For the last few years Amber has traveled throughout the world doing humanitarian work. She has participated in building homes, churches and worked in several orphanages. On one of her trips to Africa she worked with HIV/AIDS patients as well as in schools educating teens about how HIV/AIDS is transmitted.

Matt Bohrer

Chief Operating Officer & Chief Compliance Officer - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Matt Bohrer started with FIM Group as a college intern in 1996. After graduating from Michigan State University with a bachelor's degree in Finance, he returned to FIM Group. Today, he is FIM Group's chief operating officer and chief compliance officer.

Matt is responsible for day-to-day operational issues of all FIM service groups and trading departments. As the chief compliance officer, Matt ensures that FIM Group meets all SEC requirements in its daily business practices.

Matt and his wife, Anne, have four beautiful children. He has received his Masters of Business Administration from Lawrence Technical University.

Linda Brzezinski

Operations - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Linda Brzezinski is our long-standing veteran at FIM Group; she started with the company in May of 1984. Linda works in our Client Service area where she is responsible for compliance and quality control. Linda resides in Cedar and is married with one daughter and four grandchildren.

Sarah Carroll

Client Services - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Sarah Carroll joined the FIM Group as a client billing and reporting administrator. Sarah's responsibilities include client billing, reporting and client services.

Sarah, a native of Traverse City, spent the last four years living in London, England, working as a financial services support consultant for St. James Place Partnership. Sarah received a BA in Economics from Alma College and an MSC in International Business Economics from the University of Westminster.

Barry Couturier

Retirement Services - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Barry Couturier's responsibilities as a member of the Retirement Services team include plan design and administration, new plan installation and asset conversion, participant education, client relationships, and annual reporting and compliance. He has been a pension consultant and administrator for 16 years, with ten years as the founder and president of his own firm.

Barry earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Michigan State University, a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management & Supervision from Central Michigan University, and a master's in Business Administration from Lake Superior State University. Barry has completed the Chartered Retirement Plan Specialists (CRPS^®) designation from the College for Financial Planning and is a member of the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA).

Renée Egelski

Wealth Management - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Renée A. Egelski joined FIM Group in April 2006, bringing over five years of financial planning experience. Renée's primary responsibility is to assist clients in achieving their individual financial goals and objectives. This includes developing comprehensive strategies for retirement and education funding, tax and estate planning, as well as analyzing life and disability insurance needs.

Prior to joining FIM Group, Renée established her business as a financial adviser with Waddell & Reed, Inc. in 2001, where she provided comprehensive financial planning services and portfolio design through mutual fund selection.

Renée holds an Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (AWMA) designation, a Certified Financial Divorce Practitioner (CFDP) designation, and has passed the Series 6 and Series 63 National Association of Securities Dealers examinations. Renée is a Collaborative Divorce Specialist and a member of the Collaborative Practice Institute of Michigan. She also holds a Michigan Life, Health and Accident insurance license.

Jim Frye, CFP^®

Financial Adviser - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Jim Frye joined FIM Group in June 2009 as a financial adviser. His past experience includes proven success with numerous financial companies where he demonstrated abilities in a wide range of private banking, small business, middle market, large corporate and international banking, and credit administration activities as well as many other large-scale projects.

Jim is dedicated to building relationships and accelerating growth with FIM Group clients. He is focused on ensuring that the firm is delivering the highest level of client service as well as a differentiated client experience.

Frye graduated from Wayne State University with a master's in Business Administration and a bachelor's in Finance. In May of 2006, he received certification as a Certified Financial Planner in accordance with CFP^® Board Certification and renewal agreements.

Merideth Gillis

Client Services - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Merideth Gillis came to FIM Group in December of 2003. She works in our Client Services group and is integral in assisting our clients in initiating a seamless transition to FIM Group.

Prior to joining FIM Group, Merideth was the director of entertainment with Traverse Bay Entertainment. Her functions included a high level of financial analysis, budget management and revenue projections.

Merideth and her husband moved to the northern Michigan Area in 1996. Her husband is currently a detective with the Traverse City Police. They are fortunate to be raising two wonderful children, Rachel and Jacob.

Marsha Grant

Client Services - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Marsha Grant started with FIM Group in January of 2000. She is our amazing office manager who keeps all aspects of the FIM Group in motion. Marsha plays an integral support role in taking care of office maintenance, sending out client communications and facilitating FIM Group's overall day-to-day operations.

Marsha received an associate's degree from Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City.

Sara Harding

Marketing - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Sara Harding joined FIM Group as communications director. Sara is responsible for developing communications and marketing strategies, as well as managing public relations for FIM Group and its divisions.

Sara has spent the last ten years in marketing and sales positions in the wireless industry. Prior to FIM Group, Sara was the regional marketing manager for Dobson Communications overseeing all marketing activities for Michigan.

A native of Traverse City, Sara graduated with a bachelors' degree in Business from Davenport University.

Sue Novak

Client Services - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Sue Novak joined FIM Group in March 2006, as our receptionist/administrative assistant. Sue is an integral team member assisting in client communications and client relations.

A native of Leelanau County, Sue graduated from St. Mary's High School in Lake Leelanau, Michigan. Before joining FIM Group she was the engineering and documentation coordinator at Cone Drive Textron as well as an assistant to the superintendent of Glen Lake Community School. Sue resides in Leelanau County with her husband, Dave, and her son, Ryan.

Russ Riker

Technology - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Russ Riker joined FIM Group in December 2004. He has over 20 years of experience working in computer–related positions, including programmer, network analyst, senior systems analyst and senior systems administrator. He has attained the following certifications: Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE), Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) and Citrix Certified Enterprise Administrator (CCEA).

Russ is a den leader for Boy Scouts of America, founder of the Grand Traverse Linux Users Group and an invaluable volunteer for the Traverse City Film Festival.

Kevin Russell, CPA, CFP^®, AAMS^®, CRPC^®

Wealth Management - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Kevin Russell's primary responsibility is to assist clients with financial planning affairs. This includes developing comprehensive strategies to meet individual client financial needs in the following areas: retirement planning strategies, education funding, life and disability insurance needs analysis, tax and estate planning, and executive benefit review.

Kevin has over 14 years' experience in the financial services industry providing comprehensive fee-only financial planning and investment management services to individuals since 1996. His commitment is to provide the highest-quality, objective, professional financial advice to our clients and their families to help them reach their unique financial goals.

Among his professional accomplishments, Kevin has been authorized by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards (CFP^® Board) to use the certification marks CFP^® in accordance with CFP^® Board certification and renewal requirements. Kevin has attained the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC^®) and the Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS^®) designations from The College for Financial Planning. These marks identify those individuals who have met the rigorous education, examination, experience and ethical requirements of the CFP^® Board. He is also registered as a certified public accountant and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Ohio State University.

Barbara Wilson, CPA

Accounting - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Barbara Wilson is a member of the accounting team and manages the internal accounting and financial reporting for FIM Group. Barb is a licensed certified public accountant and has over 25 years of experience working in both public accounting and in private industry. She actively maintains memberships with the AICPA and the MACPA (national and state-certified public accountants associations). Annually, Barb attends continuing education classes and completes self-study courses to keep abreast of the latest changes in tax law, audit and accounting standards.

Barb holds undergraduate degrees from Michigan State University and Oakland University. She also attended Walsh University and studied post-graduate classes in taxation. Barbara has also received a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree from Lawrence Technological University.