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THE EVOLUTION OF FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE
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2. OUR TEAM OF OWNERS
Chicago, IL Leading Wealth Advisor
Altair Advisers LLC
Richard K. Black, CFP®, JD, Managing Director
What are the qualities and credentials
I should consider when selecting an
investment advisor?
By Richard K. Black
We believe you should seek a firm ations”; Item 9, “Participation or Inter-
that is as accomplished as you are— est in Client Transactions”; and, most
one that is successful, entrepre- importantly, Item 13, “Additional Altair and its principals are consistently
neurial and committed to building Compensation.” recognized as top independent wealth
a long-term relationship. Of course, financial and investment managers by Worth, Barron's, Financial
Your investment counsel should knowledge, skills and understanding Advisor, Wealth Manager and Chicago
be independent and objective, with are key considerations. Certain cre- magazines. Steven B. Weinstein has been
a strong team of experienced and dentials can be good indicators. selected by Barron's for three consecutive
credentialed advisors. To learn more Pay particular attention to key years as one of the Top 100 Independent
about the firm you are considering, members of the investment commit- Financial Advisers and was named to
toss out the glossy brochures and ask tee. These professionals should have Worth’s roster of the Top Wealth Advisors
for, and READ, Form ADV, specifically credentials such as the CFA® (Char- seven times.1 Richard K. Black has been
ADV Part II. This is the single most tered Financial Analyst) and CAIA® named twice2 to Worth’s Top Wealth
important part of your due diligence (Chartered Alternative Investment Advisors. Individual accolades are always
process. This form must be filed by all Analyst) designations, obtained after a result of team efforts.
investment advisors registered with rigorous multiyear exams. In addi-
the SEC under the 1940 Act. There is tion, client service professionals Steven B. Weinstein, CFA®, CFP®, JD
an old Russian proverb made famous should also have the CFP® (Certified President and Chief Investment Officer
Richard K. Black, CFP®, JD
by Ronald Reagan during arms con- Financial Planner™) certification,
Managing Director
trol discussions with Mikhail Gor- obtained after completing several
Bryan R. Malis, CFA®, CFP®
bachev: Doveryai no proveryai—it exams covering investments, income Managing Director
means “Trust but verify.” and estate taxes, retirement planning Rebekah L. Kohmescher, CFP®, CPA
Certain qualities that foster the and insurance. Director
development of a successful relation- The best investment advisors also Jason M. Laurie, CFA®, CFP®
ship can be verified in ADV Part II. have a broad range of experiences and Director
First and foremost is independence. backgrounds, often in law, accounting, Michael J. Murray, CFA®, CFP®, CAIA®
A fiduciary has the legal obligation to banking and finance. They understand Director
put your interests first. Freedom from the larger accounting, tax and legal Brett K. Rentmeester, CFA®, CAIA®
competing priorities puts an exclusive implications of a client’s particular Director
focus on you, the client, and avoids the circumstances and can add real value. Donald J. Sorota, CFP®, CPA
conflicts of interest that are pervasive Finally, conduct a personal inter- Director
in the investment industry. That said, view. Ask yourself if the people you We are employee-owned and committed
you should know that even fiduciar- are considering understand your to building long-term successful relation-
ies may have conflicts, and the SEC goals and objectives. The best advi- ships by providing responsive and highly
requires that they be disclosed. sors are also interviewing you. They personal service.
Conflicts are disclosed in ADV know their process, and want to
1
Part II. See especially Item 7, “Other ensure that your needs align well September 2001, January 2004 and October 2004,
Business Activity”; Item 8, “Other with their capabilities and strengths. 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008
2
October 2007 and 2008
Financial Industry Activities or A li-
3. “The best investment advisors have a
MAKE
broad range of experiences and back-
grounds, often in law, accounting,
How to Reach Richard K. Black
banking and finance.”
GROW
Please call me at 312.429.3003 to set up an
initial appointment.
– Richard K. Black
LIVE
ALTAIR ADVISERS LLC
Left to right: Front row-Richard K. Black, Steven B. Weinstein, Bryan R. Malis; back row-Rebekah L. Kohmescher, Donald J. Sorota, Brett K. Rentmeester, Jason M. Laurie, Michael J. Murray
About Altair Advisers LLC
Altair was formed on June 1, 2002, by members of Arthur Andersen’s Chicago Investment Consulting Practice, with
an exclusive focus on providing independent investment counsel to high net worth individuals. Altair was
created to preserve valued client relationships, to maintain continuity in its client service team, to enhance the
firm’s ability to work objectively on behalf of its clients, and to provide opportunity for Altair’s outstanding
people, creating a long-lasting firm. Turmoil in the markets and upheaval in the advisor community have clients
on the move. According to the Capgemini 2009 World Wealth Report, “Of all the high net worth individual
clients surveyed, 27 percent said they withdrew assets or left their wealth management firm in 2008.” Altair
has retained over 95 percent of its clients.
$2.3 billion Asset-based and fixed fees
Assets Under Management Compensation Method
Primary Custodian for Investor Assets State Street
$37,500
Minimum Annual Fee
Planning and investment advisory services
Professional Services Provided
$5 million (in investable assets)
Minimum Net Worth Requirement
Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Association, Chicago Estate
Association Memberships
$1 billion+ Planning Council, CFA Institute, CFA Society of Chicago and FPA
Largest Client Net Worth
130 years (combined) www.altairadvisers.com info@altairadvisers.com
Financial Services Experience Website Email
Altair Advisers LLC 303 West Madison Street, Suite 600, Chicago, IL 60606 312.429.3000
WORTH.COM DECEMBER-JANUARY 2010 101
4. W
Steven B. Weinstein, CFA®, CFP®, JD
President and Chief Investment Officer
Richard K. Black, CFP®, JD
Managing Director
Bryan R. Malis, CFA®, CFP®
Managing Director
Rebekah L. Kohmescher, CFP®, CPA
Director
Jason M. Laurie, CFA®, CFP®
Director
Michael J. Murray, CFA®, CFP®, CAIA®
Director
Brett K. Rentmeester, CFA®, CAIA®
Director
Donald J. Sorota, CFP®, CPA
Director
Altair Advisers LLC
303 West Madison Street
Suite 600
Chicago, IL 60606
Tel. 312.429.3000
Email: info@altairadvisers.com
www.altairadvisers.com
REPRINTED FROM
®
THE EVOLUTION OF FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE
About the Worth Leading Wealth Advisors
The Worth Leading Wealth Advisor admittance process is based on, but not limited to, the Advisor’s experience, education, fiduciary status, compliance record, wealth management services,
methods of compensation and scope of current business. In order to be considered for the Worth Leading Wealth Advisors Program, financial professionals must be willing to provide com-
plete and full disclosure to investors so that independent analysts from Paladin Registry can thoroughly screen and evaluate their credentials, ethics and business practices. Once admitted,
Advisors pay a fee to be included. Investors and potential investors are solely responsible for the decision to select particular Advisors.
