Portfolio Solutions® is led by some of the industry’s most prominent and respected individuals. Our staff is highly trained and motivated to assist clients with their needs. Clients may contact any member of our organization with questions or inquiries.
Richard A. Ferri, CFA
Founder
Richard (Rick) is responsible for research and education at Portfolio Solutions®, and is also a member of the firm’s investment committee. Rick has over 20 years of experience in the investment industry including more than ten years as a financial consultant at two major Wall Street firms. Rick graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a B.S. degree in business and from Walsh College with an M.S. degree in finance. He has also earned the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. Rick has published extensively including six books on low-cost investing using index funds and ETFs. Prior to entering the financial industry in 1988, Rick was an officer in the Marine Corps where he flew fighter aircraft. He retired from the USMC reserves in 2001.
You can learn more about Rick and read his biweekly blog postings on low-cost investing strategies at www.RickFerri.com.
Scott C. Salaske
President & Chief Compliance Officer
Scott is responsible for the overall business operations and compliance at Portfolio Solutions®, and is also a member of the firm’s investment committee. Scott has more than fifteen years of experience in the investment industry. Prior to becoming President of Portfolio Solutions®, Scott was the President of Quest Asset Management, LLC, an investment advisor. The firm merged with Portfolio Solutions® in 2001. Scott is a graduate of Walsh College with a B.B.A. degree and a concentration in finance.
Finance & Operations
John R. Bergmann, CPA
Chief Financial & Operating Officer
John is responsible for the overall finance, accounting, human resource and workflow operations at Portfolio Solutions®. John has more than twenty years of finance, accounting and management experience, and is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Michigan. Prior to joining Portfolio Solutions®, John was the Director of Finance at IPG, Inc., a commercial architecture and construction firm. Prior to IPG, John served as the controller and then CFO of Stahls’ Inc., a manufacturing firm specializing in garment products, and was also a Middle Market Group Manager at the Detroit offices of Deloitte LLP. John is a graduate of Wayne State University in Detroit, MI with a B.B.A. degree and major in Accounting.
Compliance
Florence A. Affatato, Esq.
Compliance Manager
Florence is responsible for managing the firm’s regulatory compliance and legal matters. Prior to joining Portfolio Solutions®, Florence held a position as a Compliance and Corporate Counsel Associate for an investment management firm and previously held a Director position at Wayne State University. Before Wayne State University, Florence served for 20 years as a Supervisory Special Agent, Program Coordinator and Legal Advisor at the Federal Bureau of Investigation/U.S. Department of Justice. Florence received her JD from Michigan State University and her LLM in Tax Law from Wayne State University.
Portfolio Management
Anthony R. Watson, CFA
Chief Investment Officer
Tony is responsible for investment operations and oversees the portfolio management department at Portfolio Solutions®. He is a member of the firm’s investment committee. Tony has more than fifteen years of experience in the investment and finance industry. He earned an MBA degree from the University of Michigan in addition to a B.B.A. degree from Walsh College. Tony has also earned the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. Prior to becoming Chief Investment Officer of Portfolio Solutions®, Tony was Vice President at J.P. Morgan Private Bank and a Senior Financial Analyst at Meritor, Inc.
Brad Cox
Trading Operations Manager
Brad is responsible for trade execution operations and systems management for the Portfolio Management department. Prior to joining Portfolio Solutions®, Brad worked for Munder Capital Management, where he managed the trade clearing staff and supported their portfolio management, trading, and compliance systems. Brad also previously worked as a Business Analyst for both CheckFree Investment Services and Evergreen Investments – Wachovia Bank. Brad earned a B.A. in Management Sciences from St. Bonaventure University and is currently completing an M.S. in Finance from Walsh College.
Laura S. Armstrong, MBA
Portfolio Manager
Laura is responsible for monitoring, analyzing, and rebalancing client portfolios, as well as managing client reports and benchmark data. Prior to joining Portfolio Solutions®, Laura worked as an Investment Analyst at Telemus Capital Partners, where she coordinated mutual fund and equity block trades and rebalanced accounts. Laura has also previously worked as an Associate Financial Representative at Northwestern Mutual Financial Network and as a Registered Representative for C. Curtis & Associates. Laura graduated with honors with a B.A. in Business Management from Eastern Michigan University and earned her M.B.A. from the University of Michigan, Dearborn. Laura is currently a Level III Candidate in the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Program.
Investment Specialists
Gary J. Brancaleone, CFP®, CRPC®
Director of Investment Specialists
Gary is responsible for overseeing the Investment Specialists at Portfolio Solutions® and working with clients to help ensure that their investment strategy is appropriately aligned with their financial goals and objectives. Prior to joining Portfolio Solutions®, Gary worked as a Private Wealth Management Banker at J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, where he worked closely with high net worth clients and helped them achieve their financial goals using investment services offered by the bank. Prior to J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, Gary was a Regional Sales Manager at Charter One Bank. Gary is a graduate of Oakland University with a B.S. in Finance. He has also obtained his Certified Financial Planner™ certification and is a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor℠.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and 
in the U.S.
Michael A. Palazzolo, CFP®
Senior Investment Specialist
Michael is responsible for working with clients to help ensure that their investment strategy is appropriately aligned with their financial goals and objectives. Prior to joining Portfolio Solutions®, Michael worked as a Financial Counselor with GreenPath Inc., where he advised clients experiencing personal financial challenges. Prior to GreenPath, Michael worked in the automotive and defense industries developing vehicle and simulation software. Michael is a graduate of Oakland University with an M.S. in Computer Science & Engineering and a Graduate Certificate in Personal Financial Planning. He has also obtained his Certified Financial Planner™ certification.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and in the U.S.
Brett R. Bayliss
Investment Specialist
Brett is responsible for working with clients to help ensure that their investment strategy is appropriately aligned with their financial goals and objectives. Prior to joining Portfolio Solutions®, Brett worked as an Investment Analyst with Freedom One Investment Advisors, where he analyzed investment options and made portfolio recommendations for clients. Brett has also previously worked as an Investment Associate at J. P. Morgan Asset Management and a Research Analyst/Trader at Capital Investment Group. Brett graduated with honors from Oakland University with a B.S. in Management Information Systems and Business Administration and is currently a Level II Candidate in the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Program.
Client Services
Tracie M. Tibboles
Director of Client Services
Tracie is responsible for oversight of the Client Services Department at Portfolio Solutions®. Her primary functions include supervising client service employees and ensuring successful client experiences. Tracie has more than 20 years of experience in the customer service and marketing industries. Tracie previously worked as an Associate Media Director at J. Walter Thompson and as a Marketing Research Analyst at ABC Family Channel. Tracie received a B.B.A. in Advertising/Marketing and minor in Business from Western Michigan University.
Shannon M. Mandell
Client Service Specialist
Shannon is responsible for working with clients to establish new accounts and transfer assets between custodians, as well as all incoming and outgoing cash transfers. She also performs administrative functions on existing client accounts. Shannon previously held the position of Administrative Assistant at Portfolio Solutions®. Prior to joining Portfolio Solutions®, she worked for Batton Technical, Inc. as an Administrative Assistant. Shannon received an Associates Degree in Business Administration from Macomb Community College and is currently working towards her B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Business Management from Ferris State University.
Rachel M. Sobczynski
Client Service Specialist
Rachel is responsible for working with clients to establish new accounts and transfer assets between custodians, as well as all incoming and outgoing cash transfers. She also performs administrative functions on existing client accounts. Rachel previously worked as a Senior Team Leader with Target Corporation. Rachel received a B.S. in Business Finance from Oakland University.
Krystal A. Legendre
Client Service Specialist
Krystal is responsible for working with clients to establish new accounts and transfer assets between custodians, as well as all incoming and outgoing cash transfers. She also performs administrative functions on existing client accounts. Krystal previously worked for QEK Global Solutions as a Lease Coordinator and Sales Representative. She received an Associates Degree in General Studies from Macomb Community College and is currently working towards a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Walsh College.
Client Development
Jennifer S. Hall
Director of Interactive Marketing & Sales
Jennifer is responsible for the development, strategy, and execution of marketing activities and oversees client development initiatives at Portfolio Solutions®. She has more than twenty years of experience in marketing, graphic design and web development. Prior to joining Portfolio Solutions®, Jennifer was the Director of Marketing at the Vision Institute of Michigan. Jennifer also served as the Corporate Internet Director and Corporate Creative Director at BNP Media. Jennifer graduated with honors from Carnegie Mellon University, receiving a B.A. in Professional Writing with a concentration in Graphic Design.
Joseph M. McGraw, CFP®
Client Development Manager
Joe is responsible for working with new prospective clients to provide education and information about Portfolio Solutions® investment strategies. Joe is a Certified Financial Planner™ with more than 15 years in the investment management industry. Prior to joining Portfolio Solutions®, Joe was President of the investment advisory firm Demos Partners. He previously held positions as Regional Vice President of MetLife Investors and as an Investment Consultant at Fidelity Investments. Joe received his B.A. from DePaul University and his M.A. from the University of Illinois.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and in the U.S.
Information Technology
Tony R. Brumley
Chief Technology Officer
Tony is responsible for executing the company’s technical vision leading all aspects of Portfolio Solutions® technology development to provide high-quality, cost-effective services to clients. As the company’s top technology executive, Tony plays an integral role in the strategic direction, development and future growth of the company’s technology platforms. Prior to becoming Chief Technology Officer at Portfolio Solutions®, Tony worked in the technology group at Munder Capital Management. Tony is a graduate of Western Michigan University with a B.B.A. degree and a concentration in Finance.
Human Resources
Aubrey L. Rhodes, MBA
Director of Training & Human Resources
Aubrey is responsible for training and human resources at Portfolio Solutions®. Her primary functions include training, mentoring and leading employees on best practices and improved skill development in order to best serve our clients. Prior to becoming the Director of Training & Human Resources, Aubrey was the Director of Client Services at Portfolio Solutions®. Aubrey is an MBA graduate of Oakland University.
Administration
Margaret A. Pikula
Administrative Assistant
Margaret is responsible for daily administrative office duties at Portfolio Solutions®. She previously worked as an Office Manager for a small business while in college. Margaret received a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Management from Walsh College in Troy, MI.
