MEET THE TEAM

Rob Thomas, CFA®, CFP®, CFS®

Managing Director & Senior Wealth Advisor

As managing director, Rob uses his more than 30 years of wealth management and investment experience to provide strategic insight to his team, clients and business partners. Prior to Mariner Wealth Advisors, he held positions with U.S. Trust Company, State Street Bank and another independent RIA.
Rob has a bachelor’s degree and an MBA from Pennsylvania State University. He is a member of the Financial Planning Association, the CFA Institute and the Institute of Business and Finance.

Rob was named to Forbes’ Best-In-State Wealth Advisors list, ranking #1 in West Pennsylvania in 2022 and #5 in West Pennsylvania in 2021. He was also ranked #1 in 2023 and 2021, #2 in 2022 and #3 in 2020 in Pennsylvania on Barron’s Top 1,200 Advisors list. Rob is a frequent lecturer on topics such as modern portfolio theory, portfolio management strategies and fee-based asset management. In addition, he has been published in various financial periodicals, including Financial Planning and the Journal of Accountancy.

 

Jill W. Sutt

Vice President

As vice president, Jill maintains oversight of the office’s operational components and often serves as a project manager for new initiatives. She also manages solicitor and client relationships and provides support to the proposal and trading teams as needed.

Jill has a bachelor’s degree and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the Pennsylvania State University. During her MBA studies, she pursued a dual concentration in finance and marketing. Prior to joining the team, Jill worked as a senior investment analyst at an independent registered investment advisor where she was responsible for the preparation of asset allocation studies, research of investment securities, monitoring of client accounts and supervision of ten investment analysts.

Ronald B. Beyer, CFA®

Director & Senior Wealth Advisor

Ron prepares investment proposals, manages client portfolios, maintains advisor and client relationships, performs investment research and serves as a member of the State College location’s Investment Committee. He has three decades of experience in portfolio management and banking.

Prior to joining Mariner Wealth Advisors, Ron managed fixed income and equity investment portfolios. He was also responsible for asset/liability and liquidity management. Before that, he served as vice president, profitability manager and investment portfolio manager at Kish Bank, where he directed profitability initiatives and liquidity management. Earlier in his career, he was vice president at Omega Financial Corporation. While there, he managed investment portfolios, supervised the funds management department and was a member of the Corporate Asset/Liability Committee.

Ron has a bachelor’s degree in quantitative business analysis from the Pennsylvania State University.

Casey Hauser

Senior Wealth Advisor

As a senior wealth advisor, Casey prepares wealth proposals for individuals and families. He also manages solicitor and client relationships.

Previously Casey served as a regional consultant where his responsibilities included developing the sales channel for investment advisory services. Prior to joining the firm, he was a marketing program manager at Greenwich Associates where he worked on projects relating to corporate finance and investment management in North America and Europe. Before that, he was a marketing representative in the petroleum industry where he oversaw supply and distribution for the Gulf Coast and Midwest operations.

Casey has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Stefanie L. Yeager

Senior Wealth Advisor

As a senior wealth advisor, Stefanie focuses on working with families and individuals by preparing investment wealth plans and managing client relationships.

Stefanie has over 28 years of experience in the financial services field, particularly in asset management and trust services. She has held positions with Omega Financial, The Bryn Mawr Trust Company and an investment advisory firm. She’s been quoted by Bloomberg, Marketwatch and other financial publications. She has also been a guest on Bloomberg Radio.

Stefanie has a bachelor’s degree in finance from West Chester University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Clarion University. She is an honors graduate of the PBA Central Atlantic School of Trust and Investment Management.

Rebecca M. Haney

Senior Trading Associate

As a senior trading associate, Rebecca’s focus is on investing new account assets. As part of this process, she reviews the original investment proposal, assesses potential tax consequences and makes the necessary trades. Rebecca also coordinates the trading of deposits, withdrawals, rebalancing and mutual fund/stock changes. She has been in the financial services industry for over eleven years.

In her previous positions with other investment firms, Rebecca provided both operational and investment support to a team of financial advisors and serviced over $150 million in assets.

Rebecca has an associate’s degree in business management and marketing from the South Hills School of Business and Technology.

Thomas A. Kleban

Senior Research Analyst

As a senior research analyst, Thomas assists in the formulation and management of asset-allocation models and monitors the firm’s recommended investments on a daily basis. He also processes the firm’s corporate actions and provides key market and financial reports to advisors on a daily basis.

Tom has over 17 years of experience in providing financial analysis and investment management advice. Prior to joining the firm, he served as an investment analyst at an independent registered investment advisor.

Tom holds a bachelor’s degree and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Pennsylvania State University.

Bret H. Hoag

Senior Relationship Manager

As a senior relationship manager, Bret advises clients and solicitors on financial planning, estate planning, life insurance and annuities. Mr. Hoag has been an advisor for over 16 years. Prior to joining our team he held positions at PNC Bank, Nittany Bank and Wells Fargo Advisors.

Mr. Hoag holds a bachelor’s degree from the College of Business at Michigan State University.

Maury Wiles

Senior Relationship Manager

As a senior relationship manager, Maury focuses on developing the sales channel for our investment advisory services.

Prior to joining the firm, she was a global forwarding sales executive at C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. where she sold a variety of supply chain solutions for customers needing assistance with global ocean and air transportation.

Maury has a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Central Missouri and a Master of Business Administration degree from Baker University. She is a volunteer with the Leukemia Lymphoma Society.

Michael Greer
Michael Greer

Investment Analyst

Michael assists the new business team, managing workflow and communicating with solicitors to ensure a successful transition of new accounts to Mariner Wealth Advisors.

Prior to joining the firm, he acquired accounting and finance experience at local dealerships. He also served for six years in the National Guard.

Michael has an associate’s degree in business administration from the University of Northwestern Ohio and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in finance and is minoring in accounting with a certificate in financial planning at Penn State University.

Alyssa Peterson
Alyssa Peterson

Investment Analyst

Alyssa assists the new business team, managing workflow and communicating with solicitors to ensure a successful transition of new accounts to Mariner Wealth Advisors.

Prior to joining Mariner Wealth Advisors, Alyssa was a commercial banker at Reliance Bank.

Alyssa has a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Alabama.

Taylor Rider
Taylor Rider

Trading Associate

As a trading associate, Taylor’s focus is on helping with investing new account assets. As part of this process, she assists in reviewing the original investment proposal, potential tax consequences and helps makes the necessary trades.

Prior to joining Mariner Wealth Advisors, Taylor worked in banking and held a financial analyst intern position while in college.

Taylor has a bachelor's degree in agribusiness management with a diversity studies certificate and Smeal College of Business Fundamentals certificate from the Pennsylvania State University.

Sherry L. Confer

Client Service Manager

As the client service manager, Sherry manages the team who onboards new clients. She establishes new accounts in our system and monitors the account transfer process from start to finish. Her oversight helps ensure new account transfers are complete, timely, and accurate.

Sherry graduated from South Hills Business School and has over 20 years of experience in the financial services and insurance industries.

Ginger M. Espigh

Senior Client Service Associate

As a senior client service associate, Ginger processes account applications, investment management contracts and transfer paperwork for clients.

Ginger has a bachelor’s degree in secondary English education from Lock Haven University and has over 15 years of experience directing and organizing projects in corporate and educational environments.

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Andrea Motter

Client Service Associate

As a client service associate, Andi is responsible for processing account distributions with our custodians. In addition, she provides day-to-day administrative support for the new business team.

Andi has a bachelor’s degree in and finance and economics from Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania.

Erin N. Coates

Client Service Associate

As a client service associate, Erin is responsible for processing account distributions with our custodians. In addition, she provides day-to-day administrative support for the new business team.

Erin has an associate’s degree in management and marketing from the South Hills School of Business and Technology. She has over 16 years of administrative, marketing and event planning experience.

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Grace Karaki

Client Service Associate

Grace assists a wealth team that provides clients with personalized wealth solutions, including investment portfolio management, retirement income planning and estate planning to help them reach their goals.

Prior to joining Mariner Wealth Advisors, Grace was a math and economics tutor. She has a bachelor’s degree in economics from Pennsylvania State University.

Kelly Markel

Client Service Associate

As a client service associate, Kelly prepares maintenance paperwork, assists with client distributions and provides day-to-day administrative support for the operations team.

Kelly has over 15 years of customer service, sales and management experience in retail and corporate environments. She has a bachelor’s degree in ceramics and art history from Juniata College.

Kristina M. Houp

Client Service Associate

As a client service associate, Kristina is responsible for the processing of client account contributions and working with our custodians regarding client distributions and account maintenance.

Kristina has over 16 years in the housing management and housing finance markets, eight of which were spent at a state housing finance agency where she managed a portfolio in excess of $4 million.

Krysta Hower

Client Service Associate

Krysta prepares maintenance paperwork, assists with client distributions and provides day-to-day administrative support for the operations team.

Prior to joining Mariner Wealth Advisors, she worked at First National Bank in Bellefonte, Pa.

Krysta has a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Bloomsburg University. In her free time, she enjoys attending Penn State football games.

Lisa Desmarais headshot bio
Lisa Desmarais

Client Service Associate

As a client service associate, Lisa prepares maintenance paperwork, assists with client distributions and provides day-to-day administrative support for the operations team. She also serves as a primary contact for clients and assists with various aspects of the planning process.

Prior to joining Mariner Wealth Advisors, she served as a controller at CRF Inc., Interior Systems, a niche subcontractor, for 15 years. She also has a long history of management and accounting in various health care offices.

Samantha Kane

Client Service Associate

Samantha assists with opening, maintaining and reporting on client accounts. She also serves as a primary contact for clients and assists with various aspects of the planning process.

Prior to joining Mariner Wealth Advisors, Samantha worked in customer service for more than eight years. She also previously worked at BISSELL Homecare as a senior HR administrative assistant.

Theresa Corle

Client Service Associate

As a client service associate, Theresa works with clients on preparing required account applications, investment management contracts and transfer paperwork.

Prior to joining the firm, Theresa worked for AssetMark Trust in the new business department.

Theresa has an associate’s degree in paralegal studies from Mount Aloysius College.

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Aletta Lenker

Administrative Assistant

Aletta manages daily office tasks to keep processes flowing smoothly. She logs the checks and paperwork that come into the office, sends notification of receipt to solicitors, tracks and pays invoices and orders office supplies as needed. She assists with office organization, interacts with staff and vendors for maintenance issues and coordinates luncheons and holiday/conference events, as well as assists with office projects as needed.

Prior to joining Mariner Wealth Advisors, Aletta was a service advisor in the cards department for the Pennsylvania Employee Credit Union.

Aletta has an associate's degree in specialized technology from South Hills School of Business & Technology.

*Best-In-State: Advisors are selected for the Forbes rankings by SHOOK Research. Rankings for 2021 through 2023 were published in February 2021 and April 2022, and were based on June 30th data, including 1- and 5-year periods. The ranking is based on an algorithm of qualitative and quantitative data, rating thousands of wealth advisors with a minimum of seven years of experience and weighing factors like revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience, and best practices learned through telephone and in-person interviews. Portfolio performance is not a criterion due to varying client objectives and a lack of audited data. The ranking is not indicative of future performance, and there is no guarantee of future success. For additional information, visit www.forbes.com.

**Top 1,200 Advisors: Advisors are ranked and organized on a state-by-state basis. Barron’s rankings for 2020-2023 were published in March of each award year based on the previous year’s September 30th data, including 1- and 5-year periods. The rankings are based on data provided by individual advisors and their firms. Barron’s publishes rankings based on regulatory databases were used to cross-check the data provided. The formula Barron’s uses to rank advisors is proprietary, but the formula features three major categories of calculations: Assets, Revenue, and Quality of practice. Investment returns are not a component of the rankings because an advisor’s returns are dictated largely by the risk tolerance of clients. The ranking is not indicative of future performance, and there is no guarantee of future success. For additional information, visit www.barrons.com.