Investment Advisory Services, Financial Planning, Wealth Management and Retirement Plan Services in Denver, CO
Beacon Pointe is a Denver based wealth advisor and is one of the largest Registered Investment Advisor firms (RIAs) in the nation working with individuals, families, institutions, and defined contribution plans. Our team of investment advisors and financial planners in Denver focuses on full service financial planning and research driven investments. We help the families we serve build wealth, live off their wealth, and leave a legacy for future generations.
Our fiduciary responsibility to clients and our holistic allWEALTH® approach addresses all aspects of your financial well-being including but not limited to wealth and retirement planning, estate and tax strategy planning, insurance reviews and risk assessments, charitable giving and education planning, values-based (SRI/ESG) investing, life transition support for divorcées and widows, financial planning for business owners and multi-generational family wealth and legacy planning.
We look forward to connecting with you virtually or at our Denver office to see how best we can assist you with your investment portfolio and financial planning needs.
Meet the Denver Financial Advisor Team
Bob Van Wetter
Partner, Managing Director
Bob Van Wetter is the Managing Director of the Beacon Pointe Advisors Denver office and is responsible for client service and new client development. Bob is energized by the challenge of helping his clients make sense of a changing world and developing strategies to build and preserve wealth. Bob first started working in the investment industry as a runner on the floor of the Pacific Stock Exchange starting in 1983. Bob co-founded Northstar Investment Advisors in 1995 to better serve individuals and families looking for wealth management services in the Denver area. Bob is a graduate of Dartmouth College and has served on a number of nonprofit boards, including the Colorado Ski Museum, the Children’s Museum of Denver, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, Denver B-Cycle and the finance committee of the Colorado Health Foundation. He currently serves as chair of the finance committee for the Lutheran Medical Foundation. Outside of the office, Bob enjoys being out in the mountains, participating in outdoor activities, and spending time with his wife and three grown children.
Charlie Farrell, J.D.,LL.M.
Partner, Managing Director
Charlie Farrell, J.D.,LL.M, is the Managing Director of the Beacon Pointe Advisors Denver office and is responsible for working with clients to meet their investment and income objectives. Charlie focuses on managing wealth for individuals, families, and business owners, providing the full continuum of personal and family wealth management, through all the phases of his clients’ financial lives. Charlie began his career as a tax attorney helping business owners establish and fund corporate retirement plans. While working with owners who eventually retired, Charlie often received questions from clients about how to live off their money during retirement. These conversations ultimately sparked Charlie’s desire to work in investment management, prompting him to leave the legal and tax field. Charlie is the author of the book, Your Money Ratios: 8 Simple Tools for Financial Security. He is also the author of a monthly column known as the “Road to Retirement” for the Denver Post and has contributed to numerous industry publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Money Magazine, Consumer Reports Money Advisor and Barron’s. Charlie has a bachelor’s degree from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA, and a law degree from The American University Washington College of Law in Washington, D.C., where he graduated summa cum laude. He also holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in taxation from the Case Western Reserve University School of Law. Charlie is a former board member of the Mountain Area Land Trust and the Denver Public Library Friends Foundation. Charlie currently resides in Golden, Colorado with his wife, and in his spare time enjoys fly fishing and riding horses.
Cheryl McDonald
Senior Office Management Associate
Cheryl is a Senior Office Management Associate and is responsible for a variety of tasks that ensure the smooth operation of the Denver office. Her responsibilities include client service, database organization, and general office management duties. Cheryl brings her stellar management and customer service skills to Beacon Pointe through many years of nonprofit work, having spent 12 years serving in the Programs Department at Rose Community Foundation and the Urban League of Metropolitan Denver. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, Cheryl was a Business Manager and Compliance Administrator for Northstar Investment Advisors. Cheryl studied Elementary Education/Education at Hastings College in Hastings, Nebraska where she was a member of the Women’s Basketball Team. She is also a past national member of the Association of Black Foundation Executives and regional member of the Rocky Mountain Region – Grants Managers Network. Outside of the office, Cheryl enjoys spending time with her husband, children and grandchildren and is an avid sports fan.
Dan Brascetta, CFP®
Wealth Advisor
Dan Brascetta is a Wealth Advisor for the Beacon Pointe Denver office and is responsible for providing personalized investment management and financial planning guidance. As a Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) with 10 years of investment management experience, Dan specializes in developing well-rounded financial plans that include specialized investment management strategies. Dan started his career in financial sales, working with Oppenheimer Funds and Charles Schwab as a Regional Investment Consultant, assisting advisors with investment management research, solutions and portfolio construction. Following the completion of his CFP® designation in 2019, Dan transitioned to comprehensive financial planning roles, advising clients on Investment Management, Retirement and Estate Planning, Taxes, and more. Dan attended Oregon State University on a wrestling scholarship, graduating with a degree in Economics and a minor in Business and Entrepreneurship. Outside of the office, Dan enjoys working with his wife, Gina, on their personal training business and coaching their three boys’ baseball and wrestling teams.
Dan McGilvray, CFA
Senior Wealth Advisor
Dan McGilvray is a Wealth Advisor for the Beacon Pointe Denver office and is responsible for partnering with Beacon Pointe’s investment and financial planning teams to provide customized solutions that help clients meet their financial goals. Dan began his career in wealth management working as an Equity Analyst at Kirr, Marbach, and Co., LLC, and had also previously served as a Financial Manager and Team Lead for the Air Force Space and Missile Center where his work earned him the Financial Management Civilian of the Year Award and an Air Force Commendation Award. Dan later served at the Director of Investment Management for Highland Private Wealth Management in Bellevue, WA, where he focused on asset allocation, fund manager due diligence, individual stock and bond research, and overall portfolio management. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, Dan was the Director of Portfolio Management at Northstar Investment Advisors. Dan attended the University of Colorado at Boulder, graduating with a degree in business administration and a minor in economics and earned a Master of Business Administration with minors in Strategic Accounting Analysis and Economic Consulting from Indiana University. Dan holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and is a graduate of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce Impact Denver Program which provides up-and-coming professionals with the knowledge, network and skills needed to enhance their impact on the community. Dan also recently graduated from Schwab’s Executive Leadership Program, which helps RIA executives develop leadership skills in key business functions. Dan serves on the finance committee for Cross Purpose, a Denver-based non-profit that provides job training and personal development programs and is an avid volunteer at his children’s schools. Outside of the office, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife and four sons, playing tennis, golf, or other outdoor activities, and traveling.
Fred Taylor
Partner, Managing Director
Fred Taylor is the Managing Director of the Beacon Pointe Advisors Denver office and is responsible for working with clients to meet their investment and income objectives. Fred has nearly four decades of experience in the financial services industry and began his career in 1984 on the municipal bond trading desk of Mabon Nugent in New York City. Over the course of his career, he worked for various financial institutions prior to founding Northstar Investment Advisors in 1995 to meet demand for wealth management in the Denver area. Fred is a past board member and chairman of the investment committees of Children’s Hospital Colorado, The Denver Foundation, the Colorado Zoological Trust, the Women’s Foundation of Colorado, and Kent Denver School. In recognition of his work with Denver’s non-profits, Fred was a recipient of the Denver Foundation’s 2017 Philanthropic Leadership Award and was in the first class of the Denver Business Journal’s 40 under 40 awards in 1997. From 2008 to 2010, Fred served as an economic advisor to Colorado Governor Bill Ritter and he is also a member of the Colorado Forum, a collection of business leaders focused on critical policy issues facing the state. Fred is a Colorado native and graduated cum laude from Middlebury College with honors in American History. He currently lives in Denver with his with wife, children and grandchildren.
James Franklin
Senior Client Service Associate
James is a Senior Client Service Associate and member of the Beacon Pointe Client Service Department. He is responsible for partnering with the firm’s investment and wealth management teams to provide an elevated service experience for clients. His duties include account administration, processing new and existing account paperwork, money transfers, communicating with clients, and assisting with day-to-day service requests. Prior to entering the financial services industry, James began his career in sales and customer service. He holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Colorado Denver Business School. Born and raised in Minnesota, James moved to Colorado to further his education. After gaining a strong passion for the Colorado lifestyle of hiking and snowboarding, he decided to make Denver his home. Aside from his outdoor endeavors, James’s free time is spent hanging out with his rescue dog, Jake and trying new recipes in the kitchen!
John Riecke
Operations Manager, Head Trader
John is the Operations Manager and Head Trader for Beacon Pointe’s Denver office. He is responsible for overseeing day-to-day firm operations, implementing policy and procedures, executing trades for retail and institutional accounts, and working closely with the client service team to provide an exceptional client experience. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, John worked at Envestnet and WealthTouch, Inc. before joining Northstar Investment Advisors. John holds a degree in Political Science from Southern Methodist University and is an avid volunteer in his neighborhood of Capitol Hill located in Denver, working with Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation & Capitol Hill United Neighborhood. He also enjoys engaging in city planning efforts to improve neighborhoods and transportation, and spending time with his wife.
Kiara Budd
Client Service Associate
Kiara is a member of the Beacon Pointe Client Service Department and is responsible for partnering with the firm’s investment and wealth management teams to provide an elevated service experience for clients. Her duties include account administration, processing new and existing account paperwork, money transfers, communicating with clients, and assisting with day-to-day service requests. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, Kiara worked as a Financial Professional with Equitable Advisors. Kiara graduated from Washburn University with a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her dog Ghost, traveling, watching the Denver Nuggets and Kansas City Chiefs, hiking, and spending time with family and friends.
Lexi Schmidt, CDFA®
Senior Associate Wealth Advisor
Lexi is a Senior Associate Wealth Advisor within the Beacon Pointe Denver office and is involved with all aspects of client service, financial planning, and account management. Lexi’s responsibilities include opening new accounts, money transfers, and other administrative requests. Lexi began her career in product marketing before entering the financial services industry. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, she was a Client Service Associate for Northstar Investment Advisors. Lexi holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Florida State University and holds the Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®) designation from the Institute for Divorce Financial Analyst. In her spare time, she enjoys skiing, hiking with her dog, traveling with family, and creating art and culinary masterpieces.
Seth Guenther, CIMA®, ChFC®, CLU®, CEBS®, CRPS®
Senior Wealth Advisor
Seth is a Senior Wealth Advisor at Beacon Pointe responsible for client service and new client development. He brings over 15 years of investment experience. As a Certified Investment Management Analyst, and a Chartered Financial Consultant, Seth specializes in portfolio construction, portfolio management and all phases of a financial plan to provide customized solutions for client goals. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, Seth was with Oppenheimer Funds where he worked as a consultant to Registered Investment Advisors (RIA). His previous role included portfolio analysis, business coaching, and finding ways to make RIA’s more efficient. Prior to Oppenheimer Funds, he worked with Mutual of America where he focused on non-profit organizations and foundations assisting with investment solutions and employee benefits. Seth graduated from Metropolitan State University of Denver with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Finance. Seth holds five industry designations CIMA®, ChFC®, CLU®, CEBS®, CRPS®. Seth enjoys anything sports related, coaching and traveling with his wife and five children.
Truett Davis
Client Service Associate
Truett is a member of the Beacon Pointe Client Service Department and is responsible for partnering with the firm’s investment and wealth management teams to provide an elevated service experience for clients. His duties include account administration, processing new and existing account paperwork, money transfers, communicating with clients, and assisting with day-to-day service requests. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, Truett worked as an orthopedic sales consultant where he sold surgical implants and devices. He decided to make the switch to finance after developing a passion for investing and helping people make sense of their complex financial journeys. Truett graduated from Colorado College with a bachelor’s degree in History and was a student-athlete. Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, Truett loves to spend time in the mountains with his family and friends and is an avid fly fisherman and skier.
Meet the Denver Financial Advisor Team
Bob Van Wetter
Partner, Managing Director
Bob Van Wetter is the Managing Director of the Beacon Pointe Advisors Denver office and is responsible for client service and new client development. Bob is energized by the challenge of helping his clients make sense of a changing world and developing strategies to build and preserve wealth. Bob first started working in the investment industry as a runner on the floor of the Pacific Stock Exchange starting in 1983. Bob co-founded Northstar Investment Advisors in 1995 to better serve individuals and families looking for wealth management services in the Denver area. Bob is a graduate of Dartmouth College and has served on a number of nonprofit boards, including the Colorado Ski Museum, the Children’s Museum of Denver, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, Denver B-Cycle and the finance committee of the Colorado Health Foundation. He currently serves as chair of the finance committee for the Lutheran Medical Foundation. Outside of the office, Bob enjoys being out in the mountains, participating in outdoor activities, and spending time with his wife and three grown children.
Charlie Farrell, J.D.,LL.M.
Partner, Managing Director
Charlie Farrell, J.D.,LL.M, is the Managing Director of the Beacon Pointe Advisors Denver office and is responsible for working with clients to meet their investment and income objectives. Charlie focuses on managing wealth for individuals, families, and business owners, providing the full continuum of personal and family wealth management, through all the phases of his clients’ financial lives. Charlie began his career as a tax attorney helping business owners establish and fund corporate retirement plans. While working with owners who eventually retired, Charlie often received questions from clients about how to live off their money during retirement. These conversations ultimately sparked Charlie’s desire to work in investment management, prompting him to leave the legal and tax field. Charlie is the author of the book, Your Money Ratios: 8 Simple Tools for Financial Security. He is also the author of a monthly column known as the “Road to Retirement” for the Denver Post and has contributed to numerous industry publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Money Magazine, Consumer Reports Money Advisor and Barron’s. Charlie has a bachelor’s degree from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA, and a law degree from The American University Washington College of Law in Washington, D.C., where he graduated summa cum laude. He also holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in taxation from the Case Western Reserve University School of Law. Charlie is a former board member of the Mountain Area Land Trust and the Denver Public Library Friends Foundation. Charlie currently resides in Golden, Colorado with his wife, and in his spare time enjoys fly fishing and riding horses.
Cheryl McDonald
Senior Office Management Associate
Cheryl is a Senior Office Management Associate and is responsible for a variety of tasks that ensure the smooth operation of the Denver office. Her responsibilities include client service, database organization, and general office management duties. Cheryl brings her stellar management and customer service skills to Beacon Pointe through many years of nonprofit work, having spent 12 years serving in the Programs Department at Rose Community Foundation and the Urban League of Metropolitan Denver. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, Cheryl was a Business Manager and Compliance Administrator for Northstar Investment Advisors. Cheryl studied Elementary Education/Education at Hastings College in Hastings, Nebraska where she was a member of the Women’s Basketball Team. She is also a past national member of the Association of Black Foundation Executives and regional member of the Rocky Mountain Region – Grants Managers Network. Outside of the office, Cheryl enjoys spending time with her husband, children and grandchildren and is an avid sports fan.
Dan Brascetta, CFP®
Wealth Advisor
Dan Brascetta is a Wealth Advisor for the Beacon Pointe Denver office and is responsible for providing personalized investment management and financial planning guidance. As a Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) with 10 years of investment management experience, Dan specializes in developing well-rounded financial plans that include specialized investment management strategies. Dan started his career in financial sales, working with Oppenheimer Funds and Charles Schwab as a Regional Investment Consultant, assisting advisors with investment management research, solutions and portfolio construction. Following the completion of his CFP® designation in 2019, Dan transitioned to comprehensive financial planning roles, advising clients on Investment Management, Retirement and Estate Planning, Taxes, and more. Dan attended Oregon State University on a wrestling scholarship, graduating with a degree in Economics and a minor in Business and Entrepreneurship. Outside of the office, Dan enjoys working with his wife, Gina, on their personal training business and coaching their three boys’ baseball and wrestling teams.
Dan McGilvray, CFA
Senior Wealth Advisor
Dan McGilvray is a Wealth Advisor for the Beacon Pointe Denver office and is responsible for partnering with Beacon Pointe’s investment and financial planning teams to provide customized solutions that help clients meet their financial goals. Dan began his career in wealth management working as an Equity Analyst at Kirr, Marbach, and Co., LLC, and had also previously served as a Financial Manager and Team Lead for the Air Force Space and Missile Center where his work earned him the Financial Management Civilian of the Year Award and an Air Force Commendation Award. Dan later served at the Director of Investment Management for Highland Private Wealth Management in Bellevue, WA, where he focused on asset allocation, fund manager due diligence, individual stock and bond research, and overall portfolio management. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, Dan was the Director of Portfolio Management at Northstar Investment Advisors. Dan attended the University of Colorado at Boulder, graduating with a degree in business administration and a minor in economics and earned a Master of Business Administration with minors in Strategic Accounting Analysis and Economic Consulting from Indiana University. Dan holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and is a graduate of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce Impact Denver Program which provides up-and-coming professionals with the knowledge, network and skills needed to enhance their impact on the community. Dan also recently graduated from Schwab’s Executive Leadership Program, which helps RIA executives develop leadership skills in key business functions. Dan serves on the finance committee for Cross Purpose, a Denver-based non-profit that provides job training and personal development programs and is an avid volunteer at his children’s schools. Outside of the office, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife and four sons, playing tennis, golf, or other outdoor activities, and traveling.
Fred Taylor
Partner, Managing Director
Fred Taylor is the Managing Director of the Beacon Pointe Advisors Denver office and is responsible for working with clients to meet their investment and income objectives. Fred has nearly four decades of experience in the financial services industry and began his career in 1984 on the municipal bond trading desk of Mabon Nugent in New York City. Over the course of his career, he worked for various financial institutions prior to founding Northstar Investment Advisors in 1995 to meet demand for wealth management in the Denver area. Fred is a past board member and chairman of the investment committees of Children’s Hospital Colorado, The Denver Foundation, the Colorado Zoological Trust, the Women’s Foundation of Colorado, and Kent Denver School. In recognition of his work with Denver’s non-profits, Fred was a recipient of the Denver Foundation’s 2017 Philanthropic Leadership Award and was in the first class of the Denver Business Journal’s 40 under 40 awards in 1997. From 2008 to 2010, Fred served as an economic advisor to Colorado Governor Bill Ritter and he is also a member of the Colorado Forum, a collection of business leaders focused on critical policy issues facing the state. Fred is a Colorado native and graduated cum laude from Middlebury College with honors in American History. He currently lives in Denver with his with wife, children and grandchildren.
James Franklin
Senior Client Service Associate
James is a Senior Client Service Associate and member of the Beacon Pointe Client Service Department. He is responsible for partnering with the firm’s investment and wealth management teams to provide an elevated service experience for clients. His duties include account administration, processing new and existing account paperwork, money transfers, communicating with clients, and assisting with day-to-day service requests. Prior to entering the financial services industry, James began his career in sales and customer service. He holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Colorado Denver Business School. Born and raised in Minnesota, James moved to Colorado to further his education. After gaining a strong passion for the Colorado lifestyle of hiking and snowboarding, he decided to make Denver his home. Aside from his outdoor endeavors, James’s free time is spent hanging out with his rescue dog, Jake and trying new recipes in the kitchen!
John Riecke
Operations Manager, Head Trader
John is the Operations Manager and Head Trader for Beacon Pointe’s Denver office. He is responsible for overseeing day-to-day firm operations, implementing policy and procedures, executing trades for retail and institutional accounts, and working closely with the client service team to provide an exceptional client experience. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, John worked at Envestnet and WealthTouch, Inc. before joining Northstar Investment Advisors. John holds a degree in Political Science from Southern Methodist University and is an avid volunteer in his neighborhood of Capitol Hill located in Denver, working with Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation & Capitol Hill United Neighborhood. He also enjoys engaging in city planning efforts to improve neighborhoods and transportation, and spending time with his wife.
Kiara Budd
Client Service Associate
Kiara is a member of the Beacon Pointe Client Service Department and is responsible for partnering with the firm’s investment and wealth management teams to provide an elevated service experience for clients. Her duties include account administration, processing new and existing account paperwork, money transfers, communicating with clients, and assisting with day-to-day service requests. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, Kiara worked as a Financial Professional with Equitable Advisors. Kiara graduated from Washburn University with a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her dog Ghost, traveling, watching the Denver Nuggets and Kansas City Chiefs, hiking, and spending time with family and friends.
Lexi Schmidt, CDFA®
Senior Associate Wealth Advisor
Lexi is a Senior Associate Wealth Advisor within the Beacon Pointe Denver office and is involved with all aspects of client service, financial planning, and account management. Lexi’s responsibilities include opening new accounts, money transfers, and other administrative requests. Lexi began her career in product marketing before entering the financial services industry. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, she was a Client Service Associate for Northstar Investment Advisors. Lexi holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Florida State University and holds the Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®) designation from the Institute for Divorce Financial Analyst. In her spare time, she enjoys skiing, hiking with her dog, traveling with family, and creating art and culinary masterpieces.
Seth Guenther, CIMA®, ChFC®, CLU®, CEBS®, CRPS®
Senior Wealth Advisor
Seth is a Senior Wealth Advisor at Beacon Pointe responsible for client service and new client development. He brings over 15 years of investment experience. As a Certified Investment Management Analyst, and a Chartered Financial Consultant, Seth specializes in portfolio construction, portfolio management and all phases of a financial plan to provide customized solutions for client goals. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, Seth was with Oppenheimer Funds where he worked as a consultant to Registered Investment Advisors (RIA). His previous role included portfolio analysis, business coaching, and finding ways to make RIA’s more efficient. Prior to Oppenheimer Funds, he worked with Mutual of America where he focused on non-profit organizations and foundations assisting with investment solutions and employee benefits. Seth graduated from Metropolitan State University of Denver with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Finance. Seth holds five industry designations CIMA®, ChFC®, CLU®, CEBS®, CRPS®. Seth enjoys anything sports related, coaching and traveling with his wife and five children.
Truett Davis
Client Service Associate
Truett is a member of the Beacon Pointe Client Service Department and is responsible for partnering with the firm’s investment and wealth management teams to provide an elevated service experience for clients. His duties include account administration, processing new and existing account paperwork, money transfers, communicating with clients, and assisting with day-to-day service requests. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, Truett worked as an orthopedic sales consultant where he sold surgical implants and devices. He decided to make the switch to finance after developing a passion for investing and helping people make sense of their complex financial journeys. Truett graduated from Colorado College with a bachelor’s degree in History and was a student-athlete. Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, Truett loves to spend time in the mountains with his family and friends and is an avid fly fisherman and skier.
Meet the Denver Financial Advisor Team
Bob Van Wetter
Partner, Managing Director
Bob Van Wetter is the Managing Director of the Beacon Pointe Advisors Denver office and is responsible for client service and new client development. Bob is energized by the challenge of helping his clients make sense of a changing world and developing strategies to build and preserve wealth. Bob first started working in the investment industry as a runner on the floor of the Pacific Stock Exchange starting in 1983. Bob co-founded Northstar Investment Advisors in 1995 to better serve individuals and families looking for wealth management services in the Denver area. Bob is a graduate of Dartmouth College and has served on a number of nonprofit boards, including the Colorado Ski Museum, the Children’s Museum of Denver, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, Denver B-Cycle and the finance committee of the Colorado Health Foundation. He currently serves as chair of the finance committee for the Lutheran Medical Foundation. Outside of the office, Bob enjoys being out in the mountains, participating in outdoor activities, and spending time with his wife and three grown children.
Charlie Farrell, J.D.,LL.M.
Partner, Managing Director
Charlie Farrell, J.D.,LL.M, is the Managing Director of the Beacon Pointe Advisors Denver office and is responsible for working with clients to meet their investment and income objectives. Charlie focuses on managing wealth for individuals, families, and business owners, providing the full continuum of personal and family wealth management, through all the phases of his clients’ financial lives. Charlie began his career as a tax attorney helping business owners establish and fund corporate retirement plans. While working with owners who eventually retired, Charlie often received questions from clients about how to live off their money during retirement. These conversations ultimately sparked Charlie’s desire to work in investment management, prompting him to leave the legal and tax field. Charlie is the author of the book, Your Money Ratios: 8 Simple Tools for Financial Security. He is also the author of a monthly column known as the “Road to Retirement” for the Denver Post and has contributed to numerous industry publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Money Magazine, Consumer Reports Money Advisor and Barron’s. Charlie has a bachelor’s degree from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA, and a law degree from The American University Washington College of Law in Washington, D.C., where he graduated summa cum laude. He also holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in taxation from the Case Western Reserve University School of Law. Charlie is a former board member of the Mountain Area Land Trust and the Denver Public Library Friends Foundation. Charlie currently resides in Golden, Colorado with his wife, and in his spare time enjoys fly fishing and riding horses.
Cheryl McDonald
Senior Office Management Associate
Cheryl is a Senior Office Management Associate and is responsible for a variety of tasks that ensure the smooth operation of the Denver office. Her responsibilities include client service, database organization, and general office management duties. Cheryl brings her stellar management and customer service skills to Beacon Pointe through many years of nonprofit work, having spent 12 years serving in the Programs Department at Rose Community Foundation and the Urban League of Metropolitan Denver. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, Cheryl was a Business Manager and Compliance Administrator for Northstar Investment Advisors. Cheryl studied Elementary Education/Education at Hastings College in Hastings, Nebraska where she was a member of the Women’s Basketball Team. She is also a past national member of the Association of Black Foundation Executives and regional member of the Rocky Mountain Region – Grants Managers Network. Outside of the office, Cheryl enjoys spending time with her husband, children and grandchildren and is an avid sports fan.
Dan Brascetta, CFP®
Wealth Advisor
Dan Brascetta is a Wealth Advisor for the Beacon Pointe Denver office and is responsible for providing personalized investment management and financial planning guidance. As a Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) with 10 years of investment management experience, Dan specializes in developing well-rounded financial plans that include specialized investment management strategies. Dan started his career in financial sales, working with Oppenheimer Funds and Charles Schwab as a Regional Investment Consultant, assisting advisors with investment management research, solutions and portfolio construction. Following the completion of his CFP® designation in 2019, Dan transitioned to comprehensive financial planning roles, advising clients on Investment Management, Retirement and Estate Planning, Taxes, and more. Dan attended Oregon State University on a wrestling scholarship, graduating with a degree in Economics and a minor in Business and Entrepreneurship. Outside of the office, Dan enjoys working with his wife, Gina, on their personal training business and coaching their three boys’ baseball and wrestling teams.
Dan McGilvray, CFA
Senior Wealth Advisor
Dan McGilvray is a Wealth Advisor for the Beacon Pointe Denver office and is responsible for partnering with Beacon Pointe’s investment and financial planning teams to provide customized solutions that help clients meet their financial goals. Dan began his career in wealth management working as an Equity Analyst at Kirr, Marbach, and Co., LLC, and had also previously served as a Financial Manager and Team Lead for the Air Force Space and Missile Center where his work earned him the Financial Management Civilian of the Year Award and an Air Force Commendation Award. Dan later served at the Director of Investment Management for Highland Private Wealth Management in Bellevue, WA, where he focused on asset allocation, fund manager due diligence, individual stock and bond research, and overall portfolio management. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, Dan was the Director of Portfolio Management at Northstar Investment Advisors. Dan attended the University of Colorado at Boulder, graduating with a degree in business administration and a minor in economics and earned a Master of Business Administration with minors in Strategic Accounting Analysis and Economic Consulting from Indiana University. Dan holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and is a graduate of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce Impact Denver Program which provides up-and-coming professionals with the knowledge, network and skills needed to enhance their impact on the community. Dan also recently graduated from Schwab’s Executive Leadership Program, which helps RIA executives develop leadership skills in key business functions. Dan serves on the finance committee for Cross Purpose, a Denver-based non-profit that provides job training and personal development programs and is an avid volunteer at his children’s schools. Outside of the office, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife and four sons, playing tennis, golf, or other outdoor activities, and traveling.
Fred Taylor
Partner, Managing Director
Fred Taylor is the Managing Director of the Beacon Pointe Advisors Denver office and is responsible for working with clients to meet their investment and income objectives. Fred has nearly four decades of experience in the financial services industry and began his career in 1984 on the municipal bond trading desk of Mabon Nugent in New York City. Over the course of his career, he worked for various financial institutions prior to founding Northstar Investment Advisors in 1995 to meet demand for wealth management in the Denver area. Fred is a past board member and chairman of the investment committees of Children’s Hospital Colorado, The Denver Foundation, the Colorado Zoological Trust, the Women’s Foundation of Colorado, and Kent Denver School. In recognition of his work with Denver’s non-profits, Fred was a recipient of the Denver Foundation’s 2017 Philanthropic Leadership Award and was in the first class of the Denver Business Journal’s 40 under 40 awards in 1997. From 2008 to 2010, Fred served as an economic advisor to Colorado Governor Bill Ritter and he is also a member of the Colorado Forum, a collection of business leaders focused on critical policy issues facing the state. Fred is a Colorado native and graduated cum laude from Middlebury College with honors in American History. He currently lives in Denver with his with wife, children and grandchildren.
James Franklin
Senior Client Service Associate
James is a Senior Client Service Associate and member of the Beacon Pointe Client Service Department. He is responsible for partnering with the firm’s investment and wealth management teams to provide an elevated service experience for clients. His duties include account administration, processing new and existing account paperwork, money transfers, communicating with clients, and assisting with day-to-day service requests. Prior to entering the financial services industry, James began his career in sales and customer service. He holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Colorado Denver Business School. Born and raised in Minnesota, James moved to Colorado to further his education. After gaining a strong passion for the Colorado lifestyle of hiking and snowboarding, he decided to make Denver his home. Aside from his outdoor endeavors, James’s free time is spent hanging out with his rescue dog, Jake and trying new recipes in the kitchen!
John Riecke
Operations Manager, Head Trader
John is the Operations Manager and Head Trader for Beacon Pointe’s Denver office. He is responsible for overseeing day-to-day firm operations, implementing policy and procedures, executing trades for retail and institutional accounts, and working closely with the client service team to provide an exceptional client experience. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, John worked at Envestnet and WealthTouch, Inc. before joining Northstar Investment Advisors. John holds a degree in Political Science from Southern Methodist University and is an avid volunteer in his neighborhood of Capitol Hill located in Denver, working with Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation & Capitol Hill United Neighborhood. He also enjoys engaging in city planning efforts to improve neighborhoods and transportation, and spending time with his wife.
Kiara Budd
Client Service Associate
Kiara is a member of the Beacon Pointe Client Service Department and is responsible for partnering with the firm’s investment and wealth management teams to provide an elevated service experience for clients. Her duties include account administration, processing new and existing account paperwork, money transfers, communicating with clients, and assisting with day-to-day service requests. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, Kiara worked as a Financial Professional with Equitable Advisors. Kiara graduated from Washburn University with a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her dog Ghost, traveling, watching the Denver Nuggets and Kansas City Chiefs, hiking, and spending time with family and friends.
Lexi Schmidt, CDFA®
Senior Associate Wealth Advisor
Lexi is a Senior Associate Wealth Advisor within the Beacon Pointe Denver office and is involved with all aspects of client service, financial planning, and account management. Lexi’s responsibilities include opening new accounts, money transfers, and other administrative requests. Lexi began her career in product marketing before entering the financial services industry. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, she was a Client Service Associate for Northstar Investment Advisors. Lexi holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Florida State University and holds the Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®) designation from the Institute for Divorce Financial Analyst. In her spare time, she enjoys skiing, hiking with her dog, traveling with family, and creating art and culinary masterpieces.
Seth Guenther, CIMA®, ChFC®, CLU®, CEBS®, CRPS®
Senior Wealth Advisor
Seth is a Senior Wealth Advisor at Beacon Pointe responsible for client service and new client development. He brings over 15 years of investment experience. As a Certified Investment Management Analyst, and a Chartered Financial Consultant, Seth specializes in portfolio construction, portfolio management and all phases of a financial plan to provide customized solutions for client goals. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, Seth was with Oppenheimer Funds where he worked as a consultant to Registered Investment Advisors (RIA). His previous role included portfolio analysis, business coaching, and finding ways to make RIA’s more efficient. Prior to Oppenheimer Funds, he worked with Mutual of America where he focused on non-profit organizations and foundations assisting with investment solutions and employee benefits. Seth graduated from Metropolitan State University of Denver with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Finance. Seth holds five industry designations CIMA®, ChFC®, CLU®, CEBS®, CRPS®. Seth enjoys anything sports related, coaching and traveling with his wife and five children.
Truett Davis
Client Service Associate
Truett is a member of the Beacon Pointe Client Service Department and is responsible for partnering with the firm’s investment and wealth management teams to provide an elevated service experience for clients. His duties include account administration, processing new and existing account paperwork, money transfers, communicating with clients, and assisting with day-to-day service requests. Prior to joining Beacon Pointe, Truett worked as an orthopedic sales consultant where he sold surgical implants and devices. He decided to make the switch to finance after developing a passion for investing and helping people make sense of their complex financial journeys. Truett graduated from Colorado College with a bachelor’s degree in History and was a student-athlete. Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, Truett loves to spend time in the mountains with his family and friends and is an avid fly fisherman and skier.
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