Meet Our Team
Partnering with our clients to help grow and preserve their capital is a primary focus of our Private Client team. We build strong relationships with our clients as we assist them with meeting their financial goals. Our team seeks to deliver sound advice and dedicated service by working strategically with our clients to prioritize their investment needs while emphasizing long-term results and lasting relationships.
Paul Alston, CFA
Senior Director, Portfolio Manager
Paul joined Clarkston in 2021 to manage private client relationships within the firm.
Prior to joining Clarkston, Paul was a portfolio manager and founding partner of Ironwood Investment Counsel, LLC and the Chief Investment Officer of Bank of America Capital Management, Arizona.
Paul holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts from Arizona State University.
Christian Atabong
Portfolio Specialist
Christian joined the firm in 2021 to assist with the management and development of private client relationships within the firm.
Prior to joining Clarkston, Christian served as an External Audit Intern for PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP.
Christian holds a Bachelor of Arts, Accounting from Michigan State University.
Denise Barber
Client Service Manager
Denise joined the firm in 2014 as a Client Service Manager. In this role, Denise seeks to provide a high level of service by collaborating with high-net-worth clients and the firm's Investment Advisors to address the various administrative requirements of the investment advisory relationship.
Prior to joining Clarkston, Denise served as a Client Service Coordinator for C. Curtis Financial Group.
Denise holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Eastern Michigan University.
Cheryl Kassab, CFP®
Investment Advisor
Cheryl joined the firm in 2009 as an Investment Advisor. In that role, Cheryl provides investment management advice to the firm’s high-net-worth clients.
Cheryl holds a Bachelor of Science, Business Administration - Finance from the University of Colorado Leeds School of Business.
Dianne Koppenhagen
Client Service Operations Administrator
Dianne joined Clarkston in 2023 to assist with the management of private client relationships within the firm.
Prior to joining Clarkston, Dianne served a variety of industries in the capacity of commercial operations manager.
Dianne holds a Bachelor of Arts, Graphic Design.
Nancy LaBenne
Client Service Administrator
Nancy joined the firm in 2016 as a Client Service Administrator to assist the Client Service Manager in seeking to provide a high level of service by collaborating with high-net-worth clients and the firm's Investment Advisors to address the various administrative requirements of the investment advisory relationship.
Prior to joining Clarkston, Nancy served as an Operations Representative for Raymond James and a Client Service Representative for C. Curtis Financial Group.
William Lee, CFA, CFP®
Director, Portfolio Manager
William joined Clarkston in 2021 to manage private client relationships within the firm.
Prior to joining Clarkston, William was a senior portfolio manager with Ironwood Investment Counsel, LLC.
William holds a Master of Security Analysis and Portfolio Management from Creighton University and a Bachelor of Arts, Finance from Arizona State University.
Jeremy J. Modell
Partner
JJ Modell joined the firm as a Partner in 2011. JJ is the head of the Private Client Division of Clarkston and leads the firm’s fixed income strategy.
Prior to becoming a Partner in Clarkston, JJ served as Managing Director and Portfolio Manager at R.H. Bluestein & Company and as a Financial Consultant and a Vice President at Smith Barney, Inc. In addition, JJ served as a Research Analyst at Times Square Capital Management.
JJ holds a Bachelor of Arts, Business Economics from Brown University and a Master of Business Administration, Finance from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business.
Jeffrey Shiffra, CFA, CPA
Partner
Jeffrey joined Clarkston in 2021 to manage private client relationships within the firm.
Prior to joining Clarkston, Jeff was a portfolio manager and founding partner of Ironwood Investment Counsel, LLC, senior portfolio manager with Bank of America Private Bank, and manager in the Private Client Services division of Arthur Andersen, LLP.
Jeffrey holds a Master of Taxation from Arizona State University and a Bachelor of Arts, Accounting from Michigan State University.
Alexander Strek, CFIP, CFP®
Investment Advisor
Xander joined the firm in 2015 to assist the head of the firm’s high-net-worth division. In his role, he focuses on business development, maintaining client relationships, portfolio analyses and fixed income management.
Prior to joining Clarkston, Xander served as a Financial Planning Specialist for the Southeast Michigan Complex of Morgan Stanley.
Xander holds a Bachelor of Arts, Psychology from Grinnell College.
Rebecca G. Wagner, CFP®
Portfolio Specialist
Rebecca joined Clarkston in 2021 to assist with the management of private client relationships within the firm.
Prior to joining Clarkston, Rebecca was an associate with Ironwood Investment Counsel, LLC.
Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Arts, Economics from Indiana University.
Steve Wloszek, CFA, CFP®
Director, Portfolio Risk Management
Steve joined the firm in 2012. In his current role, Steve works with the research team and the firm’s Investment Advisors to implement the firm's investment philosophy by administering and monitoring client accounts in accordance with applicable investment strategies.
Prior to joining Clarkston, Steve served as Research Analyst/Investment Associate for R.H. Bluestein & Company.
Steve holds a Bachelor of Arts, Finance and Commercial Law with a minor in Business Administration from Western Michigan University Haworth College of Business.