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 Investment Advisor
Paul joined the firm in 2021 to manage private client portfolios and relationships within the firm.
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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.
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Paul holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts from Arizona State University.
Christian Atabong
Portfolio Specialist
Chris joined the firm in 2022 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 to assist the Investment Advisors in developing and maintaining private client relationships within the firm by providing the highest level of client service.
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Prior to joining Clarkston, Denise served as a Client Service Coordinator for C. Curtis Financial Group.
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Denise holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Eastern Michigan University.
Cheryl Kassab, CFP®
Senior Investment Advisor
Cheryl joined the firm in 2009 to manage private client portfolios and relationships within the firm.
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Cheryl holds a Bachelor of Science, Business Administration - Finance from the University of Colorado Leeds School of Business.
Dianne Koppenhagen
Client Service Administrator
Dianne joined the firm in 2023 to assist the Investment Advisors in maintaining private client relationships within the firm by providing the highest level of client service.
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 to assist the Client Service Manager in developing and maintaining private client relationships within the firm by providing the highest level of client service.
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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®
Senior Investment Advisor
William joined the firm in 2021 to manage private client portfolios and relationships within the firm.
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Prior to joining Clarkston, William was a senior portfolio manager with Ironwood Investment Counsel, LLC.
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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
Managing Partner
JJ Modell joined the firm in 2011. JJ leads Clarkston's Private Client division and is co-manager of its fixed income and large-cap equity strategies.
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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.
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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
Jeff joined the firm in 2021 to manage private client portfolios and relationships within the firm. Jeff leads our Arizona office and is co-manager of the Private Client division fixed income and large-cap equity strategies.
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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.
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Jeffrey holds a Master of Taxation from Arizona State University and a Bachelor of Arts, Accounting from Michigan State University.
Megan Shiffra
Client Service Administrator
Megan joined the firm in 2021 to assist the Investment Advisors in maintaining private client relationships within the firm by providing the highest level of client service.
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Prior to joining Clarkston, Megan was an associate with Ironwood Investment Counsel, LLC.
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Megan holds a Bachelor of Arts from Texas Christian University.
Alexander Strek, CFIP, CFP®
Investment Advisor
Xander joined the firm in 2015 to assist in business development, maintaining client relationships, portfolio analyses and fixed income management.
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Prior to joining Clarkston, Xander served as a Financial Planning Specialist for the Southeast Michigan Complex of Morgan Stanley.
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Xander holds a Bachelor of Arts, Psychology from Grinnell College.
Rebecca G. Wagner, CFP®
Portfolio Specialist
Becca joined the firm in 2021 to assist with the management of private client portfolios and relationships within the firm.
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Prior to joining Clarkston, Rebecca was an associate with Ironwood Investment Counsel, LLC.
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Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Arts, Economics from Indiana University.
Steve Wloszek, CFA, CFP®
Chief Operating Officer — Private Client Division
Steve joined the firm in 2012. Steve works with the research team, implementing the firm's investment philosophy administering and maintaining client accounts in accordance with investment strategies.
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Prior to joining Clarkston, Steve served as Research Analyst/Investment Associate for R.H. Bluestein & Company.
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Steve holds a Bachelor of Arts, Finance and Commercial Law with a minor in Business Administration from Western Michigan University Haworth College of Business.