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 Counselor
Paul joined the firm in 2021 to manage private client portfolios and 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.
Denise Barber
Private Client Experience Leader
Denise joined the firm in 2014 to assist the Investment Counselors in developing and maintaining private client relationships within the firm by providing the highest level of client service.
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®
Senior Investment Counselor
Cheryl joined the firm in 2009 to manage private client portfolios and relationships within the firm.
Cheryl holds a Bachelor of Science, Business Administration - Finance from the University of Colorado Leeds School of Business.
Nancy LaBenne
Senior Client Experience Specialist
Nancy joined the firm in 2016 to assist the Investment Counselors in developing and maintaining private client relationships within the firm by providing the highest level of client service.
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 Counselor
William joined the firm in 2021 to manage private client portfolios and 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
Managing Partner
JJ Modell joined the firm in 2011. JJ leads the Clarkston Private Client division and is co-manager of its fixed income and large-cap equity strategies.
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.
Maureen Nagy
Client Experience Specialist
Maureen E. Nagy joined the firm in 2024 to assist the Investment Advisors in developing and maintaining Private Client relationships
by providing the highest level of client service.
Prior to joining Clarkston, Maureen served as an Administrative Finance Assistant for ENMET LLC and as a Senior Mortgage Underwriter for United Wholesale Mortgage and
HomeBridge Financial.
Maureen holds a Bachelor of Arts, Finance and Risk Management from Northern Michigan University.
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.
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 Counselor
Xander joined the firm in 2015. In his current role, he manages
Private Client portfolios and relationships within the firm, in addition
to planning and forecasting for those Private Client individuals and families. Xander also continues to assist in managing the fixed
income strategy for the firm.
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 and a Master of Arts, Sports Management
from Wayne State University.
Rebecca G. Wagner, CFP®
Investment Counselor
Becca joined the firm in 2021 to assist with the management of private client portfolios and 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.