Joining the JFS team in early 2015, Lou brings over 40 years of experience helping entrepreneurs and business owners increase and manage their wealth, both in their businesses and in their other portfolios. Lou possesses extensive knowledge of investment management, wealth and estate planning, and family / privately-owned business consulting, especially in the business growth and transitions/exit planning areas.
In addition to holding CPA/PFS and CFP® credentials, Lou holds the Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) designation from the Exit Planning Institute, designed specifically for business advisors who work closely with owners of privately held companies in the areas of growing and managing business value, and planning succession, transitions, and monetizing events. CEPAs help business owners understand the current and future value of their business, both tangible and intangible, and which exit options best align with their business, personal and financial goals. The CEPA program is a widely accepted and endorsed professional exit planning program administered through the Exit Planning Institute.
Beginning in 2020, Lou founded a business owner service niche named the Business Growth & Transitions Team at JFS Wealth Advisors. With a formalized service line, Lou’s focus as the team’s Managing Director, along with the team, is to assist business owner clients with all aspects of Wealth Management as well as providing high-value solutions to assist in growing the value of their concentrated business investments, helping them prepare them for their transition to their retirement and/or “next acts” as they monetize their business in some way. This team has worked with dozens of clients since its launch and is growing rapidly.
A graduate of Youngstown State University, Lou earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and minored in business management and earned his CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT certification and Personal Financial Planning Specialist designation through the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. In addition, he has earned, the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification.
Prior to joining JFS, Lou launched and led a family office in Akron, OH, worked in the CPA / public accounting industry and held senior financial and operating management positions with several private companies, several of which successfully transitioned and/or exited.
In his free time, you might find Lou outdoors, fishing, golfing, hunting, hiking in nature, or spending time with family and friends.
