Capstone Announces Team Member Promotions and Transitions

We are pleased to share news of the promotions of our esteemed colleagues, marking a significant milestone in the growth of our team. Brian Niksa, CFP® has been promoted to Director of Financial Planning; Amber Salzman, FPQP™, has been promoted to Director of Client Service; Elizabeth A. Lardizabal, FPQP™, to Manager of Client Service; Alvaro Munoz to Research Analyst & Senior Trader; and Maria Navarro to Financial Planner.

In addition, we are pleased to announce that Claribel Herrera has moved into a new role as Human Resources Senior Assistant; Mallory Spann has transitioned into an expanded role focused on Tax and Business Development; and Rosie Warren has taken on a new role as both Marketing Specialist and Senior Portfolio Operations Analyst.

At Capstone, we firmly believe that our people are our greatest asset. These advancements are a testament to our unwavering commitment to nurturing and promoting top talent from within. We recognize and celebrate our team members' exceptional performance and dedication, who consistently deliver superior client services.

Brian Niksa, CFP®

Brian joined Capstone in 2009 and has served as a Senior Wealth Advisor for the past nine years, establishing strong relationships with clients and earning respect from his colleagues across the organization. As the Director of Financial Planning, he will ensure that Capstone's advisory teams have the necessary resources to maintain the highest standards of service for clients consistently and effectively. His responsibilities will include overseeing the equitable distribution of advisory team resources, coordinating business development initiatives, and promoting collaboration with other departments on matters affecting service teams, such as income tax, investments, human resources, marketing, and operations. This strategic role is essential for supporting the firm's ongoing growth, long-term business continuity, and integrating best practices. Brian's selection for this position reflects his significant contributions and leadership during his time at Capstone and his unwavering passion for optimizing the performance of our advisory teams.

Amber Salzman, FPQP™

Amber has been a vital member of our Capstone Team for over 12 years, exemplifying outstanding leadership, commitment, and innovation throughout her tenure. Under her stewardship, the Client Service Team has consistently surpassed expectations, providing exceptional support to our clients and contributing to the firm's ability to cultivate enduring relationships. In her new position, Amber will oversee all elements of the client journey at Capstone, ensuring that our client interactions exemplify our dedication to excellence.

Elizabeth A. Lardizabal, FPQP™

Since joining Capstone in 2015, Liz has contributed to the organization in a lasting and increasingly positive manner. Her extensive understanding of Capstone's processes, procedures, and custodial partnerships equips her to navigate even the most intricate client situations with innovative solutions. Liz is widely acknowledged as a reliable resource for her colleagues, who frequently seek her counsel due to her expertise, problem-solving capabilities, and readiness to assist with substantial and minor challenges. Furthermore, Liz's unwavering commitment to the success and growth of the organization actively cultivates a culture of teamwork and collaboration.

Alvaro Munoz

Alvaro joined Capstone in November 2023 and quickly took charge of the company's centralized trading platform. He has effectively supported the firm's trading processes, ensuring that asset allocation, security changes, rebalancing, and tax-loss harvesting are completed efficiently. In his new role, Alvaro will continue to oversee the firm's trading operations while dedicating more time to investment research and due diligence efforts to expand Capstone's investment solutions further.

Maria Navarro

Maria joined Capstone as a Financial Analyst in 2023 after graduating from the University of Illinois with degrees in Operations Management, Marketing, and Financial Planning. Since joining the team, she has proven invaluable, consistently demonstrating strong analytical skills and outstanding collaboration with colleagues and clients. In addition to excelling in her daily responsibilities, Maria is committed to her professional growth, which highlights her dedication to advancing her skills and knowledge in financial planning.

Claribel Hererra

Since joining Capstone in 2012, Claribel has harnessed her exceptional people skills, which are a tremendous asset to our team, along with her technical expertise and Capstone know-how to achieve remarkable results. As she moves forward, Claribel will support a wide range of human resource activities, playing a vital role in ensuring the smooth operation of HR processes across the firm.

Mallory Spann

Mallory joined Capstone in 2019 and has been instrumental in various areas, offering guidance and solutions that streamline processes and improve efficiency.  Her willingness to assist others and share her knowledge has made her an indispensable resource for her colleagues. In her expanded role, her responsibilities will focus on supporting the tax team and helping to optimize the firm's tax processes throughout the year. 

Rosie Warren, IACCP®

Rosie joined Capstone in 2015. She has been a fundamental member of Capstone's portfolio operations team for several years. In her newly expanded role, she will formally enhance her focus on marketing to address the firm's increasing demands in this area. Concurrently, she will continue supporting the firm's portfolio operations, billing, and compliance functions. This transition will enable Rosie to undertake more strategic marketing initiatives over time in alignment with her broader skill set.

We are excited to see Brian, Amber, Liz, Alvaro, Maria, Claribel, Mallory, and Rosie thrive in their new positions. Congratulations to them on their advancements!

Capstone Financial Advisors is an independent financial advisory firm built on a solid foundation of market knowledge and personalized client service. Our team of professionals is committed to helping our clients enhance their financial success and achieve their dreams. The core of Capstone's client service structure is our Service Teams, consisting of Senior Wealth Advisors, Wealth Advisors, Financial Planners, and Client Service Specialists. 

Disclosures:

This article is not a substitute for personalized advice from Capstone and nothing contained in this presentation is intended to constitute legal, tax, accounting, securities, or investment advice, nor an opinion regarding the appropriateness of any investment, nor a solicitation of any type. This article is current only as of the date on which it was sent. The statements and opinions expressed are, however, subject to change without notice based on market and other conditions and may differ from opinions expressed by other businesses and activities of Capstone. Descriptions of Capstone’s process and strategies are based on general practice, and we may make exceptions in specific cases. A copy of our current written disclosure statement discussing our advisory services and fees is available for your review by contacting us at capstonefinancialadvisors@capstone-advisors.com or (630) 446-6479.