ISTHMUS PARTNERS - Key Persons
Brandon Cloete joined Isthmus Partners in August 2022 as a Financial Planning & Portfolio Management Specialist. Before joining the firm, he was a Financial Advisor at Robert W. Baird focusing on comprehensive wealth management and financial planning for his clients. Brandon also previously served as an Internal Consultant at Investec Wealth & Investment in his home country of South Africa. Before beginning his career in financial services, Brandon played professional golf on both the USA and South African circuits. Brandon earned his bachelor's degree from Marquette University, where he studied Finance, with a concentration in Applied Investment Management. Brandon Cloete is a Certified Financial Planner™ professional.
Bruce Fox began his career in the financial services industry in 1990 as an Account Manager for an insurance brokerage firm. In 1994, Bruce became the regional Finance Director for Governor Tommy Thompson's 1994 gubernatorial campaign. Following the campaign, he worked for five years at the Wisconsin Department of Commerce. Bruce joined US Bank's Private Client Reserve in 2000 as Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager and spent 16 years providing integrated investment services to high-net-worth clients and institutions. In 2016, Bruce joined Isthmus Partners specializing in comprehensive investment planning and portfolio management for individuals, corporations and non-profit organizations. Bruce earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Vanderbilt University and a Master's of Business Administration degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Job Titles:
- Chief Investment Officer
- Founding Partner
- Founding Partners
Founding partners David A. Hackworthy, Victor E. Rodriguez, Frank J. Gambino, CFA and Joel C. McNeil, CFP® have worked together since 2003. In 2014, they founded Isthmus Partners as an independent asset management firm. The origins of Isthmus Partners client assets date back 75 years. Built on honesty and integrity, we have applied the same high quality core investment tenets for over three generations.
David Hackworthy started his career in the financial services industry in 1985 as a Research Analyst and Portfolio Manager for a large regional trust department. He joined HGMR Investment Management when it incepted in 1998 after previously managing the Appleton, Wisconsin, office of Baird Investment Management, which he joined in 1990. David is a founding partner of Isthmus Partners, LLC. David's primary responsibilities include managing the firm's business functions, performing the duties of Chief Investment Officer, managing client portfolios and conducting equity research. He co-chairs the firm's Equity Investment Committee and is a member of the firm's Senior Leadership Committee. David is a graduate of Iowa State University, where he received a bachelor's degree in Finance.
Job Titles:
- Client Services Administrator
- Client Services Administrator Read More
Eric began his career in the financial services industry in 2015. Previously, Eric was a branch manager at Park Bank focused on providing top-tier client service. In March 2021, Eric joined Isthmus Partners as a Client Services Administrator. Eric's primary responsibilities include providing exceptional service to the firm's clients, monitoring client accounts and new relationship onboarding. Eric graduated from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, having earned a bachelor's degree with a double major in Finance and Economics.
Job Titles:
- Founding Partner
- Founding Partner / Chief Equity Strategist
Frank Gambino began his career in the financial services industry in 1990 as a Credit Analyst. In 1993, he joined Johnson Asset Management as an Equity Analyst and Portfolio Manager for institutional and high-net-worth equity portfolios. He joined HGMR Investment Management in 2000 and is a founding partner of Isthmus Partners, LLC. Frank's primary responsibilities include managing the firm's Small and Large Cap Core Equity strategies, leading the firm's domestic equity research process, conducting equity research and managing client portfolios. Frank also leads the firm's institutional business development, co-chairs the firm's Equity Investment Committee and is a member of the firm's Senior Leadership Committee. Frank earned his bachelor's degree in Finance, Investment and Banking and Risk Management and Insurance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a master's degree in business administration in Accounting and Analytic Finance from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He has earned the right to use the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society Madison.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner, Senior Equity Analyst
Jeremy Baier began his investment industry career in 2005 as an analyst with HGMR Investment Management. He is responsible for conducting equity research for the Large and Small Cap Core portfolios. Jeremy is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a bachelor's degree in Finance, Investment and Banking and received his master's degree in business administration through the Applied Securities Analysis Program (ASAP) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Business. He has earned the right to use the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society Madison.
Joe McNeil began his financial services industry career in 1991 with Robert W. Baird & Co., as a Financial Advisor. Prior to joining HGMR Investment Management in 2002, Joe held senior positions with US Bank and Strong Capital Management. Before entering financial services, he worked as a Legislative Assistant in Washington D.C. for both a U.S. Senator and Congressman. Joe is a founding partner of Isthmus Partners, LLC where he directs Advisory Services for the firm. He specializes in comprehensive investment planning and portfolio management for individuals, corporations and non-profit organizations. Joe earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he studied Political Science, Economics and History. Joel C. McNeil is a Certified Financial Planner™ professional.
Job Titles:
- Senior Equity Analyst
- Senior Equity Analyst Read More
Joe Edelstein joined Isthmus Partners in 2022 and is responsible for conducting domestic equity research. Before joining the firm, he served as a Research Analyst at Johnson Investment Counsel, Inc. as the lead consumer staples and consumer discretionary analyst where he supported the large cap equity income strategy, was a voting member of the small-mid cap core equity product team, and co-managed a concentrated large cap growth strategy. Joe previously served as Vice President/Research Analyst at Stephens Inc. where he developed and led the Healthy Living practice, having first joined as a Research Associate following business school. Joe has also held equity research roles at BMO Capital Markets and Raymond James Financial. He graduated with a BSBA, cum laude, degree from The University of Arkansas and an MBA from Emory University's Goizueta Business School. He has earned the right to use the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member of the CFA Institute and the Madison CFA Society.
Job Titles:
- Portfolio Manager
- Portfolio Manager Read More
Noel Goeddel began his career in the financial services industry in 1997 as a member of the Private Client Group at Bank of America. In 1999, he joined Holt-Smith Advisors, Inc. where he was an Equity Analyst. During his thirteen year tenure with Holt-Smith Advisors, he launched their Large Cap Value strategy and was the strategy's lead Portfolio Manager for institutional and high-net-worth portfolios. He was also a member of the equity investment committee. Prior to joining Isthmus Partners in 2016, Noel was Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager at US Bank's Private Client Reserve. Noel specializes in comprehensive investment planning and portfolio management for individuals, corporations and non-profit organizations. Noel earned his bachelor's degree in Finance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He has earned the right to use the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society Madison, having served as President and Board Member.
Job Titles:
- Operations Analyst
- Operations Analyst Read More
Becky Wiegand began her investment industry career in 2005 as a Portfolio Management Specialist with HGMR Investment Management. Becky spent 14 years at Baird in several different capacities including a Senior Financial Analyst for Private Wealth Management and a Senior Product Manager overseeing the firm's rep portfolio manager program. She joined Isthmus Partners, LLC in 2021 as an Operations Analyst. Becky's primary responsibilities include portfolio operations management, performance reporting and database population. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin at La Crosse having earned a bachelor's degree in Finance with an emphasis in Accounting.
Job Titles:
- Director of Marketing
- Director of Marketing & Strategic Initiatives
- Director of Marketing & Strategic Initiatives Read More
Sara Trachte began her career in the financial services industry in 2000. Previously, Sara was a Relationship Manager at Wells Capital Management (WellsCap) focused on providing client service to the firm's institutional fixed income clients. Prior to joining WellsCap in 2005, she was a member of the fixed income client service team at Strong Capital Management. Sara is responsible for managing the firm's marketing and special project initiatives. Sara also serves as the primary client service professional for institutional clients. She graduated with distinction from the University of Wisconsin-Madison having earned a bachelor's degree in Psychology. She received her master's degree in business administration from Marquette University.
Job Titles:
- Director of Client Services
- Director of Client Services Read More
Tom Simpson began his financial services career in 1994 as a floor clerk in the 30-year Treasury Bond Option pit of the Chicago Board of Trade. After pursuing a non-financial career opportunity for five years, Tom re-entered the financial services industry in 2000 as a registered representative of Wall Street Discounts, Corp. In September 2005, Tom became the branch manager of the Madison office for Wisconsin Discount Securities, Inc. and continued in that role until joining Isthmus Partners, LLC in June 2014. Tom's primary responsibilities include new relationship onboarding, client account monitoring and providing exceptional client service to the firm's high-net-worth clients. Tom also serves on the firm's Fixed Income and International investment committees. Tom graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison having earned a bachelor's degree in Economics.
Job Titles:
- Founding Partner
- Founding Partner / Chief Operating Officer Read More
Victor Rodriguez began his career as a taxable fixed-income trader. Prior to joining HGMR Investment Management in 2003, Victor was the CEO of Meridian Manufacturing Corp., an industrial fabrics supplier headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. During his nine year tenure, revenues grew over fourfold due to an emphasis on customer service excellence. Victor is a founding partner of Isthmus Partners, LLC. Victor is responsible for all operational functions of the firm. He provides the leadership and vision to ensure the firm has the proper controls in place to maintain financial integrity, operational efficiency as well as the resources needed to effectively grow the firm. Victor attended the University of Tennessee and is a graduate of Christian Brothers University, where he received a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. He received his master's degree in business administration from Loyola University.