Private wealth advisors you can rely on.

"The hardest thing to do in investing is nothing.”  — Charlie Munger

Background and education

Jeff has an extensive background in the wealth management industry, with over 37 years of experience. His background includes running equity portfolios benchmarked to the S&P 500. As Managing Director of SKS Group of Wells Fargo Advisors, his main responsibility is growing, managing, and preserving the assets of his clients, including family offices, professional athletes, high net worth families, and executives of public companies. As a PIM¹ portfolio manager and a 2023 Wells Fargo Platinum Council Advisor², Jeff works to meet clients' specific investment goals through customized portfolio management.

What sets Jeff apart is his unique perspective on wealth management. Throughout his career, he has not only built and run equity portfolios but has also managed branches at Tucker Anthony RBC Dain Raucher and Merrill Lynch. This dual experience has made him a results-oriented investment professional who is dedicated to adding value for his clients and his team. Jeff started his career with Lehman Brothers Kuhn Loeb in its Global Private Client Group. He is a graduate of Bowdoin College.

Planning and investment process

When it comes to working with clients, Jeff and his team at the SKS Group believe in a personalized approach. They have a disciplined and structured process that aims to create personalized investment portfolios tailored to each client's goals and objectives. In the initial meeting, they take the time to ask questions, listen to concerns, and have a conversation to understand the client's situation. This helps them uncover and prioritize the client's current investment goals and future aspirations.

Once they have a clear understanding of the client's situation, the team analyzes their current investment plan and financial situation. This comprehensive analysis takes into account various factors such as employer-sponsored retirement assets, deferred compensation, tax situation, family dynamics, and more. Based on this analysis, they design a comprehensive plan that considers the client's total wealth picture. Once the plan is agreed upon, Jeff and his team implement the investment recommendations to help the client achieve their goals. They also remain readily available to answer any questions or make adjustments to the plan as needed.

Away from the office
Jeff enjoys golfing, fly fishing, and giving back through his involvement with at Bowdoin College. He is also a Patron of MFA (Museum of Fine Arts) Boston. Jeff and his wife live in Boston's South End and have two grown children.

¹As PIM portfolio manager, Jeff has met stringent criteria based on experience and expertise and acts as a personal portfolio manager. The Private Investment Management (PIM) program is not appropriate for all investors. Please carefully review the Wells Fargo Advisors advisory disclosure document for a full description of our services. The minimum account size for this program is $1,000,000.
² The Platinum Council (previously known as Premier Advisor) distinction is held by a select group of Financial Advisors within WFA as measured by completion of educational components, business production based on the past year, and professionalism. Additional criteria, best practices and team structure may also be used to determine recipients.

"The only value of stock forecasters is to make fortune-tellers look good.” — Warren Buffett

 

Background and education

As a PIM¹ Portfolio Manager with over thirty years in the financial services industry, Art has acquired a unique perspective on investment strategies throughout his career. He goes beyond relying solely on numbers and agency ratings, using his wealth of experience to help identify investment opportunities and navigate around potential obstacles.

A graduate of Babson College, Art's journey in the financial services industry began after transitioning from a pharmaceutical sales job. He discovered his passion for finance and pursued it further. As a Financial Advisor, Art has worked for industry leaders including JP Morgan Securities, Merrill Lynch, Tucker Anthony, and Lehman. In 2017, he and the team formed SKS Group at Bank First Republic, which transitioned to Wells Fargo Advisors in 2023. Backed by the strength and resources of Wells Fargo Advisors and its affiliates, Art continues to focus on serving the complex wealth management needs of family offices, business owners, professionals, executives, and non-profits. The team is able to tap Wells Fargo & Company's investment specialists and capabilities spanning multiple financial interests and sectors to craft unique solutions that align with their clients' objectives and ambitions.

Art's interest in economics, mathematics, and risk began in high school when he learned about the infamous stock market crash of 1929 and its far-reaching consequences. This curiosity propelled him into the world of finance, where he gained extensive experience and knowledge of fixed income strategies. In his role at SKS Group, Art manages the team's fixed income portfolios tailored to various objectives. He offers a unique perspective on fixed income investing based on his experience and adds value by incorporating alternative income producing securities into traditional portfolios. Art also handles corporate cash, structured investments, and options strategies.

One of Art's greatest joys is working with people. He takes pride in helping clients and their families achieve their long-term financial goals and assisting small business owners in growing their investment portfolios to bring stability to their businesses. Art guides his clients with the mantra of “time in the markets beats timing the markets,” emphasizing the importance of patience in reaching investment goals.

Away from the office

Art and his wife live in Hamilton, Massachusetts, and have four grown children. In the winter you can find Art on the slopes of his favorite New England ski area, while in the summer, he enjoys spending time in Maine, and participating in automobile events. Fluent in Greek, Art fills his free time volunteering within the local Greek community.

¹ As PIM portfolio manager, Art has met stringent criteria based on experience and expertise and acts as a personal portfolio manager. The Private Investment Management (PIM) program is not appropriate for all investors. Please carefully review the Wells Fargo Advisors advisory disclosure document for a full description of our services. The minimum account size for this program is $1,000,000.

Investments in fixed-income securities are subject to market, interest rate, credit and other risks. Bond prices fluctuate inversely to changes in interest rates. Therefore, a general rise in interest rates can cause a bond’s price to fall. Credit risk is the risk that an issuer will default on payments of interest and/or principal. This risk is heightened in lower rated bonds. If sold prior to maturity, fixed income securities are subject to market risk. All fixed incomeinvestments may be worth less than their original cost upon redemption or maturity.

"Someone's sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.”  — Warren Buffett

Background and education

Okita Sevi is a Managing Director and Private Investment Management (PIM¹) Portfolio Manager of SKS Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors. The Wells Fargo PIM program is designed to meet clients' specific investment goals through customized portfolio management. Okita's focus is on researching outside investment managers, alternative investments, and annuity solutions for clients. She has over 23 years of experience in the financial services industry.

Prior to joining Wells Fargo Advisors in 2023, she worked at First Republic Securities Corp., J.P. Morgan Securities, Merrill Lynch, and Bank of America. Okita earned a Business Administration and Marketing degree (BSBA) at Tirana University in Albania. Additionally, Okita has earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^TM practitioner and CRPC^® designations. To obtain the CFP^® designation, she completed rigorous courses and examinations and committed to abiding by the CFP^® Board's Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct. Okita also has her mortgage license - Individual NMLS ID: 652366.*

Okita's clients include family offices, professional talent, senior executives of public institutions, and high net worth families. Working with Okita and the team, clients receive an exceptional wealth planning experience delivered through the team's personalized service and tailored solutions—all backed by the resources of one of the largest global financial institutions.

When creating sophisticated wealth plans, Okita assembles a team of professionals that work together to understand the client, their family and their financial circumstances. They develop custom strategies that help support each aspect of the client's financial life. Okita enjoys helping clients plan for their future by putting legacy plans in place to help manage and protect family wealth. She develops personal relationships with clients and stays connected with them as she works with their attorneys, accountants, and other professionals to help address their complex wealth management challenges. Okita is known for her deep experience, wisdom and personalized care.

Away from the office

Okita is a very active person who enjoys playing volleyball, pickleball, and taking daily walks. She and her husband reside in Westwood, Massachusetts, and have two adult sons. The family enjoys regular vacations together.

¹ As PIM portfolio manager, Okita has met stringent criteria based on experience and expertise and acts as a personal portfolio manager. The Private Investment Management (PIM) program is not appropriate for all investors. Please carefully review the Wells Fargo Advisors advisory disclosure document for a full description of our services. The minimum account size for this program is $1,000,000.

“A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes. It is a catalyst, and it sparks extraordinary results.”  – Wade Boggs

 

Background and education

Lorna’s love for knowledge and organization can be traced back to her first job in college as a librarian at the University of Puerto Rico, where she graduated with a degree in agriculture. A task she finds relaxing and meditative, she has channeled her passion for clarity and wisdom into her career in the financial services industry.

Lorna has held roles as Teller at Bank of America, Preferred Banker at Wellesley Bank, and Client Services Senior Banker at First Republic Bank before joining the SKS Group of Wells Fargo Advisors as Senior Client Associate. Lorna is a fast worker, and her responsiveness yields quick clarity and fast answers for her clients. All inquiries are treated equally in Lorna’s world, and her dedication and focus help ensure all questions are researched and answered with time and accuracy in mind.

Lorna is enjoying the camaraderie and accountability on the team. She looks works to get to know all her clients as she knows that the better relationship she cultivates, the more her clients will feel comfortable relying on her to help them achieve their goals.

Away from the office

Lorna loves spending quality time with her husband and charcoal lab named Howard William. She enjoys maintaining order and organization in her personal life as much as she does in her professional encounters.

 "Success isn't about how much money you make, it's about the difference you make in people's lives.” — Derek Jeter

Background and education

Thomas Russo is currently enrolled in the Wells Fargo Financial Advisor Training Program. He graduated from the College of the Holy Cross with a Bachelor of Science degree in political science, where he also played Division 1 baseball.

After college, Thomas started his career in the financial services industry as a Senior Preferred Banker at First Republic Bank. In this role, he assisted high-net-worth individuals and business owners with their banking goals and needs.

Thomas's passion for working with people and helping them achieve their financial goals led him to continue his career in the financial services industry. He believes that by becoming a Financial Advisor, he can make a greater impact on individuals, families, and business owners.

Thomas is dedicated to helping his clients realize their financial dreams and goals.

Away from the office

A native of Weston, Massachusetts, Thomas currently resides in the City of Boston. He enjoys playing golf and spending summers in Martha's Vineyard. In the winter season, he is an avid skier and loves hitting the slopes.

Helping Corporate Executives

Kim provides administrative and operational support for your accounts.

More about Kim

With over 30 years’ experience in the financial services industry, Kim Valentine provides you with VIP concierge services grounded in a foundation of trust and integrity. As a Senior Registered Client Associate, Kim provides timely solutions to your most immediate needs, including check requests, document processing, account maintenance, trades, and retirement plan distributions.

Prior to joining Wells Fargo Advisors in 2019, Kim was a Senior Registered Client Associate at UBS Financial Services, Tucker Anthony, and Smith Barney. She attended Pennsylvania State University and holds her Series 7 and 66 registrations.

Kim is a native of New Jersey and enjoys spending time with her family when she is away from the office.