Stewards Of Wealth &
Champions Of Independence
FWA is an independent, locally-owned, registered investment advisory firm providing fee-only financial planning and wealth management services.
OUR STORY
Fulcrum Wealth Advisors is an independent, financial management firm based in Bellevue, Washington, and serving US citizens living stateside and abroad.
Each of our advisors has been through several bull and bear markets, but it was 2008 that made it clear how important it is to provide fiduciary services.
As a result, Fulcrum Wealth Advisors was founded to provide an effective and integral client/advisor relationship. Our fee-only financial planning business model and investment structure mean that no corporate parent and no pre-negotiated contracts hold sway over our clients ’best interests. As a result, our advisors are empowered to defend their clients ’best interest and serve as a true partner for building and protecting wealth.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Preserve and maintain capital first,
then grow wealth intelligently.
Our priority is the preservation of capital. We seek appreciation only when it is consistent with prudent risk, using portfolio diversification as the cornerstone of our approach. We seek to minimize risk by utilizing our multi-dimensional approach to money management: global equity, global fixed income, alternative investments, and cash.
Fulcrum Wealth Advisors combines up-to-date investment skills and knowledge of modern portfolio theory with a conservative financial tradition that recognizes the value of patience and perseverance. We recognize the value of long-term planning, by seamlessly integrating cutting edge investment strategy, modern portfolio theory and nontraditional systems modeling into a complete plan.
While diversification may help reduce volatility and risk, it does not assure a profit or protect against loss in a declining market.
OUR TEAM
James S. Falcone
Co-Founder, Managing Director
A career financial advisor, with over 25 years’ experience, with excellent financial planning and investment advisory skills serving private individuals, families, business owners and philanthropic organizations. Jim’s approach is to actively engage with clients to identify specific long term goals and personal value systems. As a fiduciary, Jim assists clients to construct and monitor strategic investment portfolios built upon the specific value systems of the family or organization. Jim has been able to demonstrate professional excellence working through both the quantitative and qualitative dimensions of multi-generational wealth complexities, with a fully integrated and balanced program, designed to benefit family wealth for generations to come.
BACKGROUND:
Prior to starting Fulcrum Wealth Advisors, Jim spent over four years with Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. where he served as Director-Investments working with both not-for-profit organizations and high net worth families. Jim worked at UBS, for over 8 years, as Vice President – Investments and at US Bancorp / Piper Jaffray, for over 7 years, where he specialized working with the owners of private companies. Prior to joining Piper Jaffray as the marketing manager of a large regional financial planning firm. Jim began his financial services career in the trust department of a First Interstate Bank.
EDUCATION:
Jim earned his BA in Corporate and Investment Finance (Western Washington University) and has graduated from the College of Financial Planning. Jim is a past member of the Board of Trustees for the College Club Charitable Foundation, and past member of the Board of Trustees for the College Club of Seattle as well as a member of the Financial Management Association. Jim is a past member of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Planned Giving Committee. Jim is also an active member of the Seattle Philanthropic Advisor Network.
Michael S. Rose
Co-Founder, Chief Investment Officer
BACKGROUND:
Having been in the investment advisory business for over 40 years, Michael has had the privilege of working with some of the largest corporation and wealthiest families on six of the seven continents.
He has been affiliated with three international brokerage houses during his career, these being: Warburg-Paribas- Becker, First Boston Corporation, and Montgomery Securities (now Bank of America). Michael has assisted his clients in the use of asset allocation, cash management portfolios and equity trading.
Michael’s clients, over the years, have been have been listed in Forbes as some of the wealthiest individuals in the world.
Currently Michael assists Family offices, Wealthy families, Foundations, and Corporations with their investment advisory needs. He also assists a multi-billion dollar family office with their trading needs.
Michael’s experience in asset allocation, portfolio development and management, has allowed him to distinguish himself within his industry.
BACKGROUND:
Jon is a career financial advisor with over 24 years of experience in investment advisory, financial planning, and portfolio management services. Serving high-net-worth individuals, families, and business owners, Jon tailors his investment strategies to clients' specific long-term goals and personal values.
In 1995, Jon earned his M.A. in Liberal Arts from St. John’s College and has since worked as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch, Piper Jaffray, UBS, and Oppenheimer & CO.
Jon specializes in portfolio growth and retirement planning. His expertise also includes asset allocation, complex hedging strategies, and working with restricted stock 144/145.
Originally from Northern California, Jon has lived in Washington State since 1996. He lives in Bellevue and enjoys downhill skiing, golfing, and hiking with his son, daughter, and son-in-law.
Steven J. Rosenthal, CPA, CFP, JD
Tax Consultant, Financial Advisor
Steve is an attorney and CPA who has over 30 years of experience as a tax professional. The focus of his career has been providing tax research and planning, including the evaluation of investment
opportunities that arise from the research and planning. Steve worked in the corporate tax departments of large US companies for many years, but in recent years has turned his attention to tax and financial planning for individuals and small businesses.
He is committed to developing financial plans for clients that will maximize their “after tax” returns. This includes creating tax-efficient portfolios and structuring financial plans that avoid subjecting clients to higher tax brackets. The plans might include a Roth IRA conversion strategy, required minimum distribution (RMD) planning, education funding, long term care funding, life insurance planning or annuity planning. Steve can collaborate with outside attorneys and CPAs to ensure their advice is consistent with an overall financial plan. He can also provide tax consulting on a variety of topics, including income tax review, tax research, audit defense, payroll tax, state and local tax and international tax.
BACKGROUND:
Steve’s professional career started in New York City, where he worked at the public accounting firm KPMG. Steve continued on to positions at Solomon Brothers Inc., AT&T Corporation, PG&E Corporation, eBay Inc., PayPal, Inc., and a consulting position at Ericsson Inc. His last corporate position was at Expedia Inc, which brought him to the Seattle area. For the past two years, Steve served as a Senior Tax Expert at Intuit Inc, where he provided tax advice and tax preparation assistance to customers using TurboTax software.
EDUCATION:
Steve completed the requirements to become a Certified Financial Planner at the University of California Santa Cruz Silicon Valley Extension. He holds a Master’s Degree in taxation from the Golden Gate University School of Law and Seton Hall University. His other credentials include an MBA with accounting specialization from Baruch College, a Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Diego School of Law and a BA degree from Binghamton University. He is licensed to practice law in New York
State and is a licensed CPA in New York, California and Washington State.
In his spare time, Steve enjoys working out regularly with cardio and weight equipment. He is also a computer hobbyist and has built most of the computers that he maintains for personal use.
Camille N. Bever
Client Services Associate
BACKGROUND:
Camille recently graduated Cum Laude from The King’s College in New York with a B.A. in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, with a minor in Foreign Affairs. Born and raised in the Seattle area, Camille is a botanical garden enthusiast and loves hiking, golfing, and enjoying a nice cup of tea. Starting her career in finance, Camille enjoys applying her economic education to the practical side of finance.
ADVANCED PLANNING SERVICES
Cetera Financial Group (Cetera) is a leading financial advisory firm. It empowers the delivery of an Advice-Centric Experience® to individuals, families, and businesses across the country through independent financial advisors as well as trusted tax professionals and banks and credit unions.
Comprehensive services include: wealth management solutions, retirement plan solutions, advisory services, practice management support, innovative technology, marketing guidance, regulatory support, and market research.
Cetera Financial Group” refers to the network of independent retail firms encompassing, among others, Cetera Advisors LLC, Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, Cetera Investment Services LLC (marketed as Cetera Financial Institutions or Cetera Investors), Cetera Financial Specialists LLC, and First Allied Securities, Inc. All firms are members FINRA / SIPC.
Stanley R. Smiley, ESQ.
Senior Vice President,
Advanced Planning Group
As senior vice president of the Advanced Planning Group, Stan Smiley is responsible for the development and implementation of advanced planning strategies for Cetera Financial Group.
Using more than 30 years of legal and estate business planning experience, Stan and his team provide consultative services for select financial professionals, who are focused on tax planning for highly compensated individuals, and estate planning and wealth preservation strategies for high-net-worth clients and family wealth transfers.
He is also a member of the Real Property, Probate and Trusts Section and the Taxation Section of the American Bar Association serves on its committee of Tax Standards and Exempt Organizations and is admitted to the United States Tax Court. He also maintains memberships in the Los Angeles and San Francisco Bar Associations. He currently serves on the CFP Board’s Business Model Council.
Juliet A. Hendrickson, ESQ.
Senior Attorney,
Advanced Planning Group
As an Advanced Planning Group senior attorney, Julie is responsible for providing specialized advice and support for financial professionals on a myriad of tax issues in the areas of wealth transfer, retirement, charitable, and tax-planning strategies for high-net-worth clients. She is a frequent participant in specialized educational and training programs for financial professionals
Zarina Sullivan
Senior Advanced Planning Consultant
Zarina Sullivan is a senior advanced planning consultant in the Advanced Planning Group for Cetera Financial Group. She is responsible for providing advice and support for financial advisors on numerous complex financial planning subjects.
Her range of expertise includes areas such as retirement and education saving strategies, charitable giving planning issues, estate planning and wealth transfer, and tax issues to name a few. In her spare time, Zarina provides financial education and counseling to U.S. military members and their families
Roxanna Basetvat
Advanced Planning Group Attorney
Roxanna Basetvat is an attorney in the Advanced Planning Group for Cetera Financial Group, a leading network of independent broker-dealer firms. The platform is the second largest independent financial advisor network in the nation by number of advisors, as well as a leading provider of retail services to the investment programs of banks and credit unions.
As an Advanced Planning Group attorney, Roxanna is responsible for providing specialized advice and support for financial professionals on a myriad of tax issues in the areas of wealth transfer, retirement, charitable, and tax-planning strategies for high-net-worth clients.