FAM is owned by two individual Members, Mr. Mark Pesavento and Ms. JoAnn May. FAM has been
providing advisory services since 2006.
As of December 31, 2023, FAM managed $184,587,707 on a discretionary basis. FAM also advised on
$3,972,535 of participant-directed retirement plan assets.
Investment Management Services:
FAM manages investment portfolios for individuals, qualified retirement plans, trusts, charitable
organizations, corporations and small businesses. FAM will work with the client to determine the client's
investment objectives and investor risk profile and will design a written investment policy statement.
FAM uses investment and portfolio allocation software to evaluate alternative portfolio designs. FAM
evaluates the client's existing investments with respect to the client's investment policy statement. FAM
works with new clients to develop a plan to transition from the client's existing portfolio to the portfolio
recommended by FAM. FAM will then continuously monitor the client's portfolio holdings and the overall
asset allocation strategy and hold regular review meetings with the client regarding the account as
necessary.
FAM will typically create a portfolio of passive and/or evidence-based mutual funds and Exchange
Traded Funds (ETFs) and may use model portfolios if the models match the client's investment policy.
FAM will allocate the client's assets among various investments taking into consideration the overall
management style selected by the client. FAM primarily recommends portfolios consisting of mutual
funds and ETFs offered by Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA). DFA-sponsored securities follow a passive
asset class investment philosophy with low holdings turnover. Client portfolios may also include some
individual equity securities in situations where disposition of these securities would present an
overriding tax implication or the client specifically requests they be retained for a personal reason. These
situations will be specifically identified in the client’s Investment Policy Statement (IPS).
FAM manages securities portfolios on a discretionary basis. A client may impose any reasonable
restrictions on FAM’s discretionary authority, including restrictions on the types of securities in which
FAM may invest client’s assets and on specific securities, which the client may believe to be appropriate.
FAM may also recommend fixed income portfolios to advisory clients, which consist of managed accounts
of individual bonds. FAM will request discretionary authority from advisory clients to manage fixed
income portfolios, including the discretion to retain a third party fixed income manager. FAM will
prepare a separate Fixed Income Investment Policy Statement for any client qualifying for separate fixed
income portfolio services.
Pursuant to its discretionary authority, FAM will retain an independent separate account manager
(“Independent Manager”) for the management of client portfolios. The Independent Manager will be
provided with the discretionary authority to invest client assets in securities consistent with the client's
Investment Policy Statement. The Independent Manager will also monitor the account for changes in
credit ratings, security call provisions, and tax loss harvesting opportunities (to the extent that the
manager is provided with cost basis information). FAM has hired Buckingham Strategic Partners (”BSP”)
as its primary Independent Manager.
On an ongoing basis, FAM will answer clients' inquiries regarding their accounts and review periodically
with clients the performance of their accounts. FAM will periodically, and at least annually, review
client's investment policy, risk profile and discuss the re-balancing of each client's accounts to the extent
appropriate. FAM will provide to the Investment Manager any updated client financial information or
account restrictions necessary for investment manager to provide sub-advisory services.
In addition to managing the client’s investment portfolio, FAM may consult with clients on various
financial areas including income and estate tax planning, business sale structures, college financial
planning, retirement planning, insurance analysis, personal cash flow analysis, establishment and design
of retirement plans and trust designs, among other things.
FAM may occasionally provide project-based financial consulting services on an hourly fee basis that
address some or all of the wealth management services offering described above.
Employee Benefit Retirement Plan Services:
FAM also provides advisory services to participant-directed retirement plans through third-party
administration services, which are online bundled service providers offering an opportunity for plan
sponsors
to provide their participants with daily account access, valuation, and investment education.
FAM will analyze the plan's current investment platform, and assist the plan in creating an investment
policy statement defining the types of investments to be offered and the restrictions that may be
imposed. FAM will recommend investment options to achieve the plan's objectives, provide participant
education meetings, and monitor the performance of the plan's investment vehicles.
FAM will recommend changes in the plan's investment vehicles as may be appropriate from time to time.
FAM generally will review the plan's investment vehicles and investment policy as necessary.
For certain retirement plans, FAM also works in coordination and support with Buckingham Strategic
Partners. Retirement plan clients will engage both FAM and Buckingham Strategic Partners. Buckingham
Strategic Partners will provide to the client additional discretionary investment management services
and will exercise discretionary authority to select the plan investments made available to the plans’
participants by selecting and maintain the plans’ investments according to the goals and investment
objectives of the plan.
FAM will continue to work with plans to monitor plan investments, provide fiduciary plan advice
including regular considerations of the goals and objectives of the plan, and provide participant
education services to the plan.
FAM also provides advice in the form of a Financial Plan. Clients purchasing this service may receive a
written financial plan, providing the client with a detailed financial plan designed to achieve their stated
financial goals and objectives. In general, the financial plan will address any or all of the following areas
of concern:
- Personal: Family records, budgeting, personal liability, estate information and financial goals.
- Tax & Cash Flow: Income tax and spending analysis and planning for past, current and future
years. FAM may illustrate the impact of various investments on a client’s current income tax and
future tax liability.
- Death & Disability: Cash needs at death, income needs of surviving dependents, estate planning
and disability income analysis.
- Retirement: Analysis of current strategies and investment plans to help the client achieve his or
her retirement goals.
- Investments: Analysis of investment alternatives and their effect on a client’s portfolio.
- Estate: Analysis of financial issues with respect to living trusts, wills, estate tax, powers of
attorney, asset protection plans, nursing homes, Medicaid and elder law.
- Insurance: Review of existing policies to ensure proper coverage for life, health, disability, long-
term care, liability, home and automobile.
FAM gathers required information through in-depth personal interviews. Information gathered includes
a client's current financial status, future goals and attitudes towards risk. Related documents supplied by
the client are carefully reviewed and a written report may be prepared. Should a client choose to
implement the recommendations contained in the plan, FAM suggests the client work closely with
his/her attorney, accountant, insurance agent, and/or stockbroker. Implementation of financial plan
recommendations is entirely at the client's discretion.
Use of Third-Party Sub-Advisers:
FAM has retained Buckingham Strategic Partners, LLC (“BSP)” to act as a sub-advisor for certain client
accounts. BSP shall provide various model asset allocation portfolios (each a “Portfolio”, collectively
“Portfolios”) for selection by FAM. Each Portfolio strives to achieve long-term risk and return objectives
through diversification among multiple asset classes using investment options available to BSP, which
may include, but not limited to, mutual funds and/or exchange traded funds from Dimensional Fund
Advisors LP, Bridgeway Capital Management, Inc., AQR Capital Management, LLC, The Vanguard Group,
Inc., Stoneridge Asset Management, LLC or other providers selected by BSP. Each Portfolio is designed to
meet a particular investment goal which FAM has determined is suitable based on the client's
circumstances. Once the appropriate Portfolio(s) has been determined, the Portfolio will continuously be
managed based on the portfolio’s goal and BSP will have the discretionary authority to manage the
Portfolio(s), including periodically rebalancing. However, Adviser, on behalf of its client, will have the
opportunity to place reasonable restrictions on the types of investments to be held in the portfolio.
Should material life events occur, clients should immediately contact FAM to determine if changes to an
account and the allocation of the assets held in the account are necessary.