AboutUsLeadership

ABOUT US
LEADERSHIP

Leadership

 

AnAndrew Rudddrew Rudd, Ph.D. — Chairman and Co-founder
While Andrew’s primary focus is on strategic planning, corporate culture, and product and service innovation, he is also an active member of AP’s Investment Committee.
 
Andrew is also a co-founder and former chairman and CEO of Barra, Inc., where he served as CEO from 1984 to 1999. He is the co-author of two industry-leading books on institutional investing: "Modern Portfolio Theory: The Principles of Investment Management" and "Option Pricing". 
 
Andrew was also Professor of Finance and Operations Research at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.  In addition, he has written numerous journal articles and research papers on a wide range of domestic and international investment practices and theories.   Andrew received his Bachelor of Science degree with honors in Mathematics and Physics from Sussex University in England, and earned a M.Sc. in Operations Research, an M.B.A in Finance and International Business, and a Ph.D. in Finance and Operations Research from the University of California, Berkeley.

  

 

Jim BlachmanDaniel S. Kern, CFA — President

Daniel oversees all aspects of Advisor Partners operations, and is responsible for establishing and driving the overall company strategy.

Prior to joining Advisor Partners, Daniel was Managing Director and Portfolio Manager for Charles Schwab Investment Management.  He managed asset allocation funds, including target funds, from October 2008 to July 2011.  Daniel's leadership positions at Schwab prior to October 2008  included heading product development and serving as CFO of a fund company.  Prior to Schwab, he was Managing Director and  Principal for Montgomery Asset Management.

Daniel is a graduate of Brandeis University and earned his MBA in Finance from the University of California, Berkeley.  He is a CFA Charterholder and a former President of the CFA Society of San Francisco.

 

 

Jim BlachmanJim Blachman, CFA — Chief Investment Officer
As CIO of Advisor Partners, Jim chairs the company’s investment committee and sets the investment philosophy and process for Advisor Partners. As the key member of the portfolio management team, he is responsible for managing client portfolios including asset allocation, security and manager selection and review, and alternative investments.
 
Jim’s career spans twenty-plus years in the industry, including quantitative research, consulting, sales management, product development and investment management.

During his career, Jim spent eight years working in the institutional market where he consulted with plan sponsors and investment managers, and 5 years delivering retail investment management and advice. He has held positions with Bank of America, Wharton Econometric Forecasting Associates, Data Resources and SEI Investments.  Jim has years of experience developing and managing complete investment programs including internet-based optimization/advice engines, asset allocations, security research and selection, trading, operations and reporting.
 

A market investor for over 35 years, Jim attended the University of California, Berkeley earning both Masters and Bachelors (with distinction) in Economics emphasizing econometrics and industrial organization. A CFA charterholder, he is a member of the Association for Investment Management and Research.

 

 
Michelle FarmerMichelle Farmer, Esq. — Chief Compliance Officer
Michelle Farmer serves as Chief Compliance Officer for Advisor Partners, LLC and as Vice President of Administration for Advisor Software, Inc., Advisor Partner’s parent company.
 
Ms. Farmer has worked in the financial services industry for over 15 years including positions as general counsel for mPower.com, Inc. and general counsel for Wealth Management Systems, Inc.  She is a member of the California and Massachusetts Bar.  Ms. Farmer earned a JD from Suffolk University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

  

 
Donna Schiano — Operations Manager

With over 15 years of direct relevant operations experience, Donna is responsible for all aspects of investment operations, administration, reconciliation, corporate actions and proxy voting. She works closely with the Investment Team, our CCO and outside vendors and custodians.

Prior to joining Advisor Partners, Donna held various management positions such as manager at B of A’s Global Foreign Exchange Options and Derivatives department and manager of operations, accounting and compliance at Lend Lease Rosen Real Estate Securities. Most recently, she was Internal Auditor for Charles Schwab Investment Management and the Schwab and Laudus Fund families.

Donna earned a Bachelor of Business Administration, Accounting and Finance from Texas A&M University and is also a Certified Public Accountant.

 

 

Brad ThompsonBrad Thompson — IT Director
Brad is responsible for the IT infrastructure and enterprise architecture at Advisor Partners, including information security and business continuity. He works with internal departments, clients, and partners in order to provide a robust and secure IT environment.  Brad also oversees the firm’s efforts on applying technology to streamline workflow processes to increase the efficiencies of the company while enhancing the client experience.

Brad has over 15 years experience in technology and project management with expertise in disaster recovery and continuity planning.  He has worked in IT roles including software engineering, build and release management, quality assurance and Information Services management. Brad holds a software technology patent, a certificate in Financial Planning, a BA degree from UC Berkeley and an MBA with Honors from Saint Mary’s College of California.