Our Team

Photo of George P. Schwartz, CFA
George P. Schwartz, CFA
Executive Chairman & Founder

George is Executive Chairman and Founder with responsibility for the development and implementation of investment strategy for the Firm. He is co-manager of the Ave Maria Rising Dividend Fund and the Ave Maria Bond Fund. From 1967 to 1974, he was an investment research analyst and a partner with two New York Stock Exchange member firms. From 1974 to 1980, he was Vice President, Senior Investment Officer, and Chairman of the Investment Committee of the National Bank and Trust of Ann Arbor. In that position, he had direct responsibilities for over $500 million of investment funds. In 1980, George founded Schwartz Investment Counsel, Inc.

George has a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University of Detroit, is a CFA charterholder, and a Chartered Investment Counselor. He is a member of the CFA Society of Detroit, the Economic Club of Detroit, and the CFA Institute and has served on several corporate and philanthropic boards.

Photo of Timothy S. Schwartz, CFA
Timothy S. Schwartz, CFA
President & Chief Executive Officer

Tim is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Firm. He is also lead portfolio manager of the Ave Maria Value Fund. Tim joined Schwartz Investment Counsel, Inc. in 1998, and prior thereto was an analyst in the commercial credit departments of Fifth Third Bank and Comerica Bank.

Tim has a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Fairfield University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Walsh College. He is a CFA charterholder and a member of the CFA Society of Naples and the CFA Institute.

Photo of MICHAEL J. SCHWARTZ
MICHAEL J. SCHWARTZ
Executive Vice President –
Institutional Sales

Mike is responsible for servicing the advisor channel for the Ave Maria Mutual Funds. Prior to joining the Firm in July 2003, Mike spent nine years with Automatic Data Processing where he was National Sales Manager for the Employer Services Division.

Mike has a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University of Dayton and a Master of Business Administration degree from Madonna University.

Photo of Brandon S. Scheitler
Brandon S. Scheitler
Senior Vice President & Chief Investment Officer

Brandon is lead portfolio manager of the Ave Maria Rising Dividend Fund and the Ave Maria Bond Fund. He is the firm's Chief Investment Officer and also a fixed income and equity research analyst. Prior to joining the Firm in 2007, Brandon worked for Waddell & Reed and Merrill Lynch.

Brandon has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance and a Master of Business Administration from Walsh College. He also holds the FINRA Series 65 license [FINRA BrokerCheck].

Photo of ROBERT C. SCHWARTZ
ROBERT C. SCHWARTZ
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT

Bob is a portfolio manager for select private clients. He is also responsible for developing and implementing investment strategies suited to clients’ individual investment objectives. Bob joined Schwartz Investment Counsel, Inc. in 2001. Prior to joining the Firm, he was a Database Manager with The Medstat Group, a healthcare information services company.

Bob has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Psychology from the University of Michigan – Dearborn. Bob holds the FINRA Series 65 license [FINRA BrokerCheck]. He is a member of the Mutual Fund Education Alliance and the ICI Small Funds Committee.

Photo of ADAM P. GAGLIO, CFA
ADAM P. GAGLIO, CFA
Vice President & Portfolio Manager

Adam is lead portfolio manager of the Ave Maria Growth Fund and co-manager of the Ave Maria Focused Fund. He is also a research analyst responsible for equity research functions for the Firm with a focus on small- and micro-cap companies. Prior to joining the firm in 2013, Adam was an actuarial analyst at Towers Watson.

Adam has a Bachelor of Science degree in Math from the University of Michigan. He is a CFA® charterholder.

Photo of CHADD M. GARCIA, CFA
CHADD M. GARCIA, CFA
Vice President & Portfolio Manager

Chadd is lead portfolio manager of the Ave Maria Focused Fund and co-portfolio manager of the Ave Maria Growth Fund and is also responsible for equity research functions for the firm. Previously, Chadd analyzed public equities as a Managing Director at SQ Advisors. Prior thereto Chadd worked in private equity as a Managing Director at Gulf Coast Capital Partners and as Vice President at Comvest Partners. Before his work in private equity, Chadd was an Associate in the mergers and acquisitions group at CIBC World Markets.

Chadd has a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Resource and Economics from The University of Arizona and a Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard University. He is a board member and CFO of The Rising Farmworker Dream Fund and is a Knight in the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. He is a CFA® charterholder.

Photo of CATHY M. STONER, CPA, IACCP®
CATHY M. STONER, CPA, IACCP℠
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, & Chief Compliance Officer

Cathy manages the financial affairs of the Firm, including the coordination and supervision of all back office operations, internal accounting procedures, regulatory compliance, and client services. In these roles, she interfaces with clients, attorneys, accountants, custodians, brokers, and other vendors on behalf of the Firm. Cathy joined Schwartz Investment Counsel, Inc. in 2009. Prior thereto, she was an external audit manager for Deloitte & Touche, LLC serving a variety of clients in both the automotive and healthcare industries.

Cathy has a Bachelor of Accountancy from Walsh College. She is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the AICPA.

Photo of MICHAEL J. RICHTER
MICHAEL J. RICHTER
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING

Mike is responsible for development and implementation of the Firm’s marketing and public relations initiatives. Mike joined Schwartz Investment Counsel, Inc. in 2011. Prior to joining the Firm, Mike was Manager of Corporate Marketing and Communications at Munder Capital Management. Prior thereto, Mike was a marketing specialist at Detroit-based Roney & Co.

Mike has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Ferris State University and holds the FINRA Series 7 and Series 63 licenses [FINRA BrokerCheck]. He is a member of the Mutual Fund Education Alliance and the ICI Small Funds Committee.

Photo of TODD C. GIESSLER
TODD C. GIESSLER
DIRECTOR OF ADVISORY SERVICES

Todd is responsible for servicing the advisor channel for the Firm’s proprietary mutual funds – the Ave Maria Mutual Funds. Prior to joining the Firm in July 2012, Todd was a DC Benefits Operations Manager with AON Hewitt. Prior thereto he was a Retirement Internal Consultant with Nationwide Financial. From 1995 to 2009, Todd worked for Putnam Investments in a variety of sales & marketing positions, advancing to Senior Regional Marketing Director.

Todd has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Ithaca College and holds the FINRA Series 6, 7 and 63 licenses [FINRA BrokerCheck].

Photo of Robert M. Geppner
Robert M. Geppner
Director of Strategic Planning

Bob is Director of Strategic Planning and is responsible for cultivating relationships with financial advisors across the full spectrum of distributors. Prior to joining Schwartz Investment Counsel, Inc. Bob was the Executive Vice President and Head of National Sales for U.S. Advisory Services at Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc. In that role he led a team of divisional sales managers responsible for sales across the Retail channel and Private Wealth channel.

Throughout his career Bob has been instrumental in developing and executing retail distribution strategies and spearheading sales initiatives. He has four decades of experience in the financial services industry including retail, wholesale, distribution management and strategic planning expertise. Additionally, Bob is past chairman of the Investment Management Education Alliance (IMEA).

Photo of Ryan M. Kuyawa, CFA
Ryan M. Kuyawa, CFA
Portfolio Manager & Head Trader

Ryan is co-manager of the Ave Maria Value Fund and a Senior Research Analyst responsible for equity research functions for the Firm. He is also responsible for the equity trading functions of the mutual funds. Previously, Ryan was a research analyst and portfolio manager for Grey Value Management. Prior to Grey Value Management, Ryan was a portfolio manager for Cypress Trust Company. He began his career in the finance industry in 2001 with Fidelity Federal Bank & Trust as a credit analyst.

Ryan earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Michigan-Flint. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®).

Photo of Anthony W. Gennaro Jr., CFA, CPA
Anthony W. Gennaro Jr., CFA, CPA
Vice President & Portfolio Manager

Anthony is lead portfolio manager of the Ave Maria World Equity Fund and a Senior Equity Analyst responsible for equity research functions. Before joining Schwartz Investment Counsel, Inc. he was with Wallington Asset Management, where he was responsible for equity research. Earlier, he had similar roles at RS Investments, Oppenheimerfunds, and Principal Global Investors. His career began in the assurance and advisory services division of Ernst & Young LLP.

Anthony has a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Albright College and a Master of Business Administration degree from Indiana University. He has earned the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a Certified Public Accountant. He also serves on the advisory board of the Reese Fund at Indiana University.

Photo of Sean C. Gaffney
Sean C. Gaffney, CFA
Portfolio Manager

Sean is co-manager of the Ave Maria World Equity Fund and a Research Analyst responsible for equity and fixed income research functions. Before joining Schwartz Investment Counsel, Inc. he worked as a research analyst at Plante Moran Financial Advisors.

Sean holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University of Connecticut and a Master of Arts degree in Theology from the Augustine Institute. He is a CFA® charterholder.

Photo of James T. Peregoy
James T. Peregoy, CFA
Research Analyst

James is a Research Analyst responsible for fixed income research and trading functions. Before joining Schwartz Investment Counsel, Inc. he worked as a consultant at Plante Moran.

James holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance and Statistics from Grand Valley State University. He has also earned the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.

Photo of LAURA A. PRESTON
LAURA A. PRESTON
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Laura is responsible for the management of the operations department, including portfolio accounting, performance reporting, client account maintenance and billing. She also manages relationships with key service providers, such as custodians and brokerage firms. Prior to joining the Firm in 1996, Laura worked in the healthcare industry as an administrative assistant.

Laura has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Michigan State University and a Master of Arts degree in Teaching from the University of Michigan – Dearborn.

Photo of Annie M. Malcolm
Annie M. Malcolm
Compliance Manager

Annie assists the Chief Compliance Officer in meeting ongoing regulatory and compliance requirements for the firm. She handles several internal accounting procedures and assists in daily operations as needed. Annie also supports the marketing department by reviewing and editing advertising materials and communications to clients. Prior to joining Schwartz Investment Counsel, Inc., Annie worked as a Recruiter for Manpower Inc. in Naperville, IL.

Annie has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Notre Dame.

Photo of Jeanette M. Barker
Jeanette M. Barker
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO CHAIRMAN
& CEO | OPERATIONS MANAGER

Jeanette assists the Chairman & CEO with all administrative tasks including schedule management, client communications, and travel arrangements. She also coordinates all corporate events & meetings for the Firm. In her role as Operations Manager, she oversees the database and reporting for client accounts and provides trade support, among other daily operations of the Firm.

Prior to joining the Firm in 2018, Jeanette was an HR Specialist, focusing on employee relations, HRIS, payroll, and benefits for over 20 years. She graduated with honors from Eastern Michigan University, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, minors in French & Psychology, and a Provisional Teaching Certificate in Secondary Education.

Photo of CHRISTOPHER E. O’ROURKE
CHRISTOPHER E. O’ROURKE
SENIOR ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE

Chris manages the mutual fund shareholder servicing department. In this role, he interfaces with individual shareholders and prospective shareholders, handles telephone inquiries, fulfillment of literature requests and shareholder account servicing. Chris joined Schwartz Investment Counsel, Inc. in 2005. Prior thereto, he was a Regional Sales Manager for Flint Ink, a commercial printing ink supplier. Prior thereto, Chris was employed for ten years at Ford Motor Company in various professional positions.

Chris has a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from Hodges University in Naples, Florida.

Photo of Richard L. Platte, Jr., CFA
Richard L. Platte, Jr., CFA
Of Counsel

Rick is a retired President and Chief Investment Officer of Schwartz Investment Counsel, Inc., having joined the firm in 1987. Prior thereto, he was an investment research analyst with the National Bank of Detroit from 1974 to 1979, and from 1979 to 1983, he was the Chief Trust Investment Officer for the National Bank and Trust of Ann Arbor. Prior to joining Schwartz Investment Counsel, Inc., in 1987, he spent four years as an investment counselor with Securities Counsel, Inc., where he managed portfolios for pension and profit sharing plan clients.

Rick holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees from the University of Michigan. He is a CFA charterholder, past President of the CFA Society of Detroit, and a member of the CFA Institute.