Learn More
About Us
I have said this to prospective clients hundreds, if not thousands of times. Why? Because many people feel bad that they do not understand saving and investing. As a society we were not taught about compound interest and dollar cost averaging in school, emergency savings, or the difference between a pre-tax and a ROTH contribution. What we were taught was to pay everyone else first! Get easy credit so you have now and pay later. And we are busy. Busy planning the vacation, busy watching our favorite shows, or busy keeping up on or remodeling the home. But we will not spend 30 minutes a year on our asset allocation in our retirement plan!
We were late starters, just like many of you. We missed maximizing our retirement plan contributions over the early years of our earning ability. At times we even missed putting in enough contributions to claim all the match our employers offered! We have spent our time researching and planning everything from the remodeling of our 100-year-old home in Mount Washington, to upgrading our vehicles, to buying the perfect bike for the Montour Trail. We get it.
But it is never too late to start something or change the way you are currently doing it. We would like to help you learn to save, invest and plan for your future, and for that of your heirs or favorite charities. We want to help educate you about the basics of how the markets work, and how to overcome your fear of where to place your hard-earned money and to teach you how to choose a risk & reward profile that works for you. We want you to set goals and execute them. If you have bad habits, we want to help you begin anew, and try again. We want you to believe in yourself and in the process. We want to earn your trust. It is our duty to act in your best interest.
Maybe you are young and just starting out or are in the prime of your career, have a new family or are restarting because of a death or divorce. Maybe you are ready to retire or already in your golden years (or maybe not so golden). Or maybe you run a business and need us to take the time to help you understand the many options that are available for you and your employees if you have them. We will help you start a new portfolio or help you transfer a well-established one, or a retirement plan, big or small, simple or complex.
If for any reason you are not getting the advice or service that you deserve, give us a call. The consultation is free. It takes less time than it does researching a new laptop or coffee maker!
Get to Know the Team
Our Team
Robert Yelenovsky
Managing Member, Executive Vice President
The Investment Advisory Group, LLC
Robert has over twenty years of experience in the wealth management and insurance industry. Prior to forming The Investment Advisory Group in 2019, designed to serve both individuals and closely held small businesses, Robert was the Senior Vice President of Retirement Plans and Institutional Advisors at Fragasso Financial Advisors.
Robert enjoys serving both individuals and small business owners as an independent advisor and likes the support and resources that Fragasso provides to his team and to his clients, through Fragasso’s independent advisor solutions model. Although Robert’s main office is in Greentree, PA, he contracts with Regus Worldwide and has additional shared office space throughout Western PA. This allows Robert to create the optimum schedule and availability to meet clients where they live and work. Clients of The Investment Advisory Group are diverse, ranging from individuals to multi-generational families, and businesses with complex retirement plans. Robert understands the importance of collaborating with the many professionals and dedicated specialists at Fragasso, the client’s own third-party administrators, accounting, and attorney advisers, to serve the specific needs of each client most effectively.
Robert is a Marine Corps veteran and continues to offer his service as a committee member for the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, Steel City Awards, which helps family members of Marines and Navy Corpsmen go to college on full scholarships. He has also served his community through volunteering, including the board of directors, and both the Legal and Financial Committees of his local HOA Community.
Janine Yelenovsky
Executive Assistant, Administration
The Investment Advisory Group, LLC
Janine has over ten years of experience in the wealth management industry. Prior to joining Robert at the newly formed The Investment Advisory Group in 2019, Janine was a Client Account Specialist with Fragasso Financial Advisors. She supported many financial advisors during her time at Fragasso and had the privilege to service many of Fragasso’s long-time clients.
Janine now provides administrative support to Robert, which includes but is not limited to opening investment accounts, processing account contributions and distributions, routine account maintenance, data entry for financial planning and contact management, and ensuring compliance standards are met.
Janine graduated from Chatham College in 1995 with a BS in Biology. She held an 18-year career at the Allegheny County Office of the Medical Examiner prior to joining the Investment Advisory Department at Fragasso in 2015. During her tenure at the Medical Examiner, Janine held positions as Crime Scene Investigator, union steward, and department manager of both DNA and Evidence. Through public speaking in the region, she provided educational seminars about forensic-related topics to grade schoolers, adult students, nurses, and law enforcement officers.
Janine enjoys reading a good book, home decorating and organizing, and creating handmade greeting cards for special events, and for friends and family.
Portfolio Management
Michael Godwin
Chief Investment Officer
Michael is Fragasso Financial Advisors’ Chief Investment Officer. In this role, Michael is tasked with reviewing, monitoring and providing guidance on the asset allocation strategies in our clients’ portfolios as well as co-managing the firm’s Large Cap Stock portfolio. He oversees Fragasso’s in-house portfolio management team to ensure a cohesive investment management approach. He often collaborates with the financial advisors to discuss the firm’s investment philosophy, portfolio decisions and addresses various concerns with clients and prospects. Additionally, Michael is a member of the Fragasso Investment Committee.1
Prior to joining Fragasso Financial Advisors, Michael worked as an associate portfolio manager for AllianceBernstein in New York City focusing on managing assets for institutional clients within the firm’s Small Cap Value and Low Volatility models. Additionally, Michael was a trader for a Chicago proprietary trading firm where he focused on trading S&P 500 options on the Chicago Board Options Exchange.
Michael is a graduate of James Madison University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He serves as a board member for Rising Tide Partners, which is a non-profit dedicated to restoring communities and preserving affordable housing.
1) The Fragasso Investment Committee is comprised of the portfolio management team and several financial advisors. The committee meets quarterly to discuss market trends, current investment outlook, portfolio construction, implementation, and issues on clients’ minds.
Certifications:
CFA® Charterholder
Series 7 and 66 securities licensed through Private Client Services
Jim Sinegal
Senior Investment Analyst
As the senior investment analyst, Jim focuses on researching investment opportunities for Fragasso’s clients, specializing in equities. He is also a member of the Fragasso Investment Committee.1 Prior to joining Fragasso, Jim had spent eleven years in Chicago as a senior equity analyst at Morningstar covering stocks in the financial services industry. This role provided Jim opportunities to provide regular commentary for CNBC, NPR and American Banker. He’s an experienced presenter having delivered speeches at various banking conferences and for Morningstar.
Jim was born in Pittsburgh but moved around the country before attending college at the University of Southern California, where he received a degree in Biological Sciences. He later earned his master’s degree at the University of Pittsburgh.
Serhiy Zayats
Manager of Portfolio Operations and Investment Analyst
Serhiy researches prospective investments and funds for Fragasso’s portfolio models and retirement plans, and he oversees the operational implementation of our models, trading, rebalancing and account risk management. Serhiy identifies and facilitates process improvements to enhance portfolio management operations. He provides guidance to our financial advisors to ensure accurate portfolio performance, contributing to our firm’s overall holistic approach when it comes to individual needs, tax status, and asset location optimization. Serhiy works with Fragasso’s Retirement Plan Advisors to perform ongoing review and due diligence of funds for 401k plans.
Prior to Fragasso, Serhiy worked for another investment firm co-managing small cap, large cap, growth, and balanced strategies. Serhiy chose the field of investment management because he thrives on the mental challenge of seeking new information and the ultimate satisfaction of applying that knowledge for the benefit of our investors.
Serhiy is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a bachelor’s degree in accounting.
Financial Planning
Brianne King
Manager of Financial Planning
Brianne joined Fragasso in 2003 after working as an intern. Brianne has always enjoyed working with numbers, which is what drew her to a career in finance. As the Manager of Financial Planning, Brianne is a key driver at Fragasso, overseeing the construction of financial plans and annual reviews, training new team members, and providing guidance on advanced planning issues. She is a member of the Fragasso Investment Committee.1
Brianne was born and raised in Pittsburgh and earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in finance from Duquesne University.
1) The Fragasso Investment Committee is comprised of the portfolio management team and several financial advisors. The committee meets quarterly to discuss market trends, current investment outlook, portfolio construction, implementation, and issues on clients’ minds.
Certifications:
CERTIFIED FINANICAL PLANNER™ Professional
Series 7, and 63 licensed through Private Client Services;
Series 65 licensed through Fragasso Financial Advisors
Insurance licensed, Pennsylvania
Retirement Plans
Daniel Tatomir
Vice President, Manager of Retirement Plan Advisors
Dan is a twenty year veteran of the financial services industry, serving Fragasso as our vice president, manager retirement plan advisors. He works with existing retirement plan clients and participants to help them work towards their financial goals, serving as the main point of contact for plan trustees. Working with the Portfolio Management Department, he reviews each plan’s investment lineup to ensure they meet the criteria of the plan, making recommendations to change fund options as necessary. Dan also manages and implements participant communication for new and existing plans, including enrollment meetings and participant education presentations.
He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh with a dual major in business and economics. When he’s not in the office, Dan enjoys fly-fishing, hiking and following his beloved Pitt Panthers.
Certifications:
Series 7 and 63 registered through Private Client Services
Series 65 registered through Fragasso Financial Advisors
Insurance Licensed, Pennsylvania
Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF)
Leigh Fleming
Retirement Plan Account Specialist
As part of Fragasso’s Retirement Plan Advisors team, Leigh interacts with plan sponsors and participants to administer client documentation and facilitate various plan transactions. Leigh has a solid background in the industry. She has worked as a financial planner, held several client service roles for individual advisors, and she has experience in the retirement plan space. Leigh takes pride in her work, as retirement plan options can be confusing, but she finds fulfillment in guiding clients through the process.
Leigh earned her bachelor’s degree in finance from Lehigh University.
Certifications:
Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist℠ (CRPS®)
Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional (FPQP)
Series 7 securities licensed through Private Client Services
Series 66 licensed through Private Client Services and Fragasso Financial Advisors
Marketing
Marsha Posset
Director of Marketing
Marsha develops and manages the marketing strategies, plan and budget for Fragasso. She oversees the collaboration of a talented marketing team which strives to solidify and promote the Fragasso brand and corporate image throughout all marketing initiatives including advertising, inbound marketing, public relations, website, social media, promotional materials and events. Marsha’s artistic talents and creativity always came naturally to her. She began her career as a graphic designer in print media, and prior to joining Fragasso, she spent nearly nine years in financial services marketing at a local bank.
Marsha is a graduate of Leadership Pittsburgh, Inc.’s Leadership Development Initiative program, LDI Class XXI. She remains involved with Leadership Pittsburgh, Inc. by serving on their Marketing and Recruitment Committee.
Jennae Backo
Digital Content Manager
Jennae creates and maintains high quality, sharable digital content in order to raise brand awareness, increase web traffic and raise client and lead engagement. She oversees the implementation and completion of multiple campaigns at a time including those for email and inbound marketing. She is also responsible for maintaining the website and creating educational videos that offer information on important financial topics. She tallies the overall metrics of the department each month to help ensure the marketing team is on track.
Jennae graduated from Robert Morris University. Her determination over her long-tenure career of over fifteen years with the firm has allowed her the opportunity to utilize her creative talents, excellent organizational habits, and problem-solving skills.
Nadine Kundrod
Senior Graphic Designer
Nadine supports the marketing department in the areas of graphic design and social media for Fragasso. She flexes her creative abilities by designing a variety of print and digital media projects. Nadine collaborates with multiple departments across the firm to develop content and visual elements for presentations, brochures and The Advisor magazine.
Prior to joining Fragasso, Nadine was a senior graphic designer at a local university. From 2007 through 2016, Nadine has been recognized with thirteen design awards.
Nadine has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Graphic Design from Carlow University.
Information Technology
John Wissinger
Technology and Operations Analyst
John is a member of Fragasso’s internal technology and operations department. In his role, he works to troubleshoot software and hardware issues providing solutions to both clients and co-workers. Prior to joining Fragasso, John spent several years in technical and application support roles at Wesco International. For as long as he can remember, John has been curious about how and why things work the way they do, and that curiosity has helped determine his career path.
John earned his associate degree in computer programming from Bradford Schools.
1. The Fragasso Investment Committee is comprised of the portfolio management team and several financial advisors. The committee meets quarterly to discuss market trends, current investment outlook, portfolio construction, implementation, and issues on clients’ minds.
Our Firm Partners
The Investment Advisory Group, LLC is part of the Independent Advisor Solutions model at Fragasso Financial Advisors. Fragasso is a regional, award-winning firm that provides seamless and integrated support by offering in-house Portfolio Management, Financial Planning, Retirement Plan Services, Operations and Compliance, Marketing, and Educational Seminars, all packaged and presented on state-of-the-art technology platforms. This affords our firm the quality time to spend with our clients and prospective clients, while knowing there are dedicated professionals managing our client’s assets and specialists who are there when we need them.
From a business planning perspective, associating with Fragasso helps ensure our clients will get continuous service and support, should there be any non-planned event of death or disability.
Charles Schwab completed its acquisition of TD Ameritrade, Fragasso Financial Advisor’s previous custodian, and we began the transition process in September 2023. Both Schwab and TD Ameritrade have successfully integrated the best-in-class operations from both organizations, and we have been very pleased with their people, services, technology, and security. Through their dedicated support to Independent RIAs, efficient trading platforms, award-winning technology, and low fees, Schwab has proven themselves to be excellent partners both for us as an Independent RIA and for our clients.
For the Broker/Dealer business, Fragasso has selected Private Client Services (PCS). Private Client Services supports independent firms like Fragasso, who need responsive service, flexibility, and compliance, in order to effectively serve our clients with Broker/Dealer offerings such as brokerage accounts, insurance and annuities. As an independent business itself, PCS understands the need for us to operate our businesses “without the hassle and interference of corporate bureaucracy.”