The People of Bridgewater
Providing impeccable service and trustworthy advice requires dependable, accessible, intelligent people who understand and care about their clients. These are the people of Bridgewater.
Ron Rubin, CPA, PFS
Managing Principal
Ron has acquired more than 30 years of wealth and financial management experience through an accomplished career that began in 1980 when he became a certified public accountant (CPA). In 1987, he founded his public accounting firm, Rubin & Associates and later earned certification as a personal financial specialist (PFS)s. Recognizing a need for financial planning and investment advisory services among several of his high-net-worth clients, he launched Bridgewater, a boutique wealth management company, in 1996, and later combined the two into Bridgewater Wealth & Financial Management.
As principal, Ron provides expert financial and investment planning, tax advisory services and financial management services to a diverse group of individuals, families, athletes, entrepreneurs and entertainers. He has always taken a personal interest in the people he serves, developing trusting relationships with each of them, and helping them achieve their goals. As Ron says, “It’s all about satisfying their needs and giving them unparalleled service.”
Ron is a graduate of the University of Maryland. He is a founding board member, treasurer and CFO of The Boomer Esiason Foundation, and a board member of Monument Bank. He is a past president of the Mid-Atlantic Region of the Starlight Children’s Foundation, and currently serves as the “outsourced” CFO for the National Fluid Milk Processor’s “Got Milk” campaign. He is also a member of the board of trustees for Kol Shalom. When he’s not working, Ron is enjoying his family, his music, running, golfing, fishing and skiing.
Key Words: Integrity. Friendship. Service.
Favorite Quote: “If you will it, it is not a dream.”—Theodore Herzl
Interesting Ron Fact: He and his family participate in an annual mission trip that supports Jovenes En Camino, an organization helping young homeless children in Honduras.
Ann Brownholtz
Principal
Brownholtz@bridgewaterwealth.com
Ann has been a tax specialist for Bridgewater since 1984. Her depth of knowledge, experience and expertise in tax planning, preparation and review is an invaluable asset to the individuals and institutions for whom she provides these services. As a certified public accountant for more than 30 years, Ann is the consummate tax professional. Ann earned a bachelor of science degree in business from the University of Maryland. She earned her CPA in 1981. Married with four children, Ann enjoys spending time with her family and reading.
Key Words: Dedicated. Loyal. Responsible.
Favorite Quote: "To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Interesting Ann Fact: She truly and deeply loves her work, so much so that her favorite time of year—and this is the absolute truth—is tax season.
Jessica Brede
Principal
Jessica specializes in tax planning, preparation and review for individuals and institutions. In this role, she is also responsible for direct client relationship management, addressing their needs and designing and executing a strategy for achieving their overall objectives. Jessica’s years of experience in private equity and real estate give her special expertise in those areas. Jessica began her work in this industry as a portfolio analyst for Florida National Bank, now part of Wachovia/Wells Fargo. While there, she was responsible for creating and maintaining interest rate sensitivity models for the bank’s asset and liability portfolios. Later she performed the same service as a portfolio analyst for AT&T Universal Card Services. Jessica did her undergraduate work at Jacksonville University and the University of Georgia, and has bachelor’s degrees in finance, economics and business management. After working several years as a portfolio analyst, she took time off to devote herself to raising her two children, Katie and Tommy, and to pursue further studies. During this time she earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting, and a master’s degree in taxation. She joined Bridgewater in 2000 and has been a tax advisor for our clients ever since.
Jessica is a certified public accountant and a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the Maryland Association of CPAs. She has a diversity of interests and hobbies outside of work, Wootton Soccer being chief among them.
Key Words: Smile. Work hard. Be sincere.
Favorite Quote: “It is our choices that show who we truly are, far more than our abilities.”
Interesting Jessica Fact: She proved that hard work pays off. Even after seven years away from corporate America, she scored highest out of nearly 5,000 candidates in the State of Maryland CPA exam in 1999.
Kim Allred
Client Relationship Manager
Kim provides personal account management and acts as the key point of contact with a select group of Bridgewater’s Investment Advisory clients. She is your primary point person, ensuring that your day-to-day needs are met. An expert financial planner, Kim also works to monitor and evolve client portfolios, optimizing their investment strategies. She holds both a Series 7 and Series 63 General Securities Representative license. Working in the investment management field since 1997, Kim has acquired the indepth experience and expertise needed to provide true value as a knowledgeable advisor and skillful planner for high net worth individuals.
Kim earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire. When she’s not working on your portfolio, she loves spending time with her family, skiing and playing on the beach. For better or worse, she is also a diehard Boston Red Sox, Celtics and New England Patriots fan.
Key Words: Loyal. Organized. Detail-oriented.
Favorite Quote: “If you’re failing to plan, you’re planning to fail.”
Interesting Kim Fact: She is almost constantly surrounded by boys. One is full grown (her husband Kris), and two are not (her pre-school sons Jake and Matthew).
Kelly Bonsby
Senior Accountant
Kelly is responsible for tax and financial management administration for a number of our high-level accounts. She began as a bookkeeper in 1992. Later, through diligent study and hard work, she became a firm administrator and controller, where she mastered the financial and accounting skills that prepared her for her current position as senior accountant and tax specialist. Kelly enjoys the closeness she feels with her clients and the people with whom she works. She and her husband Ernie are raising two teenagers, Robert and Brittany. The family shares their home with a very large golden retriever named Bailey. When Kelly isn’t working on your taxes or financial statements, you’ll likely find her spending time with the people—and pets—she loves.
Key Words: Loyal. Trustworthy. Loving.
Favorite Quote: “The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will.”—Vince Lombardi
Interesting Kelly Fact: She began working for Ron Rubin when she was just 20 years old, and has been with the firm ever since.
Alyssa Braender-Carr
Analyst
braendercarr@bridgewaterwealth.com
Alyssa has been part of the Investment Advisory team since 2010 when she came on board as an Operations Administrator, ensuring that day-to-day client needs were being met. As an analyst, she now supports the Investment Advisory team with quarterly reporting, preparing client review material, and building asset inventories. She plays a key role in making sure families achieve their investment objectives here at Bridgewater.
Alyssa graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. She loves to paint and exercise in her spare time (though not necessarily at the same time). You can find Alyssa at her most relaxed when she’s spending time with her family at her father’s beach house on Long Beach Island, New Jersey.
Key Words: Creative. Reliable. Motivated.
Favorite Quote: “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” - Helen Keller
Interesting Alyssa Fact: Though she still considers herself an amateur artist, Alyssa has sold her work, and it has been widely displayed in a variety of community buildings in her hometown.
Matt Morehead, JD, CEBS
Senior Advisor
morehead@bridgewaterwealth.com
Matt oversees the investment portfolio of a core group of clients helping them properly manage their wealth. In addition, he works closely with the Investment Advisory team to help manage Bridgewater’s investment strategy, which includes Matt’s unique Launch2Life program. This financial boot camp helps the twenty-something children of our clients facilitate their transition to independent adulthood.
Matt joined Bridgewater in 2011 after having spent much of the previous decade as president of a nationally recognized wealth advisory firm based in Denver. In 2009, Matt was selected as a Five Star Wealth Advisor, “Best in Client Satisfaction” by ColoradoBIZ Magazine for his outstanding work with high-net-worth families. In addition to his extensive investment and tax expertise, Matt has become a recognized thought leader in helping affluent families prepare their children for life after college.
Matt graduated with honors from the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. He went on to earn his law degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law and his Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) designation from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business and the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. In 2005, Matt was selected as one of Colorado’s “Forty Rising Business Stars Under the Age of Forty,” for both his business and civic leadership, and also served as an officer for one of the largest Rotary Clubs in the world, Denver’s Club 31. A huge sports fan, Matt got a kick out of being a guest personal finance lecturer for the Denver Broncos for four seasons. When he is not obsessing about his client portfolios, Matt enjoys playing golf and learning to cook, neither of which he does very well.
Key Words: Dependable. Resourceful. Fun.
Favorite Quote: "Obstacles are what you see when you take your eye off the goal." — Vince Lombardi
Interesting David Fact: Matt drove a 180-foot Coast Guard ice-breaking ship in balmy Duluth, Minnesota, for two years after graduating from the Coast Guard Academy.
David Olson
CIMA, Client Relationship Manager
David provides personal account management and portfolio review as the key point of contact with a select group of clients. He also works closely with Ron Rubin to help oversee Bridgewater’s tactical and strategic asset allocation decisions, manager due diligence responsibilities, performance reporting and general market analysis. David joined the firm in 2003 where he started in accounting services and managed special projects. In 2008 David completed the Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) program at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business. Previously, he earned his Series 7 and Series 66 General Securities Representative licenses. David is a member of the Investment Management Consultants Association (IMCA) and the CFA Society of Washington, DC.
David earned his bachelor of finance degree from James Madison University. In his spare time he takes interest in golf, triathlon training, reading, sunning on any beach he can find, and attending Washington Redskins games as a faithful season-ticket holder.
Key Words: Ambitious. Methodical. Dedicated.
Favorite Quote: “The true test of a man’s character is what he does when no one is watching.”—John Wooden
Interesting David Fact: He saved two children from drowning in a dramatic episode in 2002. He says he’ll never forget the experience, which was profound and humbling.
Linda Olson
Executive Assistant and Office Administrator
Linda has provided faithful service to Bridgewater and all of our clients as Ron’s executive assistant since 1993. Recently promoted to office administrator, she is an expert at organization, time management and efficient business systems. Bridgewater quite simply would not run the same without her.
Linda attended Montgomery College for two years with hopes of becoming a dental hygienist. Lucky for us, that never happened. Prior to her service with Bridgewater, Linda worked in the Montgomery County Public Schools with second-graders who had learning disabilities in reading and math.
Linda has been married to her high-school sweetheart for 45 years and counting. They have raised six children—Judi, Donnie, Jenni, Joei, Dave and Jessi—and are expecting their seventh grandchild soon. Linda loves spending time with her family, her dogs Casey and Remy, and keeping up with everything everyone is doing—that will include you, once she gets to know you.
Key Words: Mom. Loyal. Committed.
Favorite Quote: “You were not a born winner, and you were not a born loser. You are what you make yourself be.”
Interesting Linda Fact: Her first job was working for a lobbyist on Capital Hill. She insists they’re not nearly as bad as they’re portrayed in the media.
Jeanne Polcsa
Controller
Jeanne is responsible for the financial administration of Bridgewater, and is a vital component of our Tax Advisory Services team. Jeanne is also a leader of our Financial Management team, in charge of our largest accounting and bookkeeping institutional client. Her role is to consistently provide Bridgewater and its clients with outstanding financial management services, and address issues as they arise—always with the professionalism and timeliness for which she is well known among her colleagues and clientele. Jeanne has been an accountant since 1977. She began her career as a CPA in public accounting, specializing in audits and tax services, which she pursued for nine years before becoming self-employed in bookkeeping and tax preparation. Prior to joining Bridgewater in 2007, she was a successful controller for a construction and general contracting company, a senior accountant in a facilities service company, a part-time accountant for a local non-profit organization, and a stay-at-home mother to her three children. She began working with Bridgewater by assisting in our tax preparations services and as an outsourced assistant controller to one of our national clients.
Jeanne earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Southeastern Massachusetts University, now the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth. She is a member of the American Institute of CPAs, and she loves cooking, reading and scrapbooking.
Key Words: Professional. Organized. Hardworking.
Favorite Quote: “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”—Maya Angelou.
Interesting Jeanne Fact: For a two-year period in the early 2000s, she was a substitute teacher in the Montgomery County public school system in Maryland.
Paul Shapero
Client Relations Manager
Paul is the lead point person on the Bridgewater team that provides Financial Management Services to individuals. Paul is responsible for coordinating client relationships as the primary customer contact. He combines his skill as an accountant with his natural ability to anticipate and serve your wealth and financial management needs. He loves the diversity of his work, and prides himself in always being willing to take on greater responsibility on behalf of those he serves. Paul joined our organization in 1999 with several years of accounting and business experience. In fact, his first job involved handling money—as a clerk in a local grocery story—and he has participated in the accounting and disposition of cash ever since. He has enjoyed a rich and varied professional career that includes banking, restaurant, health club and property management. Paul earned a bachelor of science in accounting from University College at the University of Maryland. When he’s not crunching numbers, he’s likely crunching abs as a physical fitness enthusiast.
Key Words: Dedicated. Service-Oriented. Going Above and Beyond.
Favorite Quote: “You can never do too much for your client.”
Interesting Paul Fact: His other favorite quote is, “No matter how rocky the seas, the ship must come in.” Sounds like something Paul might say, don’t you think?
To give real service you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity. - Douglas Adams