Our Team

Highly skilled experts committed to excellence

Our Team

Our distinguished JFS advisors are here to assist you with every aspect of your financial life, from Financial Planning to Investment Management. Dedicated, experienced and knowledgeable, they are passionate about providing exceptional client service, and will work with you one-on-one to help achieve your goals and dreams.

To ensure the firm’s long-term success, JFS has a superb dedicated management team responsible for keeping overall and day-to-day operations performing smoothly, efficiently and effectively.

JFS Wealth Advisors

  • Robert C. Jazwinski CPA/PFS, CFP® Founder, President and Visionary

    Jazwinski rjazwinski@jfswa.com

    Bob’s vision and stewardship has grown the sole practitioner CPA firm that he founded in 1986 into JFS Wealth Advisors. Bob is the firm’s President and head of the Investment Committee. An industry leader, he is active in many professional organizations, including the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) and the Financial Planning Association (FPA). He is also the President and Past Treasurer for the PICPA. In the past, Bob has served as Chair for both the AICPA Personal Financial Specialist Credential Committee and the PICPA Estate and Personal Financial Planning Committee. And, he’s been a member of the Governing Council of the AICPA, the National Accreditation Commission, the AICPA Personal Financial Planning Conference Committee, the PICPA Council, and the CPA Journal Editorial Board.

    Bob has authored a number of articles for various publications and has been a featured speaker at state and national financial planning conferences. He has served on national advisory committees for Lockwood Advisors and Charles Schwab & Co., addressing the needs of independent financial advisors for separately managed investment accounts. He was also a member of TD Ameritrade’s National Advisors Panel and served on the Board of Directors of National Advisors Trust Company.

    Bob holds a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. A Certified Public Accountant, he received the Personal Financial Specialist designation with high honors from the AICPA, and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional.

    Outside of the office, Bob has a long history of community involvement and leadership. He currently serves as Chairman for Sharon Regional Health System; Trustee and Investment Committee Chairman for Westminster College; Executive Vice President Emeritus and Chairman of the Investment Committee for the Community Foundation of Western PA & Eastern OH; and Founder and Board Member of Penn-Northwest Development Corp.

    Bob and his wife live in Hermitage, PA. He enjoys spending time with his family, which includes three grown children and two grandchildren.

  • Janelle M. Fumerola CFP®, MBA Managing Principal, Lead Advisor

    Fumerola jfumerola@jfswa.com

    Janelle manages the personal and financial planning and asset management department and is a member of the firm’s Business Development Team. She works with clients to develop, implement, and monitor tailored financial solutions.

    Bringing her banking experience to JFS in 2002, Janelle joined the firm as both a Trader and Paraplanner. A member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA), she graduated Magna Cum Laude from Hiram (OH) College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and earned her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification in 2004. In 2012, Janelle graduated with a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) as well as a certificate in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), both from Youngstown (OH) State University. She has been inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma, an international honor society and the highest honor a business school graduate can receive.

    Active in her community, Janelle is a graduate of Leadership Shenango, a member of Women’s Leadership Initiative of the United Way of Mercer County, and a past President of Shenango Valley Professionals.

    Janelle lives in Burghill, OH, with her husband and four children. She is the cheerleading coach and Secretary for the Badger Youth Football Association. 

  • Ron Wyatt CFP®, CIMA®, ChFC®, CRC® Managing Principal, Retirement Planning Specialist

    Wyatt rwyatt@jfswa.com

    Ron manages the JFS office in Pittsburgh and works with clients to develop, implement, and monitor tailored financial solutions. He is a member of the firm’s Investment Committee and the Business Development Team.

    Ron enjoyed a successful career at several leading wirehouses for 16 years before joining JFS in 2009. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance with a minor in Accounting from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and earned his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification in 1998. Ron received the Certified Investment Management Analystsm certification from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business.  Ron is a Chartered Financial Consultant® and a Certified Retirement Counselor® and holds several other certifications, as well.

    He lives in Pittsburgh, PA, with his wife and three children and enjoys weight lifting, running, bicycling and skiing.

  • J. Stephen Lee MBA Managing Principal, Lead Advisor

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    Steve manages our PPG office in downtown Pittsburgh and works with clients to develop, implement, and monitor tailored financial solutions. He is also a member of the firm’s Investment Committee.

    Steve joined H.L. Zeve Associates, now a division of JFS Wealth Advisors, in 1994. Prior to this, Steve lived in New Orleans, LA, where he owned and operated an oil and gas exploration and production company, managing funds from private and corporate investors. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Geological Sciences from Brown University and earned his Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Pittsburgh Katz School of Business.

    Steve is a Board Member and past Chair of Shady Side Academy, a Board Member of the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, where he sits on the Finance Committee, and is a Director of Christian Camps of Pittsburgh, Inc. He formerly was President of the Shady Side Academy Alumni Council, an Elder of the Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, and member of the Board of Trustees of the Audobon Society of Western Pennsylvania, where he chaired the Finance Committee.

    Steve lives in O’Hara Township, PA with his wife and enjoys spending his free time outdoors – fishing, hunting, hiking, backpacking, and skiing.

  • Karen L. Chikosky CFP® Principal, Lead Advisor

    Chikosky kchikosky@jfswa.com

    Karen works with clients to develop, implement, and monitor tailored financial solutions and is a member of the firm’s Investment Committee. Karen joined JFS in 2000, after working with companies that served both government and private clients in the Washington, D.C. area.

    Karen is a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA). She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and earned her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification in 1998.

    Karen is also a Board Member of the Buhl Farm Corp. and a member of the Women’s Leadership Initiative of the United Way of Mercer County.

    She and her husband live in Hermitage, PA. She enjoys visiting her sons in Washington, D.C. and Chicago and especially loves spending time with her two young grandchildren.

  • Gary A. Dalessandro CPA/PFS, CFP® Principal, Tax & Estate Planning Specialist

    Dalessandro gdalessandro@jfswa.com

    Managing the tax and estate planning departments, Gary advises individuals and trust clients on accounting, tax and financial planning matters. Gary joined JFS in 1998.  He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA), and the Financial Planning Association (FPA).

    Gary has had over 60 articles published in various local newspapers. He often presents educational seminars to clients, professionals and the general public and is a frequent speaker to high school students.

    Graduating Magna Cum Laude from Clarion (PA) University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Gary earned his Certified Public Accountant license in 1983, his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification in 2001, and the Personal Financial Specialist designation from the AICPA in 2004.

    A graduate of Leadership Shenango, Gary served on the Board of Directors for the Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce from 2004-2009.

    Gary and his wife live in Sharpsville, PA, and have two grown daughters. He is an avid gardener and enjoys canning the peppers and tomatoes that he grows.

  • Deborah A. Stiger CPA/PFS, CRPS® Principal, Business Retirement Plan Specialist

    Stiger dstiger@jfswa.com

    Managing the business retirement planning department, Deb is responsible for design, implementation and administration of qualified and nonqualified retirement plans for business clients and their employees. She also coordinates the accounting, tax and other financial services for various individuals, businesses and nonprofit entities.

    Deb is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA), the National Institute of Pension Administrators (NIPA), and the Profit Sharing Council of America (PSCA).

    Prior to joining JFS in 1996, Deb served six years as controller for a privately held environmental services firm and seven years in public accounting. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Pennsylvania State University and earned her Certified Public Accountant license in 1992, the Chartered Retirement Plan Specialist™ designation in 2003 and the Personal Financial Specialist designation from the AICPA in 2006.

    Deb volunteers her time teaching various financial literacy topics to high school students and other organizations.

    She and her husband live in Mercer, PA, and have two grown children. Deb enjoys gardening and landscaping and rooting for her favorite NFL team.

  • Ronald W. Yost Lead Advisor

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    Ron works with clients to develop, implement, and monitor tailored financial solutions at our PPG office in downtown Pittsburgh. He is also a member of the firm’s Investment Committee.

    Ron joined H.L. Zeve Associates, now a division of JFS Wealth Advisors, in 2004. Prior to this, Ron was Vice President and Manager of Charles Schwab’s Monroeville office where he oversaw a staff of six and was responsible for firm assets of approximately $700 million. He has previously held investment advisory positions at TD Waterhouse, Parker Hunter, and Mellon Financial. Ron received a Bachelor’s Degree from Pennsylvania State University with a concentration in Statistics and Mathematics.

    Ron lives in Mt. Lebanon, PA with his wife and enjoys exercising, playing golf, and spending time outdoors in his free time.

  • Aaron K. Dayton CFP® Lead Advisor

    Dayton adayton@jfswa.com

    Aaron works with clients to develop, implement, and monitor tailored financial solutions. Before joining JFS in 2012, he enjoyed a successful career with Bank of New York Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA, for 12 years, where his most recent position was a senior portfolio officer.

    He is a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA). He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Slippery Rock (PA) University and an executive certificate in financial planning from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh. He earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification in 2008.

    He lives in Neshannock, PA, with his wife and two daughters and enjoys outdoor activities, golfing, skiing, camping and fly fishing.

  • Amanda L. Marcello CFP® Lead Advisor

    Marcello amarcello@jfswa.com

    Amanda works with clients to develop, implement, and monitor tailored financial solutions and is responsible for initial client contact.

    After graduating Magna Cum Laude from Youngstown (OH) State University, she joined JFS in 2002 as support for the business retirement planning department moving to asset management support in 2004 as a trader and Paraplanner. She became an investment advisor in 2007 after passing the Series 65 exam.

    She is a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA). Amanda holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a major in finance and earned her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification in 2008.

    She is a graduate of Leadership Shenango and a member of Shenango Valley Professionals (SVP).

    She lives in Hubbard, OH, with her husband and two children and enjoys spending time with her family, walking and baking.

  • Sarah J. Amey CFP® Advisor

    Amey samey@jfswa.com

    Sarah works with clients to develop, implement, and monitor tailored financial solutions. Prior to joining JFS in 2011 in the Pittsburgh office, Sarah worked as a portfolio administrator for BNY Mellon Wealth Management, Harrisburg, PA.

    She is a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA). She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Shippensburg (PA) University and her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification in 2010.

    She lives in Pittsburgh, PA, with her husband and two sons. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and watching the Pittsburgh Steelers.

  • Anthony S. Burt CFP®, CIMA®, AIFA® Advisor

    Burt aburt@jfswa.com

    Tony works with clients to develop, implement, and monitor tailored financial solutions. He is a member of the firm’s Investment Committee and oversees the firm’s trading and portfolio rebalancing software.

    Tony is a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA) and Investment Management Consultants Association (IMCA). He joined JFS in 2006 as a trader and support for asset management. A Magna Cum Laude graduate of Slippery Rock (PA) University, Tony holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance with a specialization in personal financial planning. He earned his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification in 2008, the Certified Investment Management Analystsm designation in 2009 from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business, and the Accredited Investment Fiduciary Analyst™ in 2011.

    He is a graduate of Leadership Shenango and is a member of Shenango Valley Professionals (SVP).

    He lives in Hermitage, PA, with his wife and son. He enjoys spending time with his family, as well as reading, weightlifting, jogging, and playing and listening to music.

Dedicated Management

  • Laura J. Blaire IACCP®, MSM Chief Operating Officer, Chief Compliance Officer, Managing Principal

    Blaire lblaire@jfswa.com

    As Chief Operating Officer and Chief Compliance Officer, Laura is responsible for overall firm operations and management, as well as ensuring that JFS Wealth Advisors maintains compliance with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Laura joined JFS in 2002 after working as a Senior Quality Assurance Analyst for PNC Bank in Pittsburgh.

    Graduating Magna Cum Laude from Chatham University, Pittsburgh, PA, Laura has a Bachelor’s Degree in International Business. She earned the Investment Adviser Certified Compliance Professional® designation and was part of the first certifying examination in 2006 by the National Regulatory Center for Compliance Professionals. In 2007, Laura earned a Master’s Degree in Management with an emphasis in leadership from the Richard D. Irwin Graduate School at The American College, Bryn Mawr, PA. She is a member of the National Society of Compliance Professionals, as well as the Phi Beta Kappa and Mortar Board honorary societies.

    Active in community life, Laura is a 2004 graduate of Leadership Shenango, where she was recognized as an outstanding participant. Laura currently serves as a Board Member and classroom volunteer for Junior Achievement of Western PA and a member of the Women’s Leadership Initiative of the United Way of Mercer County. She formerly was President of Hermitage Business Association, a member of the Hermitage Planning Commission, a Board Member for the Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce and a Board Member of Shenango Valley Professionals.

    Laura lives in Hermitage, PA, with her husband and two children, and enjoys reading, walking and bicycling.

  • Janet J. Earle Chief Financial Officer, Managing Principal

    Earle jearle@jfswa.com

    As the firm’s Chief Financial Officer, Janet oversees corporate finance and accounting. She joined JFS in 2008, bringing experience in finance and accounting from her position as Vice President of Finance at Sharon Custom Metal Forming. Her corporate accounting experience also includes positions with Roll Forming Corporation, Werner Company and other regional manufacturing firms.

    Janet graduated Magna Cum Laude from Robert Morris University, Pittsburgh, PA, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in accounting. She is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree in Business Administration at Dahlkemper School of Business at Gannon University, Erie, PA.

    She is a member of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) and the Women’s Leadership Initiative of the United Way of Mercer County.

    Janet lives in Greenville, PA, with her husband and three children. She enjoys participating in finance, youth, and education ministries.

 
View the full list of the JFS Team of professionals.