Andrew Sosnowitz CRPC®, AAMS®, CMFC®
Andrew Sosnowitz CRPC®, AAMS®, CMFC®
Andrew is the President & Chief Investment Officer of Buttonwood Capital Management. With over 20 years of investment experience, Andrew focuses his efforts on working with clients to develop their overall financial strategy, manage their investments, and integrate their tax and estate planning into a cohesive wealth management plan.
Prior to launching an independent wealth management firm in 2009, Andrew spent more than a decade in the Merrill Lynch Global Private Client Group. Serving as an Assistant Vice President & Wealth Management Advisor, Andrew gained extensive experience vetting investment opportunities across multiple asset classes and through a range of market environments working with both traditional and alternative managers. In addition, Andrew counseled clients on implementing a vast array of investment and financial planning techniques for families and individuals with complicated estate planning and financial structures.
Awarded a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona and post-baccalaureate credentials at MIT’s Sloan School of Management, Andrew holds a CRPC® (Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor), AAMS® (Accredited Asset Management Specialist), and CMFC® (Chartered Mutual Fund Counselor) – awarded through the College for Financial Planning.
Andrew is involved in community service through such organizations as “Chances 4 Children” as well as “Both Ends Burning,” supporting his belief that every child deserves a family. He continues to serve as an advocate for both domestic and international adoption.
Having grown up in the sunshine state of Florida, Andrew’s decision to reside in the Valley of the Sun should be no surprise. He shares his Phoenix home with his wife Laura, and their growing boys, Blake & Caleb.
Kelly Schlesinger
Kelly Schlesinger
Kelly brings a wealth of financial services experience, having begun her career over 20 years ago as a Financial Advisor for Morgan Stanley. After a successful foray, Kelly transitioned to Merrill Lynch, working alongside Buttonwood President Andrew Sosnowitz.
Most recently, Kelly owned a leading role in the establishment, financial administration, and ongoing governance of a single-family office (SFO). In this position, Kelly gained invaluable knowledge in the areas of complex family trust strategies, corporate structuring, multi-national tax compliance, and offshore tax incentive programs. Additionally, she served as a voting member of the Real-Estate, as well as Public and Private market investment committees.
Kelly’s experience has allowed her to distill best practices for discovering purpose and refining the vision that successful families need in order to thrive.
A Cum Laude graduate from G. Brint Ryan College of Business at the University of North Texas with a Bachelors of Business Administration, Kelly moved to Arizona to pursue her MBA at Thunderbird School of International Business Management. When she’s not working with Buttonwood clients,
Kelly enjoys time spent with her husband and their young son.
Sean Neel
Sean Neel
Prior to joining Buttonwood, Sean was an Assistant Vice President with JPMorgan Private Bank where he worked with successful families, private and public companies, and charitable foundations. In addition, he advised on asset allocation strategies and provided recommendations based on a client’s financial goals and risk profile. He began his career at Edward Jones & Company as a Financial Advisor.
Sean earned his bachelor’s degree in both Economics & Business Administration from Principia College with a specialty in MIS. He is currently continuing his studies as a candidate in the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) program through the College for Financial Planning.
Ashley Brown
Ashley Brown
Prior to joining Buttonwood, Ashley served as an Investment Advisor with Edelman Financial Engines, as well as Vanguard, where she assisted clients in the areas of retirement planning and investment management.
The confluence of her strong financial background with her prior management experience at a world-leading health and wellness resort allows Buttonwood clients to benefit from her holistic view of the powerful and symbiotic connection between personal health and financial wellness.
Ashley graduated Summa Cum Laude as a Bachelor of Science recipient from Northern Arizona University. An Arizona native, Ashley enjoys spending her free time with family and childhood friends.
Bret Seltzer Esq.
Bret Seltzer Esq.
Bret provides legal counsel and insight for Buttonwood Capital Management in the areas of financing transactions, mergers & acquisitions, as well as general corporate law. *
With a passion for business, Bret served many years as in-house counsel for several small and medium size companies throughout Arizona, in addition to two, nationally franchised organizations. Currently, he practices in Warshawsky Seltzer, PLLC’s Scottsdale office.
Bret attended the University of New Mexico where he gained recognition as a top Division I student-athlete, graduating Cum Laude with a B.A. in Economics. He went on to earn an M.B.A. from New Mexico’s Anderson Graduate School – finishing in the top one percent – and then returned to school once more, earning his J.D. from Arizona State University’s College of Law.
Outside of providing business counsel, Bret serves his decades-long commitment to philanthropy – a virtue for which he began contributing during his undergraduate days. Over the years, he has given considerable time and effort to organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, the Special Olympics and the Homeless Assistance Legal Program.
Bret resides in Scottsdale and spends his free time pursuing athletic challenges and exploring Arizona’s storied backcountry.
*Mr. Seltzer is neither affiliated nor endorsed by LPL Financial.
Jeff Whitley Esq., CFP®
Jeff Whitley Esq., CFP®
Jeff Whitley serves Buttonwood Capital Management as legal counsel, particularly in advising clients in the areas of estate planning, probate and other, general business matters. Additionally, Jeff oversees the firm’s legal affairs, overseeing the details on business transactions, corporate structure and compliance matters. *
He began his legal practice in 1995 in San Jose, California, litigating Enterprise-level technology cases involving patent & trademark infringement. After a few years, he relocated to Phoenix, practicing at some of the State’s most respected firms, as well as serving as in-house legal counsel for many diverse organizations.
Since 2005, Jeff has specialized in the representation of regional businesses & business owners, while also serving as the founding shareholder of Whitley Legal Group, P.C.
Jeff received his B.A. from Dartmouth & J.D. from University of Michigan Law School. Additionally, Jeff achieved his certification as a CFP® (Certified Financial Planner™) from the College for Financial Planning.
Jeff resides in Scottsdale with his wife and has two children and can always be found caddying for his son in junior golf tournaments and supporting his daughters’ collegiate pursuits.
* Mr. Whitley is neither affiliated nor endorsed by LPL Financial.