Sam Brownell, CVA, CFA, MBA has been a financial professional since 2006 and formed Stratus Capital Management in July 2013 to provide goals-based financial planning and investment management to individuals, families, and independent business owners. As the firm grew, an increasing number of independent business owners sought Sam’s advice on their short and long-term planning needs, including valuation, tax strategy, business continuity planning, and succession planning. In 2019, Sam obtained the CVA certification from the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (NACVA) in order to better serve the valuation and succession planning needs of his independent business owner clients.

Sam earned his BA in Economics from Loyola University in Maryland and his MBA from the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business. Prior to forming Stratus Wealth Advisors, Sam worked in trading, valuation, and research at two investment banks, where he became a CFA Charterholder, and was an economic consultant analyzing structured financial products and other fixed income securities.

In his free time, Sam gives back to his community as treasurer of a local, DC-area non-profit focused on teaching children to swim, and he is also an avid fly fisherman. Sam and his wife, Sara, reside in Kensington, MD, with their sons Felix and Finn.

As a Senior Consultant for the UCSD Beyster Institute, Martin enables private business owners to liquidate their stock on their own terms by selling to an ESOP. He also leads growing companies through the process of designing equity compensation programs that motivate performance through a stake in success.

Alix is the founder of Aligned Law, a Portland, Oregon-based law firm serving purpose-driven businesses. She was inspired to start the firm when she realized that innovative and heart-centered entrepreneurs need lawyers who understand the new ways of doing business. Alix has served clients in many different capacities including advising start-ups on business formation, negotiating purchases and sales, and counseling clients in conflict.

Alix’s many volunteer activities include serving on the steering circles of the Cooperative Professionals Guild and the Oregon New Economy Project, as well as the Public Service Committee of the Multnomah Bar Association. Prior to starting Aligned Law, Alix practiced corporate employment law and complex commercial litigation at Nixon Peabody, a Global 100 law firm. She graduated first in her class from Case Western Reserve University School of Law and holds a degree in French from Pomona College.

Abran Villegas is a native of Albuquerque and has spent the last 23 years in banking. At Lazear Capital Partners, his focus is on finding creative solutions for his clients. Areas of expertise include Solar, Tax Credits, Owner Occupied Real Estate, Contractors and Middle Market Businesses.

He holds a Bachelor’s from Georgetown and an MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management. He plays in a mariachi and also serves on various nonprofit boards. Charitable work includes the Maricopa Community College Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, Tiempo, Inc. and SW Center for HIV and Aids.

As an Edward Jones financial advisor, I am proud to serve a wide variety of clients across the country. Specifically, I work with serious individual investors, executives and multi-generational families to develop retirement, wealth accumulation and wealth transfer strategies. I also enjoy working with business owners and nonprofit organizations, with whom I create strategies to help with business succession, asset growth, tax strategies, charitable giving and wealth transfer. No matter the situation, my clients are assured that I will work tirelessly to help them achieve their goals confidently and comfortably. Additionally, I help my clients understand the investment world in terms they can understand so they know why I suggest a specific strategy and what to expect from it.

I have pursued extensive training in entrepreneurship and exit planning in order to further assist business owners with exit planning needs and executive compensation structures. I hold the Certified Exit Planning Advisor® designation, in addition to an MBA from the Porter Byrum School of Business at Wingate University.

I am honored to partner with clients throughout their lives by helping them not only plan for the expected but prepare for the unexpected with diverse protection strategies

Corporate and securities attorney focused on community wealth building and social-impact minded businesses, and leader of a law firm operating as a worker-owned cooperative. Strong experience leveraging legal tools to support client goals: from profit and growth to impact and inclusion. Regular presenter and writer on employee ownership matters for both legal and lay audiences.