Altair Announces Management Changes
Altair Advisers, a Chicago-based independent wealth manager, has announced several key changes in the firm’s management structure. The changes are the result of a multi-year planning initiative to position the firm for continued growth as an independent firm, ensure a seamless succession of leadership and maintain the highest standards of responsive and personalized client service.
Effective January 1, 2018, Steve Weinstein becomes Chairman of the firm. Weinstein served as Altair’s President and Chief Investment Officer since the firm’s founding in 2002. He was formerly the partner-in-charge of Arthur Andersen’s Chicago Investment Advisory Services practice, where Altair principals first came together to form the firm after Andersen’s demise. As Chairman, Weinstein will continue to serve clients as well as draw on his almost 40 years of experience to provide strategic guidance and senior advisory leadership on the firm’s Board and Investment Committee.
In conjunction with this change, Rebekah (“Beka”) Kohmescher has been promoted to the newly created position of Chief Executive Officer with responsibility for the overall management of the firm. Kohmescher is a founding partner of Altair and spent the first eight years with the firm in a client service role, then shifted to an operational role, serving as the firm’s Chief Operating Officer since 2011. As CEO, Kohmescher will continue to report to the firm’s Board which includes Steve, Bryan Malis and Michael Murray.
Additionally, Jason Laurie succeeds Steve as Altair’s Chief Investment Officer. Laurie, also a founding partner of Altair, has been the chairman of Altair’s Investment Committee since 2011 in addition to serving as the lead consultant on numerous client engagements. Laurie will continue serving clients and as CIO is responsible for the strategic direction of the firm’s investment advice in collaboration with Altair’s Research Team. The Investment Committee will continue to have final approval and oversight of all investment advice.
All three changes demonstrate Altair’s abundance of talent and commitment to provide opportunities for advancement, growth and development, strengthening the firm’s commitment to integrity and independence. “These changes not only reward our outstanding owners for their significant contributions but recognize their unlimited potential for helping Altair continue to grow and prosper as an independent firm,” said Weinstein.
“It’s exciting to see these changes at the firm happening at a time of significant growth and success,” said Kohmescher. “We are pleased that we found a way for Steve to continue to actively participate in the company’s leadership while shifting some of the volume of his responsibilities to other partners.” Further confirming this sentiment, Weinstein noted, “We’ve grown from 12 people in 2002 to more than 50 employees today with over $4.5 billion in assets under advisement. As a team, we created a culture that is a reflection of the drive and commitment that led to our inception. While any business must evolve in order to thrive, and evolution necessarily brings change and a shift in roles, I can assure you the culture we’ve built together will remain intact, as it is the foundation of who we are. We look forward to a bright future ahead!”
Media Contact: Anna Nichols, 312-429-3011, anichols@altairadvisers.com