Skip Navigation LinksCorporate

William W. Lester, CFA 
President & CEO 
Joined the Firm in 1983. Education: B.S. in Business Administration, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1980. CFA Charterholder, 1983. General Securities Registered Representative and General Securities Principal of Ameritas Investment Corp., an Investment Advisor Representative of the Summit Investment Advisors, member of the CFA Institute, past director and past President of the CFA Society of Nebraska. Experience: Research Analyst, First Mid American, 1980-1983. 

James Mikus, CFA 
Senior Managing Director
Joined the Firm in 1986. Education: B.S. in Business Administration, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1985. CFA Charterholder, 1990. General Securities Registered Representative of Ameritas Investment Corp., member of the CFA Institute, and past President of the CFA Society of Nebraska.


Gerald Q. Herbert, CPA
Chief Financial Officer 
Joined the Firm in 2005. Education: B.S. in Business Administration, Xavier University, 1989; Certified Public Accountant, 1992, licensed by Ohio Board of Accountancy. Experience: Controller, General Factory Supplies Co., 1996-2005; Controller, Bob Sumerel Tire Co., 1996; Tax and Audit Supervisor, Mountjoy & Bressler, 1989-1995.

Thomas G. Knipper, CPA
Chief Compliance Officer
Joined the Firm in 1998. Education: B.S. in Business Administration summa cum laude, The University of Dayton, 1979; Certified Public Accountant, 1981; licensed by Ohio Board of Accountancy. Experience: Union Central Life Insurance Company, Assistant Controller, 1995-1998; Gateway Investment Advisers & The Gateway Trust, Chief Accounting Officer, 1993-1995; Deloitte & Touche, Senior Audit Manager, 1978-1992. 

Babu V. Sonti
Chief Technology Officer
Joined the Firm in 1998. Education: Ph.D. in Mathematics, The Ohio State University, 1987; M.A. in Mathematics with concentration in Graph Theory and Combinatorics, University of Maine, 1982. Experience: Union Central Life Insurance Company, 1988-1998; Assistant Professor of Math/CS, College of Wooster, 1985-1987.

Diane M. Busch
Senior Marketing Communications Specialist
Joined the Firm in 2006. Education: Bachelors of Business Administration in Marketing, University of Cincinnati. Additional education in computer graphics and graphic design at UCLA and Santa Monica College. Experience: New Creative Enterprises, Marketing Communications Manager, 1999-2006; TCW, Marketing Communications Publisher, 1997-1999; Westmark Realty Advisors, Marketing Production Manager 1994-1997.

Tony L. Durante
Network Specialist
Joined the Firm in 2000. Education: Attended University of Cincinnati, 1991. Experience: Union Central Life Insurance Company, IS Service Center Specialist 1997-2000; IS Service Center Technician 1993-1997; Life Support Operator 1990-1993.