Our Team

Who We Are

"It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you'll do things differently."

THE BRAND STORY:
Building wealth the right way – with intent.

The Avail partnership didn’t come together by accident, and it didn’t happen overnight. Throughout the years, the partners worked in similar industries, shared countless experiences and ultimately discovered that they not only enjoyed working together, but that they also held many of the same core values. All passionate about planning and investing with intent, they decided that collectively they could make the client experience different. Better. So they set out to do that, and the result is Avail.

Avail’s mission for doing business was founded on the partners’ collective, core beliefs in the importance of holistic planning and shaping portfolios with purpose. We believe that our experience as institutional investors is a competitive advantage, allowing us to bring a broader investment opportunity set to clients that need more sophisticated solutions. We also are passionate about making a positive impact, not just in the lives of our clients, but in our communities and the world at large.

Our process works.  At the outset, we seek to truly understand our clients – identifying what goals and ambitions are important to you. Avail’s solutions integrate a broad array of research and institutional tools – giving clients access to opportunities that may not be found at another firm. We seek to protect your wealth and work generationally – using your wealth to build a legacy that provides opportunities for future generations and supports your philanthropy. At the end of the day, Avail offers a two-fold advantage: It’s a boutique-style firm with immediate access to portfolio managers who have decades of experience investing, and it’s a company that wants to do right for its clients and the community. That’s investing done right.

How We're Different

OUR COLLECTIVE EXPERIENCE

We have institutional strength.

Because of our backgrounds – not only as longtime financial planners and advisors – but also serving in leadership roles for national RIAs, managing public mutual funds and endowments and as thought leaders in sustainable investing, we have a comprehensive range of skills that complement each other. After carefully exploring our clients’ goals, we utilize that collective experience to offer you thoughtful and personalized solutions.

OUR ACCESSIBILITY

You can talk to people at the top.

Unlike many other financial advisory firms, you have access to the owners. They sit in on the meetings when you discuss your goals and they pick up the phone when you have a question. They not only work behind-the-scenes performing research and building portfolios, team members also actively engage with clients so you have the ability to work directly with the firm’s decision-makers.

OUR HIGH-TOUCH

We are a service-first firm.

Service means many things at Avail. Our team is dedicated to serving clients and community. And service goes hand-in-hand with accessibility. We know, respect and genuinely like our clients – and we get to know their friends and families. We share a service-driven model for how we live our lives, and your success is our success. We stay in touch. Clients receive regular overviews and check-ins. We work to give our clients more than they expect.

Meet Our Team

SERVICE TEAM

Stuart Feinzig

Stuart Feinzig
Senior Relationship Manager

A native and lifelong resident of Boston, Stuart Feinzig has been successfully working with clients for almost four decades. The Avail consistent approach is simple and starts with a discussion about the importance of money. Avail  believes beginning with the most fundamental questions leads to the best outcomes, regardless of the financial intricacies involved. Stuart and Avail are proponents of “holistic financial planning,” a comprehensive strategy that includes assessing a client’s values, goals and experiences with money. Stuart values relationships, visiting with clients regularly to review their portfolios as their lives change.

Stuart attended Northeastern University and focused on business and marketing. Early in his career he joined Charrette Corp., an architectural, art and reprographics supplier, as their 13th employee. As the company grew, Stuart’s role expanded, and he was eventually named vice president, overseeing all aspects of sales and marketing.

Drawn to financial planning, he transitioned to the financial services industry in 1985, focusing on holistic financial planning. For several years he hosted the weekly “Money Matters” radio program and instructed a monthlong workshop in the Greater Boston area titled “Successful Money Management.” As Stuart’s practice grew, he focused on providing clients financial planning that included professional money management, risk management, portfolio structure and access to qualified asset managers.

Today Stuart is a partner in Avail, a team of financial professionals who work together providing multi-generational financial planning. His decades of experience and ability to listen to clients’ needs and concerns have made him a respected financial advisor in the Northeast U.S.

Stuart is passionate about his family. He is married to Dorothy, and the couple has two adult children each and seven grandchildren combined.

Meredith Henderson
Investment Analyst

Meredith is an investment analyst for Investment Research Partners and has over 10 years of experience in the investment industry.

Meredith holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics with a Spanish minor from the University of Virginia. Prior to joining Investment Research Partners, Meredith served as Vice President in Fixed Income trading at Davenport & Company LLC. This role included inventory and risk management, monitoring market and economic developments, financial analysis and communication with financial professionals through marketing material, presentations and assisting with portfolio management. She also previously worked in Public Finance providing financial advisory and investment banking services to clients in the public sector. 

Meredith resides in Richmond, Virginia with her husband and two children.

Martin Wildy, CFA
Investment Manager

Martin is a partner of Investment Research Partners, a subadvisor for Avail, and has over 20 years of direct investment experience. Martin holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance from the Pennsylvania State University and has held the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation since 2003. He is an active volunteer and consultant with the CFA Institute, supporting the CFA examination and grading functions. He has also been an author and contributor to the CFA digest publication.

Prior to co-founding Investment Research Partners, Martin oversaw three income- and dividend-focused portfolios for Eventide Asset Management, a mutual fund manager in Boston, MA. While with Eventide, he was also involved in building and managing an equity income model portfolio and a multi-asset class strategy for a large foundation. In addition to portfolio management responsibilities, he worked directly on researching companies and presenting investment ideas to the broader Eventide team. Martin has spoken before numerous conferences on sustainable investing and on investment opportunities within the renewable energy industry.

Prior to joining Eventide, Martin was a Senior Portfolio Manager with Aris Wealth Services, Inc., where he worked from 2006 to 2014. At Aris, he was involved in the design, launch, and management of a number of investment strategies including those in the sustainable investing and multi-asset income categories. He also performed macro research that helped to inform the overall portfolio allocations for the firm. Prior to Aris, he was an equity analyst at 1620 Investment Advisors, Inc. where he was responsible for equity research and recommendations, primarily within the telecommunications, technology, and regional banking sectors.

Martin resides in State College, PA with his wife and two children. He sits on the board and investment committee of two preservation focused non-profits and is the head basketball coach for the Special Olympics program in Centre County.

*See Professional Designations for CFA, Certified Financial Analyst.

Geoff Caber, AIF®
Investment Manager

Geoff is a partner of Investment Research Partners, a subadvisor for Avail, and has over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. Geoff holds a bachelor’s degree in Operations Management from the University of Arizona and has held the Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®) designation since 2005. He also attended the Central Atlantic School of Trust and Investment Management.

Prior to co-founding Investment Research Partners, Geoff was the Chief Investment Officer for Abundance Wealth Counselors in State College, PA from 2004 to 2018. While with Abundance, Geoff chaired the Investment Committee and managed the Investment Department. In addition to this investment management responsibilities, Geoff was a member of the Executive Management Team and was the Chief Compliance Officer from 2012 to 2014. Geoff has extensive experience in the areas of portfolio construction, qualified plan management, technical analysis, and in the structure and management of individual bond portfolios.

Prior to joining Abundance, Geoff was an Investment Officer for Susquehanna Trust and Investment Company where he assisted with the transition of portfolio management to an institutional approach which included communicating the investment process to both team members and clients. Prior to STIC, he was a Senior Portfolio Manager for Aris Wealth Services and a Financial Advisor for First Union Securities.

Geoff resides in State College, PA with his fiancée. He is an assistant basketball coach for the Special Olympics program in Centre County.

*See Professional Designations for AIF Accredited Investment Fiduciary.

Brett Greenfield
Investment Manager

Brett is a partner of Investment Research Partners, a subadvisor for Avail, and has over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. Brett holds a bachelor’s degree from James Madison University in Accounting.  Additionally, he became a CFP® professional in 2012, a Chartered SRI Counselor™ in 2019, and graduated from the Pennsylvania Bankers Association Trust School.  

Prior to joining Investment Research Partners, Brett served as a Portfolio Manager focusing on ESG and sustainable investing at AssetMark, Inc. In this role, he built and delivered sustainable and ESG-integrated solutions for a platform that serves financial advisors and clients nationwide. The role included due diligence, portfolio construction, portfolio management, marketing and sales responsibilities. In addition, Brett frequently spoke at financial advisor events and conferences on a variety of subjects related to sustainable investing.

Brett served in a similar role with Aris Wealth Services, a firm that was subsequently acquired by AssetMark, Inc. In this role, he was actively involved in the Investment Committee that was responsible for the firm’s total return, absolute return, values-based, income-oriented, and retirement solutions. Prior to joining Aris, Brett served as a mutual fund accountant at T. Rowe Price Associates, a registered representative at Greenville Financial Consultants, Inc., and a Portfolio Analyst and Assistant Vice President at First National Bank Investment Advisors.

Brett resides in Virginia Beach, VA with his wife and two children. He is a volunteer on the Board of Trustees for the Shenandoah National Park Trust.

Derek Varner, CFA
Investment Manager

Derek is a partner of Investment Research Partners, a subadvisor for Avail, and has more than 15 years of investment management experience.

Derek holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from the University of Pittsburgh and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. He is a volunteer for CFA Institute and a member of the CFA Society of Pittsburgh.

Derek’s experience includes management of the endowment fund and excess working capital for Bucknell University as the Associate Director of Investments. This role included conducting research on financial markets, asset classes, as well as public and private investment opportunities. He also participated on the University’s retirement plan oversight committee, and regularly presented to students on the topics of investment & endowment management. Derek also participated on panel discussions at institutional investment conferences to discuss investment management topics on behalf of the University.

Prior to joining Bucknell, Derek served as Portfolio Manager and Investment Committee member with Aris Wealth Services, which is currently a division of AssetMark, Inc., from 2008 to 2014. At Aris, he participated in all aspects of management of the firm’s investment strategies, including total return, absolute return, values-based and income-oriented portfolios, and he worked directly with clients and their financial advisors in order to achieve client-specific goals and objectives.

Derek resides in State College, PA with his wife and three daughters.  Derek is also a volunteer member of the investment committee of Centre Foundation, a community-focused foundation supporting Centre County.

*See Professional Designations for CFA, Certified Financial Analyst.

Arielle Buitenhuys
Investment Associate

Arielle has 15 years of experience in the financial services industry.  Her background includes working in commercial underwriting and managerial finance in the banking industry before joining a broker-dealer in Miami, Florida.  At the broker-dealer, she focused on both operations and sales support.

Arielle holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce with a major in Finance from Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, Canada.  She has also earned her FINRA SIE, Series 7, Series 99, and Series 65 Uniform Investment Advisor license.  She currently resides in Florida with her two dogs.

Melanie Allison
Client Support & Marketing Specialist​

Melanie is a Client Support & Marketing Specialist for Investment Research Partners and has over 4 years of experience in the Financial Services industry.

Melanie began her career at Ayco, a Goldman Sachs Company, where she worked as a Financial Analyst in their Family Office division and earned her FINRA SIE, Series 7 and Series 66 licenses. She then worked as a Financial Planner for an RIA in Albany, NY, before joining Investment Research Partners.

Melanie earned her bachelor’s degree with a major in Management and Business from Skidmore College located in Saratoga Springs, NY, where she still resides today with her beloved morkie, Honey.

Our Partners

investment research partners logo
fidelity investments logo

Investment Research Partners (IRP) was formed in 2019 and serves as a sub-advisor, consultant, and research provider to other investment firms. IRP seeks to assist partner firms in improving the investment solutions and experience for partner firm clients.

Learn more about the company.

Fidelity serves as a custodian for Avail clients. In this role, Fidelity holds clients’ assets for safekeeping and provides record keeping services.

Learn more about the company.

 

Who We Serve

If you are thinking about taking charge of your financial future, there’s no better time than today. Wherever you are on your financial journey, we are here to help you set goals and keep you on track.

Life’s most persistent and urgent question is,
‘What are you doing for others?

UP-AND-COMERS

Typically in their 20s and 30s, our younger clients tend to be drawn to the company’s beliefs and investment acumen. We offer you thoughtful planning and intentional investing, which are cornerstones of our practice. We help you build a solid financial foundation on which to grow.

ACCUMULATORS

Typically in their 40s to early 60s, our clients in this group are often established career executives and small business owners. For our clients who have young children, we plan for future educations. We build portfolios around values that include environmental sustainability, social inclusion and giving back. We establish a partnership with you and communicate regularly.

LEGACY BUILDERS

Our clients nearing retirement, newly retired and well into their retirement often have accumulated significant capital. We are a generational firm, meaning we specialize in legacy plans that give families the power to become active stewards of their wealth. Many of our clients are in the later stages of their careers or perhaps retired business owners who have been building wealth for a long time. With defined ideas about how to care for family or organizations they are passionate about, we put plans in place to make your money meaningful well into the future.