The Sierra Investment Team

Kenneth L. Sleeper, MBA, PhD is Co-Founder, Co-Managing Director, and Co-Portfolio Manager at Sierra Investment Management. Ken jointly oversees all aspects of the organization’s activities, including asset management, research and client relationships.

Prior to co-founding Sierra in 1987 with David C. Wright, Ken applied his extensive background in statistical and computer applications to develop and refine computerized techniques for reducing downside risk. His advanced risk management solutions have helped thousands of clients preserve wealth and retire safely and successfully.

When not working with clients, Ken enjoys spending time with wife of 40 years and his son. Ken earned his MBA and PhD degrees from the University of Southern California.

James St. Aubin, CFA®, CAIA®, is Chief Investment Officer for Sierra Investment Management. He has oversight of all activities of the Investment Management department, in collaboration with Sierra co-founders David Wright and Kenneth Sleeper.

An accomplished investment management executive, his career of more than 20 years includes leadership roles in asset allocation, manager research and portfolio construction. James earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance from DePaul University and is a CFA® and CAIA® Charterholder. He is a Board Member and Treasurer for Children’s Bureau of Southern California, a local non-profit organization focused on primary prevention of child abuse.

Tenacity and steadfastness are the foundations of Doug’s career. Prior to his appointment as Executive Vice President of Investment Management at Sierra, Doug worked at AIG for 13 years, overseeing the annuity company’s mutual fund platform before serving as Lead Portfolio Manager of Asset Allocation for six years. Prior to AIG, Doug acted as portfolio manager and head of manager research at Principal Financial Group, and as an international equity manager at Founders Asset Management.

A self-proclaimed non-athlete, he recently completed a 48-mile trek from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon to the North Rim and back again. In one day.

Doug received a BA in Economics from Washington State University and an MBA from the University of Chicago.

A member of the Sierra team since 2019, Yanni Dalkos is responsible for technical investment research, due diligence, data analysis, and trading among other investment management and operational duties. He enjoys helping clients understand how to preserve their wealth by examining the relationship between risk and return. Combined with research, Yanni feels this awareness ultimately improves clients’ results. 

With a bachelor’s degree in Economics and a master’s in Quantitative Economics from California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo, Yanni is the first in his family to both graduate from a four-year university and earn a master’s degree. 

Joy Bunzel, PhD oversees the Client Services department. A great listener, Joy enjoys working with the multi-generational families Sierra serves, and the positive impact the firm’s investment management strategies have made in their lives. Prior to joining Sierra in 2005, Joy managed her own financial planning practice.

Joy holds the Investment Adviser Certified Compliance Professional® (IACCP), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) designations. She earned her PhD in Education and Counseling from the University of Connecticut, her MS in Higher Education from Southern Illinois University, and her BA degree in English from the University of Rochester.

Kenneth L. Sleeper, MBA, PhD is Co-Founder, Co-Managing Director, and Co-Portfolio Manager at Sierra Investment Management. Ken jointly oversees all aspects of the organization’s activities, including asset management, research and client relationships.

Prior to co-founding Sierra in 1987 with David C. Wright, Ken applied his extensive background in statistical and computer applications to develop and refine computerized techniques for reducing downside risk. His advanced risk management solutions have helped thousands of clients preserve wealth and retire safely and successfully.

When not working with clients, Ken enjoys spending time with wife of 40 years and his son. Ken earned his MBA and PhD degrees from the University of Southern California.

Skip Schweiss, CFP®, AIF® is Chief Executive Officer at Sierra Investment Management. Skip oversees all operational activities of the organization, focusing on the growth of the firm and demonstrating the value of Sierra’s investment strategies to investors.

Skip previously served as President of TD Ameritrade Trust Company and Managing Director of Advisor Advocacy. Before joining TD Ameritrade, Skip spent 20 years in various management positions within Fiserv Investment Support Services, including serving as Executive Vice President of Fiserv Trust Company. Skip earned a BS in Business Administration from the University of South Dakota and an MS in Finance from the University of Colorado. He is past board president and current board chair of the Financial Planning Association, and he earned the Readers’ Choice title of “25 Most Influential People in Industry” from Investment Advisor magazine.

Ms. Stromeyer is Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer at Sierra Investment Management. She joined Sierra in 2014 and is responsible for overseeing the enterprise’s operations which include administration, finance & accounting, human resources, and technology. Prior to joining Sierra, she was a principal of Rothstein, Kass & Co., a national accounting firm where she specialized in providing audit, tax, and consulting services to financial service entities.

Kristine holds a Certified Public Accountant designation. She earned her BS degree in Economics with emphasis in Accounting from the University of California at Santa Barbara.

Kenneth L. Sleeper, MBA, PhD is Co-Founder, Co-Managing Director, and Co-Portfolio Manager at Sierra Investment Management. Ken jointly oversees all aspects of the organization’s activities, including asset management, research and client relationships.

Prior to co-founding Sierra in 1987 with David C. Wright, Ken applied his extensive background in statistical and computer applications to develop and refine computerized techniques for reducing downside risk. His advanced risk management solutions have helped thousands of clients preserve wealth and retire safely and successfully.

When not working with clients, Ken enjoys spending time with wife of 40 years and his son. Ken earned his MBA and PhD degrees from the University of Southern California.

Skip Schweiss, CFP®, AIF® is Chief Executive Officer at Sierra Investment Management. Skip oversees all operational activities of the organization, focusing on the growth of the firm and demonstrating the value of Sierra’s investment strategies to investors.

Skip previously served as President of TD Ameritrade Trust Company and Managing Director of Advisor Advocacy. Before joining TD Ameritrade, Skip spent 20 years in various management positions within Fiserv Investment Support Services, including serving as Executive Vice President of Fiserv Trust Company. Skip earned a BS in Business Administration from the University of South Dakota and an MS in Finance from the University of Colorado. He is past board president and current board chair of the Financial Planning Association, and he earned the Readers’ Choice title of “25 Most Influential People in Industry” from Investment Advisor magazine.

Ryan Harder, CFA®, is Chief Investment Strategist and Co-Portfolio Manager for Sierra Investment Management. He oversees research, trading, and portfolio management for the firm, and his career of more than 20 years includes roles as portfolio manager, equity research analyst and managing director.

Ryan earned a BA in Economics, with honors, from Brock University in Ontario, Canada and a M.Sc. in International Securities, Investment and Banking from the ICMA Centre, University of Reading, in the United Kingdom. He is a CFA® Charterholder. Ryan enjoys playing ice hockey and watching auto racing with his wife and four children.

Ms. Stromeyer is Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer at Sierra Investment Management. She joined Sierra in 2014 and is responsible for overseeing the enterprise’s operations which include administration, finance & accounting, human resources, and technology. Prior to joining Sierra, she was a principal of Rothstein, Kass & Co., a national accounting firm where she specialized in providing audit, tax, and consulting services to financial service entities.

Kristine holds a Certified Public Accountant designation. She earned her BS degree in Economics with emphasis in Accounting from the University of California at Santa Barbara.

Joy Bunzel, PhD oversees the Client Services department. A great listener, Joy enjoys working with the multi-generational families Sierra serves, and the positive impact the firm’s investment management strategies have made in their lives. Prior to joining Sierra in 2005, Joy managed her own financial planning practice.

Joy holds the Investment Adviser Certified Compliance Professional® (IACCP), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) designations. She earned her PhD in Education and Counseling from the University of Connecticut, her MS in Higher Education from Southern Illinois University, and her BA degree in English from the University of Rochester.

A member of the Sierra team since 2019, Yanni Dalkos is responsible for technical investment research, due diligence, data analysis, and trading among other investment management and operational duties. He enjoys helping clients understand how to preserve their wealth by examining the relationship between risk and return. Combined with research, Yanni feels this awareness ultimately improves clients’ results. 

With a bachelor’s degree in Economics and a master’s in Quantitative Economics from California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo, Yanni is the first in his family to both graduate from a four-year university and earn a master’s degree. 

Gira Patel, Relationship Manager within the Client Services team, connects with clients daily, building meaningful relationships thanks to the 20+ years in client relations. Gira applies her many years of experience and collaboration skills to create a level of trust for Sierra clients by focusing on managing, responding, and meeting their needs.

Prior to joining Sierra, in 2015 Gira worked as a Relationship Manager at American International Group, Inc. providing client service support to Broker-Dealer back offices.

Gira earned her BA degree in Psychology & Religious Studies from McMaster University in Ontario, Canada.