Pinnacle Advisory Group, Inc.

Kenneth R. Solow, CFP®, CLU, ChFC is a founding partner and Chief Investment Officer with Pinnacle Advisory Group, Inc. As Chief Investment Officer, Solow is responsible for the research direction and management of Pinnacle’s investment analysts, as well as the philosophy, tactics, and trading strategy for nearly three-quarters of a billion dollars in assets. Solow has more than 25 years of experience as a financial planner working directly with clients, and is nationally known for his views on active portfolio management and Tactical Asset Allocation strategy. In May 2009, Solow published his first book, “Buy and Hold Is Dead (Again): The Case for Active Portfolio Management in Dangerous Markets,” a cutting-edge guide to why portfolios should be actively managed and an informal guide to Pinnacle’s investment philosophy. He is a nationally recognized speaker, and has been published in the Wall Street Journal, The Motley Fool, The Journal of Financial Planning, Smart Money, and Financial Planning Magazine. Contact Ken Solow

Rick Vollaro, CPA – Portfolio Manager, Partner

Rick Vollaro, CPA, joined the firm in 2000 and became a partner in 2008. He works with the investment team as Pinnacle’s Portfolio Manager. In this role, Rick works directly with the Chief Investment Officer to construct the firm’s macro-economic forecast, set portfolio strategy, and assist with asset allocation and individual security selection. Rick’s work includes top-down macro-economic research, domestic equity sector analysis, market capitalization strategy, and portfolio risk management. Rick briefs the Pinnacle Investment Committee on changes in investment strategy, and writes investment articles for the Pinnacle website. Rick has been featured in a variety of publications, including the Wall Street Transcript. He has bachelor’s degree in accounting from Fairfield University and is a non-practicing Certified Public Accountant in the State of New York. Contact Rick Vollaro

Michael E. Kitces, MSFS, MTAX, CFP®, CLU, ChFC, RHU, REBC, CASL, CWPP - Director of Research

Michael E. Kitces, MSFS, MTAX, CFP®, CLU, ChFC, RHU, REBC, CASL, CWPP, is Director of Research for Pinnacle Advisory Group. Michael graduated Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Bates College with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and has earned master’s degrees in Financial Services from the American College and in Taxation from the University of Tulsa. In addition, he has earned Graduate Certificates for Estate Planning and for Financial Asset Management. Michael is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) professional, a Chartered Life Underwriter, a Chartered Financial Consultant, a Registered Health Underwriter, a Registered Employee Benefits Consultant, a Chartered Advisor of Senior Living, and a Certified Wealth Preservation Planner. In recognition of his work across the broad spectrum of the financial planning industry, Michael was recognized as one of five financial planning practitioner "Movers and Shakers" in the financial planning profession for 2006 by Financial Planning Magazine, and was named one of the top 20 “Rising Stars in Wealth Management” by Institutional Investor News in 2007. Contact Michael Kitces

Carl Noble, CFA - Senior Portfolio Analyst

Carl joined Pinnacle full-time in July of 2001 after completing a six-month internship with the firm during his senior year at the University of Maryland, where he graduated with honors with a bachelor’s degree in Finance. As the firm’s Portfolio Analyst, Carl’s primary responsibilities involve the ongoing monitoring, refining, and development of Pinnacle’s in-house research efforts, which drive the firm’s Tactical Asset Allocation approach. He began his career at Pinnacle as a Portfolio Trader and still fulfills those duties in a support role. He has served on Pinnacle’s Investment Committee, which is responsible for making asset allocation and security selection decisions, since 2003. Carl successfully completed the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) program in 2007. Contact Carl Noble

Sean Dillon - Portfolio Trader

Sean Dillon graduated with honors from Neumann College with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing. After graduating, he worked in sales for a major financial institution where he obtained his Series 7 and 66 certifications. He joined Pinnacle Advisory Group in October of 2005 as the company’s Portfolio Trader. In this role, his primary responsibilities include daily trading of client portfolios and performance management. He has served on Pinnacle’s Investment Committee, which is responsible for making asset allocation and security selection decisions, since joining the firm. Contact Sean Dillon