Experience

Keith is a senior team member with The Capital ESOP Group at UBS, a comprehensive financial advisory team that exclusively supports the ESOP business nationally for UBS financial advisors and clients. He is regularly sought out to present at conferences and events around the country on the topics of ESOPs and §1042 rollovers. Keith has over 24 years of experience in the financial services industry, with an extensive background in corporate finance.

Keith leads the team’s private wealth business, in which he works to determine client needs and match them with the proper resources of UBS, a leading global wealth manager. Keith focuses on solutions encompassing asset allocation, wealth and liability management, and tax and estate planning strategies in order to create tailored financial plans for his clients. Prior to joining UBS in 2009, Keith was a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley, where he was an integral member of the team handling all of the firm’s ESOP transactions. Keith’s process entails a disciplined approach to help small- to middle-market business owners with sell-side advisory solutions and post-sale financial planning to include holistic wealth management and tax and estate planning strategies.

As an active member of the ESOP community, Keith has a total participation in ESOP transactions that exceeds 5.7 billion* of liquidity in successful transactions across various sectors and industries. Keith is a member of both the National Center for Employee Ownership and the advisory committee on finance issues for the ESOP Association. He coauthored the book Selling Your Business to an ESOP, now in its ninth edition. After becoming a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®) in 2018, he was asked to teach and became an instructor for the Exit Planning Institute. In 2014, Keith was given the opportunity to sit on the UBS Capital Markets Advisory Committee. Outside the office, he enjoys traveling, fly-fishing, reading and spending time at his family farm in Virginia. More than anything, he simply loves being a dad. Keith lives in Washington, DC with his daughters, Lyla and Sutton.

CA License #0H82204

*Created over $5.7 billion of liquidity through successful transactions as of June 12, 2025

Nick joined UBS in 2011. Prior to his tenure at UBS, he worked with high net worth individuals at a hedge fund in Greenwich, CT.

As a partner of The Capital ESOP Group, Nick focuses on educating business owners on tax-efficient exit strategies. He is committed to helping clients recognize their options, understand the pros and cons of each strategy and choose the best succession plan for themselves and their families. Nick also creates tailored cash flow analyses comparing the taxable sale of privately held businesses and a tax-deferred sale to an ESOP under § 1042 of the Internal Revenue Code.

With a consultative approach, Nick seeks to earn his clients' trust through open, transparent communication and by working with clients' tax and legal advisors to construct an overarching strategy.

In 2021, Nick was promoted to Managing Director-Wealth Management. He is frequently asked to speak on a national level regarding employee stock ownership plans and § 1042 rollovers. He is a member of the advisory committee on finance issues for the ESOP Association and a member of the National Center for Employee Ownership. Nick was also appointed vice president of Business Networking International in DC.

In January 2024, Nick, his wife Mary Elizabeth, and their sons Sebastian (“Baz”), Ramsey Jay (“RJ”), and Trip Clayton, welcomed their fourth boy, Julian ("Jules"). Outside of the office, Nick enjoys spending time with his family, reading, fly-fishing and traveling with his wife.

CA License #0I84884

Joanne serves as the team’s primary investment consultant, leveraging her knowledge across asset classes and investment vehicles to provide clients with customized portfolio solutions to meet their cash-flow needs, planning goals and risk tolerance in a tax-efficient manner. She examines top-down economic research and performs in-depth investment manager due diligence to help shape the team’s view on portfolio construction and implementation. Apart from her role on the wealth management side, Joanne is also intricately involved with the ESOP arm of the business. On that front, she assists with qualified replacement property implementation and cash flow analysis.

Prior to joining The Capital ESOP Group, Joanne worked with an independent investment advisory firm. She had previously worked as a financial analyst in the private wealth management division at Goldman Sachs. Her experience in the financial services industry has been focused exclusively on helping high net worth individuals and families navigate their financial lives.

Joanne graduated summa cum laude from the George Washington University with a B.B.A. in finance and international business. Outside of the office, she enjoys traveling, spending time on the water, and taking weekend trips to the nearby Shenandoah Valley.

Kaveh focuses on educating business owners on employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) as a tax-efficient exit strategy. He works closely with business owners, their advisors, and their families to help ensure they are evaluating all available succession paths, ensuring the strategy they pursue aligns with their long-term financial goals and legacy objectives. Kaveh focuses on tailored cash flow analysis to help business owners understand the proposed structure and economic impact of ESOPs and IRC §1042 elections. He also helps business owners select the appropriate §1042 QRP solution. This includes determining the proper structures and financing strategies by considering their liquidity needs, growth options, and desired legacy. Additionally, Kaveh supports the team’s efforts in advising mature ESOP companies through the repurchase obligation liability and cash management solutions.

Kaveh is a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®) and serves as an associate member on the Advisory Committee on Finance Issues of the ESOP Association. He speaks regularly at national conferences, UBS-sponsored business owner events across the country, and at The Exit Planning Institute focusing on delivering clarity and personalized guidance to help clients make informed decisions.

Prior to joining UBS, Kaveh worked at a private wealth management firm as a financial analyst. Based in Washington, DC, Kaveh is an avid tennis player, skier, and active member of the United States Tennis Association.

Sarah joined UBS in 2017 as part of an institutional consulting team and, in 2019, brought her passion for working with entrepreneurs to The Capital ESOP Group. Since then, she has dedicated her career to helping business owners navigate the ESOP process while providing actionable insights into the economic impact of ESOPs and IRC §1042 elections. Sarah also works closely with clients throughout the §1042 deferral process and plays a key role in the creation of their Qualified Replacement Property (QRP) portfolios. She is committed to empowering business owners with the knowledge to make informed decisions that support both their financial goals and their families’ long-term well-being.

Sarah also works with ESOP-owned companies by creating detailed analyses to help manage cash effectively to meet their projected repurchase obligations. By closely examining financial data, she assists companies in navigating the complexities of maintaining liquidity while meeting their long-term goals. Additionally, Sarah helps lead the team’s ESOP Financial Wellness program, which was designed to help ESOP companies provide employees with the resources and knowledge to support their financial lives.

Sarah is actively involved in the ESOP community. She regularly speaks on ESOPs and IRC §1042 elections at a national level. She is a member of the Public Policy Council of the ESOP Association, and she also serves on their Advisory Committee on Finance Issues. Her professional designations include Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®)and Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM (CRPC®).

Sarah graduated from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business with a double major in Finance and Operations & Information Management. She is originally from Rochester, NY. Outside of the office, Sarah enjoys reading, hiking, playing golf, and spending time with her family.

Marguerite is the team’s primary Wealth Planning Specialist. She provides our clients with personalized financial planning to create a holistic view of their wealth. This planning is critical to providing advice to our clients that is in harmony with their needs and aspirations.

Marguerite has nine years of experience with UBS. She holds the Certified Financial Planner™ designation. This designation comes with extensive training in financial planning, estate planning, insurance, investments, taxes, employee benefits and retirement planning.

Marguerite lives in Annapolis, MD with her husband, Leland, and their sons Kemper and Hugo. She loves being outdoors, food and travel.

As a Relationship Manager, Breton skillfully blends strategic financial analysis with effective client relationship management. With a passion honed over a decade in sales and a transition to financial services, he excels in guiding clients towards their financial goals through a consultative approach. Breton's deep market knowledge, adept problem-solving skills, and commitment to client success define his role, combining financial acumen with personalized client engagement.

Breton completed the Investment Management Theory & Practice program from the Yale School of Management, and holds a B.S. in communication studies from Towson University. He and his wife, Samantha, live in Crownsville, MD with their two sons, Maxwell and Banks. In his free time, Breton enjoys golfing, waterskiing, snow skiing, reading and photography.

Jake works in tandem with David to support and inform wealth management decisions and processes. He performs research, analysis and due diligence to ensure that the team is pursuing the best opportunities with up-to-date knowledge. He also generates investment allocation proposals, builds out reports to review existing client portfolios and communicates with third-party asset managers.

Originally from Philadelphia, Jake graduated with a B.S.B.A. from the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business at Duquesne University, where he majored in finance and accounting. Prior to joining The Capital ESOP Group, he had completed internships in consumer banking and tax accounting before working in small business lending for a time. Outside of the office, he enjoys soccer, spends a lot of time reading and is always looking for somewhere new to go hiking.

David works in tandem with Jake to support and inform wealth management decisions and processes. He performs research, analysis, and due diligence to ensure that the team is pursuing the best opportunities with up-to-date knowledge. He also generates investment allocation proposals, builds out reports to review existing client portfolios and communicates with third-party asset managers. David’s dedication to staying abreast of the ever-evolving market conditions ensures that the team’s wealth management solutions remain both innovative and effective.

Originally from Bethesda, MD, David graduated with a B.S. from the Smith School of Business at The University of Maryland, where he majored in finance. Prior to joining The Capital ESOP Group, he worked as a rotational analyst for Morgan Stanley’s wealth management division. Outside of the office, he enjoys playing golf, reading a good book, and traveling.

In successfully managing all service needs for clients of The Capital ESOP Group, Steve Brinckhaus leverages the vast experience he’s gained over his nearly 15-year financial services career. He also helps to keep the team operating in an organized and efficient manner.

Steve holds a B.A from the University of Mary Washington. He resides in Severna Park, MD and enjoys traveling with his wife and kids, playing sports and rooting for the Washington Redskins.

As a Registered Client Service Associate, Caroline ensures that clients receive the highest level of service. She leverages the firm’s capabilities with a commitment to delivering personalized solutions tailored to each client’s service needs.

Prior to joining UBS, Caroline honed her craft by spending time at both Merril Lynch as well as Morgan Stanley. Caroline earned her B.B.A. in Finance from Southern Methodist University. She holds her Series 7 and Series 66. Outside of the office, Caroline enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and cooking.

As a Registered Client Service Associate, Ally focuses on providing exceptional service to our clients through all stages of the relationship. She works diligently with the team to manage account opening, perform account maintenance and resolve client inquiries. Her experience within UBS allows her to access the firm’s resources to provide the type of service experience discerning clients expect. Prior to joining UBS in 2019, Ally spent two years at Franklin Templeton Investments as a territory coordinator.

Ally earned her bachelor’s degree from University of Colorado in 2013. She holds her Series 7 and Series 63 securities licenses. Outside of the office, Ally enjoys running, practicing yoga, traveling and most importantly, spending time with her loved ones.

As a Wealth Management Associate, Gary is hyper-focused on working with the team to deliver a top tier experience for our clients. Gary began his career in financial services at UBS in 2005 as a Client Service Associate.

He earned many accolades and designations recognizing his acumen in serving clients. Gary also spent time as a financial consultant at Charles Schwab, bringing his experience in wealth management full circle. A summa cum laude graduate from Colorado Mesa University, Gary passed the Series 7 and 66 exams. Gary grew up on his family's ranch in Wyoming, but has been living in Washington, D.C., since 2004 — save for a brief return to Wyoming to be near his family's ranch in 2018. When he's not at the office, Gary enjoys hiking, history and the company of friends and family.

As a Client Associate, Zach is focused on enhancing the team’s marketing presence and outreach efforts.  He leads initiatives that strengthen visibility and engagement across new and existing relationships.  Zach also supports the team’s growth strategy through thoughtful communication and brand development.

Prior to joining UBS, Zach graduated from The Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University, where he double majored in Finance as well as Business Management. On campus, he was an active participant in the Investment Club, as well as serving as the Vice President of Finance for his Fraternity.  Outside of the office, Zach enjoys golfing, spending time with family and friends, and listening to podcasts.