Principals

Our People

One of CSG's greatest strengths lies in the quality of our employees and their dedication to excellence in serving our clients. Our employees must possess the requisite qualifications of experience, education, intelligence, and judgment necessary to effectively serve as investment advisory professionals. In addition, CSG employees are expected to demonstrate the highest standards of business conduct by complying with applicable federal and state securities laws and internal policies, procedures, and code of ethics requirements.

Principals

Fred J. Hodges, Chairman and Founding Partner

Fred Hodges is a co-founder of Consulting Services Group, LLC and serves as the chairman. Fred leads the firm's new business development efforts. He is also responsible for managing some of the firm's most valued client relationships and provides leadership mentoring to the firm. Prior to forming CSG in 1988, Fred joined E.F. Hutton, Memphis, in 1983, as a member of its consulting services division, where his group quickly became one of the most successful consulting practices within E.F. Hutton. Fred also served on the advisory board at E.F. Hutton.

Fred's investment experience dates back to 1970 when he began his career as a broker specializing in fixed income. After the market crash of 1973-74, he was determined to find a better way to add value to his clients. In early 1975 he began moving toward a philosophy that became, in reality, a consulting practice by moving away from a transaction-oriented style to a risk side first style. A frequent lecturer on various subjects involving consulting and asset management, Fred received a bachelor's degree from the University of Memphis and holds Series 1, 7, 8, and 63 licenses through TSG.

E. Lee Giovannetti, Chief Executive Officer and Founding Partner

Lee Giovannetti is a co-founder of Consulting Services Group and the chief executive officer. Lee oversees the company's overall growth strategies. As the managing director of the firm's wealth management group, he drives the firm's marketing efforts to high net worth individuals. Lee's specialization and expertise also include manager evaluation and research development of alternative investment strategies for both institutional and private clients.

He began his career in the investment business in 1978 with Merrill Lynch & Company. Prior to the formation of CSG in 1988, he worked for E.F. Hutton as a vice president in its consulting division, where his group quickly became one of the most successful consulting practices within E.F. Hutton. Lee received a bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee and holds Series 7 and 63 licenses through TSG. Lee currently sits on the board of directors for Promise Academy Charter School, Bridges Inc., Emmanuel Center and Trivantis Corp.

Brian L. Jones, President

Brian Jones, president, manages CSG's consulting practice. He serves as the managing director of CSG's institutional client group where he is responsible for the oversight and development of institutional client relationships. He is the lead consultant on several foundation/endowment, private family, and pension client relationships and is a member of the Research Advisory Board that directs the firm's research efforts. Brian became the president of CSG in 2003. In 1990, he joined CSG as a financial analyst, and in 1995 he transitioned into the financial consulting role. In 1999 Brian accepted an ownership position in the firm and was promoted to the level of senior consultant. Prior to joining CSG, Brian was a part-time faculty member for the Department of Economics at the University of Memphis. In addition, Brian worked for the State of Tennessee Senate Finance Committee and for the U.S. House of Representatives for its Ways and Means Committee. He graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in economics and holds a master of business administration degree from the University of Memphis. Brian also holds Series 7 and 63 licenses through TSG.

Joe D. Meals, Executive Vice President/Senior Consultant

Joe Meals, executive vice president and senior consultant, is a founding member of the CSG executive management team. Since joining the firm in 1988 as a fixed income specialist, Joe has been involved in all facets of the company's operations. Previously, he has served as CSG's chief financial officer, chief compliance officer, and the president of Trading Services Group, Inc. (TSG). Joe also supervised the early development of the firm's performance measurement software program (later replaced by Advent). Joe currently serves on CSG's Research Advisory Board and is a senior consultant on several institutional client accounts. Prior to joining CSG, Joe was a fixed income salesman at E.F. Hutton & Co. where he served on the Director's Advisory Committee two years in a row. He also previously worked for eight years as the asset liability management officer for two major local banks. Through his association with TSG, Joe holds a multitude of securities industry registrations including a license to sell futures (Series 3), be an options principal (Series 4), general securities representative (Series 7), branch sales manager (Series 9), securities principal (Series 24), FINOP (Series 27), Municipal Securities Sales rep. (Series 53) and state securities license (Series 63) through TSG. Joe earned a bachelor's degree in business administration and economics from Rhodes College in Memphis where he graduated with distinction. From 1993 through 1995, he served as Chairman of the Board of Alert Centre Inc., a home security-monitoring firm that merged with ADT in 1995.

Robert A. Longfield, Jr., CFA, Executive Vice President/Senior Consultant

Robert Longfield, executive vice president and senior consultant, chairs CSG's Research Advisory Board, which directs the firm's research efforts and brings expertise in infrastructure investing and portable alpha programs. Robert brings a specific expertise to not-for-profit hospital operating assets, foundations, insurance reserves, public defined benefit plans, corporate defined contribution plans, 457 and post retiree plans. In 1989 Robert began his career with CSG as a financial analyst. He transitioned into the consulting role in 1992. Robert became a senior consultant and partner in 1997. He lectures throughout the year on topics ranging from hedge fund investing to investment policy construction at various conferences. Robert graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in finance and a minor in economics from the University of Memphis. He has earned the right to use the CFA designation and holds Series 7 and 63 licenses through TSG. Robert's community involvement includes serving on the finance committee for Hope Presbyterian Church and the West Tennessee Development Council for Campus Crusade for Christ.

Kurt A. Voldeng, CAIA, Executive Vice President/Senior Consultant

Kurt Voldeng, executive vice president and senior consultant, is the managing director for Alternative Investment Strategies, the alternative consulting division of the company. Kurt co-manages AIS with Frank Stone. Together, their responsibilities include structuring, evaluating, monitoring, and servicing non-traditional investment assets for institutional and individual clients. Kurt began his career at CSG in 1990 as a financial analyst and accepted an ownership position in the firm in 1999. Prior to joining CSG, Kurt worked in the corporate finance department at Union Planters National Bank. Kurt graduated with honors with a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Memphis. He also holds a master of business administration degree from the University of Memphis. Kurt is a holder of the right to use the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst designation. He also holds Series 7 and 63 licenses through TSG.

Miles S. Fortas, CPA, Executive Vice President/CFO/COO

Miles Fortas serves as the chief financial officer and chief operating officer. Miles is responsible for CSG's financial reporting process, administration oversight, compensation and management operations. He also serves as the president of AIM Charity, the benevolent arm of CSG. Miles began his career at CSG in 1998 as the chief financial officer and later added the role of chief operating officer. In 2002 he accepted an ownership position in the firm. Prior to joining CSG, Miles was a senior audit engagement supervisor for Ernst & Young in its Assurance and Advisory Business Services Division. He graduated with honors from Rhodes College with a bachelor's degree in business administration. He also received a master of accountancy degree from Rhodes College. He serves as the chapter CPA advisor for the Kappa Delta sorority at Rhodes. Miles holds a Series 28 license through TSG.

Edward R. Balsmann, General Counsel/Chief Compliance Officer

Ed Balsmann joined CSG in 2007 and is responsible for all legal and regulatory compliance matters at CSG and its related entities. In 1999, Ed worked as a staff attorney for the State of Arkansas Securities Department. In 2000 he joined Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc. as compliance attorney in the Equity Capital Markets Division. In 2002, he was promoted to deputy general counsel--regulatory affairs and first vice president where he was responsible for legal and compliance matters at Morgan Keegan with specialties in contractual matters, equity capital, investment management, investment companies and NYSE, SEC and state regulatory compliance. From February 2004 through February 2007, Ed worked as an associate attorney for the law firm of Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC in the corporate/securities section where he specialized in broker-dealer, investment adviser and investment company legal and regulatory matters as well as the formation, offering and regulation of hedge funds, international unit investment trusts and other private equity vehicles. Ed graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree in finance from Southeast Missouri State University. He earned his law degree from the University of Mississippi. Ed is a member of the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) Compliance and Legal Division and has previously served as the government relations advisor for the Southern/South Central District of SIFMA. He holds Series 7 and 24 licenses through TSG.