Strategic Financial Services names new CEO; founder transitions to chairman

UTICA, N.Y. — Strategic Financial Services, Inc., a Utica–based wealth-management firm, has named Alan Leist, III as its new CEO.

Leist, III previously held the title of principal and senior advisor.

Alan Leist, Jr., the firm’s founder, has transitioned to the role of chairman after having served as CEO.

“I have no plans to retire,” Leist, Jr. noted in a Strategic Financial news release. In addition to the Leists, Judy Sweet will remain the firm’s president.

Strategic Financial said it made the change as it celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2019.

Strategic is investing in that future, “committed” to building a business that will serve “multiple generations” of clients, Leist, Jr. said in a company news release.

“It’s humbling to think about how our firm started in 1979 with no clients and one desk and has grown to over one thousand clients, thirty‐two team members and over $1.3 billion in assets under management,” said Leist, Jr. “That growth is a testament to our talented team, great clients and the hard work we do on behalf of those clients.”

Strategic has also added eight new employees in the past two years.

Leist, Jr. will continue to serve clients while providing advice to the Strategic Financial leadership team and the next generation of financial advisors.

The firm’s five‐person leadership group includes Doug Walters, chief investment officer; Kasey Williams, head of client service & compliance; Michael Leist, head of marketing and business development; Nancy Meininger, head of finance and office management; and Aaron Evans, senior advisor.

Founded in 1979, the firm has New York offices in Utica and Syracuse, and a location in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com