About Our Company | XPYRIA Investment Advisors

Who We Are

Established in 1990, XPYRIA is a privately-held, independent registered investment advisor dedicated to investment research, financial management, and planning.

From our inception, XPYRIA’s mission has been to raise the bar on standard industry practices by applying a consultative model that is free from conflicts of interest and involves a higher level of research-based financial expertise to thoroughly investigate, implement, and monitor an effective investment program. Paramount to our approach is the protection we provide to clients as a fiercely independent, informed advocate.

Leveraging our extensive investment consulting expertise, seasoned financial professionals, and industry-leading resources, XPYRIA continues to provide the highest level of investment management and financial guidance to our clients.

Our Keys to Investment Success

Develop a thoughtful, written plan.
Remain focused on the future, not the past.
Be humble and keep an open mind.
Be persistent in and remain committed to the arduous process of investment research.
Patience is a virtue and a requirement of success.
Ignore the impulses of greed and fear.
Buy low and sell high.
Losing less should always take precedence over making more.
Keep investment costs in check.
Understand all facets of investment risk and work to minimize all that apply to your circumstance.

Our Keys to Superior Service

Make prompt service to the client a cultural priority.
Always strive to provide additional value to the client relationship.
Tailor service and information in a relatable fashion to meet the client’s needs.
Meet regularly with clients to foster long-term trust and two-way communication.
Explain actions to reinforce and promote intelligent investing.
Act with true professionalism and scrupulous honesty.

XPYRIA’s Key Differentiator

"The best investment plans often fail not because they are flawed, but rather because they are misunderstood, distrusted, and therefore willingly abandoned at the worst possible times. Many of the problems encountered as investment professionals are not found in the financial markets (external), but instead, in the clients’ perceptions and emotions (internal). XPYRIA endeavors to coach its clients to aid in their understanding of the financial markets. XPYRIA’s objective counsel leads to more stable expectations and better control of emotional triggers that can otherwise derail the continuation of a prudent investment plan."
- Joe Salpietro
Chief Executive Officer

Our Independent Research & Investment Selection Process

We construct our client portfolios using the appropriate blend of no-load mutual funds or separate accounts to best meet your goals. Thus, evaluating investment managers is an essential, ongoing process at XPYRIA carried out by our dedicated team of analysts. Discipline is the cornerstone of our investment manager (mutual fund or separate account) selection process. We select disciplined, experienced, and shareholder-oriented managers. Our rationale is simple, we select managers whose best interests are aligned with your (our clients’) best interests and who resist the temptation to stray from what they do best. A disciplined approach is necessary to ensure that your long-term interests are held above the allure of short-term profits.

In addition to quantitative screening of managers, qualitative screening is also an essential part of our evaluation process. Personal contact is a must when considering managers. Portfolio management is as much art as it is science. Our investment professionals conduct over 200 manager interviews annually both in our offices and in the manager headquarters. Our qualitative analysis focuses on a manager’s experience and tenure, shareholder orientation, discipline, passion for investing, and competitive advantage. During visits to manager offices, we interview their professional and administrative staff, review data processing capabilities, and other investment-related activities. Our rigorous approach to manager screening, evaluation, selection and ongoing examination ensures that our investment portfolios meet the needs of our clients.

Meet our Pittsburgh Financial Advisors

Senior Client Advisor, Investment Committee Member, President and Chief Executive Officer

Joseph G. Salpietro, ChFC®, AIF®

Mr. Salpietro has extensive knowledge and experience in comprehensive financial planning that integrates global investment management, legal (advance directives and estate planning), tax, insurance, and family dynamics. His passion is helping clients organize their financial lives so that they understand their financial situations, the options they have available, and the financial decisions that need to be made for them to live their best lives. As a true FIDUCIARY for over a quarter century, Mr. Salpietro has used his financial insight and expertise to ADVOCATE for his clients, providing counsel that is exclusively in their BEST INTEREST. In addition, Joe has a destinguished history as an Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO), helping institutional clients manage risk, while maximizing the growth necessary to fullfil their organizational missions into perpetuity. Mr. Salpietro works with individuals, closely held businesses, non-profit [501(C)(3)] organizations, union accounts, Taft-Hartley plans, and government entities. Mr. Salpietro has extensive knowledge and experience working with a full range of investment alternatives. He is very knowledgeable in the areas of investment management and research, investment policy development, financial planning, cash flow analysis, and debt management.

Joined XPYRIA Investment Advisors in 1997 and is a Principal Shareholder. Joe’s experience spans more than 30 years with his previous work at PNC Bank Corporation where he was a Vice President.
BA in Business and Economics from the University of Pittsburgh
MBA with a concentration in Finance from Duquesne University
Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®)
Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®)

Principal, Financial Strategist, Director of Research, Investment Committee Chair

Bret J. Stutzman

Mr. Stutzman conducts in-depth investment research that is instrumental in the construction, maintenance, and management of client portfolios. This research includes the procurement of primary data via direct investment manager interviews as well as obtaining information from our extensive data resources. In addition, Mr. Stutzman provides investment advice to closely held businesses, Taft-Hartley plans, non-profit [501(C)(3)] organizations, union accounts, government entities, and high-net-worth individuals. He has experience in portfolio construction methodology, asset allocation decisions, and risk reduction through diversification of funds among various asset classes, investment styles, and money managers. He is very knowledgeable in the area of mutual fund analysis and investment research. Mr. Stutzman is a member of the Firm’s Investment Committee.

Joined XPYRIA Investment Advisors in 1997 and is a Principal Shareholder. Bret's experience spans over 20 years.
BA from the University of Richmond
MBA with a concentration in Finance from the University of Pittsburgh, Katz Graduate School of Business

Principal, Financial Strategist, Investment Committee Member, Chief Compliance Officer

Michael B. Giammatteo

Mr. Giammatteo conducts in-depth investment research that is instrumental in the design, construction, and management of client portfolios. He is responsible for the procurement of primary investment research for the exclusive benefit of the Firm and its clients. Mr. Giammatteo and our research staff put each investment idea through a quantitative and qualitative review prior to being presented for final approval to the Firm’s Investment Committee. Mr. Giammatteo is a member of the Firm’s Investment Committee. In addition, Mr. Giammatteo provides investment advice to closely held businesses, Taft-Hartley plans, non-profit [501(C) (3)] organizations, union accounts, government entities, and high-net-worth individuals.

Joined XPYRIA Investment Advisors in 1999 and is a Principal Shareholder. Mike’s experience spans over 20 years with his previous work at Mellon Bank, Merrill Lynch and Olde Discount Stockbrokers.
BA in Economics from Johns Hopkins University
MBA with a concentration in Finance from Duquesne University

Principal, Financial Strategist, Investment Committee Member

John H. Cummings, Jr, Esq., ChFC®, AEP®, CAP®

Mr. Cummings employs a consultative approach to the management of client assets. He specializes in consulting to non-profit [501(C)(3)] organizations, Taft-Hartley plans, closely held businesses, and high-net-worth individuals with investments of $1 million and above. He has experience in portfolio construction methodology, asset allocation decisions, and diversification of funds among various asset classes, investment styles, and money managers. He is very knowledgeable in the area of mutual fund analysis and compliance matters. Mr. Cummings is a member of the Firm’s Investment Committee.

Joined XPYRIA Investment Advisors in 1998 and is a Principal Shareholder. John’s experience spans more than 25 years with his previous work at Federated Investors where he was Assistant Vice President and Investment Counsel.
BA from Slippery Rock University
Master of Education from California University of Pennsylvania
Juris Doctor from Duquesne University
MBA with a concentration in Finance from Duquesne University
Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®)
Accredited Estate Planner (AEP®)
Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP®)

Director of Operations

Jana Graham

As Director of Operations, Jana manages the Firm’s activities toward achieving our strategic goals. She also oversees the daily business and financial operations and assists with HR and compliance functions. During her tenure with the Firm, Jana’s responsibilities have also included client service, back-office operations, and investment research. Leveraging her technical expertise, Jana leads the Firm’s technology initiatives from visioning to implementation – always with the goal of improving the client experience.

Joined XPYRIA Investment Advisors in 2002.
BS in Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh
Master of Science in Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh
MBA with a concentration in Finance from the University of Pittsburgh, Katz Graduate School of Business

Operations Specialist

Natalee Esposito

Ms. Esposito’s responsibilities include setup and maintenance of client accounts; compilation and completion of client, custodian, and Firm paperwork; review and maintenance of client transactions and activities; asset transfers; daily transaction and price file updates; trade reconciliation; custodial interfacing; accounts receivable processing; preparation of client reports; and, general support of portfolio and investment strategies.

Joined XPYRIA Investment Advisors in 2004.
BSBA in Finance and Investment Management from Duquesne University
MBA from Duquesne University
Master of Science in Information Systems from Duquesne University

Senior Client Advisor, Investment Committee Member

James P. Tomasovich, CIMA®, AAMS®

Mr. Tomasovich is a Senior Client Advisor at XPYRIA, and a member of the Firm’s Investment Committee. He accepts fiduciary responsibility in all client relationships, requiring all actions and recommendations to be solely based on what is in the best interest of the client. Jim advocates exclusively for his clients in designing and maintaining cost effective financial strategies, reflecting the unique needs and objectives of each relationship.

Joined XPYRIA Investment Advisors in 2019. Jim’s experience spans 15 years in the financial industry.
BA in Finance from the Pennsylvania State University
Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®)
Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS®)

Senior Client Advisor, Investment Committee Member

Karen Fadzen, CFP®, CDFA™, CAS®

Ms. Fadzen has extensive knowledge and experience in comprehensive financial planning that integrates global investment management, legal, tax, insurance, and family dynamics. She enjoys helping clients organize their financial lives so that they understand their financial situations and the financial decisions that need to be made. This has led to specialization in divorce financial planning and helping women and families in transition. Ms. Fadzen's role as a divorce financial expert helps couples identify and quantify key financial elements that need to be settled. Facilitating communication and financial transparency between spouses ultimately saves money and drama and enables them to move forward with their lives. She is trained in the Collaborative Divorce Process and is a member of the Collaborative Law Association of SW PA. Ms. Fadzen is dedicated to improving financial literacy through informational presentations to clients, their families, and related organizations upon request.

Joined XPYRIA Investment Advisors in 2013. Karen’s experience in the financial services industry spans over 30 years.
MBA & BBA with concentrations in Finance and Real Estate from the University of Texas at Austin
Certificate in Private Wealth Management from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
Executive Certificate in Financial Planning from Duquesne University
Certified Financial Planner (CFP®)
Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA™)
Certified Annuity Specialist (CAS®)

Senior Research Analyst, Investment Committee Member

Bradley Prosper, CFA®, CFP®

Mr. Prosper is a member of the Firm’s investment research group where he assists in conducting in-depth investment research that is instrumental in the construction, maintenance, and management of client portfolios. This research includes the procurement of primary data via direct investment manager interviews as well as analyzing information from our extensive data resources.

Joined XPYRIA in 2016
Dual BS degrees in Finance and Accounting with a Minor in Applied Economics from the Pennsylvania State University
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®)
Certified Financial Planner (CFP®)

Financial Paraplanner, Investment Committee Member

Tina Salpietro, FPQP®

As a financial planning professional, Ms. Salpietro provides technical and administrative client support including data gathering, modeling, case design, scenario building, plan development, and presentation development. She interacts with clients as their advocate in all aspects of the financial planning process. Ms. Salpietro is passionate about helping clients identify unhealthy habits, rooting out triggers, and guiding them toward setting new goals and building healthy money habits.

Joined XPYRIA Investment Advisors in 2021. Prior to joining XPYRIA, Tina was a Corporate Banking underwiter for middle market and large coprporate companies at PNC Bank.
BS in Economics from the University of Richmond
Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional (FPQP®)

Administrative Assistant

Lorriann Sergi

Ms. Sergi provides clerical and administrative support to the staff and ensures that the office runs smoothly and efficiently. She is responsible for facilities management, supply procurement, and serves as an information manager for the office.

Joined XPYRIA Investment Advisors in 2009. Lori’s experience in the financial services industry spans 25 plus years.
Associate Degree from the Duff’s Business Institute

About XPYRIA Investment Advisors