Alpha Architect Research and Education Team
Wes Gray, PhD(Bio)
CEO/CIO
Wes Gray, PhD (CEO)
Jack Vogel, PhD(Bio)
CIO/CFO
Jack Vogel, PhD
Dr. Vogel conducts research in empirical asset pricing and behavioral finance. Dr. Vogel is a co-author of DIY FINANCIAL ADVISOR: A Simple Solution to Build and Protect Your Wealth and QUANTITATIVE MOMENTUM: A Practitioner’s Guide to Building a Momentum-Based Stock Selection System. His academic background includes experience as an instructor and research assistant at Drexel University in both the Finance and Mathematics departments, as well as a Finance instructor at Villanova University. He has a Ph.D. in Finance and an MS in Mathematics from Drexel University. Dr. Vogel graduated summa cum laude with a BS in Mathematics and Education from The University of Scranton.
Ryan Kirlin(Bio)
Head of Capital Markets
Ryan Kirlin
Ryan Patrick Kirlin is Head of Capital Markets and Sales for Alpha Architect. He works with financial advisors to analyze and create affordable, tax-efficient, investment portfolios in partnership with Alpha Architect and our investment strategies. And, once portfolio decisions are made, assists them in executing fair ETF trades. His previous roles in the New York Stock Exchange’s ETF Group (where he was part of launching about 650 ETFs) and at RevenueShares ETFs help give him a well-rounded view on ETF structure and the opportunities for investors within the industry. When RevenueShares was acquired by the mutual fund behemoth Oppenheimer Funds, Ryan received an inside look at the challenges faced by legacy asset managers in adapting to the future of asset management.
Ryan attended Fordham University for his undergraduate degree. He was a member of the US Rowing Team in 2011 and competed at the Pan American Games. He stills rows and his backtested performance results look great. He’s not as confident in his forward expected returns due to new unaccounted transaction costs in his life (family, age, and golf).
Doug Pugliese(Bio)
Head of 1042 Solutions
Doug Pugliese
Mr. Pugliese manages the firm’s 1042 ESOP solutions practice. In this role, Doug implements equity indexed Qualified Replacement Property rollovers for clients. Previously, he was at SEI Investments and at Marshall & Stevens, a financial consultancy. Before SEI, Mr. Pugliese was a Managing Director in the Investment Banking Division at Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. During his twelve years’ tenure there he developed and executed strategic merger & acquisition and financing transactions worth more than $12 billion and was based in the Firm’s New York and London offices. Prior to that, Mr. Pugliese served as an officer and pilot in the United States Navy. Mr. Pugliese received his B.A. in Economics and Spanish Literature (with honors) from the University of Pennsylvania and his MBA from the Stern School of Business at New York University, where he was a Dean’s Scholar and a Stern Scholar.
Kyle Baxter, CFA®(Bio)
Director, Portfolio Services
Kyle Baxter
Jess Bost(Bio)
VP – Strategic Partnerships & Client Success
Jess Bost
Jess is driven to create a win-win partnership culture for financial advisors in which they can grow efficient practices to scale and build relationship-focused client service models. Her respect for overall portfolio alpha derived through comprehensive financial planning serves as catalyst for her passion to help RIAs identify opportunistic areas in which they can deliver value for their investors.
Her background in CrossFit, Olympic Weightlifting, and Nutrition coaching provides a framework for teaching and supporting the long-term effects of a methodical, evidence-based, disciplined approach. Jess has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Berry College, holds a CrossFit-L1 certification, and has Series 7, 65 & 63 licenses. She is a Retirement Income Certified Professional(RICP®) and is currently a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) candidate.
Currently residing in Augusta, GA, Jess and her husband are raising two strong little ladies. When she’s not out looking for adventures and opportunities to make memories with her people, you’ll most likely find her in the gym lifting something heavy.
Tommi Johnsen, PhD(Bio)
Consulting/Content
Tommi Johnsen, PhD
Dr. Tommi Johnsen, until retirement in 2017, was the Director of the Reiman School of Finance and a tenured faculty at the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver.She has worked extensively as a consultant and investment advisor in the areas of quantitative methods and portfolio construction. She taught at the graduate and undergraduate level and published research in several areas including: capital markets, portfolio management and performance analysis, financial applications of econometrics and the analysis of equity securities. Her publications have appeared in numerous peer-reviewed journals. See our consulting page for more information.
Elisabetta Basilico, PhD/CFA® (Bio)
Consulting/Content
Elisabetta Basilico, PhD, CFA®
Dr. Elisabetta Basilico is a seasoned investment professional with an expertise in “turning academic insights into investment strategies.” Research is her life’s work and by combining her scientific grounding in quantitative investment management with a pragmatic approach to business challenges, she’s helped several institutional investors achieve stable returns from their global wealth portfolios. Her expertise spans from asset allocation to active quantitative investment strategies. Holder of the Charter Financial Analyst since 2007 and a PhD from the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland, she has experience in teaching and research at various international universities and co-author of articles published in peer-reviewed journals. She and co-author Tommi Johnsen are currently writing a book on research-backed investment ideas. You can find additional information at Academic Insights on Investing.
See our consulting page for more information.
Alex Clark (Bio)
VP — Marketing
Alex Clark
Alex serves as Vice President – Marketing for Alpha Architect. He consults with Alpha Architect’s clients to develop strategic solutions that align with their investment philosophy to drive deeper client relationships. His prior experience includes leading content marketing strategy for a large independent broker-dealer, a mid-market private equity real estate firm, and a boutique alternative investment fund. He’s produced content on a range of topics, including direct indexing, opportunity zone strategies, private debt/direct lending strategies, and trend-following.
In his free time, Alex is building out a gym in his garage under the delusion that will get him to work out again. When he’s not thinking about working out, Alex practices his cooking skills where he excels at using three pans when one would suffice. Alex obtained a BA in English Literature from Arizona State University. He and his wife live in a suburb of Phoenix with their son and two dogs.
Alpha Architect Operations Team (also known as ETF Architect)
Pat Cleary(Bio)
CEO ETF Architect
Pat Cleary
Mr. Cleary is currently the Chief Operations Officer / Chief Compliance Officer of Alpha Architect, where he oversees firm operations, compliance, and cybersecurity. Previously, Mr. Cleary served as Director of Strategy and Corporate Development for Algeco Scotsman, a multinational leasing and manufacturing company. Before Algeco Scotsman, he was a Project Leader for the Boston Consulting Group. In that capacity, he advised clients across a variety of industries in the US, Europe, and Africa. Mr. Cleary also served as a Captain in the United States Marine Corps. He holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and a B.S. in Economics from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Sean Hegarty, CPA(Bio)
Chief Operating Officer
Sean Hegarty, CPA
Mr. Hegarty serves as the Chief Operating Officer of ETF Architect, where he orchestrates daily operations and SEC reporting for the firm. Previously, Mr. Hegarty served as an Assistant Vice President of Fund Administration at U.S. Bank Global Fund Services after working for three years as an auditor of investment companies with Cohen & Company. He holds a B.S. in Accounting from Marquette University and is registered as a Certified Public Accountant in the state of Wisconsin. Mr. Hegarty currently lives in Milwaukee with his wife and three children.
Jess Leighty(Bio)
Chief Compliance Officer
Jess Leighty
Ms. Leighty is currently the Chief Compliance Officer of Alpha Architect where she oversees the firm’s compliance program. Previously, Ms. Leighty served as the Chief Compliance Officer & Director of Operations for Snow Capital Management, L.P. She holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Minnesota and an M.S. in Business Ethics and Compliance from New England College of Business.
Brandon Koepke, CFA®(Bio)
CTO/Senior PM
Brandon Koepke
Josh Russell, CFA®(Bio)
Senior PM
Josh Russell
Dr. Russell is a Senior Portfolio Manager for ETF Architect. Previously he was an Equity Portfolio Manager at Carson Group. In this capacity he managed over $1.7 billion in assets across fourteen thousand accounts. Prior to working in asset management, Josh worked on research grants for the Army, the Air Force, and NASA. Dr. Russell is a CFA charterholder. He earned a PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering and a Masters in Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Brian Massaro
Assistant Operating Officer
Brian Massaro
Mr. Massaro serves as the Assistant Operating Officer of ETF Architect, where he coordinates company operations and processes with the COO. Previously, Mr. Massaro served as Fund Administrator at U.S. Bank Global Fund Services. He holds an M.S. in Applied Economics from Marquette University and a B.S./B.A. in Applied Mathematical Economics and Spanish Language, Literature, and Culture from Marquette University. Mr. Massaro currently lives in Milwaukee with his fiancée.
Yan Feng(Bio)
Portfolio Manager
Yan Feng
Ms. Feng serves as Portfolio Management Analyst at Alpha Architect. In this capacity, Ms. Feng supports portfolio management operations for all funds and strategies, to include 1940 Act Exchange Traded Funds, private funds, and separately managed accounts. In addition, Ms. Feng programs and maintains data processes and algorithms in support of the firm’s trading operations. Ms. Feng graduated from the LeBow College of Business at Drexel University in Philadelphia with dual degrees in Finance and Business Analytics. She passed CFA Level I in 2018 and is currently a CFA Level II candidate. Previously, Ms. Feng worked as a Data Analyst intern for the Alibaba Group.
Rich Shaner, CFA®(Bio)
Portfolio Manager
Rich Shaner, CFA
Rich Shaner, CFA®, graduated from The University of Colorado in 2001 with a degree in Kinesiology and Applied Physiology. Prior to Alpha Architect, he was a fundamental stock analyst that managed a value portfolio within a family fund and traded equity options as a valuation and hedging strategy. Prior to this role he worked on the floor of the Philadelphia Stock Exchange and spent several years as a market maker in equity options.
Megan Lin(Bio)
Junior Portfolio Manager
Megan Lin
As a Junior Portfolio Manager at Alpha Architect, Megan supports daily trading activities for all funds and strategies, programs algorithms and maintains data system process in support of quantitative investing operation. Prior to joining Alpha Architect, Megan worked for iFresh Inc. as a Digital Marketing Analyst. Megan received her Bachelor’s degree in Accounting & Finance and Master’s degree in Business Analytics from Drexel University, and she is currently a CFA Level I Candidate.
