Team | Apogee Investment Management

Having over 26 years of diverse experience in the financial industry serves as a strong foundation from which Kevin provides a vision and direction for the company. His competitive drive and tireless efforts to take care of clients and their families is evident from how the company is structured and in how the client experience is promoted. The specific goal is “individualized wealth management solutions and personalized customer service for each individual client”, but the truly desired outcome is a happy client.

Kevin has always had a strong desire to help people. This characteristic weighed heavily when choosing a career path and wanting to assist clients manage their wealth. As with everything in his life, he takes his job quite seriously and is reflected in his dedication and devotion to the business and clients. Whether it’s preparing a detailed financial plan, developing an investment program, reviewing portfolio investments or conducting detailed market research, the goal is simple—provide the most prudent and cost effective wealth management advice that serves the best interests of the client—all to make them a satisfied and happy client.

Education
Kevin graduated from Kalamazoo College in 1989 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, Majoring in Economics. He also earned a Secondary Education Teaching Certificate in Economics, Accounting, General Business and Physical Education. In 2001, Kevin earned a Master’s in Finance from the Haworth College of Business at Western Michigan University. He has passed Level I of the CFA designation, Level I of the CTFA designation, is a Licensed International Financial Analyst (LIFA) and completed the CBOE (Chicago Board of Options Exchange) program in Managing Concentrated Stock Positions.

Wealth Management Career
Kevin began his career in the financial industry as the Lead Research Analyst at Kalamazoo Investment Group in 1991. While there, he conducted all mutual fund research, was the lead analyst in the Technology, Healthcare, Financial and Telecommunication sectors while also having significant portfolio management and client relationship duties. In 2000, the company transitioned from an asset management company to a privately owned Trust Bank (Greenleaf Trust) where Kevin’s duties expanded to include substantially more research and portfolio management responsibilities. In August, 2007, he left Greenleaf Trust to help build a Registered Investment Advisory company in Syracuse, NY--Blue Ocean Strategic Capital (BOSC). While at BOSC, from 2007-2014, Kevin served as Chief Investment Officer, Director of Managed Portfolios, and Chief Compliance Officer where assets grew from $80 million to over $220 million. On January 1, 2015, Kevin left BOSC and founded Apogee Investment Management (AIM)—to focus solely on wealth management for a limited number of clients.

Other Activities
Kevin is an accomplished golfer, athletic official and sports enthusiast. While attending Kalamazoo College, he earned 4 Varsity letters in golf, 4 in baseball and 2 in football. He was MIAA conference golf champion twice, MIAA golf runner-up once, and was an all-MIAA Conference Baseball selection both as a shortstop and a catcher. Since college, Kevin has won over 60 local and state golf events—including the Michigan Amateur, Golf Association of Michigan Championship and Michigan Mid-Am, all in the year--2000. Overall, Kevin has six state championship titles, seven state runner-up finishes, 11 state top five finishes and 21 club championships in Michigan, New York and Florida. Kevin also qualified for and played in the Senior U.S. Open in 2016 in his first year of eligibility as a Senior. He has been a high school and college basketball official for over 25 years and has officiated football, baseball and softball at the high school level. Kevin has served on several board of directors and has been a financial consultant for several local non-profit organizations. He has volunteered for several coaching opportunities in softball and basketball and is active in local youth sports. BOSC, from 2007-2014, Kevin served as Chief Investment Officer, Director of Managed Portfolios, and Chief Compliance Officer where assets grew from $80 million to over $220 million. On January 1, 2015, Kevin left BOSC and founded Apogee Investment Management (AIM)—to focus solely on wealth management for a limited number of clients.

FOUNDER AND CEO

kevin e. vandenberg

PRESIDENT

lee A. allbright, cHfc

PRACTICE MANAGER

julie r. marengo

Lee is a pioneer of fee based investment services in Central New York, and has over 30 years of financial industry experience. He taught asset management and financial planning in the State University of New York intern program and holds the designation of Chartered Financial Consultant. Lee is a member of the Financial Planning Association, Society of Financial Service Professionals and the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. Continuing career-related education and voluminous research allows Lee to interpret current economic and market conditions skillfully. Being thorough and innovative, Lee possesses a seasoned understanding in meeting the needs of professionals, middle income and high net worth individuals. Outstanding service and a commitment to excellence helped Lee build and maintain a solid client base in his wealth management business while expanding the practice through referrals of satisfied clients and other knowledgeable industry professionals. Through careful listening and extensive communication, Lee strives to understand each client’s financial goals, needs and objectives and gives each client the personal attention they deserve for a successful, enjoyable and positive wealth management experience. Professionalism, integrity and knowledge have helped Lee earn the respect and admiration of his clients and associates, as evidenced by his receipt of various awards and honors, including the National Quality Award. Lee has also written several financial articles, conducted numerous financial planning and investment seminars and has been a frequent guest expert on several financial talk shows.

Active in the community, Lee has been a volunteer with the Syracuse Jail Ministry (a visitor advocacy group for imprisoned people) for several years. Lee has two daughters and two granddaughters and is happily married to Joelle. He enjoys international travel, including recent trips to The People’s Republic of China, Costa Rica, Europe, and wilderness camping and kayaking in the Adirondack Mountains and Florida Everglades.

In May 1992, Julie R. Marengo joined Allbright Asset Management, Inc. and has been an integral part of the client and investment experience ever since. Julie has assisted Lee in meeting the firm’s goals of providing superior asset management and comprehensive wealth management, delivering detailed financial plans and providing unparalleled customer service.

Julie’s Practice Manager role encompasses a wide range of duties: responsibilities for processing and preparing client transactions, the preparation of client reports, acting as computer network systems administrator by installing and updating company software as well as working with computer support firms as needed. In managing the office, Julie supervises office personnel, including administrative assistants and interns, while working with them to maintain the firm’s high standards in financial planning, asset management and client service. Julie is also responsible for the company’s day-to-day office accounting.

Julie’s hometown is Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 1981, Julie entered Penn State University where she studied for two years, transferred to Oklahoma State University for a year and a half, where she graduated with a degree in accounting in December, 1984. After graduation she returned to Pittsburgh and worked at Carnegie Mellon University for two years, then moved to Rochester NY when her husband received a job transfer. While in Rochester, Julie managed a word processing firm for three years and then another transfer in 1991 took Julie to Syracuse, NY where she met Lee Allbright and joined the firm as a part-time employee. However, Julie’s extensive efforts in helping clients and expanding her knowledge in the financial services field through completing the coursework for the Certified Financial Planner designation has brought her to the important position she now has in the current company.

Julie has been married since 1984 and has two wonderful children. In addition to spending time with her family, she enjoys reading and crafting. Preparations for the many holiday craft shows begin during the summer and keeps her busy through the end of the year. When you call Apogee Investment Management, she may be the person to answer the phone and provide you the information you are looking for. She looks forward to talking with you and helping you to the best of her ability.

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