Steve founded Charles Stephen in 1983 with the late Charles Severino. Their shared goal was to help clients manage their finances with the goal of helping them live their lives the way they wanted. Together Chuck and Steve grew the firm into one of the leading financial planning firms in the Southwest. 

Steve has been a financial planner for 50 years, one of the very first in the United States to be licensed as a Certified Financial Planner (license no. 70). His depth of experience in financial and income planning, retirement planning, investment strategies, risk management, and business succession planning make him uniquely suited to create unique paths to security for any professional and personal circumstance.

In the wake of Charles Severino’s sudden and untimely passing in 2004, Steve wrote “When a Partner Dies”, using his own experience as a framework for other business owners with transition and succession planning. Steve’s story and expertise have been featured in the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Barron’s and other business publications.

Born and raised in Chicago, Steve came West in the 1970s and played football at the United States Air Force Academy and the University of New Mexico, where he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration. He and his wife, Marian, have been deeply involved in the Albuquerque community, where they raised their three children.

In 2021, Steve turned over day-to-day management of Charles Stephen to his son, Adam Ciepiela, and Kelly Famiglietta, while remaining as a guiding force in the firm’s growth and advising a select group of clients.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Certified Financial Planner®
• Certified Retirement Counselor®
• Accredited Investment Fiduciary™
• Series 7
• Series 66
• National Social Security Advisor®
• Investment Advisor Representative, the AmeriFlex Group

AWARDS AND CITATIONS

• Top 200 financial planners, Money Magazine
• Top wealth manager, Wealth Manager Magazine
• Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce Harry E. Kinney Good Neighbor Award
• Erna S. Fergusson Award, University of New Mexico

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

• Ambassador and Instructor, Junior Achievement New Mexico
• Vice Chairman, Lobo Development Corporation
• Former Board Chairman, Roadrunner Food Bank
• Former President, UNM Alumni Association

Adam heads the wealth management practice at Charles Stephen, working with individuals and families to create the strategies and structures required for preserving and growing wealth. He also directs the firm’s business operations and relationships with third-party asset managers and other vendors.

Adam has a special interest in advising younger people to start planning early and takes every opportunity to speak to groups about financial wellness and security.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Certified Retirement Counselor®
• Accredited Investment Fiduciary™
• Series 7
• Series 66
• National Social Security Advisor®
• Investment Advisor Representative, the AmeriFlex Group
• Behavioral Financial Advisor™

AWARDS AND CITATIONS

• 40 Under 40, Albuquerque Business First
• AssetMark Community Inspiration Award

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

• Board Chairman, Junior Achievement New Mexico
• Board of Directors, Albuquerque Museum Foundation

Jonathan has more than 15 years of financial industry experience. Originally from Oklahoma, he has worked for top financial companies such as Wells Fargo and Edward Jones in Arkansas and California. He moved to New Mexico for his love of the mountains and also to carry on his passion for developing loyal, long term client relationships to help clients achieve their financial goals. He has a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from the University of Oklahoma. In his spare time, Jonathan enjoys being outdoors. His top three favorite activities are backpacking, fly fishing, and snowboarding. Thanks to his roots, he is a lifetime devoted OU Boomer Sooner college football fan!

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Behavioral Financial Advisor™
• Series 7 General Securities Registered Representative
• Series 66 Uniform Combined State Law License
• Life, Health and Disability Insurance

AWARDS AND CITATIONS

• Edward Jones Spirit of Partnership Award, 2013, 2014 and 2015
• Edward Jones Client Development Award, 2015
• Ted Jones Entrepreneurial Achievement Award, 2016

Jeremy is the newest member of the Charles Stephen financial advisory team, joining the firm in October 2021. Jeremy has worked in the financial services industry since 2008, having worked as a registered representative with Nusenda Credit Union for six years, and prior to that, he worked with BBVA and New York Life. He is a graduate of Central New Mexico Community College. Jeremy, his wife, and children return frequently to his hometown of El Paso, Texas, to visit family. A dedicated Buffalo Bills and Chicago Bulls fan, Jeremy also enjoys playing softball, golf, and other outdoor sports with his family and friends.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Behavioral Financial Advisor™
• Series 7 General Securities Registered Representative
• Series 6 Investment company and Variable Contracts Products
• Series 63 Uniformed Securities Agent State Law
• Series 66 Uniform Combined State Law License
• Life, Health and Disability Insurance

Cynthia is originally from New York and brings over 30 years of experience to Charles Stephen. From major financial corporations such as Morgan Stanley and Thornburg Investment Management to independent financial advisor companies, she has done it all. Her favorite parts about working in the financial industry are the relationships she develops with clients and helping them form their desired financial life. She is currently working on the Series 7 (General Securities) and taking classes at Central New Mexico to finish her degree in Business. Cynthia’s other passion is theater.  In the past ten years she has performed on some of New Mexico’s most prestigious stages as well as stage-managed for numerous productions.  Being a stage manager is her preference because you can step back and see the results of your labor. For relaxation, she enjoys spending time with her family, quilting, and volunteering at numerous non-profits.

Yunchi has been part of Charles Stephen team since March, 2013. She enjoys getting to know most of our clients over the seven years where she served as an Administrative assistant. As of March, 2020, she took on the role of Relationship Manager, diving deeper in serving our clients with portfolio related needs. Originally from Shanghai, after living in Washington, D.C. for 14 years, Yunchi moved to Albuquerque in June, 2012 to study Pilates and Gyrotonic certification programs at a world-renowned studio. Her passion in learning and teaching sophisticated movement methods in her spare time expands her understanding of serving people’s needs at a deeper level. She loves learning about new cultures and enjoys world cuisine, especially Michelin Starred restaurants, cooking, reading and writing

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional®

Brendon joined Charles Stephen in 2021 as a member of our client service team. He has plans to become a financial advisor one day, and in the mean time dedicates himself to helping clients in any way possible.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional®
• Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist™
• National Association of Retirement Plans Introduction to Retiremen Plans Certificate

Patty has extensive experience in the financial industry in client services and records management. At Charles Stephen she makes sure that our client records meet the highest levels of accuracy and compliance with ever-evolving federal securities standards and regulations. Before joining Charles Stephen, Patty held positions at other financial planning firms in Albuquerque. She and her husband, Steve, have five children and four lively grandchildren.

Sarah plays an active role in the planning and implementation of business practices which include organizational development, corporate giving and advancing the client experience. Additionally, she curates social media content and is involved in the planning of educational events for Charles Stephen’s clients. Sarah brings over ten years of experience in project management, business development, social media, community engagement, and marketing expertise to the team at Charles Stephen. Prior to joining Charles Stephen, Sarah served as the Development Director for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of New Mexico, worked as a consultant focused on programming and fundraising for nonprofit organizations, and was a Retail Buyer for Fortune 500 companies. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science from the University of Arizona. Sarah is an active community member, serving in multiple volunteer leadership roles for local nonprofit organizations.

Debbie has been with Charles Stephen since 2016, having filled many roles: managing our secure online filing and client relationship systems, everyday office organization, and most recently, managing insurance policy applications, implementations, updates, and renewals. Debbie is a native New Mexican, graduated from UNM, and raised two children in Albuquerque with her husband, Mike. They take every opportunity to travel to Phoenix and Dallas to visit their grandchildren.