Broad Investing Expertise. Dedicated to Clients.
Augustine’s investment professionals work as a team managing the firm’s equity, fixed income, and balanced strategies. With over 125 years of collective experience investing across all asset classes globally, our investment team is distinguished by the experience and depth applied to the identification of investment opportunities and the management of portfolio risk. Our client administration professionals are proud to provide a high level of personalized service.
Investment & Advisory Team
Jeffrey E. Bernardo, CFA
President & CEO
Mr. Bernardo has over 25 years of investment experience, and his responsibilities include managing Augustine’s global equity, emerging market equity, and fixed income strategies. His prior experience includes global equities advisor at Trinity Capital; Vice President and senior global equity portfolio manager at J.P. Morgan Asset Management, London; equity research analyst at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette and at Kidder, Peabody & Co; and consultant at McKinsey & Co. Mr. Bernardo graduated with a BS in Economics with honors from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst, President of CFA Society Jacksonville, Chairman of the City of Jacksonville Retirement System Board of Trustees, a Director of the World Affairs Council of Jacksonville, a Director of the Sontag Foundation, and a board member of the Jacksonville Symphony Foundation.
Email Jeff at jbernardo@augustineasset.com
Gregory M. Estes, CFA
Vice President & Portfolio Manager
Mr. Estes has over 20 years of investment experience, and his responsibilities include managing Augustine’s Yield Equity strategy and contributing equity research across Augustine’s equity strategies. His prior experience includes Portfolio Manager at Intrepid Capital Funds and Portfolio Manager at Bank of America’s Private Wealth Management group, US Trust. Mr. Estes graduated with an MA in Financial Economics from the University of Florida and a BBA in Finance from the University of Notre Dame. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst and a past director of CFA Society Jacksonville.
Email Greg at gestes@augustineasset.com
Milena D. Spasova, CFA, CIPM
Investment Analyst
Ms. Spasova has over 9 year of experience with fixed income securities and derivatives, and her responsibilties include analysis and security selection in Augustine’s fixed income strategies. Her prior experience includes associate and senior operations analyst at Deutsche Bank. Ms. Spasova graduated with masters degrees in accounting and in economics / international relations from the University of National and World Economy and an MBA from the University of North Florida. She is a Chartered Financial Analyst, has earned the Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement, and is Vice President of CFA Society Jacksonville.
Email Milena at mspasova@augustineasset.com
Neil J. Sullivan, CFA
Client Portfolio Manager
Mr. Sullivan has over 45 years of investment experience, and his responsibilities include managing private client portfolios. His prior experience includes Founding Partner and senior investment officer at Moody, Aldrich & Sullivan, Boston; Managing Director of Equities and senior portfolio manager at Dewey Square Investors, Boston; and Vice President and senior portfolio manager at Bank of Boston. Mr. Sullivan graduated with a BS in Finance from Northeastern University and an MBA from Boston College. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst and a member and past director of CFA Society Boston.
Email Neil at nsullivan@augustineasset.com
Franco Cirelli, CPA, CFP
Financial Planning Advisor
Mr. Cirelli has over 25 years of experience delivering expertise on financial matters to individuals and businesses, and his responsibilities at Augustine include financial planning and client-related financial analysis. His prior experience includes Financial Operations Principal for Motif Investing, Co-founder and Chief Financial Officer of SeatSub, Chief Financial Officer of Phacil, and positions at Microsoft, the National Basketball Association, and Deloitte & Touche. Mr. Cirelli graduated with a BS in Business Administration from the Haas School of Business, University of California Berkeley and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University. He is a Certified Public Accountant and a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™ professional. Mr. Cirelli is an active community member who has served on several nonprofit boards and advisory councils in the Bay Area and is past Chairman of San Francisco’s Quality Teacher and Education Act Oversight Committee.
Email Franco at fcirelli@augustineasset.comAdministration & Client Services Team
Steven M. Herbert, CFA
Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
Mr. Herbert has over 20 years of investment experience, and his responsibilities include implementing the firm’s strategic plan including business development, client management, and risk management, as well as overseeing the firm’s regulatory compliance. His prior experience includes Director of Institutional Marketing at McKinley Capital Management; Head of Pension Advisory Americas for DEPFA Bank; and Principal at Mercer Investments. Mr. Herbert graduated with a BBA in Decision Sciences and an MBA in Finance both from the J. Mack Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst, a member of CFA Society Jacksonville, and a Board Member of The City of Fernandina Beach General Employees’ Retirement Plan.
Email Steve at sherbert@augustineasset.com
Frederick M. Blum
Operations Manager
Mr. Blum has over 15 years of investment experience, and his responsibilities include special operating projects and business development. His prior experience includes Chief Operating Officer at Koss‐Olinger Financial Group and a 25 year career in general management, business development and marketing in the chemical industry. Mr. Blum graduated with a BS in Chemistry with honors from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and received an MBA from Syracuse University. He is Past Board Chairman of Beaver Street Enterprise Center.
Email Fred at fblum@augustineasset.com
Courtney J. Teschner
Operations Analyst
Ms. Teschner has over five years of experience in financial and investment operations, and she is responsible for portfolio accounting and equity trading at Augustine. Her prior experience includes trading operations, data management, and analytics at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, New York. Ms. Teschner graduated with a BS in Finance with honors from Pennsylvania State University.
Email Courtney at cteschner@augustineasset.com