Expert Team
In order to take a comprehensive evaluation of the entire range of your financial needs, we have a team of carefully selected professionals, each with a high level of knowledge and skill in key financial areas. Our team of specialists evaluates all aspects of your financial situation and devises appropriate financial solutions.
Bruce Bittles
Bruce joined Baird in 2002 and provides stock market analysis to Baird's retail, institutional and corporate clients. He is also a member of Baird's Investment Policy and Stock Selection committees. Bruce began his investment career as head trader at the options trading firm of Thomas, Haab and Botts in New York City, where he served for nine years. In 1974, Bruce joined J.C. Bradford & Company to establish and head their options department. In 1985, he joined Bradford's research department, where he was partner in charge of market strategy until the company was acquired by Paine Webber in 2000. He received both his Bachelor of Science degree in business and MBA in economics and finance from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Scott Grenier, CFP®, CPWA®
Scott Grenier is a Senior Estate Planner for Baird’s Private Wealth Management group. In this role, he works with clients and their Baird financial advisors on business succession, tax and estate planning strategies, with a focus on tax-efficient wealth transfer opportunities. Prior to joining Baird in 2010, Scott provided financial planning solutions to high-net-worth individuals and families at Cleary Gull.
Scott graduated from Hamilton College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and earned a Master of Science in Financial Services Degree from The American College. He is an Accredited Estate Planner through the National Association of Estate Planning & Councils, Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy through The American College, and a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER
Scott served on the Board of the Milwaukee Estate Planning Forum. Currently he is a member of the Milwaukee Estate Planning Forum, the Society of Financial Service Professionals and the Financial Planning Association of Southeastern Wisconsin.
Erica Kroll
Erica Kroll joined Baird in 2003 and has over 14 years experience in the financial services industry. As the Insurance Specialist for Baird Insurance Services, Erica supports Baird Financial Advisors in insurance planning concepts from the most simple to advanced wealth transfer planning techniques. Erica also assists in evaluating client’s existing insurance portfolios. Erica is a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®) designee and has advanced education in long-term care planning. She also holds the FINRA Series 6 & 63 licenses, as well as, the WI life and health licenses.
Timothy M. Steffen , CPA/PFS, CFP®, CPWA®
Tim Steffen is Director of Financial Planning for Baird’s Private Wealth Management group. In this role, he meets with clients and prospects to discuss their financial and estate planning needs, as well as serves as an income tax specialist for Baird Financial Advisors. Tim also supports Financial Advisors in a marketing and training capacity, helping them understand the benefits of using financial planning in their business and educating them on planning techniques.
Prior to joining Baird in 1999, Tim worked in Arthur Anderson’s Private Client Services group where he specialized in tax and financial planning. His clients included corporate executives, business owners and families.
Tim earned his bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Illinois in 1991. He is a Certified Public Accountant/Personal Financial Specialist, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professional, and a member of the American and Wisconsin Institutes of CPAs and the Financial Planning Association.
Commentary from Tim on a wide range of financial planning topics has been featured in national, regional and trade media such as The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Chicago Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle, Barron’s, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, MarketWatch, Forbes, and InvestmentNews.
Laura Thurow
Laura is responsible for all research efforts focused on Baird’s Private Wealth Management. This includes outside money manager and mutual fund research in support of the Recommended Manager and ALIGN programs, as well as individual stock, bond and ETF research and portfolio analysis. She is co-portfolio manager of the ALIGN Strategic Portfolios, and a voting member of the Investment Policy, Manager & Policy, ALIGN, Mutual Fund, Structured Products and Managed Futures Oversight committees. Prior to joining Private Wealth Management Research, Laura spent five years as a member of Baird’s Auto & Truck Supplier Equity Research team. Laura received a bachelor of arts degrees in Economics from Trinity College and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. She has earned the CFA charter and is a member of the CFA Society of Milwaukee