Our team of portfolio executives and operational staff bring well over a century of combined experience to the management of our clients’ wealth. We draw from diverse backgrounds and training, but we share an overriding commitment to integrity, excellence, and putting clients first.
To check the background of any of our investment professionals, visit FINRA’s BrokerCheck.
Clemens P. Ciupke
CEO & Portfolio Manager
As CEO, Clem guides all aspects of our portfolio management effort—from the nuts-and-bolts work of security selection and individual portfolio construction to the development of strategic macro views and ongoing communication with clients. Clem also mentors the younger members of our team in the art and science of long-term investment management.
Prior to joining Roberts Glore in 1989, Clem held a variety of management roles in several prominent financial and accounting firms, including the Northern Trust, First National Bank of Chicago (now JP Morgan Chase), and Price Waterhouse. Clem also built a private accounting practice from the ground up, ultimately selling the business to another accounting firm so that he could focus his time and talents toward his passion—investment management.
Clem earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance & Accounting from Northern Illinois University and an M.B.A. with a concentration in Investments from DePaul University. He passed the CPA exam in 1979 and is a member of the American and Illinois Institutes of CPAs. He also holds a FINRA Series 65 license. A keen student of history and numismatics, Clem enjoys studying coin designs from ancient Greece to modern America. Clem likes to think of himself as a treasure hunter—whether pursuing his interest in antiquity or hunting for treasure in the financial markets.
Clem met his wife in high school in 1972 and has been happily married since 1978—with three adult children as proof!
When not at work, Clem is fond of going to the great north woods and lakes of Wisconsin.
Jim L. Calaway, CFA, CIC
President & Portfolio Manager
Together with Clem, Jim oversees our firm’s portfolio management work, with a particular focus on client relationship management. Jim also oversees our office’s daily operations, ensuring that our team is equipped to provide exceptional service to our clients.
Jim earned a B.A. in Economics and Organizational Behavior & Management from Brown University, where he met Marcy, his wife of over 24 years. He managed a private business in New England from 1991 to 1993, when he was recruited by Bill Roberts to join the Roberts Glore team.
Jim holds both the Chartered Financial Analyst and the Chartered Investment Counselor designations. He is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of Chicago and holds a FINRA Series 65 license. Jim is an accomplished bridge player, having achieved the rank of life master during his college years. He is also an avid hunter, fisherman, and outdoorsman, and he previously served as the chairman of the Lake Forest, Illinois chapter of Ducks Unlimited, where he remains an active member.
Byron J. Smythe, CFA
Vice President & Portfolio Manager
Byron spearheads much of our in-house research effort, focusing on security valuation, outside-the-box macroeconomic analysis, and client communications, particularly by drawing together our portfolio management team’s market reflections in our client newsletter. Byron also manages or co-manages a number of client portfolios.
Prior to joining Roberts Glore in 2001, Byron engaged in non-profit work in western Mexico and later worked as a mechanical design engineer for Yaskawa Electric America.
Byron earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering (Bronze Tablet, highest honors) from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, an M.A. in Theological Studies (summa cum laude) from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and an MSc in Analytics from the University of Chicago. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of Chicago. In addition, Byron holds a FINRA Series 65 license. He is an enthusiastic learner, his interests ranging from classic fiction and theology to heterodox economics and financial market history. He and his wife have two children and make their home in the northwest suburbs of Chicago.
Christopher J. Ciupke, CFP®, CRPC®
Assistant Vice President & Portfolio Manager
Chris assists the senior members of our portfolio management team on every level, contributing to our in-house market analysis efforts, security research, trade execution, and client relationship management. In addition, Chris manages or co-manages a number of client portfolios.
As a Certified Financial Planner™, Chris has special expertise in addressing such matters as tax, estate, and retirement/educational planning, insurance, and comprehensive financial goal-setting, among others.
Chris joined Roberts Glore in 2004 after earning a B.A. in Theology with Minors in Philosophy and Business Administration from Valparaiso University. He is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity from Denver Seminary. He holds a FINRA Series 65 license, as well as insurance licenses for life, health and disability and for long-term care and fixed annuities. In addition to the Certified Financial Planner™ designation, Chris holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor℠ designation. An avid chess player, Chris applies to investment management the same balance of strategic and tactical planning that he brings to the chessboard. He is also an ardent fan of fishing and baseball. Chris and his wife, Asia, have been married since 2013 and welcomed a baby girl in 2019.
Spencer Q. Bleecker, CFP®
Investment Adviser Representative
Spencer works alongside our portfolio managers in serving our clients, evaluating investment opportunities, and addressing our regulatory and compliance responsibilities. Moreover, as a Certified Financial Planner™, Spencer assists clients in mapping out their financial “big picture,” addressing matters ranging from long-term goal-setting to retirement and estate planning.
Spencer joined Roberts Glore full-time in 2018 after earning a B.A. in Finance (cum laude) from Lake Forest College and serving as our part-time intern. In addition to the Certified Financial Planner™ designation, he holds a FINRA Series 65 license. Spencer is an enthusiastic outdoorsman and the current chairman of the Lake Forest, Illinois chapter of Ducks Unlimited.
Catherine Stein
Portfolio Database Administrator
Cathy manages our firm’s third-party portfolio accounting database and prepares regular summary reports for our clients’ portfolios. She also oversees the preparation of advisory fee invoices for each of our clients.
Cathy joined the Roberts Glore team in 2001 shortly after graduating from DeVry University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration & Business Information Systems. A native of Peru, Cathy is fluent in Spanish.
Kimberly Enstrom
Executive Administrative Assistant
Kim oversees our in-house administrative and recordkeeping efforts and serves as the “nerve center” for client account documentation and disbursement requests. She also routinely assists Cathy Stein in the management of our portfolio accounting database.
Kim came to Roberts Glore in 2008 after serving in various back-office and account-service roles. Kim studied Political Science for two years at Carthage College and has over two decades of experience in client service and administrative functions.