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Advisors On A Mission To Impact Your Planning Approach
After almost two decades of combined advisory experience, Cornerstone Capital Planning Group's founders Michael A Scarpati, CRPC® and Michael Blahusch, CFP®, MBA, felt that it was time to create a new standard for giving investment advice. Using video conferencing and screen sharing technology, they created a personal and immersive online financial planning experience that focuses on understanding YOU, before giving investment advice. Through this online platform, it is the mission of Cornerstone Capital Planning Group to impact how individuals and families approach their financial goals, mitigate investment risk, and plan for long term financial success.
Our approach is simple, we focus on planning before giving investment advice. First, we analyze your current financial situation in relation to you goals. Next, we build you a step-by-step plan to align your investment strategy with your savings timeline. Finally, we use our open architecture platform to find investment institutions that offer the solutions that you need. The Cornerstone Capital Planning Group team is passionate about this process and is focused on using it to make a positive impact each and every day.
Investing In The Future
In 2014, the Cornerstone Capital Planning Group founders started working with multiple universities to create an accredited advisor training program. This comprehensive 13-month program is meant to help students begin building a career in the financial planning industry while they are completing their final year of college.
The "Entrepreneurial Advisor Internship" officially launched in 2015, and has resulted in a new era of fiduciary based financial planners.
Online Financial Planning That Maintains The Human Element
At Cornerstone, You Work Directly With A Real Financial Advisor Who Has A Dedicated Understanding Of Your Financial Goals
Over a decade of time has been spent perfecting an immersive online financial planning experience that is simple to use and offers seamless collaboration between you and your advisor. With the use of video conferencing, screen-share technology, and an encrypted file exchange, we have maintained the human element of an in person planning meeting, while adding an unprecedented level of convenience.
As a client, your financial advisor is a real person, with a real phone number, and a real email. They will have a personal understanding of your financial goals and concerns, and you will always have a direct point of contact if you need their advice.
Meet Our Team
Michael Blahusch, CFP®, ChFC®, CRPC®, MBA | President
Background: Michael is a graduate of Saint Joseph’s University where he obtained a B.S. and Masters in Business Administration with a focus in Finance. His professional licenses include the Series 7, Series 66, and LAH Insurance. Post graduation, Michael advanced his expertise at the College For Financial Planning and The American College, where he obtained designations as a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor® and Chartered Financial Consultant®. He also serves proudly as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and has over ten years of experience in the financial planning industry.
Personal Interests: Michael currently serves as the Executive Director for Cornerstone Capital's Cooperative Learning Program, working with students from Drexel University, Temple University, as well as his alma mater, Saint Joseph's University.
Michael A Scarpati, CRPC® | Chief Executive Officer
Background: Michael graduated from Saint Joseph's University where he obtained a B.S. in Business Administration with a focus in International Business. Upon graduation, he enrolled in the College for Financial Planning and earned his designation as a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor®. Michael has been a comprehensive financial planner since 2010, and his professional licenses include the Series 7, Series 66, and LAH Insurance.
Personal Interests: Michael is an avid Philadelphia sports fan, real estate investor, and modern art enthusiast. He is also the Co-founder and acting Chairman of OWE, a 501(c)(3) organization that focuses on humanitarian aid in impoverished communities. Click here to learn more about OWE's mission to impact the underdeveloped world.
Elias Park, CRPC® | Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor®
Background: Eli is a graduate of Saint Joseph’s University where he obtained a B.S. in Finance as well as a B.A. in Economics. Additionally, he is a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor® from The College Of Financial Planning. Eli has been a member of the Cornerstone team since 2016 and his professional licenses include the Series 65, and LAH Insurance.
Personal Interests: Eli enjoys participating in various sports leagues, traveling, and spending time outdoors. In the spring, you can find him maple sugaring and skiing in Vermont. Make sure to stop by Cornerstone's annual pancake breakfast for some of his homemade, pure Vermont maple syrup!
James Trevouledes, CRPC® | Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor
Background: James is a graduate of Saint Joseph's University where he obtained a B.S in Finance and a B.S in Risk Management. Upon graduation, he enrolled in the College for Financial Planning, where he obtained a designation as a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor®. James has been a part of the Cornerstone team since 2016 and is dually licensed in both the securities and insurance industry.
Personal Interests: James spends his time studying various genres of music, watching football, and exercising. He also has a wealth of knowledge regarding the Earth's chemical elements. Give him any number between 1 and 118, he will tell you what element it is on the periodic table!
Brian Gassaway | Financial Advisor
Background: Brian joined the Cornerstone team in 2018 as a member of the Entrepreneurial Advisor Program. While working towards his B.S. in Business Administration from Saint Joseph' University, Brian took advantage of the SJU Cooperative Learning Program which allowed him to work year round at Cornerstone in a full-time and part-time capacity. His professional licenses include the Series 65, and LAH Insurance.
Personal Interests: During his time studying finance and economics at Saint Joseph's University, Brian holds great admiration towards the city of Philadelphia and its respective sports teams. Brian also enjoys taking weekend ski trips to the mountains with friends and spending time with family at Stone Harbor beach.
Sean Wilson CRPC® | Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor®
Background: Sean is a graduate from Temple University's Fox School Of Business, where he obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration in Financial Planning. He joined the Cornerstone team in 2018 as a member of the Entrepreneurial Advisor Program and has been practicing as a full-time financial professional since his graduation in 2019. Sean actively holds the LAH Insurance license, and is currently enrolled at The College for Financial Planning where he is working towards his CPRC® designation.
Personal Interests: Sean is a sponsored surfer by Kona Surf Co, and an avid traveler. He is also a Philadelphia Eagles season ticket holder and a passionate Philadelphia sports fan.
Personalized Planning Services To Take You To New Heights
At Cornerstone Capital Planning Group we have taken the ambiguity out of financial planning. Our unique analysis and strategy offerings are intentionally crafted to make your online financial planning experience easy to understand and fully customizable.