William G. Droms, CFA

Co-Founder (Retired)

Bill was a co-founder of the firm and was a thought leader in investment analysis and management. He is widely recognized for the development of the Portfolio Allocation Scoring System, a risk tolerance questionnaire and asset allocation system first published in The 1984 Dow Jones-Irwin Mutual Fund Yearbook. He holds a Masters (MBA) and a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Charterholder.

Prior to his retirement, in addition to the role he filled at Droms Strauss, he served as the Powers Professor of Finance in the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University, where he taught finance and investments to undergraduate and MBA students. Bill has also been widely quoted on investment management topics in national publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post and Money magazine.  For more than 25 years he wasa frequent speaker on the topic of investments for numerous organizations.

Bill is a graduate of Brown University and earned his MBA and DBA degrees from George Washington University.

Publications:

• The Financial Analysts Journal
• Journal of Accountancy
• CPA Journal and Journal of Financial Planning

Books Authored or Edited by Bill Droms:

Finance and Accounting for Nonfinancial Managers, Fifth Edition, (with Jay Wright), (New York, NY: Basic Books, 2010).

Investment Fundamentals, (with Frederick Amling), (Forth Worth, TX: The Dryden Press, 1994).

Initiating and Managing a Global Investment Program, (editor), (Charlottesville, VA: Association for Investment Management and Research, 1991).

The Life Insurance Investment Advisor, (with Ben G. Baldwin), (Chicago, IL: Probus Publishing Company, 1988).

Asset Allocation for Individual Investors, (editor), (Homewood, IL: Dow Jones-Irwin/Institute for Chartered Financial Analysts, 1987).

The Dow Jones-Irwin Guide to Personal Financial Planning, Revised Edition, (with Frederick Amling), (Homewood, IL: Dow Jones-Irwin, 1986).

Personal Financial Management, Revised Edition (with Frederick Amling), (Homewood, IL: Richard D. Irwin, 1986).

The Dow Jones-Irwin Mutual Fund Yearbook, (Homewood, IL: Dow Jones-Irwin, 1984, 1985, 1986).

Anthony Z. Gennaoui, CFP^®

Managing Principal

Anthony joined Droms Strauss Wealth Management in 2013, following 10 years of experience at Deutsche Bank and The Hartford as an ‘advisor to financial advisors.’  In 2015, he became a designated CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP^®).  The designation comes with extensive training in financial planning, estate planning, insurance, investments, taxes, employee benefits and retirement planning.  Anthony became a shareholder in June 2016 and serves on the firm's management committee.

Anthony now heads the Droms Strauss investment committee, which is responsible for the construction of client portfolios and for researching and selecting investments for firm clients.  He provides clients with conflict-free advice, helping them to achieve their goals in the most effective and efficient manner.  Starting with each client's goals and taking their resources into consideration, he develops recommendations specifically customized for each client.

In 2018, Anthony was selected to join the All-Star Financial Group, a national association of distinguished CPA's and other credentialed professionals who specialize in financial, tax and investment planning for high net worth clients.  Anthony has been named by St. Louis Magazine as a Five Star Wealth Manager.

Anthony obtained a Bachelor of Science in finance from Miami University of Ohio.  He is an avid St. Louis sports fan and enjoys golf, skiing, and spending time with family and friends.

The Five Star Wealth Manager award, administered by Crescendo Business Services, LLC (dba Five Star Professional), is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria – required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser or a registered investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as a registered investment adviser or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by Five Star Professional, the wealth manager has not; A. Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaints with any regulatory authority or Five Star Professional’s consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through Five Star Professional’s consumer complaint process; feedback may not be representative of any one client’s experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a financial services firm within the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria – considered: 6. One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. Award does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. Once awarded, wealth managers may purchase additional profile ad space or promotional products. The Five Star award is not indicative of the wealth manager’s future performance. Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their client’s assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by Five Star Professional or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected wealth managers will be awarded this accomplishment by Five Star Professional in the future. For more information on the Five Star award and the research/selection methodology, go to fivestarprofessional.com. 2,683 St. Louis-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 164 (6% of candidates) were named 2021 Five Star Wealth Managers. 2020: 2,431 considered, 170 winners; 2019: 2,481 considered, 185 winners; 2018: 2533 considered, 179 winners; 2017: 1,681 considered, 181 winners; 2016: 1,427 considered, 324 winners; 2015: 2,194 considered, 358 winners; 2014: 1,401 considered, 389 winners; 2013: 1,726 considered, 485 winners; 2012: 1,800 considered, 455 winners.

Robert J. Hines, CFP^®

Wealth Advisor

Prior to joining the firm in 2007, Bob taught business and personal finance at the high school level and appreciates that he is still in a teaching role - by helping to educate clients in the various areas of financial planning.  In 2009, he became a designated CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP^®).  The designation comes with extensive training in financial planning, estate planning, insurance, investments, taxes, employee benefits and retirement planning.

Bob works closely with clients and his Droms Strauss colleagues through all phases of financial planning and investment management. He reviews and rebalances client portfolios to their target asset allocations and, together with other team members, Bob works to develop financial plans for Droms Strauss clients.

Bob obtained a bachelor’s degree from Wichita State University and an MAT in Business Education from Lindenwood College.  A marathon runner, he enjoys hiking, camping and competitive kayaking.

Michael S. Murphy

Wealth Advisor

Mike joined the firm in 2009, after 15 years of diverse experience in the financial services industry.   His extensive background in estate, financial and investment planning, combined with his own experience, adds a wealth of professional knowledge to the firm. 

He is highly effective in assisting both the current and next generations to develop long-term, family-focused, financial plans. Mike is responsible for running our portfolio rebalancing software.

Mike earned a Bachelor of Science degree from University of Missouri-Rolla.  On multiple occasions he has been named as a Five Star Wealth Manager by St. Louis Magazine.  Mike enjoys playing golf and spending time with his family. 

The Five Star Wealth Manager award, administered by Crescendo Business Services, LLC (dba Five Star Professional), is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria – required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser or a registered investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as a registered investment adviser or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by Five Star Professional, the wealth manager has not; A. Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaints with any regulatory authority or Five Star Professional’s consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through Five Star Professional’s consumer complaint process; feedback may not be representative of any one client’s experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a financial services firm within the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria – considered: 6. One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. Award does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. Once awarded, wealth managers may purchase additional profile ad space or promotional products. The Five Star award is not indicative of the wealth manager’s future performance. Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their client’s assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by Five Star Professional or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected wealth managers will be awarded this accomplishment by Five Star Professional in the future. For more information on the Five Star award and the research/selection methodology, go to fivestarprofessional.com. 2,683 St. Louis-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 164 (6% of candidates) were named 2021 Five Star Wealth Managers. 2020: 2,431 considered, 170 winners; 2019: 2,481 considered, 185 winners; 2018: 2533 considered, 179 winners; 2017: 1,681 considered, 181 winners; 2016: 1,427 considered, 324 winners; 2015: 2,194 considered, 358 winners; 2014: 1,401 considered, 389 winners; 2013: 1,726 considered, 485 winners; 2012: 1,800 considered, 455 winners.

Jason S. Niemann, CFA

Principal

Jason joined Droms Strauss Wealth Management in 2019 with more than 15 years of financial markets experience. His career started with over 10 years of trading and underwriting fixed income securities at Fifth Third Bank. While at Fifth Third, Jason created a structured note platform which delivered customized strategies using notes to address client’s needs within the ever-changing landscape of the markets. He most recently worked as a portfolio manager at Busey Wealth Management, managing over $3 billion worth of assets for individual and institutional clients.

Jason is a member of the Droms Strauss investment committee and is responsible for portfolio construction and fixed income and equity research.  He works closely with other members of the investment committee assisting in the firm’s investment management process.  Jason is responsible for the implementation of the firm’s “next generation” portfolio management software in order to leverage the newest technology to our clients’ best interests.  In working with clients Jason adds another dimension to the development of client portfolios drawing upon his experience over the past 15 years.

Jason graduated from the University of Dayton with a Bachelor of Science in Finance. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Charterholder and a member of the CFA Society of St. Louis. Born and raised in St. Louis, he lives in Kirkwood with his wife and 2 daughters.

Rachel S. Rosen

Principal

Rachel joined Droms Strauss in 2008 after beginning her career with Wachovia Bank in New York.  As a client management associate, she provided private banking and wealth management services for high net worth investors.  Rachel became a shareholder in January 2018 and serves on the firm management committee.

In addition to her management responsibilities at the firm, Rachel works closely with clients in developing personalized client financial plans and is responsible for reviewing and rebalancing client portfolios.

Rachel holds a BA in Economics from Denison University.  She enjoys serving on the membership committee at the Saint Louis Club and previously served on the junior board of a St. Louis-based charity, Gateway to Hope.   She also volunteers her time serving on the Alumni Advisory Committee of the Pi Beta Phi sorority on the campus of Washington University.  Rachel is married and has a toddler son who keeps her busy when she is not at the office.

Steven N. Strauss, CPA/PFS

Co-Founder & Managing Principal

Together with Bill Droms, Steve co-founded the firm in 1995.  Steve began his career as a CPA and brings over 35 years of experience as a CPA to the Droms Strauss Wealth Management team.  Steve is especially proud of the fact that Droms Strauss, which began as a means to provide planning and investment management for a small group of friends and accounting firm clients, has, through referrals from Droms Strauss clients, grown to be an organization serving clients across the United States, in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. He believes that Droms Strauss has grown, not due to a focus on the growth of the business, but instead, because the firm has always focused on providing the highest level of service and advice to our clients. 

For nearly two decades, Steve was an active member and innovator in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Personal Financial Planning Division.  In 1993, Steve co-developed a personal financial planning software, PFP Partner which for many years was widely used by CPAs in providing personal financial planning services.  Steve is a member and previously served as president of the All Star Financial Group, LLC, a national association of CPAs specializing in financial, tax and investment planning and management for high and ultra-high net worth individuals. He has been named multiple times as a Five Star Wealth Manager by St. Louis Magazine.

Steve holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from the University of Missouri in Columbia and a Master of Science in taxation from DePaul University.  Steve has served on the Board of an Early Childhood Education organization and as Board President of his Temple.

Publications:

• Journal of Financial Planning
• The CPA Journal, The Planner
• Saint Louis Business Journal
• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

The Five Star Wealth Manager award, administered by Crescendo Business Services, LLC (dba Five Star Professional), is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria – required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser or a registered investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as a registered investment adviser or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by Five Star Professional, the wealth manager has not; A. Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaints with any regulatory authority or Five Star Professional’s consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through Five Star Professional’s consumer complaint process; feedback may not be representative of any one client’s experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a financial services firm within the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria – considered: 6. One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. Award does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. Once awarded, wealth managers may purchase additional profile ad space or promotional products. The Five Star award is not indicative of the wealth manager’s future performance. Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their client’s assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by Five Star Professional or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected wealth managers will be awarded this accomplishment by Five Star Professional in the future. For more information on the Five Star award and the research/selection methodology, go to fivestarprofessional.com. 2,683 St. Louis-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 164 (6% of candidates) were named 2021 Five Star Wealth Managers. 2020: 2,431 considered, 170 winners; 2019: 2,481 considered, 185 winners; 2018: 2533 considered, 179 winners; 2017: 1,681 considered, 181 winners; 2016: 1,427 considered, 324 winners; 2015: 2,194 considered, 358 winners; 2014: 1,401 considered, 389 winners; 2013: 1,726 considered, 485 winners; 2012: 1,800 considered, 455 winners.