Who We Are

John serves as the firm’s Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer. With over 30 years of investment experience, John has performed extensive financial analysis on individual companies and industry groups. His career includes active portfolio management and securities trading, as well as publishing investment strategy overviews to communicate tactics and research to clients, peers, and the business community. He is a member of Sterling’s Investment Policy Committee.

Prior to founding Sterling Investment Management in 1995, John was Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager for Bank of America, managing the Investment Advisory Group. The Investment Advisory Group was responsible for the management of investment portfolios for high-net worth private clients, personal trust accounts, non-profit organizations, profit sharing plans, and corporations.

John received a Bachelor of Arts from Indiana University and attended the University of Wyoming where he attained a Master of Science in Finance with a specialty in Investment Research. His Master’s Thesis regarding investment theory has been published in a leading academic journal.

John currently serves as a Board of Trustee of the University of Arizona Foundation and is the Chair of the Foundation’s Investment Committee. He is past-President of the Industrial Development Authority of Pima County and serves on the Board of Directors for the Community Investment Corporation. He is a member of the Advisory Board for Angel Charity for Children, Inc., and is a member of the Steele Children’s Research Center Advisory Board.

As a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), John is a member of the CFA Institute. He is a member of the CFA Society of Tucson and the CFA Society of Phoenix.

Arumayta is a Partner and Portfolio Manager at Sterling Investment Management and has been with the firm for over a decade. She is responsible for portfolio asset allocation, security selection, as well as research and analysis associated with all of Sterling’s investment portfolios. She is a member of the firm’s Investment Policy Committee.

Arumayta graduated from The University of Central Florida receiving a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with concentration in Finance and attained her Master of Investment Management and Financial Analysis from Creighton University. Prior to joining Sterling, she proudly served six years in the United States Air Force as an Avionics Technician.

As a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Arumayta is a member of the CFA Institute. She is a member of the CFA Society of Tucson.

Crystal is a Partner and the Director of Client Services at Sterling Investment Management. She manages the firm’s administrative and operational functions. She has a wide range of responsibilities encompassing both client and custodial duties. Crystal also serves as the firm’s Chief Compliance Officer. Working closely with Sterling’s outsourced compliance consulting firm, she meticulously prepares all required filings and documentation.

Crystal joined Sterling in 2009 and brings over eighteen years experience in the financial services industry. Prior to joining our team, Crystal served for many years as a Premier Banker at Wells Fargo Bank and later as a member of Wells Fargo’s Wealth Management & Private Bank.

Crystal graduated from Southern New Hampshire University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting. Additionally, Crystal has an Associate Degree in business management from Brookline College.

Crystal serves as a board member to several local nonprofits that focus on community outreach and children with special needs.

Ross is responsible for Sterling Investment Management’s proprietary financial planning and wealth management services. In this capacity, he creates a wide assortment of dynamic reports that assist clients in their long-term planning and investment activities. Ross also assists with the firm’s research processes and securities trading functions.

Ross has over ten years experience in the investment management industry predominately working with individual and corporate clients. He is a member of Sterling’s Investment Policy Committee. Ross graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Math/Statistics.

Ross obtained his Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP ®️) certification in 2024 and is a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA).

Nathan provides research and financial analysis for equity, fixed income, and alternative securities for Sterling Investment Management. In addition, Nathan has a wide range of trading responsibilities for the firm and conducts operational procedures related to portfolio allocations. He is a member of Sterling’s Investment Policy Committee.

Prior to joining Sterling, Nathan was a financial analyst for a private company where he evaluated a wide range of company investments. He graduated from Utah Valley University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance along with a minor in Accounting.

Nathan is a participant in the CFA Institute program for the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.

Erika performs a wide range of client service and operational responsibilities with exceptional attention to detail and care. She has extensive experience in servicing high-net-worth clients and enhances Sterling’s ability to provide accurate and prompt professional support by acting as a liaison between our Investment Management Team, Trade Team and Client Service Team.

Erika has been involved in the financial services industry since 2018. Before joining Sterling, she served as an Operations and Client Support representative for a financial firm focusing on financial planning and investment management. Erika graduated from Brigham Young University – Idaho with a Bachelor of Science Degree in education.

Casey is a member of our Client Service Team. He possesses a wide range of experience in servicing client accounts along with assisting with the firm’s fiduciary and compliance responsibilities. He is responsible for various operational tasks including new account opening procedures, complex account servicing, and cash transaction requests, all while keeping client service at the highest priority. Casey utilizes his technical and problem-solving skills to ensure a positive client experience.

 

Prior to joining Sterling, he served as a Client Service Operator at Vanguard where his focus was client operations and brokerage ACAT transfers. Casey graduated from Brigham Young University – Hawaii, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise and Sports Science.

Paola is a member of our Client Service Team. She handles day to day operations including processing client money movements and general account servicing. She is actively involved in ensuring accessibility and responsiveness for our clients and other professional contacts. Paola is responsible for the firm’s monthly, quarterly, and annual client statement reconciliation process and produces client investment reporting.

 

Prior to joining Sterling, Paola served as a Customer Experience Associate at Robinhood servicing a wide variety of brokerage accounts. Paola graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Science in Personal and Family Financial Planning.