MEET OUR PEOPLE

Edward J. Aufman

Ed founded Aufman Associates in 1983 with a vision to ensure that clients become aware of, explore, and are comfortable with the more viable alternatives to achieve defined financial goals and objectives. Quoting from the February 1983 Company Manual, the role of the firm is, “To present alternatives in a decision-making mode, assure the decisions are made, and provide avenues to implement the decisions.” As Founder and Chairman, Ed continues to oversee this vision today.

Prior to Aufman Associates, Ed was a Senior Vice President and Managing Director of C.S. McKee, responsible for the development of their financial planning division (which continued as Aufman Associates).

Ed has taken his commitment to the industry seriously. He was an early recipient of the Certified Financial Planner designation, and in 1983 Ed attended the initial meeting of fee only financial advisors, which formed the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA). Ed was one of the early members of the Schwab Advisory Board, when the concept of the Independent Advisor was just developing.

Ed and Kathy (married 50 years) have three children and nine grandchildren, all of whom live locally in the North Pittsburgh area. Ed and Kathy split their time between Marshall Township (north of Pittsburgh) and Longboat Key, Florida.

Edward B. Aufman

Ed serves as Chief Executive Officer. Ed’s primary role is to ensure that existing clients receive the highest quality management and service. In addition he is responsible for business management and development, while maintaining the strategic vision to remain small and personal for the clients the firm serves.

Some of the families that the firm works with have been clients for forty years. Ed’s financial planning and management expertise helps to solidify the growth and protection of wealth from generation-to-generation. Ed directs all aspects of the financial planning functions of the firm and is a co-leader of investment management.

Ed has been with Aufman Associates for twenty-five years. He is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), SEC Registered Investment Advisor (RIA), and NAPFA Registered Advisor. Ed graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a dual major in Finance and Economics.

Ed and his wife Kim have two children, both of whom attend Sewickley Academy, which Ed also attended. Free time is family time, encouraging the kids with school, tennis, music, swimming, and other activities. Family travel often includes Longboat Key. Ed is a fifth degree master black belt in the Korean martial art of Tang Soo Do.

William J. Gaffey

Will is Chief Investment Officer, managing and developing the firm’s expertise in investment manager selection, oversight, and portfolio management. Identifying top talent early, including several managers that later received Morningstar’s Manager of the Year award (and one who received Manager of the Decade), has brought significant long-term success to the investment portfolios we manage.

The philosophy of the Aufman Associates investment management program is not to “do something with money,” it is to have “money do something for you.” Will coordinates with the team to develop a program that is designed to accomplish the unique goals and objectives for each client family. To quote the February 1983 Company Manual, the goal is “to avoid ‘glamour and intrigue’ if outweighed by uncertainty and doubt.”

Will is approaching his twentieth year with Aufman Associates and is a CFA charterholder (Chartered Financial Analyst), SEC Registered Financial Advisor (RIA), and graduate of Carnegie Mellon University.

Before settling in Pittsburgh, Will grew up in Nashua, New Hampshire. Will and his wife (Lisa Aufman Gaffey) are Bernese Mountain Dog lovers and have four children. Vacation time is often spent on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Will is a lifetime learner, constantly reading up on finance and history. Will and his family are active members of Orchard Hill Church in Wexford.