Our Firm

Matthew Arndt, CFA, CPA, CFP
Principal

After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a bachelor of science in Economics, Matt had the privilege of working as a senior derivatives specialist for a successful trading firm.  During these ten years, he profitably managed institutional accounts in extremely challenging market conditions, which included the bursting of the technology bubble in 2000; the aftermath of 9/11; and the ensuing corporate misconduct at Enron and WorldCom.  This considerable experience has proven to be invaluable in executing our investment strategies.

Matt is a CFA charterholder and member of the CFA Institute.  His tenacity in pursuing the CFA charter speaks to his character and determination in the pursuit of excellence.  In addition, he is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the AICPA; and he holds the CFP certification recognized as the standard of excellence for personal financial planning.

James Gazis, JD, CFP
Principal

After graduating cum laude with a bachelors of science in Finance and a juris doctor from the University of Illinois, Jim began his career in 1993 managing institutional accounts for a proprietary trading firm.  Demonstrating an ability to profitably manage these accounts, he rapidly made partner.  A strong track record of success during the extremely volatile market conditions of the 1998 Asian Contagion and the ensuing bursting of the technology bubble in 2000  earned him the role as vice president of derivative markets at Citigroup in 2001 through 2006.

His 19 years of experience has given him a unique perspective enhancing his understanding of the risks and opportunities that the financial markets have posed. 

Jim is a Certified Financial Planner and licensed attorney in Illinois.  He is an Illinois Supreme Court approved mediator, a member of the Financial Planning Association and the Illinois State Bar Association. 

Joseph D. (Jody) Gerut

Investment Advisor Representative

Jody comes to Balanced Asset Strategies after a seven-year career in Major League Baseball where he frequently consulted with players and coaches on financial issues and was his team’s primary representative for the Major League Baseball Players Association.   He is a graduate of Stanford University where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in History in 1999. Being a world traveler and having the ability to speak conversational Spanish allows him to provide intellectual capital on a range of multi-jurisdictional issues to both athletes and non-athletes in the United States and abroad.

Jody is a former Major League Baseball player. After being drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 2nd round of the 1998 MLB Draft, he was traded to the Cleveland Indians on June 2, 2001. Jody was 25 years old when he broke into the big leagues on April 26, 2003 with the Cleveland Indians. He had a spectacular rookie year in 2003, hitting .279 with 22 home runs and 75 RBIs while finishing in the top five in Rookie of the Year voting and winning the prestigious Sporting News Rookie of the Year Award. Also, he was named by Sporting News to its 20 Smartest Athletes in Sports list.

He lives in Oak Park, Illinois with his wife and three children.

Peter J. Patton

Investment Advisor Representative

A native Chicagoan and graduate of Loyola Academy ('92), educated in business administration at DePaul University, Peter has over ten years of experience in the financial industry. Starting as an options trader trainee in 2001, Peter went on to have a successful career trading both option and futures contracts at the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) and the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT). He has extensive experience analyzing and trading stock options and interest rate derivatives.

Peter was also a former collegiate men’s basketball standout. While attending DePaul University, Peter was a four-year letterman on the basketball team, as well as, the captain of the ‘95-‘96 team. Peter set the DePaul single season record for three-point field-goal percentage, a mark that still stands.  He is also in the top ten in DePaul history for assist, steals, and career three pointers made.

After his career at DePaul, Peter spent five years playing professionally in the International Basketball Association (IBA), the Continental Basketball Association (CBA), and abroad in Germany and Croatia while in the Euro league.

During both his careers as a financial professional and an athlete Peter has demonstrated his commitment to excellence. He now lives in Westerville, OH with his wife and three sons.