Our Financial Advising Team Working Hard For You
Chris Wilmerding
Principal
Chris began his career at Lazard Frères & Co. in New York City as an investment banking analyst working on major, national and international mergers and acquisitions. After graduate school, he joined the turn-around team of a specialty packaging business, co-founded the Intuit Developer Network and was General Partner of a Boston private equity firm. Prior to founding Thayer Partners, Chris was a Senior Portfolio Manager at UBS in Boston, specializing in corporate retirement plans and individual retirement planning.
Chris graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, Magna Cum Laude, was in an accelerated doctoral program and studied Modern European History at Oxford. He is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary® and graduated from the Wealth Advisor Program at UBS. He lives in Wyndmoor, PA with his wife and two children and serves on his church’s vestry, as well as on several business and charitable boards and committees.
David S. Beckwith
Chief Investment Officer
David S. Beckwith is the Chief Investment Officer of Thayer Partners, joining in early 2022. David leads the firm’s overall investment strategy and tactical decision-making. He also oversees the due diligence, selection and monitoring of investment managers, including mutual funds, ETFs and limited partnerships.
David was previously a partner and the CIO of RINET Company in Boston, serving for 16 and a half years up to the firm’s sale in December 2021. He began his investment career with a 12-year role as an equity analyst and portfolio manager at John Hancock Financial Services, managing U.S. value, global, international, and Pacific Basin mutual funds. He also had senior investment and managerial roles at Brown Brothers Harriman and Hale and Dorr Capital Management.
David is a Chartered Financial Analyst®. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Trinity College and studied international finance at the Fletcher School at Tufts University. He serves on the board and investment committee at the Dedham Institution for Savings. David has commented on financial issues in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and The Daily Deal, and on ABC World News Tonight and CNBC, among other news outlets.
Deborah Deckman
Partner/Financial Advisor
Deb has nearly 20 years’ of experience in retirement planning and investments. For many years, Deb ran her own consulting firm which focused on helping advisors grow their practices through procedure streamlining and optimization.
Deb graduated from the Millersville University of Pennsylvania at the age of 20 with a degree in Financial Economics. She is a board member of the Accounting & Financial Women’s Alliance, North Florida chapter. Deb resides in Southeast Georgia with her husband and three children.
Deb has a passion for health and fitness and enjoys leading and coaching others.
She is securities 65 registered and has a passion for helping her clients plan for financial success while living their best lives.
Ken Portnoy
Financial Advisor
In the early ‘90’s, Ken began his career helping individuals and families with their long-range planning and risk management. Before Thayer Partners, he has been associated with several high-quality insurance and financial services organizations including Northwestern Mutual and Horter Investment Management. More recently Ken has expanded his planning practice to provide clients with oversight and guidance for anything that touches their lives financially.
Detroit born and bred, Ken graduated with distinction from the School of Literature, Science and the Arts at University of Michigan. (Go Blue!) Relocating to Washington, D.C., Ken subsequently achieved a Masters Degree in Information Systems Technology from George Washington University’s School of Government and Business Administration.
In his community, Ken was co-founder of StageWise, an educational group supporting regional theatre. He also works as a volunteer tutor and tester at the Literacy Council. As an officer of a local Toastmasters Ken is continuously improving his communications, public speaking, and leadership skills while mentoring others. All this still leaves time for a marvelous blended family totaling 4 adult progeny with 5 grandkids.
Matthew Deckman
Analyst
Matthew transitioned into the financial services industry and joined Thayer Partners, LLC in 2012, after spending most of his early career in big box retail management. He serves as an Analyst both on the private client side, and 401k management spectrum.
Matthew studied Business Management at Millersville University of Pennsylvania.
Matthew lives in Saint Marys, GA with his wife and business partner Deborah, and their three children. Most of Matthew’s free time is spent on the ocean catching as many species of fish as he can. He also enjoys coaching softball, driving his Jeep on the beach and spending time with his family in the outdoors.
