leadership
Robert B. Ausdal Jr., CFA—President
Rob began his career in financial services at age 16 when his father founded Robert B. Ausdal & Co. Inc. Since then, Rob has been involved in every aspect of Ausdal’s operations. As President and Chief Executive Officer, Rob oversees strategic planning, securities regulatory compliance and corporate operations. Rob holds a B.A. in Finance from the University of Illinois, is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and is a member of the Association for Investment Management & Research. He is a lifelong resident of the Quad-City area, currently residing in Milan, IL with his wife Monica and their three children.
Thomas A. Hopkins—Special Consultant To The Board of Directors
Tom founded Long Grove Trading Company, in suburban Chicago in 1981. He later presided over the firm’s evolution into Waterstone Financial Group, an independent securities broker dealer serving over 600 financial professionals nationwide. Tom served as President and Chief Executive Officer until 2006. Originally a philosophy/theology student at Regis College in Colorado (a passion he still pursues), Tom also studied law at DePaul University in Chicago, became a CPA and owned the Joker Pub on Chicago’s north side for 10 years. Tom lives in Palatine, IL with his wife Jan.
Jeff Simpson—Executive Vice President
Jeff joined Robert B. Ausdal & Co. in April, 2007 after working with First Trust Portfolios for over 15 years. While with First Trust Portfolios, Jeff was responsible for the structuring and distribution of private equity overseeing offerings in excess of $100 million. Jeff also developed the Private Equity and Variable Annuity departments at First Trust. Prior to joining First Trust Portfolios, Jeff worked in the family business of turf grass production in Louisiana and Mississippi. He attended Louisiana State University and earned a B.A. in Economics from Wheaton College.
David B. Roberts—Executive Vice President, Business Development
Dave was a founder of Long Grove Trading Company and holds the distinction of being registered representative #002. Originally heading Long Grove/ Waterstone’s independent insurance services division, Dave has been active in the insurance industry for over 30 years. Specializing in advanced insurance and benefit planning, Dave still offers consultation and maintains a small private practice. In addition, Dave assumed business development responsibilities at Waterstone Financial Group in 2000 and was instrumental in that firms growth. Dave has a B.A. Business Administration and Political Science from Elmhurst College and lives in St. Charles, IL with his wife Teri.
John B. Hicks—Chief Marketing Officer
Prior to joining Ausdal, John served as Vice President of Marketing at Waterstone Financial Group where he was responsible for marketing, strategic planning, information services and business development. His other experiences include business development positions with AIG, Manulife Financial and The Prudential. John holds a B.A. from the University of California (psychology) and an MBA from the University of Southern California (marketing). John lives with his wife Jean and son, Jackson in Wheaton, IL.
Robert G. De Vita-Senior Vice President, Business Development
Rob has 22 years of industry experience and has served in multiple capacities throughout his career. During his 17 years with OLDE Financial (now Ameriprise Financial) he was an advisor, branch/district manager, regional director and is also a registered options and supervisory principal. Prior to joining Ausdal, he was a divisional vice president with AXA-Equitable. Before entering the financial services industry, he was an All-American Linebacker at Illinois Benedictine College and played in the NFL for Seattle, and in the Arena Football League for Denver/Los Angeles. Rob lives in Geneva, IL with his wife Kim and daughters Emily, Grace and Isabelle.