Our Team

Lowell joined Burney Company in 1986, became a Portfolio Manager in 1992, was promoted to Director of Analysis in 1996 and became President in 2003. Lowell earned his Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 1989, has a BS in Finance and Economics from Virginia Tech and an MS in Banking and Financial Management from Boston University.

Lowell’s passion is implementing improvements to Burney’s quantitative analytical methods. The key is blending quantitative techniques with an intuitive understanding of the underlying problem being solved. Improvements over time include adjusting models to account for the stock market’s Style Cycle, Recovery periods and most recently incorporating a Big Data/Machine Learning quarterly earnings report model. These enhancements continue the legacy of our founder Jack Burney and his lifelong quest of stock selection excellence.

Lowell enjoys sailing, golfing and spending time with family and friends at Lake Anna, Virginia and supports various charitable organizations supporting education for the economically disadvantaged and two local homeless shelters supporting abused women and their children. Lowell has recently completed two Conservation Easement projects, protecting 207 acres from development while harvesting significant tax credits, and is heavily involved addressing Lake Anna’s Harmful Algal Bloom problem.

Certifications/memberships:
Chartered Financial Analyst

Wayne has spent his entire 30-year career in financial services. He founded Alpha DNA Investment Management to broaden the use of machine learning in the Hedged Equity space.He previously co-founded an RIA firm to specialize in risk-management strategies using options. That firm's founding principles grew out of the book Wayne co-authored entitled Buy and Hedge, the Five Iron Rules for Investing Over the Long Term.

Wayne spent 10 years in the online brokerage segment with TD Ameritrade. He managed Business Development as a member of the Senior Operating Committee-including M&A and Market Research--as well as ran Product Development. Previously, Wayne held planning & analytical roles at Fortune 500 insurance and banking firms.

Bill joined Burney Company in 1987 as an equity analyst and is currently the Director of Operations for the Analytical Department.

Alex joined Burney Company in 2012, and is responsible for our proprietary models, analyzing portfolio performances and researching and preparing studies on macro trends. She is a quant by training and has a wide range of experience in the financial services industry, including analytical positions with Georgina Asset Management, the Virginia College Savings Plan, and the Virginia Resources Authority’s Bond Issuing Program.

Alex is working toward her PhD in Economics from Virginia Tech, and she is the co-founder of a non-profit organization that advocates for children from immigrant families and offers free music lessons to economically disadvantaged kids in her community

• CFA Institute Certificate of Achievement award winner
• Achieved CAIA designation in 2020

Martin joined Burney Company in 1992 and has over a decade of experience implementing Burney’s proprietary models and is a member of the Technology Committee, overseeing the IT infrastructure.

Kenny Mezher is a highly experienced and dedicated member of The Burney Company team. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Applied Economics and a minor in Business from Virginia Tech. Kenny has been an integral part of the company for over 6 years and has contributed significantly to our success.

Kenny's expertise in finance has been further enhanced by his achievement of the highly regarded CFA and CFP designations. His extensive knowledge and experience in financial planning and investment management have proven to be invaluable assets to our team.

Kenny is a highly driven individual with a strong commitment to providing exceptional service to our clients. He takes great pride in his work and is passionate about helping others achieve their goals. His analytical skills, attention to detail, and ability to communicate complex financial concepts in simple terms make him an asset to our team and a trusted advisor to our clients.

Hannah joined the Burney Company in 2018, starting as intern, and now works in the Analytical Group as an Information Technology Specialist.

Outside of work she enjoys attending Capitals hockey games, and spending time with friends and family.

She graduated from Virginia Tech in 2020 with a BS in Business Information Technology (go Hokies!).

Alex joined Burney Company in 2012, and is responsible for our proprietary models, analyzing portfolio performances and researching and preparing studies on macro trends. She is a quant by training and has a wide range of experience in the financial services industry, including analytical positions with Georgina Asset Management, the Virginia College Savings Plan, and the Virginia Resources Authority’s Bond Issuing Program.

Alex is working toward her PhD in Economics from Virginia Tech, and she is the co-founder of a non-profit organization that advocates for children from immigrant families and offers free music lessons to economically disadvantaged kids in her community

• CFA Institute Certificate of Achievement award winner
• Achieved CAIA designation in 2020

Adam Newman is the Managing Partner and a Senior Wealth Advisor at Burney Wealth Management. Adam is responsible for the preparation and ongoing management of client financial plans, annual financial planning updates, and investment portfolio reviews. His expertise is in comprehensive financial planning, retirement income planning, tax planning, and investment policy development. Adam graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in Applied Economics and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Taxation from Villanova University’s Charles Widger School of Law. He is a CFA Charterholder as well as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Practitioner. In 2020, Adam completed additional technical training in retirement planning through the Retirement Income Certified Professional® program at the American College of Financial Services.

Adam and his wife Emily currently reside in Nashville, TN and enjoy traveling, trying new restaurants, and catching concerts and sporting events.

Lowell joined Burney Company in 1986, became a Portfolio Manager in 1992, was promoted to Director of Analysis in 1996 and became President in 2003. Lowell earned his Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 1989, has a BS in Finance and Economics from Virginia Tech and an MS in Banking and Financial Management from Boston University.

Lowell’s passion is implementing improvements to Burney’s quantitative analytical methods. The key is blending quantitative techniques with an intuitive understanding of the underlying problem being solved. Improvements over time include adjusting models to account for the stock market’s Style Cycle, Recovery periods and most recently incorporating a Big Data/Machine Learning quarterly earnings report model. These enhancements continue the legacy of our founder Jack Burney and his lifelong quest of stock selection excellence.

Lowell enjoys sailing, golfing and spending time with family and friends at Lake Anna, Virginia and supports various charitable organizations supporting education for the economically disadvantaged and two local homeless shelters supporting abused women and their children. Lowell has recently completed two Conservation Easement projects, protecting 207 acres from development while harvesting significant tax credits, and is heavily involved addressing Lake Anna’s Harmful Algal Bloom problem.

Certifications/memberships:
Chartered Financial Analyst

Yevgeniy is a Senior Partner and the Director of Operations. He began his career with Burney Company in 2000 as an Equity Analyst after graduating from American University with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance. In 2004, he earned a PhD in Economics from Kuban State University in Krasnodar, Russia, then transitioned to Portfolio Management as Head of Operations and Trading. In 2009, he became a Portfolio Manager.

Andy Pratt, CFA, CAIA is a Senior Partner and the Director of Investment Strategy at Burney Wealth Management. He started with Burney in 2012 and now focuses primarily on Burney’s investment strategies and trading operations, where he and his team are responsible for managing over 2,000 accounts and $1 billion in assets under management. He enjoys the challenge of blending Burney’s long-standing investment process with new ideas and technology.

Andy graduated from Virginia Tech with degrees in Economics and Psychology. He is a CFA Charterholder, earning his Charter in 2017, as well as a CAIA Charterholder, an alternative investments designation, earned in 2020. Andy lives in Cascades, VA with his wife and two kids. Outside of work, he stays busy coaching swimming and diving at a handful of local high schools. He is an avid sports fan rooting for all the DC teams and prefers to stay active throughout the year whether that is snowboarding in the winter, wake surfing in the summer, or adult recreational sports.

Joel is a Partner and Portfolio Manager at Burney Wealth Management. He has spent the majority of his career with the firm, joining in 2016 as a Research Analyst in the firm’s analytical group. He then started in his Portfolio Manager role in 2019 and is involved in the managing and trading of Burney Wealth Management’s investment strategy and client portfolios. Joel earned his CFA and CAIA charters in 2020. He graduated from Duke University with a B.S. in Economics, George Mason University with an M.A. in Economics, and holds the series 65 license.

Joel is a member of the CFA Institute and CFA Society Washington, DC. He is an avid skier and enjoys going on ski trips every winter season. He also enjoys playing tennis and spending time with his fiancé and their two dogs.

Kenny Mezher is a highly experienced and dedicated member of The Burney Company team. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Applied Economics and a minor in Business from Virginia Tech. Kenny has been an integral part of the company for over 6 years and has contributed significantly to our success.

Kenny's expertise in finance has been further enhanced by his achievement of the highly regarded CFA and CFP designations. His extensive knowledge and experience in financial planning and investment management have proven to be invaluable assets to our team.

Kenny is a highly driven individual with a strong commitment to providing exceptional service to our clients. He takes great pride in his work and is passionate about helping others achieve their goals. His analytical skills, attention to detail, and ability to communicate complex financial concepts in simple terms make him an asset to our team and a trusted advisor to our clients.

Russ is a Director, Investment Advisor with almost 30 years of investment management and client relationship experience. His client-centered, door is always open approach has helped countless individuals and families realize their investment and financial goals. He is responsible for investment reviews, client outreach and helping new clients reach their investment goals.

During his work balanced lifestyle, Russ can be found in the Colorado mountains hiking, exploring and cycling. He enjoys riding road, gravel and mountain bikes.

Russ, his wife Sharon and their dog Annabelle, split time between Longmont, CO and Alpharetta, GA, where their son Justin and daughter Abby live respectively.

Russ graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in Finance and concentration in investments. He is a CFA Charterholder.