Executive team

David Barton, President and Chief Executive Officer

As President and Chief Executive Officer, David provides the leadership to position Mercer Advisors at the forefront of the industry. David works to develop the strategic vision and plans necessary to advance the company’s mission and objectives. He is responsible for promoting the revenue, profitability and growth of our organization and is also responsible for overseeing all company operations and ensuring that we efficiently deliver quality services and programs to our clients.

Gene Dongieux, Chief Investment Officer and Executive Vice President

Gene began his highly successful financial career as an investment manager in his home state of Louisiana. He became Mercer Advisors’ Chief Investment Officer in 1985 and part owner of Mercer Advisors in 1989. He introduced Asset Optimization®, Mercer Advisors’ first comprehensive, broad-market investment program in 1991 and has improved it steadily ever since.  Today, Gene is helping 3,300 Mercer Advisors’ clients with $2 billion invested to reach their financial goals.

Howard Rochestie, Founder and Executive Vice President

Howard graduated from the Wharton School of Business and George Washington Law School and received his LLM from Harvard. As a company director, Howard participates in developing strategic goals and objectives and developing policies, procedures and standards. Howard is a gifted speaker who has taken the company’s message to thousands of health care professionals over the years and maintains a full-time lecture schedule.

“I love facilitating people in attaining their dreams and seeing what is possible when they remove the confusion and economic stress in their lives.”

Ralph Ujano, Executive Vice President of Professional Services

As the leader of our financial advisor and consulting teams, Ralph oversees the day-to-day activity of client interactions throughout the organization. He ensures that company services continue to meet client expectations through strategic planning, program design, system enhancements and staff development.  Ralph has been with Mercer Advisors for more than 19 years and has had success in four different roles in the company during his tenure. Prior to joining Mercer Advisors, Ralph worked as a Bank Examiner with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Deb Atwater, CFO and Human Resources Manager

Deb oversees and directs finance, audit, tax, accounting, facilities, human resources and purchasing activities of the company. She has been with Mercer Advisors for more than 11 years and has successfully helped grow the company. She began her career as an auditor for KPMG Peat Warwick in Denver, Colorado where she focused on mutual funds and rural utility companies. Prior to joining Mercer Advisors, she was Chief Financial Officer for the Info Genesis Software Development Company.

Chris Weill, Vice President of Operations, Marketing & Sales

Chris oversees the day-to-day operations of the organization, including oversight and management of the facilities for all branch offices and Mercer Advisors’ corporate headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona. Chris recently returned to Mercer Advisors after having worked closely with David Barton during his tenure with the company from 2000-2005. Chris received his law degree from the Santa Barbara College of Law and is also a licensed broker.

Scott Kvancz, Vice President of Transitions and General Counsel

Scott received his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1997. He worked for seven years as a transactional attorney for some of the largest law firms in the country, including McGuire Woods, LLP and Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison, LLP where he assisted clients with hundreds of mergers, acquisitions and venture capital financings.  Scott has been with Mercer Advisors since 2004 and serves as General Counsel. In addition to his legal credentials, Scott is also an Accredited Valuation Analyst with the National Association of Financial Analysts and a licensed broker.

Bryan Duncan, Vice President of Professional Services, Western Region

Bryan oversees the training, development and daily activity of our consultants in the western region. Bryan’s job is to work with the consultants to make sure they have the proper tools to fully support their clients and continue to enhance and evolve the company’s service offerings.  Bryan has been with the company for more than 15 years. Prior to joining Mercer Advisors, Bryan worked as a Certified Public Accountant, specializing in litigation support and forensic accounting.

Alan Johnson, Vice President of Professional Services, Eastern Region

Alan oversees the training, development and day-to-day of our consultants in the eastern region. He also oversees development and production launch of OnTrack®, a new practice management software.  Alan has successfully filled three separate roles since joining Mercer Advisors in 2005. His prior experience includes five years working in the dental technology field with such companies as Patterson Dental and Dentrix.

Gene E. St. Louis, Vice President of Business Development

Gene has spent her career in practice management.  She held business coordinator and office manager positions before becoming a practice management consultant in 1993.  Several years ago, she started her own company, which she built into a highly successful firm with a team of consultants and hundreds of clients nationwide.  Gene enjoyed a busy lecture scheduled and traveled across the country sharing her knowledge of how to create and maintain thriving dental practices.  She integrated her company with Mercer Advisors in 2006 to expand her teaching and business development opportunities.