Meet Harvest

Our Advisers

(scroll down for Staff)

Russell H. Bishop, Jr., MA, MDiv., CLU, ChFC, CAP^®, CFP^®

Russell H. Bishop, Jr., Chairman of Harvest Advisers LLC, has a mission to preserve, protect, and manage the “harvest” of family assets; maximize retirement income; and provide estate, tax and charitable planning. A former university chaplain, dean and counselor, Mr. Bishop used his background in ministry and education to create The Family Matters Method™ – a values-focused approach to financial and life planning.

Russ specializes in retirement and estate planning, and has developed a reputation as a consummate and caring professional for over twenty years. In addition, he has also been recognized in the Philadelphia area and beyond as an expert in the tools and techniques of charitable giving and creating “Social Capital.” Russ enjoys working with people who want to make a difference in the organizations and causes they believe in, without restricting their family’s financial security.

Russ is a past president of the Montgomery County Estate Planning Council, the Montgomery County Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, a board member of the Society of Financial Service Professionals and a former officer and director of numerous professional and non-profit boards, including the Planned Giving Council of Greater Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Prison Society, and Friends Life Care. He was awarded the prestigious Paul S. Mills Scholarship by the National Society of Financial Service Professionals; has won numerous industry awards of excellence, and is a Life and Qualifying member of the Million Dollar Round Table for over 15 consecutive years.

A graduate of Williams College, Mr. Bishop earned masters degrees in counseling and theology and completed course work for a Ph.D. in Modern European Intellectual History at Colgate Rochester Divinity School and the University of Rochester. He holds designations as a Certified Financial Planner®, Chartered Life Underwriter, Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® and Chartered Financial Consultant. He is a founder of the Philadelphia Philanthropy Forum and has spoken in person and via television and Webcasts to local and national audiences on charitable planning. He and his spouse, Ginger Hamilton, have five children and twelve grandchildren.

William L. Brams, CLU, ChFC, MSFS

William L. Brams, President of Harvest Advisers LLC, has always seen this profession as a calling. His problem-solving acumen and his commitment to caring and excellent service have earned him a strong and loyal clientele. Bill’s greatest satisfaction comes from making a difference in the lives of his clients at the key transition points where they most need a trustworthy, competent and caring adviser.

A speaker for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute’s periodic seminars on the uses of life insurance in estate planning, Bill has developed a recognized expertise in analyzing insurance products and policy illustrations. With thirty-seven years of experience in the financial services industry, he has been called on by attorneys and accountants in specific problem situations to demystify insurance for their clients. Bill has that unique ability to get to the heart of the matter, find practical solutions, and assists his clients in making informed decisions.

Bill is a member of the Society of Financial Service Professionals, past chairman of their Ethical Guidance Committee, and a member of the Montgomery and Philadelphia County Estate Planning Councils. He is a Registered Principal with Capital Analysts Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor and Member NASD/SIPC and holds security licenses 7, 24, 31, 63 and 65. Bill received his BS from Temple University and earned a Master of Science in Financial Services from the American College in Bryn Mawr. He also holds the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) designations.

Bill is currently serving on the finance committees of the Upper Gwynedd Condominium Association and the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association. He is an avid tennis player, an elder at Grace Presbyterian Church, enjoys public speaking and is a past treasurer and an active member of Toastmasters. Bill lives in upper Gwynedd, PA with his wife Becky. He has two adult children, Scott and Eric.

Sean M. Cook, CFP^®

Sean M. Cook Sean M. Cook is a Partner of Harvest Advisers LLC. He is devoted to helping clients achieve financial success and independence to support their next phase and make their "spending years" abundant. He is especially adept at helping people see through the fog of information to focus on what's important.

Sean has a specialty in active, risk-managed approaches to investing and chairs the firm's Investment Committee. He has aided many of our clients in adjusting sails to navigate under the "new rules" of investing.

Sean's area of planning focus includes retirement and income solutions. This means integrating diverse financial and personal considerations to reach answers that may be uniquely right for you. A few of the common questions that often arise are when to take social security benefits, how much and in what order to draw on assets, how to secure a lifetime income, or how to effectively invest and manage the distribution of assets from IRAs and retirement plans.

Sean graduated from Williams College with honors in 1988 and also holds an M.S. from Drexel University. He is an active member of the National Association of Active Investment Managers, Ed Slott's Elite IRA Advisor Group, the Montgomery County Estate Planning Council, and the Society of Financial Services Professionals. He is a 2009 Board member of the Financial Planning Association's Philadelphia chapter, and serves on the Board of New Horizons Montessori School.

Sean came into the financial advisory business in 1998; his previous decade was spent as a scientist in the environmental industry. Through personal experience, Sean is also familiar with the opportunities and issues for growing families and the sandwich generation. Sean and his wife Sari live in the Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia and are the proud parents of their energetic young son Calder.

Key Staff Members

Debbie Boyle

Debbie is our Manager of Client and Administrative Services. Her professional experience includes a strong record of accomplishments across multiple industries, which include Financial Investments, Accounting, Consulting, Human Resources and Medical Office Operations Management. She is extremely motivated, results-driven, and is proficient in building and maintaining strong client relationships. Debbie has been an integral team member of her past employers, and demonstrates that she has what it takes to make an excellent contribution to the future growth of Harvest Advisers. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Ginger Hamilton

Ginger has been with Harvest Advisers LLC since its inception and as of October 2008 has shifted her focus to overseeing the bookkeeping needs of our office. Now a part time member of the team, Ginger is in our office on a weekly basis to stay on top of all things related to our internal accounting system.

Nancy Bulera

Nancy retired from full time work in January 2007, but continues to share her knowledge and expertise with us to help with special projects and complex client cases. Because of her varied background in all aspects of the financial world, she is a wonderful resource to Harvest Advisers and our clients. Nancy is also a PA notary. Our office provides notary services for our clients without charge.

Laurie Gripshover

Laurie works with Harvest Advisers independently, managing projects and internal processes. She guides continuing technology integration, assists in managing workflow, coordinates a variety of behind-the-scenes projects to streamline internal activities and works to support high quality service and information provided to our clients.

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