BRIAN MURPHY :: CEO

With expertise and vision, Brian leads Pathways Financial Partners while helping the firm’s clients to articulate and achieve their financial goals. After a decade of working for large Wall Street firms, Brian founded Pathways in 1998. To avoid the inherent conflicts and self-interests so characteristic of larger companies, he created Pathways as a scrupulously honest, independent, and client-centered investment management firm. With the wisdom gained from twenty-five years as a wealth advisor coupled with a continual scrutiny of global trends he guides the firm and its clients to smart financial decisions and well crafted portfolios.

Brian leads a dynamic team that works industriously to help individual and corporate clients preserve and extend their wealth. Understanding and sharing insight into current fiscal realities, he leads the firm's investment committee. The firm’s investment philosophy is consistent with modern portfolio theory and the notion that markets are indeed efficient. Together the team focuses on weaving every client’s finances into the complex fabric of their life goals.

An active servant of the Tucson community for the last thirty years, Brian has served on many boards, civic organizations and currently serves on the Arizona board for The Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He is a member of the Board of Directors for Evolve Securities, is the chairman of the Evolve Bank and Trust Investment Committee and is former president of The Institutional Consultants Alliance and is a member of the Profit Sharing Council of America. He continues to support his alma mater, the University of Arizona, and is devoted to his wife, Cherie, and their children, Patrick, Meghan, and Tara.

DEIRDRE KOCHANSKI :: Director of Retirement Planning  

Since the inception of Pathways Financial Partners in 1998, Dierdre has partnered with Brian in all the firm’s endeavors.  She currently serves as the firm’s Chief Compliance Officer and Registered Principal. Deirdre focuses on managing the retirement division of Pathways and proactively oversees all aspects of this complex arena from employee education to fiduciary standards.  Deirdre currently presides as a multi year member of the Profit Sharing Council of America’s research committee. Capitalizing on her years spent in the institutional consulting arena, she works diligently as the primary analyst for the firm.  Deirdre handles the ongoing due diligence, review, and monitoring of investments held within clients’ corporate retirement plans and individual portfolios.

Before deciding to concentrate on investment policy planning nearly 20 years ago, Ms. Kochanski worked on the Chicago Board of Trade and the Chicago Board of Options Exchanges.  She is past Board President of St. Marks Early Childhood Center where she served for four years.

In addition to her work with Pathways, Deirdre takes pride in her family.  At home and at work, she exhibits pragmatism and admirable ethical values. Both in her home life and to the Pathways team, she contributes steady vitality and sense of high responsibility.   


PATRICK ZUMBUSCH :: Director of Wealth Management

To serve its clients in these changing economic times, Pathways attracted Pat to direct the firm’s wealth planning endeavors.  Pat’s strong educational background and extensive business experience provide a solid foundation for his leadership role in advanced planning for the affluent investors Pathways serves. He is a CPA by background and holds an MBA from the highly respected University of Chicago (magna cum laude).  Pat’s past includes creating and leading four successful companies. He provides values driven financial and goal planning so necessary to all who wish to preserve and grow their wealth. Pat’s purpose is to help his clients maximize their return while incurring manageable risk.  Blending elements of modern portfolio theory and behavioral finance Pat helps clients construct successful investment strategies and long range plans.  He ensures that the Pathways wealth management process is coherent and diligently followed for all the firm’s clients. He’s determined that all clients are treated fairly and honestly.

Pat and his wife, Peggy, have three children to whom they are devoted. For the past ten years, he has actively served the Tucson community on numerous boards. For 18 months, he worked especially hard as President of the Community Food Bank. Currently, he continues to fill active roles in the Rotary Club of Tucson, such as Treasurer of the Classic Car Show benefit (children’s reading beneficiary) and the advisory board of the Direct Caregivers Institute. Pat’s high intelligence combined with idealistic devotion to the interests of others is unmistakable and rare.

ARTHUR JOHN THIELEN IV :: Senior Wealth Advisor
 
Arthur (“AJ”) Thielen has dedicated himself to working as a wealth advisor since graduating from the University of Arizona in 2002.  AJ earned his degree in Political Science and Business.  AJ focuses on helping his clients create successful financial strategies to achieve their goals.  AJ’s extensive knowledge of financial markets and desire to form strong and lasting bonds with his clients contribute strongly to both his love for the business as well as his success.  AJ holds numerous securities licenses as well as his Life & Health Insurance licenses.  He is the in house insurance resource for the Pathways team and oversees all in house insurance analysis. He is currently studying for his Certified Financial Planning designation.  AJ maintains close community ties as an active Rotarian in Tucson and is an active supporter of the University of Arizona.  AJ takes special enjoyment with community service projects including the Rotary Trail Ride and their many civic minded events.  AJ maintains close ties with his family in Pasadena, California and remains a loyal supporter of his alma mater, Loyola High School in Los Angeles.