We believe our approach to managing money is understandable, relatable and makes sense to our clients.

Investment Objectives

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A Commonsense Investment Philosophy

To deliver a more consistent, repeatable, and less volatile experience, Tandem seeks to identify companies with these four key attributes:

  • Consistent fundamental growth as measured by consistent growth in earnings, revenue and cash flow through any economic environment

  • Consistent dividend growth (if paid) because of the consistent fundamental growth

  • The business should have a uniqueness, dominance, or competitive advantage

  • Consistency in and depth of management

A Commonsense Investment Process

Our investment process is based on math. It removes human emotion, interpretation and bias by following this 3-step process:

  • quantitative analysis: Proprietary ratio computation to screen across a 3,000+ stock universe plus mean reversion to identify attractive points of action

  • semi-quantitative review: detailed review of quantitative findings to ensure accuracy of data

  • human implementation: results reviewed and implemented, and action is then taken by the Investment Team

A Commonsense Investment Discipline

As a long-only manager, there are only five actions we can take, all of which are driven by our proprietary ratio and mean reversion.

  1. Buy: a stock meeting our criteria that is “attractively valued” will be incepted

  2. Add: a core holding may be added to when it is “attractively valued”

  3. Hold: a core holding that is within a “normal” valuation range will be monitored and held

  4. Trim: a core holding may be trimmed when it is “overvalued” or fundamentally deteriorating

  5. Liquidate: a core holding will be liquidated when it no longer meets our fundamental criteria

A Commonsense Investment Experience

As portfolio managers, we are not concerned with conforming to an industry norm. To us, Willing to be Different means:

  • we take seriously the notion of buying low and selling high, with the discipline to wait

  • we seek to deliver a more consistent, repeatable and less volatile experience than the market

  • we aim for low volatility and low downside capture

  • we are willing to hold cash when few buy opportunities present themselves

  • we buy stocks when they ought to be bought — not because we sold something

There is no guarantee or promise in any of the statements listed above. It is our objective to simply strive for these types of investment objectives.

We are an advisor-focused, service-centric group that strives to create a consistent, repeatable and expected experience for advisors and their clients.

Alex Robinette, CFP, CIMA

Managing Director, Distribution
Meet Alex

Alex Robinette, CFP, CIMA

Managing Director, Distribution

Alex Robinette joined Tandem in 2023. His duties include advisor relations and education for new and existing Tandem partners. After starting his career at Edward Jones as a Financial Advisor in 2016, Alex joined Raymond James in 2017 where he worked on a Financial Planning team and as a Senior Asset Management Consultant. Alex is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™(CFP®) and a Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®). He is currently a member of Toastmasters International, a nonprofit educational organization that operates clubs worldwide for the purpose of promoting communication, public speaking, and leadership. Alex is a graduate of The Pennsylvania State University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Business Communications with a Minor in Theatre.

Allison Cianci

Managing Director, Client Services
Meet Allison

Allison Cianci

Managing Director, Client Services

Allison Cianci joined Tandem in 2016. She oversees Tandem’s operations and administrative functions. Allison is a mom of two young children. When she is not in the office she enjoys spending time biking, rowing, and baking. Allison graduated from Johnson & Wales University with an associates in Food & Beverage Management.

Ariel Davis

Managing Director, Communications
Meet Ariel

Ariel Davis

Managing Director, Communications

Ariel Davis joined Tandem in 2022. Her duties include advisor relations and supporting our communication and marketing efforts for our financial advisor partners. Prior to joining Tandem, Ariel began her career with Raymond James, where she participated in the firm’s rotational development program and later worked in Investor Relations and FP&A. Ariel graduated from the College of Charleston Honors College with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and a minor in History, and currently serves on the Advisory Board for the College of Charleston School of Business Investment Program.

Benjamin “Ben” Carew, CFA

Co-Chief Investment Officer
Meet Ben

Benjamin “Ben” Carew, CFA

Co-Chief Investment Officer

Ben Carew joined Tandem in 2013. He manages Tandem’s trading desk, overseeing day-to-day investment operations, including trading, quantitative and fundamental research, and portfolio management. Ben also oversees Tandem’s internship program. He is a regular member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society South Carolina. Ben currently serves as the Vice Chair for College of Charleston’s School of Business Investment Program, a student program seeking to provide the opportunity for a select group of students to distinguish themselves academically, professionally, and personally. He is a graduate of the College of Charleston’s School of Business, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Economics with a minor in Finance.

William “Billy” Little, Jr., CFA

Co-Chief Investment Officer & Chief Financial Officer
Meet Billy

William “Billy” Little, Jr., CFA

Co-Chief Investment Officer & Chief Financial Officer

Billy Little joined Tandem in 2006. He has been instrumental in the development of Tandem’s quantitative discipline—spearheading initiatives to systematize Tandem’s investment-related processes. As Co-Chief Investment Officer, Billy directs Tandem’s quantitative and fundamental research, and portfolio management. Billy also plays a crucial role in ensuring Tandem’s financial health and stability are maintained in his role as Chief Financial Officer, overseeing strategic decision-making and long-term financial planning. Billy began his career in the investment industry in 2004 as a Financial Advisor with Ameriprise Financial in Baltimore, Maryland. He is a regular member of the CFA Institute and past President of the CFA Society South Carolina. Billy graduated from the College of Charleston with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance.

Brett Ballenger

Associate, Investments
Meet Brett

Brett Ballenger

Associate, Investments

Brett Ballenger joined Tandem in 2023. His duties include the day-to-day support of Tandem’s investment operations. In his spare time, Brett enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons, and volunteers as a Little League baseball coach. Brett graduated from Hunter College with a Bachelor of Arts in English.

Elaine Natoli

Chief Communications Officer
Meet Elaine

Elaine Natoli

Chief Communications Officer

Elaine Natoli joined Tandem in 2016. Elaine oversees Tandem’s marketing and communication efforts for our partners across the United States. She also manages Tandem’s operations. Elaine is a Board Member for the American Lung Association. She is also an ongoing member and the current Cabinet Chair of the LUNG FORCE initiative in Charleston, SC. She is a graduate of the College of Charleston’s School of Arts, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Arts Management with a Minor in Hospitality and Tourism Management.

Jeremy Cox

Chief Distribution Officer
Meet Jeremy

Jeremy Cox

Chief Distribution Officer

Jeremy Cox joined Tandem in 2024 in order to expand the reach of Tandem’s relatable, common-sense approach to investing to more firms, advisors and clients. Jeremy spent the previous 22 years at Truist and its predecessor companies, BB&T and Scott & Stringfellow, where he held various leadership and product management positions. When Jeremy is not in the office, he enjoys exercising and spending time with his wife, Shannon, and their children. Jeremy earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Education and a Master of Business Administration from Virginia Tech.

John B. Carew

Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Meet John

John B. Carew

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

John Carew founded Tandem in 1990, after beginning his career in 1985 with Thomson McKinnon Securities, Inc. During his tenure, Tandem’s investment team has been nationally recognized numerous times by leading manager databases. John is a frequent guest speaker on topics including risk, low volatility, investment discipline, equity investing, and general market history and overview. John is a graduate of the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics.

Jordan Watson, CFA, CMT

Managing Director, Investments
Meet Jordan

Jordan Watson, CFA, CMT

Managing Director, Investments

Jordan Watson joined Tandem in 2019. His duties include portfolio management, conducting quantitative and fundamental research, and assisting with Tandem’s day-to-day investment operations. In addition, Jordan assists in overseeing Tandem’s internship program. He currently serves on the Advisory Board for the College of Charleston’s School of Business Investment Program. Jordan is a regular member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society South Carolina. Jordan graduated from the College of Charleston with a Bachelor of Science in Finance with a minor in Real Estate.

Natalia Mattar

Associate, Investments
Meet Natalia

Natalia Mattar

Associate, Investments

Natalia Mattar joined the Tandem Team in 2023. Her duties include assisting with trading and conducting quantitative and fundamental research. Originally from Fredon, NJ, Natalia enjoys taking her dog, Calie, to Sullivan’s Island, sailing, running, and staying active. She graduated from the College of Charleston with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and a minor in Economics in May 2024.

Nicole “Nicki” Hoffman

Chief Compliance Officer
Meet Nicki

Nicole “Nicki” Hoffman

Chief Compliance Officer

Nicki Hoffman joined Tandem in 2023. She currently oversees Tandem’s compliance program and regulatory matters. Nicki spent the previous 21 years at an Investment Advisory and Broker Dealer Firm where she worked as a Sales Assistant, Trader, Limited Partnership Coordinator, Executive Assistant, and for the past 15 years, Senior Compliance Officer. When she is not in the office she enjoys exercising, traveling, and spending time with her husband and two boys. Nicki earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from West Chester University.

Sam Edwards

Associate, Distribution
Meet Sam

Sam Edwards

Associate, Distribution

Sam Edwards joined Tandem in 2024. His duties include advisor relations and supporting our communication and marketing efforts for our financial advisor partners. Prior to working at Tandem, he worked at a wealth management firm in Mobile, AL as an associate and advisor. Sam graduated from The University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce and Business Administration and a specialization in Investment Management.

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