About Us
At BCS, we work with individuals, institutions, families and, their professional advisors to grow, preserve, and transfer wealth through personalized financial planning, prudent investing, and comprehensive wealth-management services. As fiduciaries, we are held to the highest standard of conduct in managing our clients’ assets and align our incentives with what really matters: client success.
We are committed to helping our clients establish and achieve their financial goals by creating integrated wealth management solutions based on sound, unbiased advice. We have no proprietary products or services and, because we have the ability to do business with a number of different firms, we can focus on what is best for the client. We feel this aligns our interests with our clients’ when managing their account(s). We pride ourselves on our high level of service, honesty, discretion, and integrity.
Our Team
Christopher Bernard, CFP®, CFA
Unlike his two colleagues, Chris Bernard began his professional career in the world of finance. He started at Lehman Brothers, working with institutions and family office clients, before joining John and Scott at UBS. Chris rounds out the team that co-founded BCS Private Wealth Management.
With over 20 years of experience working with family office clients, Chris has encountered and resolved countless challenges for families. His extensive hands on experience enables him to quickly identify effective solutions and implement them in a thorough and efficient manner.
Chris received a B.S. in Business Administration, and a minor in Leadership Studies, from the University of Richmond. Today, Chris holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, earned through a globally-recognized, self-study, graduate-level program for investment professionals. He is also a Certified Financial Planner™ professional. Both designations require ongoing education, ensuring Chris stays on top of the ever-changing industry.
Chris lives in Atlantic Highlands, NJ, with his wife and two children. In his leisure time he enjoys playing ice hockey and golf. He serves on the board of the Visiting Nurse Association Health Group (VNA), where he sits on the Finance and Investment and Pension Committees.
John Caroli, CFP®, CDFA®
In 10 years at UBS, John Caroli served as First Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager. It was there that he began working with Chris and Scott, eventually co-founding BCS Private Wealth Management. After completing graduate work at MIT, John began his professional career as a staff engineer at the university. He then worked as an environmental engineer. After some time, he realized that engineering was not his calling. Wanting to work more directly with people, he transitioned to a career in finance in the 1990s. His first role in finance was as a municipal bond trader with Robert R. Meredith & Co. He ultimately moved into wealth management at Paine Webber, working with high-net-worth individuals.
John’s background in engineering, combined with his desire to work with people, provides a unique set of skills that helps him tackle the challenges family office clients face. His analytical mindset, attention to detail, and strong interpersonal skills enable him to develop customized strategies and solutions tailored to the complex needs of wealthy families.
John received a B.A. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Rhode Island and an M.S. in Civil Engineering from Tufts University. He also holds the Certified Financial Planner™ designation. Outside of work, John is actively involved in community affairs and contributes to several nonprofit organizations. He has served on the board of the Monmouth Conservation foundation as well as the Twin Lights Foundation and enjoys running, ice hockey, and tennis.
Craig D. Cummings, CFP®, CDFA®
Craig came to BCS Wealth Management after 24 years at Cantor Fitzgerald, LP. He was the Senior Managing Director and Partner in charge of Cantor Fitzgerald, NJ. Craig ran the NJ office for 15 years overseeing Equity Trading, Research, Sales, Program Trading, Options and Derivatives trading.
For the clients of BCS Wealth Management, Craig focuses on financial planning services, portfolio management and alternative investments.
Craig attended The University of Warwick in Coventry, England in 1987. He received a BS in Business Administration with a Major in Finance and a Minor in Psychology from the University of Dayton in 1989. While at Cantor Fitzgerald, Craig was the Registered Principal and held FINRA Series 7, 24, 55 and 63 Licenses. Now, he is an SEC Registered Investment Advisor Representative.
Craig lives in Rumson, New Jersey where he raised four wonderful sons. He is retired from coaching hockey but still plays in his free time. Craig is an active philanthropist and sits on the Board of Directors at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank. Also, he is President of the 9/11 Education Alliance of Monmouth and Ocean County.
David B. “Scott” Schiff, MBA
Prior to co-founding BCS Private Wealth Management, Scott served as Vice President and Financial Advisor at UBS, focusing on Trust & Estate strategies. He has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, overseeing numerous transactions involving privately held companies at GL Ohrstrom. In addition, Scott has a background in the recording industry in Los Angeles and New York, where he earned accolades at Atlantic Records in New York for identifying chart-topping groups. He later founded his own recording and distribution company.
With nearly three decades of experience in both public and private market investments, Scott brings a diverse business background that helps him understand and navigate today’s global financial landscape and the complexities of high-net-worth families and individuals. Scott’s expertise in trust and estate planning and alternative investments makes him a valuable member of the BCS team.
He received his B.A. in Art History from Trinity College and earned an M.B.A. in Management from NYU’s Stern School of Business. Outside of finance, Scott is dedicated to philanthropy, serving on the boards and investment committees of the Wildlife Conservation Society and the Cultural Institutions Retirement System. He enjoys spending time with his two children, collecting art, reading, listening to music, and traveling.
Brad Smith
As a managing director, I review all aspects of my clients’ financial lives, developing a complete investment plan. After creating their unique strategy, I’m able to build each client’s portfolio with an asset allocation layout that’s best for their current budget and aligns with their long-term goals.
I value building long-term personal relationships with my clients and regularly stay updated on their lives. By having trusted relationships, I enjoy the opportunity to assist my clients’ children and heirs with financial advice.
I graduated from Central Connecticut State University and went on to work with U.S. TrustCompany and Bank of America Private Bank for over 18 years before joining the BCS Private Wealth Management team. Joining BCS has afforded me the opportunity to serve an exceptional group of clients and provide the highly personalized level of planning that our firm is known for.
Outside of work, my favorite thing to do is spend summers at the local beach with my family. I also enjoy hiking in the Adirondacks, fly-fishing, woodworking and paddle boarding. I am also a WhatsUP Paddle Board Race committee member, supporting the Unterberg Children’s Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center. I assist with fundraising and event planning, and I’m also a race participant.