Team
Our Team

Our partnership, with over 65 years of combined experience, has created a team where your experience is our top priority. Our group utilizes state of the art technology that helps us to educate, design, implement, and track your strategic plan. This helps prepare you for the seen and unforeseen obstacles in reaching your goals. Our strategy has allowed us to build long lasting multi-generational relationships.
Bill Stead, RICP
ADV 2B Brochure
Senior Financial Advisor
602-671-5992
bill.stead@ceterainvestors.com
I joined the financial service industry in October of 1982, so to say I've been around a while is an understatement. Coming from a military family, and knowing some of the financial struggles we had, I wanted to work in an arena where I could positively impact individuals’ financial health. I began my career in Boston Massachusetts, and in 1986 moved to Arizona where I have been ever since.
My wife and I married in 1986 and our passion is traveling. I am also a proud father of two independent, Northern Arizona University graduated daughters. Go Lumberjacks!
We all live here in Arizona and although I work out of Phoenix, my wife and I make our home in the cool pine trees of Prescott, Arizona.
When you’ve been doing this for as long as I have, the list of families you help becomes expansive.
It is what I was meant to do, helping people over time put their own children through school and move comfortably into retirement. I help my clients implement a well-thought-out financial plan that helps them build and maintain wealth.
I have clients all over the country, with much of my clientele is in Arizona, New Mexico, and southern California.
Matthew Julian
ADV 2B Brochure
Senior Financial Advisor
602-671-5992
matthew.julian@ceterainvestors.com
Since 2004 I have been following my passion for helping people and businesses plan and pursue their financial goals. I am dedicated to provide everyday families with financial solutions, guidance, and tools, to help meet their needs across all life stages.
My goal is to build solid relationships and long-term value to help my clients grow, protect, and enjoy what they have; by making sure their financial strategies work as hard as they do.
J. Nick Rhodes
ADV 2B Brochure
Assistant Manager
602-671-5992
My career in the financial services industry began after graduating from Lake Forest College with my B.S. in Economics when I accepted a financial advisor role at First Investors Corporation (now Cetera Investors). Fun fact: one of my first mentors was Bill Stead!
Later, my career at First Investors took me to Washington state where I accepted the role of Branch Manager for the Seattle location. I returned to Arizona in 2018 where I worked as Vice President for Pacific Capital Resource Group. In November 2022, my career came full circle and I found myself back with many friends and colleagues from the start of my career when I joined Arizona Capital Management (ACM).
I learned very quickly at the start of my career that my drive comes from those I serve and the relationships that are built from each financial journey. I thoroughly enjoy getting to know people and developing a solid understanding of their financial goals so that we can work together to problem-solve and create a plan for the future. Ultimately, I returned to where my career began because of the people. I believe in what we do at ACM and truly consider this team part of my family.
Currently, I live in Cave Creek with my wife and two dogs. When I’m not working, I enjoy fly fishing, skiing, and hiking, and am an avid golfer. I also love watching live sporting events – especially hockey (Go Avs!)
Courtney Schuh
ADV 2B Brochure
Director of Client Services
602-671-5992
courtney.schuh@ceterainvestors.com
Courtney has been with the team since 2005. As the Director of Client Services, she oversees the daily operations and marketing for our team. Her primary responsibility is to ensure our clients receive world-class service. She holds series 6, 7, 63, and 65 securities registrations and holds life insurance and vairable products across multiple states also. When she is not working you will find her with her husband and 2 teens. In her downtime, she enjoys listening to books, relaxing by the pool, traveling, and camping with family and friends.
Lisa Padula
Sales Assistant
602-671-5992
Lisa joined our team in the fall 2017. She has been an integral part of increase our client experience. You will find her organization skills keep us all on task. She maintains all of our calendars and incoming phone calls.
Melissa Hillman
Senior Client Service Representative
602-671-5992
Melissa joined our team in November 2020. As a Senior Client Services Representative, she will work on the daily operations of ensuring our clients’ accounts and paperwork are all in order. She comes back to the industry after starting her career in investments. Melissa also has her securities registrations. When she is not in the office you will find her with her husband and 2 sons. In her spare time, Melissa enjoys traveling, going to sporting events, and spending time with her family.
Stu Johnson, CFP® ChFC®
Vice President and Branch Manager
602-671-5992
Stu Johnson is Vice President and Branch Manager at the Phoenix branch of Cetera Investors. His mission is to support financial advisors as they help clients work toward financial well-being.
As a Certified Financial Planner, Stu helps clients use money as a tool to support their values and experience life on their own terms. Stu and his team take a comprehensive and holistic approach to financial planning, creating a future based around the values, goals, fears, concerns, people and organizations that are most important to each client.
Stu graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in computer engineering. He quickly realized that his ideal career would combine technology and the opportunity to engage the public directly. After observing the stress money causes in the lives of most Americans, Stu knew that becoming an experienced financial planner would allow him to serve his community and build lifelong relationships.
Stu lives in Chandler, Arizona, with his wife and two children. He enjoys golf, watching his kids play sports, and date nights with his wife.

Cetera Investment Management
Independent, objective research and guidance to assist your financial professional in designing the investment strategy that's right for you.
Cetera Investment Management delivers a wealth of independent, objective research and guidance designed to make sense out of the complex, often-changing economic landscape. They provide the insight, foresight, and perspective on the financial markets your financial professional needs to keep you on track to pursuing greater financial well-being. Together with your financial professional, they’re your partner for acquiring a deeper understanding of the economic landscape, maintaining a forward-looking focus on market trends and performance, and creating solutions designed to help you capitalize on that perspective—so you can feel more confident you are on the path to your investment goal.

Cetera Advanced Planning Group
The Advanced Planning Group is dedicated team of highly credentialed legal and financial professionals that consults with our team to providing the answers and resources we need in an ever changing legal world. This team consults on some of the most complex legal and technical issues—from wealth transfers and retirement distributions to life insurance, annuities, and strategies for stock options.

Client Centered
Whether you are investing to build wealth, protect your family, or preserve your assets, our personalized service focuses your needs, wants, and long-term goals.
Our team of professionals have years of experience in financial services. We can help you address your needs of today and for many years to come. We look forward to working with you.