Claudia Beranato

Relationship Manager

After more than 30 years in the financial services industry, Claudia has earned an impressive reputation amongst her clients and peers. Known for building trusting relationships and making sure clients’ financial needs are met fully and expediently, Claudia looks forward every day to helping people navigate their financial journeys. 

Graduating from Hofstra University with Bachelor of Business Administration degrees in both Banking and Finance, Claudia began her career in New York with Dreyfus Mutual Funds. As an Institutional Services Representative, she serviced broker dealer firms utilizing Dreyfus mutual funds, eventually managing the division. In the early 2000s, Claudia moved to Colorado to join Oppenheimer Funds’ 401K Turnkey division. After 15 years working for large corporations servicing institutional clients, Claudia changed directions, joining a small, independently owned Registered Investment Advisor, Corinthian Capital, where she ran all aspects of the business. Ten years later, Capital Investment Counsel wooed Claudia away to be a Relationship Manager, where she has supported CIC clients for the past 13 years.

A native of New York, Claudia enjoys spending time with her husband and watching their son compete in various sports.

Eric Bush, CFA 

Investment Committee Member

Eric has over 15 years of experience in the asset management industry with experience across a variety of roles. Most recently, Eric was the Head of Investments for a nearly $4 billion Registered Investment Advisor (RIA), where his primary responsibilities were overseeing clients’ portfolios, creating equity investment strategies and assisting the trading team. Prior to that, Eric served as a portfolio manager for a multi-family office where he focused on private investment due diligence. Previously, Eric honed his equity analytical skills as an equity analyst and portfolio manager for a global equity mutual fund. 

A CFA charterholder, Eric earned his Bachelor’s degree in Finance and contributes as a board member of Economic Literacy Colorado. In his free time, Eric enjoys quality time with his wife and son. He also is a devoted Denver Nuggets fan!

Marjorie Carlson 

Relationship Manager

Marjorie brings more than 23 years of experience to her work as a Relationship Manager at Capital Investment Counsel. During her 18 years with TD Ameritrade Trust Company, Marjorie wore many hats, excelling at researching corporate actions for the mutual fund department, and adding various funds to the firm’s trading platform. Marjorie is happiest when she’s working more closely with wealth advisors and their clients, priding herself on top-notch client service and trusted relationships with the rest of the CIC team. 

A fifth generation Colorado native, Marjorie lives in Golden with her husband and their children. Together, they enjoy exploring different areas of the state as often as possible. Also a big music fan, Marjorie looks forward to attending local concerts.

Samantha Cox

Chief Compliance Officer and Operations Manager

The team at Capital Investment Counsel will tell you Samantha is the key to productivity, efficiency and accuracy throughout the firm’s work. As Chief Compliance Officer, she is responsible for overseeing and managing our organization's compliance with relevant laws and regulations. With more than a decade in the financial services industry, Sam serves as CIC’s Operations Manager, supporting the local team and CIC clients with any and all operational needs and escalations, from technology to human resources.

Balancing her time between her native Arizona and Denver, Sam enjoys opportunities to experience all the seasons and maximize her free time on the beautiful biking trails both have to offer.

Glenn Dreiling

Trading and Operations Specialist

Glenn brings over 30 years of experience in the financial industry, working and managing departments in a variety of roles in trading, operations, and investment accounting. Before joining Capital Investment Counsel, Glenn spent 14 years at Red Rocks Capital where he managed trading and operations for the firm. Prior to that, Glenn spent 17 years at Janus Capital Corp in a variety of roles in investment accounting and operations, spending the last several years as Director of Investment Accounting.

A Colorado native and graduate of Colorado State University, Glenn has a Bachelor’s degree in Finance. In his free time, Glenn still plays a variety of sports and enjoys the outdoor activities our mountainous state has to offer.

Stephen Dreiling, CFP®

President

With over 30 years of experience in the financial industry, Stephen has extensive knowledge of investments, insurance, tax, estate, and retirement planning. Stephen focuses on portfolio management and client relationships at Capital Investment Counsel (CIC). In his years as a CFP® professional, Stephen has assisted hundreds of clients with their financial journeys and continues to pride himself on his acute attention to detail in managing various portfolios.

Stephen has a Master’s in Finance from the University of Colorado at Denver, a Master’s from the University of New Mexico, and Bachelor’s degrees in Management and Accounting from Mesa State College (Colorado). Stephen is also a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA) and associates with the CFA Society.
 

Beth Dufficy

Client Service Coordinator

As CIC’s Client Service Coordinator, Beth brings more than 30 years of financial services experience to our team. Originally from Minnesota, Beth arrived in Colorado via a position with Norwest Banks, N.A., and her professional experience extends further into insurance, securities, and real estate. 

Beth earned her degree from the University of WI-Milwaukee and immediately began working in the financial services sector. Most important to Beth is cultivating strong relationships with clients and continuing to provide them with a first-in-class experience. An efficient and talented team player, Beth is here to provide outstanding service as well as propel the CIC team with internal project management.  

In her spare time, Beth enjoys hiking, running, and cycling in our Colorado mountains as well as creating special memories with her two grown children and dog.

Chris Johnson, CFP® 

CEO & Founder

After 40 years guiding clients through all aspects of their financial journeys, Chris has helped establish Capital Investment Counsel (CIC) as one of the top Colorado-based investment management firms. Managing assets for high-net-worth individuals, corporations, foundations, and public entities nationwide, Chris has taken the best examples from time as an independent firm and corporate-owned phases, to build a company that prioritizes clients, invests in industry knowledge and recruits team members who define themselves by the ways they can help others.

As a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), Chris has advanced knowledge of investments, tax, estate and retirement planning. He served two years on the Charles Schwab Advisory Board, a group of 18 money managers chosen from Schwab’s more than 5000 institutional-side clients to advise the brokerage firm on policies, marketing and communication related to its money manager clients. Chris has also published articles in 24 states related to CPAs and money management.

A Colorado native and proud graduate of Colorado State University, Chris has Bachelor’s degrees in both Finance and Economics and is a member of the Financial Planning Association and the CFA Society.

Chris and his wife raised their two sons in Golden, and still live close to the foothills. Chris continues to study and enjoy wine, loves to travel, and says every year he hopes to spend more time on the golf course.

Jake Johnson 

Wealth Advisor

Intrigued by the markets from a young age, Jake began investing income from working as a golf caddy at age 14. Seeing the power of investing and compounding firsthand, he was inspired to help others realize their own financial goals. 

Jake graduated from the University of San Diego with Bachelor’s degrees in both Finance and Marketing. As an investment advisor representative with a Series 65 license, Jake is now pursuing his Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) certification.

Jake started his career in Kansas City, later transitioning to wealth management with Schaefer Financial Management. That brought him back to his native Colorado. Growing up in Golden, Jake grew fond of playing golf and still enjoys hitting the links. An avid sports fan, Jake loves to attend games in person when possible, and always enjoys celebrating a championship. He also makes a point to spend time with family and friends, especially when checking out new restaurants and returning to old favorites.

Declan Lane

Wealth Advisor

Declan has always had a passion for the investment business, continually seeking ways to serve clients better and assist them with all their financial needs and goals. As an investment advisor representative, with Series 63 and Series 66 licenses, Declan is now studying for his Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) certification.

A graduate of the University of San Diego, with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and a minor in Accountancy, Declan began his financial services career with Fidelity Investments. Starting out on the trading desk, Declan was quickly promoted to a Financial Representative role in the Colorado Springs office.

Spend any time with Declan, and you will soon learn he is a proud Colorado native, with roots in Evergreen. Taking full advantage of all the state has to offer, Declan grew up skiing, golfing, fishing, hiking and playing hockey. Declan still enjoys the outdoors, cheering for Colorado’s professional sports teams, and spending time with friends and family.

Teri Tidwell, CFP®

Relationship Manager

With over 30 years of experience in financial services, Teri has earned a reputation of providing the highest level of service to her clients. Prior to joining Capital Investment Counsel, Teri worked with Tempest Isenhart Chafee in Denver.

Teri attended Montana State University and received her degree from the University of Nebraska. As a CFP®, Teri specializes in developing and delivering comprehensive financial and retirement plans to many of our clients. These plans emphasize cash flow, retirement income, net worth projections and estate planning. Over her many years of work in the industry and with CIC, Teri has developed close relationships with hundreds of clients, and continues to enjoy supporting them in and outside their financial lives.