Meet the Team

Clear Perspectives Financial Planning team

About Clear Perspectives Financial Planning

We were founded in 2008 by seasoned financial professionals and engineers in a Fortune 50 company. This core group was faced with family members struggling to find good, reasonably priced financial advice — and they sought to address this challenge by building an independent, fee-only firm.

We’ve since built a culture among all our advisors of serving others with care and the highest standards for knowledge and ethics. Our family atmosphere means we form close and trusting connections with those we serve, helping them stay on a path of financial health for years to come.

Carol Hoffman

Principal Advisor

Carol A. Hoffman has been a finance manager for 25 years. She completed her MBA in finance at Indiana University prior to becoming a Certified Financial Planner™ professional.

Carol developed financial analysis and leadership experience in global business management and global audit positions. She has managed hundreds of millions of dollars in business profits, commodities positions, supply chains and acquisitions at the Procter & Gamble Company. Carol lives in Montgomery, Ohio with her husband John. They have two grown children.

Tim Grout

Principal Advisor

Timothy A. Grout has over 30 years of financial management experience at the Procter & Gamble Company, and earned an MBA in finance from Xavier University in Cincinnati. His experience includes roles of increasing responsibility in transitioning the company through major global accounting system and operational changes. Tim developed an interest in financial planning when he was working with family and friends who couldn't find the holistic financial services they needed, leading him to become a Certified Financial Planner™ professional. He lives in Montgomery, Ohio with his wife Karen and their two children.

Deb Thocker

Advisor & Director of Operations

Deb joined Clear Perspectives when we started in 2008. She has over 30 years of professional and volunteer project management experience and a degree in Chemical Engineering from Michigan State University. Deb specializes in retirement planning, holding certifications as a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor and National Social Security Advisor. Deb lives in Sharonville, and, with her late husband Jon, has two grown children.

Rob Bartlett

Advisor & Director of Financial Planning

Rob joined Clear Perspectives in 2015, after 27 years in a variety of finance roles at the Procter & Gamble Company, including overseeing all of P&G's retirement plans and retirement assets around the world. He performs in-depth research and analysis for clients, with a focus on tax planning. He is a Certified Financial Planner™ professional and holds an MBA in finance from Duke University. Rob lives in Mariemont with his wife Linda. They have three grown children.

Kate McInerney

Advisor & Portfolio Manager

Kate joined Clear Perspectives in 2014, with seven years of experience in nonprofit finance and community development in Chicago and Cincinnati. She is a Certified Financial Planner™ professional and holds an MBA from University of Cincinnati. She coaches the Xavier University women's ultimate team and competes semiprofessionally herself in the Premier Ultimate League. Kate is a graduate of Sycamore High School and Denison University. She lives in Oakley with her husband Anthony.

Mike Schelle

Advisor

Mike joined Clear Perspectives in 2016. He is a Certified Financial Planner™ professional who advises clients on retirement planning, tax planning and cash management. Mike previously worked in the jewelry and precious metals industry and holds his degree in English and Creative Writing from Wittenberg University. He lives in the Madeira neighborhood of Cincinnati with his wife and two young children.

Ryan Gorman

Financial Analyst

Ryan joined Clear Perspectives in February 2020. He is studying for the Certified Financial Planner™ qualification and currently assists the team with client meeting preparations and back office management. Ryan previously worked in financial planning operations, and volunteers his time as President of the Cincinnati Ultimate Players Association. He holds his degree in Finance and Mathematics from the University of Notre Dame. He lives in the Linwood neighborhood of Cincinnati with his wife. 

Jennifer Paterno

Client Services Manager

Jennifer joined Clear Perspectives in 2012 with over 20 years of administrative experience in marketing, real estate development, and IT recruiting. She is often your first point of contact with our firm. She holds Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional (FPQP™) certification from the College of Financial Planning. Jennifer attended Thomas More College and lives in northern Kentucky with her husband, Steve.

John McInerney

Information Technology Specialist

John joined Clear Perspectives in 2015 and manages our technology and security. He has an extensive background in IT, programming, and teaching. He holds a Masters degree from Columbia University in New York City.

Heather Kenneweg

Client Services Specialist

Heather joined Clear Perspectives part-time in 2016. She has 10 years of experience as an economic development research manager for a local regional economic development team and three years as a paralegal. Heather has a bachelor's degree and post-baccalaureate certificate from the University of Cincinnati. 

Meet the Team

About Clear Perspectives Financial Planning

John joined Clear Perspectives in 2015 and manages our technology and security. He has an extensive background in IT, programming, and teaching. He holds a Masters degree from Columbia University in New York City.

John joined Clear Perspectives in 2015 and manages our technology and security. He has an extensive background in IT, programming, and teaching. He holds a Masters degree from Columbia University in New York City.