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Cedar Capital Advisor

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— Meet Your Advisor —

Meet Tom Koleski, CFP®

People hire people – not some corporation. Here’s the story behind Cedar Capital Advisors.

“I started Cedar Capital because when my own father needed financial advice, I couldn’t think of anyone I trusted enough to recommend.”

Tom Koleski, CFP®, Founder and CEO of Cedar Capital Advisors, brings more than 20 years of experience helping families navigate life’s most important financial decisions. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and Fee-Only Fiduciary, Tom is committed to providing objective advice that is always aligned with his clients’ best interests.

Throughout his career, Tom has worked closely with successful professionals, business owners, and retirees to help them build, preserve, and transition wealth with confidence. He believes financial planning should go beyond investments, serving as a framework for making informed decisions across every aspect of a family’s financial life.

Tom founded Cedar Capital Advisors with a vision of creating the trusted advisory relationship he wished his own family had access to: independent, transparent, and focused on long-term outcomes rather than product recommendations. He is known for simplifying complex financial issues and helping clients make confident decisions with clarity and purpose.

Tom has been featured on WGN as a trusted voice on financial planning. He lives in the Glen Ellyn with his family and enjoys spending time with family and friends, supporting local organizations, and helping clients build financial confidence for generations to come.

  • Certified Financial Planner™
  • Independent RIA
  • Fee-Only Fiduciary
  • WGN Featured Advisor
Schedule a Consultation
312-285-5737

— Leadership —

Meet Brian Tumpane, Chief Operating Officer

— Leadership —

Meet Brian Tumpane, Chief Operating Officer.

As Chief Operating Officer of Cedar Capital Advisors, Brian Tumpane brings more than two decades of experience in financial planning, analysis, and operational leadership. A holder of the Series 65 and currently progressing through the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation, Brian blends technical expertise with a deep commitment to operational excellence.

Throughout his 20-year career, Brian has supported both corporations and entrepreneurs in areas such as investment analysis, CFO-level financial modeling, and Mergers & Acquisitions.

In his role as COO, Brian oversees:

  • Internal systems, workflows, and compliance-aligned processes
  • Technology, vendor relationships, and operational infrastructure
  • Advisor support with research, planning tools, and resources
  • Financial models, budgeting, and forecasting that support strategy
  • Smooth client onboarding, reporting, and service delivery
  • Direct client assistance with business, tax, and planning questions

Brian earned his B.S. in Finance and Accounting from the University of Dayton. He lives in Glen Ellyn with his wife, Melissa, and their three children — Owen, Henry, and Violet. Outside of work, Brian is an avid Chicago sports fan and enjoys time with family, sports, and travel.

Neil Peplinski, CFA

Chairman Emeritus

Neil Peplinski is Cedar Capital’s Chief Investment Officer and the architect behind the firm’s Market Advantage Portfolio framework (MAPs). With over 20 years of professional experience, Neil is responsible for research, investment analysis and the development/oversight of new investment strategies and models. Prior to co-founding Cedar Capital, he served as portfolio manager and quantitative analyst for Allstate Investments. Neil earned an MBA with High Honors from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, a MSEE from the University of Michigan and a BSEE from The Michigan Technological University where he graduated summa cum laude.

Yash Patel, CFA

Investment Committee Advisor

Yash Patel is Cedar Capital’s Chief Operating Officer and brings over 15 years of professional experience to the firm. Yash’s responsibilities include the management and leadership of operations, technology, trading, and portfolio management. Prior to joining Cedar Capital, he was a quantitative equity analyst for Allstate Investments, developing and implementing model-driven trading strategies. Previous to that, he worked and consulted for hedge funds including Bridgewater Associates and Citadel Investment Group. Prior to his career in financial services, Yash spent several years in the software industry with a focus on systems architecture and application development. Yash earned an MBA with Honors from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a BS CSE from The Ohio State University.

— Let's Talk —

Ready for a Personal CFO in your corner?

Whether you’re preparing for retirement, already retired, or just want a second opinion, let’s start with a no-pressure conversation.
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312-285-5737