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About West Branch Capital
An Investment Adviser acting as a fiduciary on your behalf
Founded in 2004, West Branch Capital is an independent, minority owned, fee-only Registered Investment Adviser. Our core investment team collectively represents over 100 years of investment management experience.
As a firm, we are committed to maintaining a culture of integrity that permeates everything we do. We pride ourselves on offering independent, objective money management services and providing complete transparency to our clients in the management of their assets. The tradition and culture of the firm is not to sell products. We understand the high degree of trust placed in us by our clients and we work tirelessly to preserve it.
West Branch Capital offers a full range of investment management services for individuals, institutions and corporate retirement plan sponsors. We manage equities, domestic fixed income (both taxable and tax-free), balanced portfolios, mutual funds, closed end funds, exchange-traded funds and similar vehicles.
West Branch Capital’s clients benefit from the collective expertise of our staff. A team approach, with client service at its core, is the hallmark of our professionalism.
Where our name comes from
Why "West Branch Capital"?
Although branches happen to be a wonderful symbol of growth, our founder and CEO, Ayaz Mahmud, pursued dual graduate degrees in his college days, and he was able to first become published in prestigious literary publications West Branch and Prairie Schooner. In 2004 when the firm was established, it seemed a natural fit to celebrate the inspirational collections that gave his literature a chance.
Over 100 Years of Collective Experience
About Our Team
As a firm, we are committed to maintaining a culture of integrity that permeates everything we do. We pride ourselves on offering independent, objective investment management services and providing complete transparency. We understand the high degree of trust placed in us by our clients and we work tirelessly to keep it.
Please feel free to research any of our Investment Adviser Representatives at https://www.adviserinfo.sec.gov/

Anne Christopulos

Ayaz Mahmud

Cheryl Slattery

David Fadel, CFP®

Georgann Ramage
Georgann is Director of Operations for the West Branch Capital office in Hyannis, MA. She has spent her career in the financial services and private banking industry, first in a large mid-Atlantic bank in the Washington, DC area, in individual client management, then in the Private Banking Division, leading a team of Private Banking professionals providing financial services, including trust and investment management.

Howard Singer, CFP®

James K. Ho, CFA
Jim has over thirty years of investment management experience. He is a Managing Director and Principal of the firm.
Prior to West Branch Capital, Jim was a fixed income Portfolio Manager at John Hancock Advisors. Previously, he managed the John Hancock Tax Exempt Income Trust. Prior to joining John Hancock Advisors, Jim was a Senior Investment Officer at The New England (MetLife), where he managed multiple bond portfolios, including taxable and tax exempt mutual funds and separate accounts.
Jim holds an M.B.A. from Columbia University, New York, as well as an M.S. in Applied Math and B.S. in Applied Math and Economics from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst and a member of the Boston Society of Security Analysts.

Joan Long
As Business Manager, Joan’s focus is on bookkeeping, quarterly newsletters, and client database maintenance, providing office assistance and supporting the firm’s principals. She has a BA in English. Joan spends her free time as a volunteer coach for Girls on the Run Western Massachusetts.

Lori Mahmud
Lori began her working life as an English teacher at Brookline High School. She joined West Branch Capital in 2004 as an Operations Manager. She currently plays the role of Operating Officer for the firm.
Lori holds a B.A. in English Literature and a B.S. from the Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University, as well as a Masters Degree in Education from Northeastern University.

Michael DuBois
Mike is a Managing Director and Personal Risk Management Specialist. Mike brings forty years of insurance industry experience to West Branch Capital. He will focus on advising clients on annuities, life insurance, retirement products, disability income, long-term care insurance and other insurance products. He will evaluate the quality of the options available to clients and make independent and objective recommendations as part of the firm’s holistic advisory approach to clients’ wealth and risk management needs. In keeping with the firm’s tradition, he will not “sell” any insurance products or policies.
Prior to his retirement as an actuary from MassMutual in 2019, he was a regular speaker at actuarial conferences, served as an advisor on studies by the Society of Actuaries (SOA) and participated in the education and examination committees of the SOA. Mike is a graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a Fellow in the SOA (FSA) and a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries (MAAA)..
Not Convinced Yet?
Why Our Clients Choose Us
- 01
Convenience
With four office locations, clients are sure to find a location for meetings and servicing of accounts. We also offer a client portal so that you may view your quarterly reports at any time, and even maximize your financial planning.
- 02
Reliability
Client contact is a priority and we are proud of our quick response time to requests, questions, and concerns.
- 03
Trust
As a fiduciary, you are assured that our team continuously works with your best interests in mind.
- 04
Communication
Clients receive quarterly reports along with our “West Branch Capital Report” newsletter, and regular check-ins via meeting or phone call.
- 05
Peace of Mind
Clients are comfortable knowing that we handle their accounts with confidentiality and best practices to ensure continued security.