Our Team 

Robert F. Mewshaw
President and Chief Investment Officer

Robert F. Mewshaw graduated from the University of Baltimore with a Bachelors of Arts, whereupon he spent five years with a local law enforcement agency conducting criminal investigations. After leaving law enforcement he worked for several member firms of the New York Stock Exchange for 12 years. He has been on the adjunct faculty of Loyola College as an Assistant Professor where he taught Investment Analysis in the undergraduate school.

He has held the following positions in the securities industry; Registered Representative (Stockbroker), Associated Person (Commodity Broker), Branch Manager NYSE, General Securities Principal, State Securities Agent, Investment Advisor Representative.

He has participated in numerous securities arbitration’s as a consultant, advocate and expert witness. He has investigated complaints of securities fraud, churning, misrepresentation, unsuitability and various other regulatory problems concerning the securities industry.

Mr. Mewshaw has 30 years of experience as an investment professional.

Alexander F. Barron
Senior Investment Counselor
Assistant Compliance Officer

Alexander F. Barron graduated from Tanenbaum College with a Bachelor of Arts in Talmudic Law, whereupon he continued another two years in graduate school in Advanced Talmudic Law.  He has worked for several member firms of the New York Stock Exchange working on both the Institutional and Retail sides of the Industry. He has held the following positions in the securities industry; Registered Representative (Stockbroker), General Securities Principal, State Securities Agent, and Investment Advisor Representative. He has lectured and taught investment analysis as an adjunct professor. Alex has published many articles for local papers and periodicals, as well writing a monthly financial column for the Senior Digest of Maryland.  As a former board member of the Baltimore County Department of Aging, he has lectured to senior groups on the awareness of financial abuse and victimization to the elderly.

His areas of specialty encompass portfolio management that incorporates family wealth needs for financial, educational, and retirement planning. He also manages 401(k) and 403(b) retirement plans for businesses and non-profit organizations.

He presently serves as Vice President and Co-Chairman of the Capital Campaign for Shearith Israel Congregation (est. 1851).  He is a volunteer personal finance counselor with Mesila of Baltimore (an organization which provides awareness and a path to financial stability for Baltimore families). He also serves as a board member for Bnos Yisroel School of Baltimore.  He was one of the founding board members, as well as an instructor at Ateris Tzvi School, a men’s college based in Baltimore. He is also a founding member and certified EMT with Hatzalah of Baltimore.

Mr. Barron has 25 years experience as an investment professional.

Bryan Thaler
Senior Investment Counsellor
Assistant Investment Officer

Bryan M. Thaler graduated from Towson University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He began his career as a Registered Representative (Stockbroker) for a member firm of the New York Stock Exchange.  At Van Sant & Mewshaw, he is responsible for helping families protect and grow their financial assets as well as providing assistance with various financial planning and estate planning techniques.

He is presently serving as the Treasurer for the Towson University Foundation Board and has served on the investment committee for the University’s endowments for a number of years. Previously he served 3 years as the Towson University Alumni Association’s president and served on the board of directors for almost 10 years. In 2005 he was recipient of the Spirit of the University Award.

In addition to volunteering at Towson University, he is also a past participant of the BJC Leadership development program and serves on the Board of Directors for the York JCC. In 2006 he was selected by the Baltimore Business Journal as one of the top “40 Under 40” for achievements.

Mr. Thaler has 13 years experience as an investment professional.

Rick F. Faby
Senior Investment Counsellor

Rick F. Faby was previously the Regional Executive and Managing Director of the Deutsche Bank Alex. Brown Baltimore office.  He spent 13 years as the Maryland Area Manager at Morgan Stanley, supervising 13 offices and 350 employees. He began his career in 1980 as a Registered Representative (Stockbroker) with Merrill Lynch. He is a lifelong Baltimore native and is a 1976 graduate of Mc Donogh School and a 1980 graduate of Franklin and Marshall College. He also is a graduate of the Witter-Wharton school of Senior Management. He is founder and board member of the Chesapeake Soccer Club and is a board member of the B & O Railroad Museum.

He has held the following positions in the securities industry; Registered Representative (Stockbroker), Associated Person (Commodity Broker), Branch Manager NYSE, State Securities Agent, Investment Advisor Representative.

Mr. Faby has 30 years experience as an investment professional.