J. Stephen Penner

My path in finance began after earning a degree in Finance from the University of Texas at Austin and serving proudly in the United States Marine Corps. That experience instilled a lifelong commitment to discipline, integrity, and service—principles that have guided my career for more than four decades.

I began in the institutional sales department at Smith Barney & Co. in New York City, gaining invaluable exposure to capital markets over six formative years. I later returned to Texas to join the Lowry Consulting Group as an institutional investment consultant. In a pivotal chapter of my career, my colleagues and I acquired Lowry and established LCG Associates, Inc., where I served as Founder, Principal, and Director. Headquartered in Atlanta, LCG grew into one of the nation’s premier independent institutional consulting firms, advising more than 75 corporations, endowments, and foundations with over $90 billion in assets under advisement.

Throughout my tenure at LCG, I led engagements for some of the firm’s largest clients—each managing more than $500 million—delivering strategic advice rooted in objectivity and long-term thinking. After retiring from LCG in 2000, I founded FAMCO, Inc., to bring high-quality, unbiased investment services to smaller pension plans and foundations often overlooked by large firms.

Fireside Capital Advisors was founded in 2015 with that same mission of providing thoughtful, personalized financial guidance. Today, I draw on decades of institutional consulting experience to serve families, nonprofits, and foundations with care and insight.   My career continues to be driven by a passion for building lasting client relationships and delivering tailored financial solutions. It’s a privilege to carry that mission forward at Fireside Capital Advisors.