News & Announcements

01.08.2024

Appleton Partners Strengthens Municipal Investment Team

Whitney Pearce Fitts, CFA,

Named Head of Municipal Portfolio Management

James C. Quealy, CFA,

Named Head of Municipal Trading

BOSTON (January 8, 2024) – Appleton Partners, Inc., a privately-owned and operated investment advisor based in Boston, MA with $12.6 billion under management1 announced today the elevation of two senior members of the municipal investment team who are taking on newly created roles to solidify the firm’s focus on long-term growth.

Whitney Pearce Fitts, CFA, has been named Head of Municipal Portfolio Management. She joined Appleton Partners in 2003 and will now lead the tax-exempt portfolio management process working closely with a team of experienced investment professionals. Whitney is a member of the CFA Institute, National Federation of Municipal Analysts, and the Boston Municipal Analyst Forum.

James C. Quealy, CFA, has simultaneously been named Head of Municipal Trading. He has been with Appleton Partners since 2004 and has extensive experience in the tax-exempt markets as a Trader, Portfolio Manager, and Analyst. Jim will lead Municipal Trading, a function that remains tightly integrated with Portfolio Management and Credit Research. He is a member of the CFA Institute and the Boston Municipal Analyst Forum.

Whitney and Jim both report to Anson Clough, CFA, Managing Director of Fixed Income, who oversees all aspects of fixed income management. Anson emphasized, “these changes elevate the roles of two senior members of our investment team and are designed to ensure our portfolio management and trading expertise remains best-in-class as the firm grows.”   

Concurrently, Gary Crofton, Portfolio Manager, is retiring from Appleton Partners on January 15th after a long, distinguished municipal investment career. He joined the firm in 2009 and has been a highly valued colleague and resource for Appleton’s clients for many years. Anson expressed, “we wish Gary and his family the best in his retirement and are grateful for his many contributions to our business and the industry at large. Gary and I have been working together to ensure a smooth transition.”

CONTACT: 

Robert Krantz, (617) 303-0788, [email protected]

ABOUT APPLETON PARTNERS, INC.

Appleton Partners is a 100% employee-owned and operated investment advisor founded in 1986 and located in Boston, MA.  Entrusted with over $12.6 billion of investor assets1, Appleton Partners manages customized separate accounts for individual and institutional investors, while also serving the financial planning and wealth management needs of private clients.

  1. As of January 1, 2024
Appleton is proud to announce that our firm was identified as the 5th largest fee-only RIA in the Northeast Region by Investment News for 2023.
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of James Ladge, CFA on September 29, 2023, after a courageous battle with an aggressive illness. On behalf of everyone at Appleton Partners, please join us in keeping Jim’s family in your thoughts.
Appleton is extremely proud of our team and the hard work they put in to making our client experiences top notch. We also recognize the amazing work they put in outside the office and are thrilled to highlight a few recent accomplishments.