Sam Brownell, CVA, CFA, MBA has been a financial professional since 2006 and formed Stratus Capital Management in July 2013 to provide goals-based investment management to individuals and small businesses. As the firm grew, Sam began to focus on serving independent business owners in specific sectors, including the LBM and Hardware markets, who sought Sam’s advice on their own business growth issues, including valuation, tax strategy, business continuity planning and succession planning. In 2019, Sam obtained the CVA certification from the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (NACVA) in order to better serve his business clients valuation and succession planning needs.

Sam earned his BA in Economics from Loyola University in Maryland and his MBA from the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business. Prior to forming Stratus, Sam worked in trading and research at two investment banks, where he became a CFA Charterholder, and was an economic consultant analyzing structured financial products and other fixed income securities.

Sam and his wife Sara live in Kensington, Maryland, with their sons Felix and Finn. In his free time, Sam gives back to his community by coaching swimming and volunteering on two non-profit boards. He is also an avid fly fisherman.