Founder + Principal
D. Douglas Close
Mr. D. Douglas Close is the founder and president of Gryphon Advisors. With over 34 years of experience in the financial services industry, he has been responsible for planning, building, and protecting generations of wealth for both individuals and companies. Doug specializes in domestic and international tax planning, investment planning and management, debt and cash flow management, strategic and operational business planning, as well as implementing compensation, succession planning, and other valuable services for his clients.
Doug has an extensive background in the world of financial planning. Before he formed Gryphon Advisors in 2005, he was president of Takaki Close and Associates, Ltd. He has held various positions throughout the financial planning sector, focusing his efforts on a comprehensive, fee-only service structure to best benefit his diverse range of clients.
Doug is both a Certified Public Accountant as well as a Certified Financial Planner. He graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
When he’s not running Gryphon Advisors, Doug can be found cycling as well as coaching young athletes in the sport. He is especially proud that he has coached several National Champions over the last 30 years. Doug and his wife Karen have three daughters and live in Lake Forest.
ddclose@gryphonadvisors.net
Principal + Managing Advisor
Anthony J. Sapienza
Anthony joined Gryphon in 2004 soon after completing an internship with Harris Bank and Trust. Prior to starting his career with Gryphon, he attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he majored in Finance with a focus on investments and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He is a principal at the firm, holds the Certified Financial Planner designation and, as a member of Gryphon’s advisory team, focuses on portfolio management. Anthony employs a pragmatic approach to address clients’ varied financial needs and goals. He lives in Highland Park with his wife and two children, enjoys spending time outdoors with his family, and is a devoted Cubs, Bears and Badgers fan.
ajsapienza@gryphonadvisors.net
Principal + Managing Advisor
John P. Swee
John joined Gryphon in 2008 after graduating from Northwestern University. He is a Principal at the firm, focusing on complex planning and investment management. He earned the Certified Financial Planner designation in 2012 and an MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business in 2021, where he was an Amy and Richard F. Wallman Scholar with High Honors and received the Award for Finance, given to the graduating Evening /Weekend MBA student with the best scholastic record in finance. He lives in Lake Forest and is an active member of the Northwestern and Booth alumni communities.
jpswee@gryphonadvisors.net
Associate – Tax + Administration
Roderick R. Relucio
Since 1998, Rod has specialized in tax administration for Gryphon’s clients. He has been an Enrolled Agent with the Internal Revenue Service since 2012. Rod lives in Chicago’s West Rogers Park neighborhood. When not wrestling with tax code, Rod in his free time teaches and performs Argentine Tango domestically and internationally – from New Orleans to India.
rrrelucio@gryphonadvisors.net
Associate – Client Services + Administration
Gregory J. Delia
Greg leads client administration, client scheduling, and new client transition. He joined Gryphon in 2006, and earned his Financial Para-planner designation in 2010 through the College of Financial Planning. He lives in Bristol, Wisconsin with his wife and three children, enjoys baseball and being with his family. Go Cubs!!
gdelia@gryphonadvisors.net
Associate – Client Services + Administration
Trevor D. Fleck
Trevor has served as a primary point of contact for client requests since joining Gryphon in 2017. He supports the advisory team with implementation. Trevor studied at Eastern Illinois University, where he majored in Finance, and interned at Coyle Financial Counsel. He lives in the north suburbs of Chicago, is an avid Blackhawks fan, and spends his free time writing and playing music.
tdfleck@gryphonadvisors.net
Client Services + Administration
Edward Storm
Edward Storm joined Gryphon in 2019 after graduating from Northern Illinois University (NIU) with a B.S. in Finance. Having a passion for strategy and numbers, Edward served as Vice-President of the Chess Club at NIU and Treasurer of the Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity, where he advised members on their financial status and served as liaison to the University. One of his most fulfilling positions during college was Chess Teacher at St. Mary’s Catholic School is Sycamore, Illinois, where he taught chess strategy to children ages seven to ten.
His combination of finance knowledge and outstanding interpersonal skills makes Edward an ideal primary point of contact for Gryphon clients. Edward lives in the northern suburbs of Chicago, and continues to pursue all types of learning, fitness, and strategy games—his free time is spent reading, running, and competing in chess.
estorm@gryphonadvisors.net
