John holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from West Virginia University and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Duquesne University. He is also a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Pennsylvania, is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary and holds his FINRA Series 6, 63 and 65 securities licenses.

John was Chief Executive Officer of Aris Corporation from 2003 until the Company’s acquisition by AssetMark on December 31, 2014.  Previously John held the positions of Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Aris.  Under John’s leadership, Aris grew from a regional investment advisory firm into a firm with a national presence and well known for providing innovative solutions and exceptional client service.   John and his team focused on providing clients with solutions to meet their unique needs, especially related to tax management.  John has most recently served as an Executive Vice President of AssetMark and as member of the Company’s Executive Leadership Committee.

Prior to joining Aris in 1999, John held executive level positions at PNC Bank and Ernst & Young, LLP.  At PNC Bank he held the positions of Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for the National Affinity Banking line of business and Chief Financial Officer for the Corporate Banking Line of Business, where he was responsible for more than $15 billion in assets. While at Ernst & Young, John was an audit manager and also served as one of the firm’s computer audit specialists. John regularly taught courses at the firm’s national education center.

John is a member of the Pennsylvania and American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and currently serves on the Board of the Christian Investment Forum.  John has served as the Finance Committee Chairman for the Centre County Salvation Army and has served in the same capacity for the Good Shepherd Roman Catholic Church of State College.

John and his wife of 29 years, Shelley, have four adult children and reside in State College, Pennsylvania.  As a family, the Battaglia’s believe in providing service to others.  For ten years, they served as foster parents, and foster brothers and sisters through the Centre County Children and Youth Services Bureau and have welcomed numerous children into their family.