MEET OUR TEAM

Hon Capital Group’s diverse team has over 80 years of combined management experience, with an elite client base of approximately 65 families. We have been recognized with financial services industry awards, honored for our community involvement and served as speakers at prestigious universities.
ROBERT HON

ROBERT HON

    • Managing Director - Investment Officer
    Rob has over 30 years of experience providing wealth management services to high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, families and business owners. He spent the first part of his career at Wayne Hummer Investments and later joined Credit Suisse in 2006, where he spent 10 years before joining Wells Fargo Advisors as Managing Director – Investment Officer, in 2016.

    Rob takes a comprehensive approach to wealth management, including estate planning strategies, retirement planning, tax-efficient investment strategies, and risk management. His primary focus is to help construct a long-term asset allocation plan within the context of a client’s personal financial goals and philosophical views on investing and social impact, while also considering shorter-term tactical opportunities and risks. As a PIM Portfolio Manager, he may also use a personalized investment strategy that involves the use of hedging strategies, which is custom tailored to each individual client’s unique needs.1

    Rob earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern Indiana and was chosen as the University’s 2016 Commencement speaker for the Business School. In addition, he attended the Universidad de Guadalajara in Jalisco, Mexico, where he studied language and international relations, of which he continues to study the effects of local culture and global business. He is registered in 52 states and territories and holds Series 4, 6, 7, 63 and 65 Securities Registrations.

    Away from the office, Rob is an avid mountain biker, and he is actively involved in giving back to his community. He co-founded Musicians 4 Musicians, a charity that partners with musicians and non-profits, and he is a Board Member of Up-Beat Music and Arts. Both groups provide a safe environment for children to learn the arts. Rob also volunteers for various organizations that support children’s health and well-being, including coaching many of his kids’ sporting activities. He and his wife, Stephanie, have five children, Catrina, Cassandra, and Derek (who are now grown), and twins, Camden and Alexandria, as well as two Labrador Retrievers, Kya and Emme.


    1The PIM program is not designed for excessively traded or inactive accounts, and may not be suitable for all investors. Please carefully review the Wells Fargo Advisors advisory disclosure document for a full description of our services. The minimum account size for this program is $50,000.
    2Wells Fargo Advisors is not a legal or tax advisor.
    EMANUEL ZALANTS

    EMANUEL ZALANTS

      • Associate Vice President - Investment Officer
      Emanuel has spent his career creating wealth management solutions for high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, families, and business owners. Before teaming up with Rob Hon, Managing Director – Investment Officer, in 2017, he was a financial advisor at Vanguard. His relationship with Rob spans over a decade.

      Emanuel helps his clients protect, build, manage and transition wealth. This is done through investments, risk management, and trust and estate planning strategies.1 His process begins by listening to his clients to uncover their needs and goals. He’ll then analyze their financial information and craft bespoke solutions. He has extensive industry resources and access to both internal and external specialists that assist in all areas of wealth management.

      Emanuel earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Furman University, where he was an active member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. He studied the E.U. and continues to follow it closely to analyze its effect on the global business community. In addition, he attended the Wake Forest School of Business, where he earned a Masters of Science in Management with a specialty in finance. He is registered in 52 states and territories and holds Series 7, 63, and 65 Securities Registrations.

      Away from the office, Emanuel is an avid arts and sports lover. You may find him playing to jam bands on his guitar, at the ballet with his wife, or out on the links trying to shoot par. Being a Cincinnati native, he continues to faithfully support his Bengals and is still waiting to witness them win the “big game.” Luckily, his other football team, Chelsea FC, has had much success in England and across Europe. He is also very passionate about international travel, having been to sixteen countries and counting. Being Greek, the island of Crete holds a special place in his heart, for that is where his family originated. He and his wife, Kristina, reside in North Carolina and have two dogs, Stella (Maltese) and Dante (Mini Sheepadoodle).


      1Trust services available through banking and trust affiliates in addition to non-affiliated companies of Wells Fargo Advisors. Any estate plan needs to be prepared and reviewed by an attorney who specializes in estate planning and is licensed to practice law in your state. Wells Fargo Advisors and Hon Capital Group of Wells Fargo Advisors do not provide legal or tax advice. This information is made available with the understanding that Wells Fargo Advisors and its affiliates are not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or tax advice. However, we will be glad to work with you, your accountant, tax advisor, and/or lawyer to help you meet your financial goals.
      GINA EYBEL

      GINA EYBEL

        • Client Performance Analyst
        Gina has over 16 years of experience in the financial service industry.  She joined Rob Hon, Managing Director – Investment Officer, in 2003 at Wayne Hummer Investments and later joined Credit Suisse with him in 2006, where they spent 10 years before departing to join Wells Fargo Advisors in 2016.
         
        Gina oversees the daily operations of Hon Capital Group of Wells Fargo Advisors and is primarily responsible for order execution, portfolio review, and performance reporting.  She is a key contact for client inquiries and communicates regularly with both clients and client affiliates—such as attorneys and CPAs—to help maintain client portfolios, including assets not under the team's management. 

        In addition, Gina helps create tailored investment proposals, and she also assists in managing and executing client investment programs for the team's actively managed portfolios.

        Her greatest fulfillment comes from establishing and strengthening client relationships, while delivering exceptional customer service. Gina enjoys getting to know clients and their families on a personal level.

        She graduated with honors from Loyola University Chicago, with a BS and an MBA. She also holds Series 7 and 63 Securities Registrations. Gina resides in the western suburbs of Chicago with her husband and three children.


        *Wells Fargo Advisors is not a legal or tax advisor.
        JULIE BYRNES

        JULIE BYRNES

          • Assistant Vice President
          Julie joined Wells Fargo Advisors in 2016, bringing 10 years of financial industry experience along with her. Previously, she worked at Merrill Lynch, Credit Suisse, and Wayne Hummer Investments, where she specialized in serving ultra-high-net-worth clients and family offices.

          Julie oversees the daily administrative duties for Hon Capital Group of Wells Fargo Advisors and completes a broad range of operational tasks for clients including: client onboarding, account maintenance, money transfers, RMDs, website inquiries, and assisting clients with year-end tax statements.

          Her attention to detail, valuable listening skills, and innate ability to streamline processes help provide the highest level of personalized attention each client deserves, while also providing clients with the timely execution of their service needs. She enjoys interacting with and getting to know clients on a personal level.

          Julie earned her BFA with honors from the University of Wisconsin Whitewater, and she currently holds FINRA Series 7, 63 and 66 Securities Registrations.

          Julie and her husband live downtown on the lakefront enjoying all that the great city of Chicago has to offer. They especially love getting out on their boat with their dog Spartacus in the summer and cheering on the Blackhawks in the winter.  Both are active members of the 100 Club of Chicago and Columbia Yacht Club.