Our Principals

Stephan Ernharth, JD, AIFA®

Since joining the Ernharth Group in 1987, Stephan has focused on working with entrepreneurs, professionals, and other individuals to help them achieve their unique personal financial goals. In line with the Ernharth Group philosophy, Stephan’s approach to his clients’ investment portfolios has been to take a comprehensive view of today’s financial and economic world. He also applies a broad based historical perspective focusing on human behavior and its likely effects on the economy and markets – along with the repetitive nature of cycles. This approach is utilized in analyzing current economic, financial, and political events as they unfold.

To quote Harry S. Truman, “There is nothing new in the world but the history you do not know.”

Over the years, Stephan’s clients have developed needs beyond those relating to their portfolios. Thus, he offers comprehensive consulting services in areas including estate planning, business purchase and succession planning, income and wealth preservation, insurance planning, retirement income planning, and tax reduction strategies, among others.

As a member of the Ernharth Group, Stephan has also been active in Pension & 401(k) Plan design – along with Fiduciary Investment Consulting. Stephan also holds the AIFA (Accredited Investment Fiduciary Auditor) designation.

Stephan Ernharth graduated from Westminster College in 1984. He then attended the Ohio Northern University Claude Pettit College of Law – from where he obtained his J. D. in 1987.

Ronald Ernharth, Ph.D.

Ronald L. Ernharth, Ph.D. began his financial career in 1974 and has an extensive background in 401(k), profit sharing, defined benefit and other qualified plan operations, as well as in both insurance and investments. A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, he received his Ph.D. in History from Columbia University. He is a member of RADA (Retirement Administration Designers of America) and the prestigious Million Dollar Round Table, and has been cited for numerous national quality and achievement awards.

In 1987, after nearly a decade as a partner in a firm providing related consulting services, it was time for Ron to realize his vision on his own when he parted ways and founded Ernharth & Associates, Inc. (EAI) Existing clients and staff served as the seed for one of the Western Pennsylvania regions’ premier third party administration and compliance firms. Not long after its creation, he was soon joined by son and attorney, Stephan. Both were joined a few years later by another son, Johannes.

Ronald lives in Franklin Park, a suburb north of Pittsburgh, with his wife, Margot.