Our History
Headquartered just outside Chicago, Gar Wood Securities has been on a mission since its founding in 2004: offer institutional and individual traders exceptional service and trading, clearing and investment banking services that are personalized, comprehensive and cost-effective.
Established and led by seasoned financial service veterans, we’ve grown to 14 branch offices across the nation, all of the time focused on building enduring and productive relationships with our clients.
We are and always have been independent, allowing us to prioritize the needs of our clients and not be beholden to outside interests. Our efforts begin and end with our clients, because we’re only successful when they are.
Our Team
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Robert S. Jersey
Chief Executive Officer, President & Partner
Robert (Bob) founded Gar Wood Securities, LLC, in 2004 to serve money managers, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals. Bob is focused on investment banking opportunities in the cannabis industry.
He has more than 45 years of experience in the securities industry which he gained as a manager for ABN AMRO’s Prime Brokerage Unit, associate operations manager for Montgomery Securities, Business Manager for Chicago Corporation’s Correspondent Clearing Unit, and Business Manager at Bache & Co.
Bob currently holds the FINRA Series 7, 24, 53, 57, 63, and 79 licenses.
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Dennis Gerecke
Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President & Partner
Dennis has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry and is focused on client service and brokerage operations.
He co-founded Gar Wood Securities, LLC, after roles as Vice President and Manager of Client Services at ABN AMRO, Assistant Vice President of Correspondent Clearing at The Chicago Corporation, and Operations Manager at Gardner Rich & Co. He holds a BA in Business Administration from Lewis University.
Dennis currently holds the FINRA Series 3, 4, 7, 24, 57, and 63 licenses.
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Michael C. Tattas
Chief Compliance Officer, Senior Vice President & Partner
Michael (Mike) joined Gar Wood Securities, LLC, in 2007 to oversee the firm’s clearing securities regulation and risk management. He has been in the financial services industry since 1986.
Mike has been Chief Compliance Officer and Financial Principal of Turning Point Securities and he served in the market regulation department at the Chicago Stock Exchange (CHX) and its subsidiaries.
Mike currently holds the FINRA Series 7, 24, 27, 57, 63, and 99 licenses.
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Bobby Jersey
Senior Vice President - Business Development and Client Relations & Partner
Bobby oversees the firm’s clearing relationship with Interactive Brokers, LLC. He helped Gar Wood expand its services to offer investors the ability to liquidate stocks on the Canadian Securities Exchange.
He joined Gar Wood Securities in 2010 as an operations associate. Bobby continues to explore other potential opportunities through his experience, knowledge and relationships of both the securities and cannabis industries.
Bobby currently holds the FINRA Series 7 license.
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Craig Gantar
Sales Manager & Senior Vice President & Partner
Craig joined Gar Wood Securities, LLC, in 2007 and oversees client services and sales for the firm.He has more than 20 years of experience in the securities industry and has worked at Terra Nova Financial LLC where he managed client onboarding and daily support. Craig has also worked on the Pension and Health and Welfare support desk at Hewitt Associates. He has a bachelor’s degree in communications from Columbia College.
Craig currently holds the FINRA Series 7, 24, 53, 57, and 63 licenses.
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Sherry Gouwens
Chief Administrative Officer, Senior Vice President & Partner
Sherry is a Partner and Senior Vice President at Gar Wood Securities, LLC, focusing on administration, financial operations, and compliance. She has more than 16 years of experience in the securities industry.
She worked at Turning Point Securities LLC and Sydan, LP, a Chicago Stock Exchange Member. She was Director of the Law Student Division at the American Bar Association, overseeing its financials, programs, publications, and three national competitions. She has a bachelor’s degree in organizational management from Calumet College in St. Joseph and a master’s degree in human resources from Loyola University of Chicago.
Sherry currently holds the FINRA Series 99 license.
Our Values
We’re a national firm built upon Midwest sensibilities. We value transparency, integrity, hard work and expertise. We demand it of ourselves and expect it from the partners with whom we work. In a constantly changing world, our commitment to enduring standards of service provides clients with a solid foundation they can build upon. At Gar Wood, we’ve created a business that is personal. We stake our reputation on it.
Our Mission
To remain worthy of our clients’ trust by delivering innovative, customized financial solutions and service that drive success.
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