Neal McNeil III, CIMA, CFP
Neal McNeil III is a Founding Partner, Certified Investment Management Analyst, Certified Financial Planner and is
the Chief Investment Officer of Ibis Capital.
Neal has served as a financial advisor for wealthy families and middle market business owners for 15 years. He is the
head of Ibis Capital’s asset management committee, and is responsible for the day-to-day management of our client
portfolios. Additionally, Neal is a key board member of Stratus Wealth Partners’ investment committee.
Neal started his career at Morgan Stanley in 1997, focusing on sophisticated, high net worth clients trading in
derivatives. At 25 years old, Neal was awarded the title of Vice President, making him the youngest consultant to
earn that title. With his early success and respect amongst his peers in the investment community, Neal was
recruited to Smith Barney to help build out their high end client base in San Diego. At Smith Barney Neal added
partner Robert Meyer, who had a focus in comprehensive financial planning, to bring superior asset management and
planning together in one team. In 2003, Neal and Robert added a third partner, Ryan Clive-Smith, to run Business
Development for the growing team and subsequently formed La Jolla Group, a nationally recognized team at Morgan
Stanley Smith Barney. Neal earned the title of Senior Portfolio Manager, a designation reserved only for the most
elite portfolio managers at the firm. In 2012, Neal, Robert and Ryan left Morgan Stanley Smith Barney to start Ibis
Capital.
Neal has been a San Diego resident since 1977, attended Long Beach State University and graduated with the CIMA
designation from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. He is a voracious reader, selfadmitted “quant geek” and student of the market. Neal is actively involved in multiple charitable organizations
focused on underprivileged children. He is a pilot, golf enthusiast, a certified diver in SCUBA, and enjoys working out
at the gym and competing in triathlons.
Robert Meyer, CFP, CLU
Robert Meyer is a Founding Partner, Certified Financial Planner, Chartered Life Underwriter and is the Director of
Strategic and Financial Planning for Ibis Capital.
Robert has served as a financial advisor for wealthy families and middle market business owners for 14 years. He is
responsible for guiding clients through the comprehensive written financial planning process, including
retirement, estate planning, education and insurance planning. Robert also serves as a key member of Ibis Capital’s
investment committee, assisting in investment research, portfolio construction and matching the proper asset
allocation to the client’s tolerance for risk.
Starting his career with Morgan Stanley in 1998, Robert’s goal was to expose clients to a comprehensive financial
planning process in a time when other advisors were largely focused on trading internet stocks. Maintaining his
planning focus, Robert was recruited to Smith Barney where he joined portfolio manager Neal McNeil to bring
sophisticated asset management and planning together in one team. In 2003, Robert and Neal added third partner,
Ryan Clive-Smith, to run Business Development for the growing team and subsequently formed La Jolla Group, a
nationally recognized team at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. Committed to the financial planning process as a
Certified Financial Planner, Robert helps clients connect the aspects of their financial life with an overall strategy that
considers both their business and personal wealth management plans. Working with a client’s trusted legal and tax
advisors, he helps coordinate and implement a plan, and then monitors the plan frequently to ensure successful
implementation. As a Chartered Life Underwriter, he works closely with clients to determine their personal and
professional risk exposures. In 2012, Robert, Neal and Ryan left Morgan Stanley Smith Barney to start Ibis Capital.
Robert attended the University of Arizona where he earned his B.S. in Business Administration. He was born and
raised in San Diego and enjoys reading, playing tennis, politics and is a certified diver in SCUBA.
Ryan Clive-Smith, CFP
Ryan Clive-Smith is a Founding Partner, Certified Financial Planner, MBA Finance, and Director of Business
Development for Ibis Capital.
Ryan has served as a financial advisor for wealthy families and middle market business owners for 13 years. He is
responsible for being the client’s advocate throughout the process of meeting and understanding the capabilities of
our team. Ryan also serves as a member of Ibis Capital’s investment committee.
Ryan started his career at Prudential Securities after graduating from MBA school in 1999, focusing on corporate
executives of publicly held middle market firms in San Diego. Having developed significant client relationships and
with a slowdown in the public company arena, Ryan was recruited to Smith Barney to help expand the firm’s effort in
the underserved privately held middle market space (companies with annual revenues of $5-$100M), with a specific
focus on helping the business owner navigate through the sale of the business. Pursuing that focus, Ryan joined
forces with partners Neal McNeil and Robert Meyer in 2003 and subsequently formed La Jolla Group, a nationally
recognized team at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. Over the years, La Jolla Group built a team of specialists and
resource partners that focus exclusively on providing pre-liquidity and succession planning for privately held middle
market business entrepreneurs and their families. In 2012, Robert, Neal and Ryan left Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
to start Ibis Capital.
Originally from South Africa, Ryan received a full scholarship to run track and cross country at Kansas State
University, where he earned a marketing undergraduate business degree and an MBA in finance. Ryan continues to
maintain an active lifestyle and is still committed to running. This commitment has taken him back to South Africa 4
times to run the Comrades Ultra Marathon (56 Miles) to raise money for an organization close to his heart, the
Starfish GreatHearts Foundation. Starfish benefits the orphans of AIDS victims in South Africa, and after years of
raising money for them, he is now an active board member of Starfish USA. He is also involved with the Navy SEAL
Foundation and the YMCA Indian Princesses. Ryan lives in Point Loma with his wife Krista and their growing family.