The Sterling Capital Group

We invest in companies we believe in — and relationships that last

LOCATION
1401 S. Brentwood Blvd. Suite 700
St. Louis, MO 63144

A clear path to your financial future

Straightforward Onboarding, Transparent Fees, and Personalized Strategies. From your first interaction with Sterling Capital Group, our goal is to make the process clear and straightforward. Our onboarding is designed to be smooth and focused on aligning investment strategies with your lifestyle and financial goals. We begin with an introductory meeting to understand your financial situation, aspirations, and concerns. Once we have a clear picture, we gather relevant financial information to analyze your overall financial landscape and identify planning opportunities. We then present a proposal outlining how we suggest working together.

Upon becoming a client, we collaborate with you to develop a personalized Investment Policy Statement (IPS), a document that guides the management of your assets based on your investment objectives, risk tolerance, liquidity needs, and tax considerations.

Transparent Fees, Clear Structure

We offer a single, asset-based fee that covers our core services: investment management, financial planning, performance reporting, ongoing advice, and coordination with your other professionals such as accountants and attorneys. We do not charge trading commissions, and we avoid fund-level expenses by investing directly in individual stocks and bonds. This approach provides transparency and helps clients understand the full cost of their investment relationship.

Services

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What Sets Us Apart

At Sterling Capital Group, our mission is to act in your best interest by delivering personalized, transparent, and research-driven investment guidance.

We operate as fiduciaries, meaning we are legally and ethically obligated to put your interests first. Our compensation is not tied to product sales or commissions, but to the success of our advisory relationship. Many of our clients have worked with us for decades, and we are honored to serve multiple generations within families.

We believe investing requires patience, discipline, and a long-term perspective. Rather than reacting to market headlines or trends, we focus on understanding the businesses we invest in through detailed research and direct engagement with company leadership.

Our equity investment strategy is structured across three categories:

Core Holdings: Large, established companies with consistent financial performance, dividends, and global exposure.
Mid/Small Cap: Companies with growth potential and domestic market focus.
Micro Cap: Niche companies that may offer unique opportunities based on current fundamentals.

These categories represent strategic allocations and do not imply or guarantee specific investment outcomes.

“Built for generations, focused on yours”

Aligned Interests and Rigorous Research

We invest in the same companies as our clients, aligning our interests with yours. Our investment process includes hands-on research, industry engagement, and financial analysis to evaluate potential opportunities. We only invest after thorough due diligence and when we believe a company meets our investment criteria.

By investing directly in individual securities, our clients avoid the layered fees and expenses often associated with mutual funds and ETFs. We believe this approach provides greater transparency and control.

Interested in exploring a personalized wealth management approach?

Schedule a complimentary introductory meeting to learn how our transparent process, tailored investment planning, and holistic financial guidance can support your long-term goals.

We work to give you your own game plan
that involves building your own play book.

We build relationships that last. We partner with families across generations.

Financial Planning and Investment Strategies Tailored to Your Life and Goals

Holistic Services for Your Financial Picture

We provide comprehensive financial planning designed to help you evaluate your current financial situation, clarify long-term goals, and develop a strategic plan tailored to your needs.

Our planning process gives us a broad view of your financial life, allowing us to make recommendations that consider your full financial picture—not just isolated components. We aim to simplify complex financial matters and provide clear, actionable guidance that supports informed decision-making.

As your circumstances evolve, we regularly revisit and update your financial plan to reflect changes in your life, goals, or priorities. Our services extend beyond investment management to address a wide range of financial considerations.

Technology That Supports Relationships

We use the Charles Schwab platform for account custody and provide access to a secure client portal for performance tracking, document storage, and digital workflows. Schwab provides online access to your account. In addition, a secure Visionary client portal gives you access to performance, holdings, and other financial related documents.

This technology allows us to focus on meaningful conversations rather than administrative tasks.

Ongoing Education and Regular Reviews

We are committed to supporting your understanding of market dynamics and investment principles through regular communication and educational materials.

Each year, you’ll receive a performance report and a detailed letter summarizing market activity, your portfolio’s performance, and general insights into selected holdings. These insights are provided for informational purposes only and are not intended as investment recommendations.

Throughout the year, we may also send periodic updates to keep you informed of relevant developments.

We prioritize annual review meetings to revisit your Investment Policy Statement, discuss any changes in your financial situation, and ensure your investment strategy remains aligned with your goals.

We believe in three core principles:

Integrity:

Integrity means doing what’s right, even when no one is watching. It’s about honesty, strong moral principles, and protecting clients’ best interests at all times.

Partnership:

Partnership is working side by side, building strong relationships through open communication and teamwork. Success comes from mutual respect and always supporting one another.

Excellence:

Excellence means striving to deliver the highest quality in everything we do. It’s about continuous improvement, attention to detail, and going beyond expectations to achieve outstanding results for our clients and partners.

Sterling Capital Group Team

Bill Lauber

Partner, Sr. Wealth Management Advisor | Sterling Capital Group

Bill is a Senior Wealth Management Advisor with over 55 years’ experience in the industry. He began his professional career in 1970 as an Account Executive with Merrill Lynch. During his 12 years with the company, he was appointed Vice President and Manager of the Chesterfield, Missouri office. From 1982 to 1988, Bill was a Principal of Terril Lauber and Company, also serving as Chairman and Director of the firm’s Investment Committee. Bill founded Sterling Capital Management and served as its President and Chief Compliance officer for 30 years before joining Visionary Wealth Advisors.

Bill holds undergraduate and Master of Finance degrees from St. Louis University and was awarded membership in Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society.

Bill and his wife, Jan, live in St. Louis County. Their free time is spent with their two sons and five grandchildren.

Will Lauber

Partner, Sr. Wealth Management Advisor | Sterling Capital Group

As a member of the Sterling Capital Group, Will helps clients in their journey towards achieving life financial goals. He especially enjoys identifying individual investments that align with each client’s long-term strategy.

Will has worked in the investment industry since 2004. Before joining the industry, Will spent five years in various corporate planning, investor relations, and accounting roles. Before that, he worked as a public policy analyst and congressional aide.

Will holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Politics from Princeton University and a Master of Business Administration from Washington University in St. Louis.

Will and his wife and daughter live in Kirkwood, MO. He is an active member of St. Gerard Majella Parish where Will has served as President of the School Board and ran the CYC golf program for the parish. He is a member of the Princeton Club of St. Louis Board and served as the President. He currently serves as a Commissioner on the St. Louis County Boundary Commission, appointed by mayors of cities with populations over 20,000.

Mitchell Ellebrecht, CFP®

Wealth Management Advisor | Sterling Capital Group

As a Wealth Management Advisor at Sterling Capital Group, Mitchell plays a vital role in both client service and group operations. He focuses on acquiring new clients, managing day-to-day operations, conducting investment research, overseeing asset management, and delivering comprehensive financial planning. His aim is to help clients understand the complexities of wealth management, with the goal of providing clear guidance to support informed financial decision-making.

Mitchell’s passion for financial services began in high school when he shadowed Bill and Will Lauber—founders of Sterling Capital Group—at their previous firm. Over a decade later, after earning his finance and economics degrees from the University of Missouri and gaining experience at an investment firm in St. Louis, Mitchell joined the Sterling Capital Group to uphold the Lauber’s long-standing commitment to client service. In 2025, Mitchell earned his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification, further reinforcing his commitment to providing comprehensive, fiduciary-based guidance.

While at Mizzou, Mitchell discovered his passion for philanthropy through his fraternity’s support of ALS Association fundraisers. He continues to give back as a member of the Associates Board at the St. Louis Sports Commission, helping raise scholarship funds for high school athletes pursuing college or trade school education.

Outside the office, Mitchell enjoys golfing, spending time with friends and family, and cheering on St. Louis and Mizzou sports teams.

Natasha Kunkel

Director of Client Services | Sterling Capital Group

Natasha Kunkel serves as Director of Client Services for The Sterling Capital Group. She focuses on building relationships with clients, understanding their needs, and providing responsive support as those needs evolve.

Natasha chose the financial services industry to support clients throughout their financial journey with attentive service and clear communication.

She previously spent 10 ½ years in the banking industry serving clients as a branch manager and has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lindenwood University. Natasha lives in Glen Carbon, Illinois with her husband, two daughters, two dogs, and too many fish to count. They enjoy cheering on their eldest daughter during her sporting events, movie nights home with the family, splurging on a delicious gourmet meal, hosting and spending quality time with family and friends.