Chris Bellamy, CPA, CGMA

Focusing on the future has always been important to Chris’ leadership style — whether that means helping individuals at the firm grow in their roles or identifying market opportunities to better serve clients. He places great value on learning from others and remaining humble and flexible in his approach to guiding the strategic direction of a diverse group of professionals.

Chris began his career with Cohen & Company in 1999 and initially focused on providing audit and tax services to privately held business. In 2004, he helped establish the firm’s investment industry practice and played an important role in its growth, including the expansion into the Milwaukee, Chicago, New York City and Baltimore markets. Chris also served as a lead audit partner for many of the firm’s largest mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, private equity fund and alternative investment fund clients up until his appointment as CEO in 2022.

As CEO, Chris is always looking at the bigger picture, evaluating new ways to position the firm for long-term success. He is responsible for strategic direction, growth and development of the firm against three key areas: being the employer of choice, driving operational efficiency in client engagements, and serving as a premium provider in priority markets and industries.

• Greater Cleveland Partnership Board
• Greater Cleveland Sports Commission Board
• Community Foundation of Lorain County (Former Director and Investment Committee Chair)
• Ohio University
  • College of Business Executive Advisory Board
  • Finance Advisory Council (Past Member)
  • Finance Department Alumni of the Year (2018)
• Ohio Society of CPAs
• American Institute of CPAs
• Crain’s Cleveland Business 40 Under 40 award (2016)

Chris lives in Avon Lake, Ohio, with his wife and three children, and is an avid golfer and Cleveland sports fan. Chris has visited more than half of the Major League Baseball stadiums with his two sons with a goal of seeing them all before his youngest son turns 18.