Management Team

Our team is focused on providing Family Offices, financial professionals and High Net Worth investors with sophisticated financial tools for managing wealth.

C. Edward Van Deman, CIPM, CPA, PFS, CGMA, MBA

As CEO and Co-Founder, Ed is responsible for Forest Systems corporate strategy and implementation. Edward’s entire career has been devoted to building and using financial reporting systems. In 1983, he co-founded Financial Navigator, Inc. and introduced the first integrated general ledger accounting and portfolio management software solution to the High Net Worth marketplace. 

Ed received the Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement (CIPM) designation awarded by the CFA Institute in 2010. In 2013, he was tapped to serve as a member of the CIPM Association Advisory Council because of his strong background in investment performance reporting. Ed is also a licensed CPA and has earned the Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) credential certified by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). He also holds the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designation.

Prior to co-founding Financial Navigator, Inc., Ed was a Registered Investment Advisor with a leading investment management firm in Northern California where he served High Net Worth clients. His career began as a CPA with KPMG in New York City. Ed holds an MBA (with Distinction) from New York University, and has done post-graduate work in finance and information technology at the University of Chicago and in the Stanford University Executive Management program for high-tech executives. Ed also holds a B.S. in Mathematics from Davidson College.

David Campbell, BS

As the Chief Technology Officer, David brings a diversified background to Forest Systems, having developed complex technical products for companies ranging from startups to the Fortune 500.  He has developed technology strategies for both individual products and product lines and has led technology teams developing internet security products, high-availability data management products, and complex data analysis and simulation products.  His customers have commented on the high quality and dependability of the solutions he has delivered and he was also the Executive Sponsor for some of those companies’ top customers.  Under his leadership, a previous company won recognition as a semi-finalist at the Cleantech Open Accelerator Program.

Prior to joining FNI, David held positions as Vice President of Engineering and Product Development at software and hardware companies in Silicon Valley.  He has delivered the keynote address at several technology conferences and has been a panelist discussing technology vision and customer concerns.  David holds a B.A. in Mathematics from San José State University and a Certificate in Advanced Management from Stanford University.

Daniel Serrano, BA, MBA

As Senior Client Service Engineer, Daniel demonstrates how sophisticated technology can provide control and efficiency for accounting professionals, while delivering timely, accurate and meaningful reports to sophisticated investors. While he has the title of an engineer, Daniel has strong accounting skills from his training and experience. He enjoys using his technical abilities along with active listening skills to identify and address client concerns.  This is how he can ensure the client’s needs are met. In those roles, his fluency in Spanish proved to be of great value when working with clients from Latin and South American.

Daniel began his tenure at Financial Navigator, Inc. as an Accountant Associate and Technical Support technician.  There he helped clients resolve a diverse range of technical and accounting issues. He later worked at Asset Vantage. PLC and at Sage-Intacct as part of their Support and Implementation teams before joining Forest.   

A native of Silicon Valley, Daniel holds an MBA from California State University Eastbay and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from San Jose State University.

Kevin Whalen, CPA (inactive), CGMA, MST, MSRED

As a lead member of the Communications Team for the Company, Kevin brings a wealth of experience in financial management and reporting from his time as a member of senior management at various companies.  With extensive executive experience in managing people, projects, budgets, and relationships, his expertise and energy benefit the company at all levels.

Kevin was previously a Senior Manager with Ernst & Young before working in the fields of commercial real estate and project financing. He also operated his own financial consulting firm for almost a decade.

Kevin has practiced as a Certified Public Accountant and Chartered Global Management Accountant. He earned a M.S. in Taxation from Bentley University, as well as a M.S. in Real Estate Development from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He holds a B.B.A. in Accounting from the University of Notre Dame.

John Van Deman, BS, MS

As Director of Product Management and Co-Founder of Forest, John has played an integral role in the development of the Forest platform. He has more than 40 years of programming and project management experience, including extensive experience with investment management and accounting systems development.

Prior to Forest Systems, John was a co-founder of Financial Navigator, Inc. and played a major role in product development there for 30 years.    John was a captain in the U.S. Air Force and worked in manufacturing. He graduated from North Carolina State University with a M.S. in Operations Research and a B.S. in Computer Science.

Maris Thomas, BS, CPA (inactive)

As an Implementation Consultant, Maris provides in-depth knowledge and support to Forest  clients as they incorporate our software into their financial reporting and investment management processes. Maris’ background as a CPA, coupled with extensive experience using various accounting solutions, allow her to provide best practices and personalized service to both domestic and international clients.

Maris has worked in the high-net-worth and small business arena for over 25 years. She has helped clients at every step of the process to develop accurate and reliable accounting systems. She previously worked as Manager/Internal Controller at Arthur Andersen, owned her own accounting practice and served as Assistant Controller for a large, family-owned business. Maris holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Arizona State University.

Donald Kaplan, CPA, MBA

As a Software Consultant, Don brings over 40 years of experience to Forest. He has worked the last 15 years as Vice President and CFO of a Single Family Office and as a customer of Financial Navigator. Prior to that, Don served as a member of senior management at several public and private companies, in addition to working for a National CPA firm and a large financial software provider as Accounting Manager. He also was a principal in a leveraged buyout of a large service company that was later successfully sold to a NYSE company.

Don holds a CPA license from the State of Florida, a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting, and a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Investments, both from the George Washington University in Washington D.C.

Luke Van Deman, BA

As a Marketing Consultant, Luke Van Deman brings extensive experience in creating engaging, informative user experiences that allow prospects and clients alike the opportunity to connect, learn, and achieve their desired results through online and offline experiences. Luke works alongside all departments and team members of Forest Systems to help build better client-centered solutions.

Luke grew up in Silicon Valley and attended the University of Colorado at Boulder. In addition to majoring in Creative Writing, he was part of the first graduating class for the Tech, Art and Media Atlas Program at the University. Luke has worked for a Boulder, Colorado start-up as well as an advertising agency in Denver. He has operated his own web development and marketing firm since 2009.

Tavie Kittredge

As an intern, Tavie Kittredge brings her studies in Computer Science and English at Davidson College to technology communications at Forest Systems. Although new to the world of finance, Tavie’s work as a treasurer of her college eating house drives her passion for developing effective tools for financial management.