Sterling Investment Management, LLC

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Client assets under management

$354,338,535

Clients

139

53% high-net worth

Advisors

of 8 employees

Firm type

Supported

1-3 advisors or $200M+ in AUM

Clients per advisor

Typical

Average account size

$2,549,198

About

Sterling Investment Management provides discretionary investment management and financial planning/consulting to a mix of high-net-worth individuals, individual investors, and institutional clients such as endowments, foundations, corporations, and pension/profit-sharing plans. The firm manages approximately $409 million in client assets and structures individually customized portfolios across equities, fixed income, and alternative securities.

The firm’s approach is research-driven and value-oriented, combining top-down macroeconomic analysis with disciplined fundamental security research and a business-owner perspective to seek long-term total returns. Portfolios are tailored to each client’s risk tolerance and objectives and may employ municipal and private-placement debt, ETFs for hedging, and limited alternative strategies (including options and short selling) for diversification.

Noteworthy details in the brochure include explicit use of municipal and private-placement debt within the investable universe and disclosure that senior professionals publish investment strategy overviews and research communications, a periodic publication practice that is uncommon among peers. The firm also discloses principals’ minority interests in private investment limited liability corporations and offers both ongoing asset management and separate hourly or flat-fee consulting, indicating a broader set of services than many similarly sized advisors.

Client services

Financial planning Portfolio management Newsletters or periodicals

Expertise

Private / alternative investments Concentrated stock management

Occupation focus

Founder/Business Owner Executive

Fee options

Fixed

Flat fees may be charged for consulting but usually covered under advisory fee for managed assets.

Percentage

$0 - $5,000,000: 1.00% $5,000,000 - $10,000,000: 0.95% $10,000,000+: Negotiated

Project-based

$500 per hour for consulting services outside normal advisory agreements.

Other

Account minimum: $1,000,000 Minimum fee: $10,000 annual minimum fee Fee-only: Investment advisory fees with no commissions; firm does not receive compensation for securities transactions.

Main office location

Sterling Investment Management, LLC

6262 North Swan Rd., Suite 210

Tucson AZ 85718, United States

Number of offices

Most active in

Arizona · California · Colorado · Oklahoma

Disclosures

Business activities & affiliations

Is not active or affiliated with:

Insurance agent

They sell insurance products and may earn commissions on those sales.

Broker-dealer / trader

They provide brokerage services and may earn transaction-based compensation in addition to advisory fees.

Bank

They're affiliated with a bank that may offer its own financial products and services.

Trust company

They provide trust and estate administration services, typically for separate fees.

Fund sponsor

They manage or sponsor investment funds and may earn management or performance-based fees if clients invest in them.

Accountant / CPA / tax prep

They offer tax and accounting services, typically for separate fees.

Lawyer

They provide legal services, typically billed separately.

Real estate agent

They facilitate real estate transactions and may earn commissions.

Other specialized services

They may provide services such as pension consulting or municipal advisory work, typically for separate fees.

Forms ADV

Form ADV Part 2: Client Brochure Form ADV Part 3: Client Relationship

Quick links

LinkedIn Website 520-293-3311

Advisors at this firm

Ross P

CFP®, ChFC®, Series 66

Tucson, AZ

Sterling Investment Management, LLC

Ross Patterson is a CFP® and ChFC® with nine years of industry experience. He has worked at Sterling Investment Management, LLC since 2021 and previously spent six years at LPL Financial, LLC. Sterling Investment Management is an independent, research-driven boutique serving individual and institutional clients, including high-net-worth individuals, trusts, and public entities. The firm offers discretionary investment management and financial planning with a value-oriented, long-term approach tailored to clients’ risk tolerance and objectives.

Private / alternative investments Concentrated stock management Founder/Business Owner Executive

John P

CFA®, Series 65

Tucson, AZ

Sterling Investment Management, LLC

John Payne is a CFA® charterholder and holds a Series 65 license with 28 years of industry experience. He has been with Sterling Investment Management, LLC since 1995. Sterling Investment Management is an independent, research-driven boutique that provides discretionary investment management and financial planning to individual and institutional clients. The firm applies a value-oriented, business-owner perspective with a long-term investment horizon, tailoring portfolios to client risk tolerance and objectives.

Private / alternative investments Concentrated stock management Founder/Business Owner Executive

Arumayta A

CFA®, Series 65

Tucson, AZ

Sterling Investment Management, LLC

Arumayta Arguello is a CFA® charterholder with 11 years of industry experience. She has worked at Sterling Investment Management, LLC since 2015 and is part of a four-advisor team based in Tucson, AZ. Sterling Investment Management provides discretionary investment management and financial planning to individual and institutional clients, including high-net-worth individuals, trusts, foundations, and public entities. The firm applies a value-oriented, research-driven approach with a long-term investment horizon and offers customized portfolios tailored to clients’ risk tolerance and objectives.

Private / alternative investments Concentrated stock management Founder/Business Owner Executive

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