People

This is KAR. Our wealth and investment management approach defines us. But it is our people that embody our spirit. Ever passionate, curious, and responsible…and not just at work.

Executive Management

View another team
I love to cook and can prepare a mean halibut osso buco and chicken biryani.Learn more.

Spuds Powell, CPWA®

Managing Director
I played professional soccer for the California Jaguars in Salinas, CA.Learn more.

Randy Allen

Senior Wealth Advisor
I'm into cars and once won a new Porsche Boxster in a nationwide drawing.Learn more.

Darnel J. Bentz

Senior Wealth Advisor
I am an avid golfer and used to play on the University of St Andrews golf team.Learn more.

Curt M. Biren, CPWA®

Senior Wealth Advisor
I started learning about investing when my best friend in high school told me he got his new car with profits from trading. Decades later I found out he got it from his parents, but I was already hooked.Learn more.

Brian Chang, CFA, CFP®

Senior Wealth Advisor
My family and I were contestants on the game show the Family Feud.Learn more.

Thomas E. Connaghan, III

Senior Wealth Advisor
My bucket list includes traveling to 100 countries. So far I am at 35.Learn more.

Dustin Gale, CFP®, CPWA®

Senior Wealth Advisor
I rode a 2-day, 200-mile bike ride to benefit cancer research.Learn more.

Kevin O'Regan, CFP®, CIMA®

Senior Wealth Advisor
I once took a road trip from Utah to Maine using the book “Eat Your Way Across the USA” as a map.Learn more.

Sam Waltman, CFA, CFP®, CEPA®

Senior Wealth Advisor
In my last year of college, my landlord was a Four Seasons Chef. We had an arrangement that I would handle all of his personal finances in exchange for meals. Learn more.

Thomas Pontius, CFP®

Senior Financial Planner
I love sci-fi - I have watched every episode of every Star Trek series.Learn more.

Grace Apuy, CFP®

Wealth Advisor
I am an active volunteer at NKLA animal shelter in West LA. In 2020 I fostered ten dogs (not all at once)!
Learn more.

Carina Berlin, CFP®, CPWA®

Wealth Advisor
I am an outdoor enthusiast and have camped in 10 national parks so far.Learn more.

Oren Cabir, CFA

Wealth Advisor
I spend all my free time riding my horse, Bailando, preparing him for the show ring.Learn more.

Bridget E. Costello, CFP®

Wealth Advisor
I can tell the brand of a root beer by taste alone. Learn more.

Dallin Garner, CFP®

Wealth Advisor
I lived and worked in Argentina and Hong Kong. I have a great appreciation for diversity and our commonality.Learn more.

Margaret Richardson, CFP®

Wealth Advisor
My wife and I grew up in the same hometown. We went to the same junior high, high school and college. Learn more.

Tyler Sterk, CPA, CFP®

Wealth Advisor
Learn more.

Russell Toth

Wealth Advisor
My wife studied abroad in Sevilla, Spain the last five months of our dating relationship. I surprised her by showing up and proposing.Learn more.

Matt Day, CFP®

Wealth Advisor Associate
I'm a dedicated yogi, always seeking balance and mindfulness both on and off the matLearn more.

Maliha Bukhari

Financial Planner
I have been all over the world on bicycle.Learn more.

Stephen A. Rigali, CFA

Executive Managing Director and member of the Executive Management Committee
I was born in Ethiopia and have lived in 4 countries and traveled to 36.Learn more.

Jeannine Vanian

Chief Operating Officer and member of the Executive Management Committee
I enjoy photography and have pictures from my travels around the world. I have also been the company fantasy football champ four times and counting.Learn more.

Craig Stone

Chief Investment Officer, Portfolio Manager, Senior Research Analyst and member of the Executive Management Committee
I enjoy photography and have pictures from my travels around the world. I have also been the company fantasy football champ four times and counting.Learn more.

Craig Stone

Chief Investment Officer, Portfolio Manager, Senior Research Analyst and member of the Executive Management Committee
I have a fear of heights. No ferris wheels or lighthouses for me. Learn more.

Todd Beiley, CFA

Head of Research, Portfolio Manager and Senior Research Analyst
I was born in the American Hospital... in Paris! Learn more.

Julie Biel, CFA

Chief Market Strategist, Portfolio Manager and Senior Research Analyst
I am a Fantasy Football fanatic wrapped tightly around my two daughters' little fingers.Learn more.

Chris Armbruster, CFA

Portfolio Manager and Senior Research Analyst
I am a huge baseball fan (Dodgers!) and own over 20,000 baseball cards.Learn more.

Jon K. Christensen, CFA

Portfolio Manager and Senior Research Analyst
Learn more.

Noran Eid

Portfolio Manager and Senior Research Analyst
I lived six years in Germany as a child, and I eat my fries with mayo.Learn more.

Hyung Kim

Portfolio Manager and Senior Research Analyst
I can’t live without humor. I adore Mark Twain. On special occasions, I write humorous poems for friends and family.Learn more.

Julie Kutasov

Portfolio Manager and Senior Research Analyst
I like to go on hikes with my kids and follow Boston sports teams.Learn more.

Richard Sherry, CFA

Portfolio Manager and Senior Research Analyst
I served 6 years in the Marine Corps Reserve as an anti-tank assaultman.Learn more.

Craig Thrasher, CFA

Portfolio Manager and Senior Research Analyst
I knew I wanted to work in finance after my 5th grade class did a stock picking challenge. Learn more.

Chris Wright, CFA

Portfolio Manager and Senior Research Analyst
I love written and spoken word. I learned English when I moved to America as a child mostly from reading books and performed in school productions in my teens.Learn more.

Adam Xiao, CFA

Portfolio Manager and Senior Research Analyst
Growing up, I spent 7 years attending music in addition to regular school. I am a big fan of singing -- you are likely to find me at a local karaoke spot! Learn more.

Katie Advena

Research Analyst
Christopher Nolan is my favorite director, I’ve seen all of his films.Learn more.

Tyler K. Cantarano

Research Analyst
I like to surf, ski and run with the hope that staying active will promote an enduring vigor to keep up with my wife and daughter.Learn more.

Sean Dixon

Research Analyst
I ran track in college and hope to run a marathon in the next year.Learn more.

David Forward

Research Analyst
I enjoy taking multi-day hiking trips either close to home in the Sierras or in other mountain ranges in the U.S. and abroad. Learn more.

Sean Pompa, CFA

Research Analyst
I love to visit zoos and public aquariums. I even keep my own coral reef tank.Learn more.

Arthur Su, CFA

Research Analyst
I have a U.S. Treasury Savings Bond issued on the day of my birth pinned to my fridge – a gift from my Grandfather. Learn more.

Mitch Vogt, CFA

Research Analyst
I love food but I am quite a picky eater. I love going to and trying new restaurants but I also love to cook and bake.Learn more.

Clarissa Ali

Associate Research Analyst
At the 1999 Ryder Cup, I was lucky enough to be at the 17th green when Justin Leronard hit the amazing 45 foot putt that clinched the victory for the US.Learn more.

James B. May, CFA

Managing Director, Client Portfolio Manager
I enjoy using my creative side: Building giant Lego ships, carving intricate pumpkins, making big cakes…I even built a wall in my backyard.Learn more.

Kimberly C. Friedricks

Managing Director, Fixed Income
My friends add me to trivia teams as the random historical fact expert.Learn more.

Michael Montgomery, CFA

Senior Fixed Income Trader
I have been all over the world on bicycle.Learn more.

Stephen A. Rigali, CFA

Executive Managing Director and member of the Executive Management Committee
I enjoy photography and have pictures from my travels around the world. I have also been the company fantasy football champ four times and counting.Learn more.

Craig Stone

Chief Investment Officer, Portfolio Manager, Senior Research Analyst and member of the Executive Management Committee
I was born in Ethiopia and have lived in 4 countries and traveled to 36.Learn more.

Jeannine Vanian

Chief Operating Officer and member of the Executive Management Committee
I enjoy using my creative side: Building giant Lego ships, carving intricate pumpkins, making big cakes…I even built a wall in my backyard.Learn more.

Kimberly C. Friedricks

Managing Director, Fixed Income
I love to cook and can prepare a mean halibut osso buco and chicken biryani.Learn more.

Spuds Powell, CPWA®

Managing Director
I try to ski a new mountain every year.Learn more.

Andrew P. Grant

Director of Manager Research and Investment Solutions
I ran the LA Marathon in 2006 in my 20s and and more recently decided to dust off my running shoes to run the Berlin Marathon in 2021. Learn more.

Michael Shoemaker

Chief Compliance Officer
I'm into cars and once won a new Porsche Boxster in a nationwide drawing.Learn more.

Darnel J. Bentz

Senior Wealth Advisor
I try to ski a new mountain every year.Learn more.

Andrew P. Grant

Director of Manager Research and Investment Solutions
I am half Korean and a quarter Iroquois American Indian. I also have seven siblings.Learn more.

Michele Huber

Director - Client Services
I grew up in Germany and speak Armenian.Learn more.

Evans Raslanian

Client Service Supervisor
I want to have my own permaculture food forest and homestead farm.Learn more.

Mae Diapera

Senior Investment Advisor Associate
I am a pastry chef and I enjoy experimenting with new desserts in my free time. Learn more.

Lorrie Hanson

Senior Investment Advisor Associate
I can't live without BBQ chicken pizza.Learn more.

Alexander Mansfield

Senior Investment Advisor Associate
I love playing soccer and have played all throughout my youth, in high school (on 3 different teams at once) and some in college. Learn more.

Hannah McNally

Senior Investment Advisor Associate
I enjoy going to concerts. Among my favorite groups are Chicago, Hall & Oates and Earth, Wind and Fire.Learn more.

Beth Romer

Senior Investment Advisor Associate
I got to sing backup for Journey at the Hollywood Bowl!Learn more.

Danielle Wallius

Senior Investment Advisor Associate
We got married in Hawaii and have made it a tradition to go back every year to celebrate our anniversary.Learn more.

Darryl Yee

Senior Investment Advisor Associate
Learn more.

Mariah Fulmer

Investment Advisor Associate
I will be running my 6th marathon in Chicago in the Fall of 2023Learn more.

Cory Rayfield

Investment Advisor Associate
Learn more.

Esther Sung

Investment Advisor Associate
I am half Persian and half Mexican and a native Angeleno.Learn more.

Maryam Noori

Junior Investment Advisor Associate
I practiced archery in college and once hit a bullseye on a 80cm face from 13m.Learn more.

Marcus Wimberly

Junior Investment Advisor Associate
I am half Korean and a quarter Iroquois American Indian. I also have seven siblings.Learn more.

Michele Huber

Director - Client Services
I am a self-taught musician. I can play the guitar, bass guitar, drums and piano.Learn more.

Frank Lee, CFA

Chief Administrative Officer
Love my family and friends. Favorites: Disneyland, USC, Lakers, Star Wars & NintendoLearn more.

Jennifer Okutake

Senior Director of Portfolio Implementation
I recently got certified in open water scuba diving. Kowabunga!Learn more.

Bryan Dario, CFA

Senior Team Lead
I am an avid traveler and aviation enthusiast, and have traveled to 60 countries so far.
Learn more.

Joe Nazarian

Senior Portfolio Management Associate
I once worked as security for Grateful Dead Concerts (4 shows) at Ventura County Fairgrounds.Learn more.

Robert Ruiz

Senior Portfolio Management Associate
Learn more.

William Chow

Portfolio Management Associate
I am a huge high school sports mom. I have 3 kids in high school who are heavily involved in sports, basketball, track, cross country and e-sports.Learn more.

Sharon Delgado

Portfolio Management Associate
In my spare time, I love to play online games competitively and watch E-sports such as League of Legends and Starcraft.Learn more.

Bruce Liu

Portfolio Management Associate
A collector of experiencesLearn more.

Joseph Aube

Senior Director of Equity Capital Markets and Trading
Despite being terrified of earthquakes, turbulence, and tsunamis, I love traveling to surf/ski all over the world especially countries along the Ring of Fire.Learn more.

Joanna Grzeskowiak

Senior International Equity Trader
Once while playing golf with my husband, I saw a bear and quickly decided I was OK losing the bet we had on the game. Learn more.

Olivia Song

Senior Institutional Equity Trader
I’m a big Tampa Bay Lightning fan.Learn more.

Andrew Stout

Senior International Equity Trader
Love my family and friends. Favorites: Disneyland, USC, Lakers, Star Wars & NintendoLearn more.

Jennifer Okutake

Senior Director of Portfolio Implementation
Learn more.

Nora Salazar

Team Lead
I enjoy crossfit, hiking and I even caught my first largemouth bass last year.Learn more.

Trina Vasquez

Senior Wrap Trader
Learn more.

Keith Carmona

Wrap Trader
Learn more.

Rikki McDaniels

Wrap Trader
Learn more.

Sean Samarasekara

Trade Associate
I love yoga, archery, tennis, crossword puzzles and brain teasers. My favorite thing to do is spending quality time with my family to explore new places and cultures.Learn more.

Kimberly Hoang

Senior Director of Operations
I love traveling. I have lived and worked internationally.Learn more.

Steven Lin

Team Lead – Senior Investment Operations Associate
My personal mantra is treat people the way you want to be treated.Learn more.

Roxane Clark

Senior Operations Associate, Performance
Before Season 4 of Game of Thrones started, I binge watched the first 3 seasons (30 episodes) in one weekend.Learn more.

Gary Reyes

Senior Operations Associate, Settlements
I hope to hike the John Muir Trail one dayLearn more.

Jason Wong

Senior Operations Associate
I enjoy long walks on the beach followed by two burgers from In-N-Out.Learn more.

David Hudson

Investment Operations Associate
I ran the LA Marathon in 2006 in my 20s and and more recently decided to dust off my running shoes to run the Berlin Marathon in 2021. Learn more.

Michael Shoemaker

Chief Compliance Officer
My bucket list includes entering a car rally, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, and visiting Antarctica.Learn more.

Thomas Licari, CFA

Compliance Director
Learn more.

Michael Byun

Compliance Director
I've had two books of poetry published by two small presses, and I've been published in multiple print and on-line journals.Learn more.

Adam Stutz

Marketing Compliance Manager
I enjoy hiking and traveling, my goal is to complete the Camino de Santiago.Learn more.

Nicolette Hayden

Compliance Manager
I grew up in Singapore and speak fluent Singlish on occasion (not a real language!)Learn more.

Karl Tan, CFA, FRM

Director of Performance, Analytics and Risk
I am a huge history buff and I have been to over twenty Renaissance Faires.Learn more.

Daniel T. Monahan

Investment Performance Analyst
I had the opportunity to teach in Sri Lanka at a vocational school from 1992-1993. My wife and I still love to travel internationally whenever feasible.Learn more.

Daniel J Kale

Managing Director, Information Systems
I've been caught talking to servers and network switches and experience euphoria at the Consumer Electronics Show once a year! I also play the guitar and love photography.Learn more.

Sean Grigorian

Director, IT Infrastructure
Learn more.

Mohnish Chand

Senior CRM Business Analyst
A born and bred vegetarian, I now enjoy fine dining in and around LA. When not doing that, I don't shy away from bringing my moves to the dance floor or the boxing dojo.Learn more.

Suyash Sathaye

Sr. Applications and Data Specialist Team Lead
I am a fan of strategic games. When I was in the fifth grade, I skipped school and played checkers with my uncle most of the time.
Learn more.

Aung OO

Sr. Applications and BI Specialist Team Lead
I love digging for vintage vinyl records. I've unearthed some true gems over the years including a Beatles butcher cover of Yesterday and Today.Learn more.

Brad Schoonmaker

Team Lead, Senior Infrastructure Services
I love working with my hands, the outdoors and being active. I participate in several 5k's for charity each year and am an avid alpine skier.Learn more.

Michael Walther

IT Infrastructure Specialist
I once rode cross country on bike from New Hampshire to Vancouver to raise money and awareness for affordable housing.Learn more.

Matthew Griego, CFA

Director, Strategic Initiatives
I was born and raised in Nigeria, West Africa. I speak four languages.Learn more.

Christiana Imafidon

Strategic Initiatives Specialist
RVing around the country with my family is one of my favorite things to do.Learn more.

Noel Phenicie, CPA

Director of Business Finance & Analysis
Baseball is my favorite sport. I played in college and still play on a wood bat league. Learn more.

Jorge Franco

Senior Financial Analyst
Let's Go Yankees!!!Learn more.

Glenn Santos

Senior Billing Associate
Learn more.

Katherine L. Nishi

Managing Director, Human Resources
I enjoy traveling and spending time with my family.Learn more.

Marie Roman

Office Manager/HR Liaison
I love boxing, the Dodgers, and the Lakers.Learn more.

Dion Brewster

Office Service Associate
I am triple A, all my names start with A. My middle name Asmarina, derives from Asmara, the capital city of Eritrea, where my father is from.Learn more.

Abigail A. Arefaine

Office Service Specialist
I am half Japanese and appeared with my family in a documentary about the Japanese American internment camps.Learn more.

Stephanie Gillman

Managing Director, Marketing and Communications
I love to travel and try to collect a Christmas ornament from places I go to.Learn more.

Trish Go

Senior Marketing Manager
I trained in kickboxing for a number of years and even competed in a couple of amateur tournaments.Learn more.

Stella Tan

Marketing Collateral Manager
I can write backwards/in reverse. Useless skill but good for winning bets at party games.Learn more.

Claire Alve

Senior Marketing Collateral Specialist
Learn more.

Vart Kiourktzian

Marketing Associate
I am fluent in Farsi! I love to travel and I studied abroad in Rome for 6 months during my undergrad experience. Learn more.

Soraya Amir

Marketing Associate
Completed two Spartan Races.Learn more.

Richard Wiener

Assistant Director - RFP
Learn more.

Nasra Ismail

Senior RFP Specialist