Meet the Team

Selecting an investment advisor is an intensely personal decision and the basis for a long term relationship. Every one of our financial advisors has deep experience in the discipline of managing money. What sets these individuals apart is their commitment to your success. But your financial advisor has to know more than money. He or she has to know you. Your goals become their goals. It's about personalized service that’s all about you. And, it's about building trust and a long-term relationship.

Achieving a goal as important as your financial future takes more than just one person…it takes a team of dedicated professionals, each focusing their special skills on the many details that will drive your financial success. Your team breaks down into four roles. Let us introduce them to you.

Investment Advisors are your primary connection to us. Your advisor is your first resource for personal advice and your link to the many resources within StanCorp Investment Advisers.

Financial Analysts provide portfolio management support to the Investment Advisors as well as assist you with ongoing needs.

The Investment Research Team researches, selects and monitors all the investments we offer, assuring that each one meets our strict quantitative and qualitative selection criteria. They create the universe of investments we offer.

The Client Services Team is the glue in your portfolio. Responsible for overall account maintenance, the client services team assures that trades are executed, the paperwork is done and accurate reports are generated.

Melissa Brooks

San Francisco, California

Melissa has several years of experience working in asset management, supporting all aspects of client portfolio management and financial planning. Her educational background includes study at California State University-Sacramento and Yuba College as well as various courses to enhance her professional and technical skills.

Darron Kuehn

Lynnwood, Washington

Darron has been in the financial services industry for the last 12 years. He provides direct client planning services including preparation and maintenance of financial plans and management of investment portfolios. He holds degrees in both Accounting and Finance from Central Washington University. He is currently working towards his Certified Financial Planner^® designation.

Sara Prada

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Sara supports client planning services, including preparation and maintenance of financial plans. She also assists with client portfolio management. Sara’s background includes positions at Grant Thornton and the U.S. Peace Corps, where she served as a small business advisor. She passed her CFP^® board exam in 2009 and holds a MBA from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Zaur Akhriev, Investment Analyst

Portland, Oregon

Zaur provides investment research support to select and monitor investments, specializing in small cap, mid cap and specialty funds. Prior to joining StanCorp Investment Advisers in 2007, Zaur worked as a research analyst at CTC Consulting, a wealth management company for ultra high net worth families and also for US Bank in their retirement plan business. Upon completing high school in southern Russia, Zaur moved to Portland to attend Portland State University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Information Systems Quantitative Analysis.

Kent D. Bartell, CFA^®, Director, Investment Management

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Prior to joining StanCorp Investment Advisers, Kent was an Associate Portfolio Manager and a Vice President with Tisch Investment Advisory Incorporated. In addition to helping define the investment strategy of the Ann Arbor office and selecting investments for client portfolios, he devotes much of his time to the management of defined benefit pension portfolios. Kent’s previous experience includes an eight-year tenure at Deloitte & Touche as Senior Manager, where he provided due diligence support for mergers and acquisitions and reviewed audits for clients with large defined benefit plans. He provided similar defined benefit expertise to small and middle market clients while working for Star Consulting Group LLC. Kent holds a Bachelor of Science and MBA from the University of Michigan.

Kim Ceserani, CFA^®, Director, Investment Management

Portland, Oregon

Kim has been with StanCorp Investment Advisers since 2001 and previously served in the same capacity with our sister company, Standard Insurance Company since 1987. Her team selects and monitors investments and manages investment portfolios for individuals, The Standard's retirement plans and Standard Insurance Company. Her specialties include mutual fund research and fixed income analysis. Kim is a Chartered Financial Analyst^® and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Portland State University.

Rajiv Jain, CFA^®, Senior Portfolio Manager

Portland, Oregon

Rajiv has been with StanCorp Investment Advisers since 2002. His specialty is fixed income analysis. He holds an MSEE from Purdue University and an MBA from the University of Chicago School of Business. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Minnesota, and is a Chartered Financial Analyst^®.

Pat Montgomery, Bond Research Analyst and Trader

Portland, Oregon

Pat has been with StanCorp Investment Advisers since 2001, although she has over 26 years with The Standard. Pat has experience with virtually every aspect of securities operations. Her primary responsibilities include acquiring bonds for StanCorp Investment Advisers' clients. Her expansive network of broker/dealers ensures that our clients get the broadest range of choices at the best price. Pat holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Portland State University, is a Fellow of the Life Management Institute (FLMI), and is working towards Certified Financial Planner^® designation. She is also a licensed tax consultant.

Jason Richmond, Investment Analyst

Portland, Oregon

Jason provides investment research support to select and monitor client investments. Jason joined StanCorp Investment Advisers in 2007, and previously worked at The Standard in its retirement plans and investment accounting units since 2004. Prior to joining The Standard, Jason worked for Janus Funds and Invesco Funds in accounting roles. Jason holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of Illinois and an MBA from Portland State University.

Lyn White, Senior Portfolio Manager

Portland, Oregon

Lyn joined Stancorp Investment Advisers in 2008 and provides fixed income coverage. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Delaware in 2003 and the CFA^® designation just last year. Lyn most recently served five years as an Investment Officer at Christiana Bank & Trust Company.

Andrew Brown

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Andrew is a Senior Securities Assistant in the Ann Arbor, Michigan office, where he manages client accounts and assists clients. He graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a concentration in Finance. While attending Eastern Michigan University, Andy was the committee director of the finance club and president and team captain of the gymnastics club. Prior to working for StanCorp Investment Advisers he was a credit analyst for a community bank and a men’s program director at a gymnastics club.

Wendy Christy

Portland, Oregon

Wendy is responsible for ensuring high quality and efficient client service. She creates and manages client records, executes trades and responds to client requests regarding their accounts. Most recently she worked in the Short Term Disability department of The Standard, where she processed customer claims. Wendy also has 12 years experience as a liaison between retailers and manufacturers ensuring excellent customer service and ran her own business for five years. She earned her degree from Columbia College of Business.

Rian Clark

Portland, Oregon

Rian came to StanCorp Investment Advisers with 10 years experience in the investment industry. During his career, he has worked for regional, boutique Registered Investment Advisories, most recently at Coldstream Capital Management. At StanCorp Investment Advisers, he is a Senior Securities Assistant and is primarily responsible for the back office operations of the firm, providing trading on clients’ accounts, client service and support for our portfolio management systems. Rian graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in Economics and lives in Portland with his wife and son.

Elizabeth Hartzler

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Elizabeth is primarily responsible for trading client accounts and maintains the portfolio management software and trading systems in the Ann Arbor, Michigan office. She assists with production of the quarterly newsletter and performance reports. Elizabeth was with Tisch Investment Advisory Incorporated for three years prior to joining StanCorp Investment Advisers.

Carole Nairn

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Carole, as 401(k) Administrator, works directly with third-party administrators and trustees to set up and open new retirement plans. She services and maintains those accounts and provides customer service to 401(k) participants. Prior to joining StanCorp Investment Advisers, Carole worked for Tisch Investment Advisory Incorporated and AAA Insurance of Michigan. She attended Northern Michigan University and resides in Ann Arbor with her family.

David J. White

Ann Arbor, Michigan

David provides portfolio management and trading assistance as well as client support services in the Ann Arbor, Michigan office. Prior to working in this position, he ran a grant-writing business helping area not­for­profit organizations obtain funding for their programs. David has two degrees from the University of Michigan and is currently pursuing a Certified Financial Planner^® designation.