Robert T. Jones, CEO/Chairman

Prior to founding the firm in 1987, Mr. Jones served as a Senior Vice-President for Pioneer Bank & Trust Co., with responsibilities that included the investment management of the Trust Department's personal trust, pension, advisory accounts and financial/estate planning.  From 1986-1987, Mr. Jones was an Executive Vice-President, Director and member of the Advisory Committee for Security Investment Advisors, Inc.  He also served as an Investment Manager for Centerre Trust Company of St. Louis (now Bank of America), from 1981 to 1985.  During his employment with Centerre Trust, Mr. Jones was responsible for the daily investment management of approximately 250 Trust and Advisory Accounts, representing $250 million.  

Mr. Jones earned the designation of CIMA (Certified Investment Management Analyst) through the Investment Management Consultant Association in 1990, in conjunction with the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Jones has completed eight securities registrations:  Series 63 and Series 66 State Registrations; Series 6, Investment Company and Variable Contracts Products Representative; Series 7, Full Securities Registration; Series 24, General Securities Principal; Series 27, Financial and Operational Principal; Series 53, Municipal Securities Principal and Series 4, Registered Options Principal.  Mr. Jones is a graduate of Maryville University where he received a B.A. degree in Business Management.  Mr. Jones serves on the Company's Investment Committee.  

Mr. John G. Levis, COO/President  

Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Levis was managing principal of Wydown Capital LLC, an investment bank. Before that, Mr. Levis was President of Levis Company, LLC, a financial advisory firm, and was a principal of the IOTA Group, an investment banking group.  Mr. Levis has completed numerous investment banking transactions during his career and is currently active as an advisor to several major private equity funds, in addition to advising his former investment banking clients.  Mr. Levis was also a co-founder and Senior Vice President of Bridge Information Systems.  Mr. Levis is a graduate of Colorado College and attended Washington University School of Law.  Mr. Levis has completed four securities registrations: Series 7, Full Securities Registration; Series 63 and Series 66 State Registrations, and Series 24, General Securities Principal.  Mr. Levis serves on the Company’s Investment Committee.

Mr. Stephen S. Davis, Vice President, Chief Investment Officer  

Prior to joining the firm in 2002 Mr. Davis worked in research and development for the following companies: Alcatel; John Crane; and EG&G Belfab. He is a graduate from Harvey Mudd College with B.S. and M.S. degrees in Engineering.  Mr. Davis has completed three securities registrations: Series 7, Full Securities Registration; Series 63, State Registration and Series 65, Investment Adviser.  Mr. Davis serves on the Company’s Investment Committee.  Mr. Davis earned his CIMA designation in 2010.

Mr. Edward J. Balmes, CPA, Chief Financial Officer, Director of Financial Services, Controller  

Mr. Balmes has been with the Company since 1996. Previously, Mr. Balmes owned a consulting business, which specialized in providing computer, marketing, tax and financial analytical services to clients of life insurance agents with the New York Life Agency in St. Louis (1993-1996), after two years as a representative of NYLIFE Advisors, Inc.  From 1985 to 1990, Mr. Balmes worked as a Vice-President of Treasury Research at Community Federal Savings & Loan where he was responsible for managing the interest rate risk of the company. Mr. Balmes also served as a Tax Manager for Peat, Marwick & Mitchell, from 1981 to 1984.  Mr. Balmes has completed two securities registrations:  Series 63, State Registration, and Series 7, Full Securities Registration.  He holds both Life and Health Insurance brokerage licenses.  Mr. Balmes is a graduate of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale where he received a Masters degree in Accounting.  While at SIU, he was a member of the faculty as an Instructor of accounting and income taxes.  He also received a B.A. degree in Accounting from Luther College.