With more than 30 years of investment experience, Mark Kralj understands the demands of high-net-worth individuals. Kralj currently serves as a portfolio manager and principal at Ferguson Wellman Capital Management and West Bearing Investments, a division of Ferguson Wellman. Founded in 1975, Ferguson Wellman has served as an independent, employee-owned financial firm dedicated exclusively to investment management for individuals and institutions.
Since it’s inception, Ferguson Wellman has experienced consistent, steady growth. Ferguson and Wellman manages more than $4.3 billion in assets (nearly double that of 2008) and more than 2,000 accounts. Kralj contributes much of the firm’s growth to the overall market and their client acquisition strategy. Ferguson and Wellman employs mostly individual securities for large capital companies using a team approach while still employing funds and ETFs when needed. Heading into 2017, more of their clients are retiring and raising questions such as preservation of wealth, interest rates, and building a bond portfolio.
Forbes and RIA Channel’s 2016 Top 100 RIA Firms ranking recognizes wealth management firms by growth in assets over the past 10 years. In order to be considered for the ranking, each firm must be a registered investment advisor with the SEC, provide wealth management services, and primarily serve individual clients. As the RIA market continues to develop, RIA Database, sister company to RIA Channel, continues to adapt its ranking criteria to reflect the market environment. This year, Ferguson Wellman ranked 24th on RIA Channel’s annual ranking of the Top 100 RIA firms with $2.28 billion in asset growth over the last 10 years. In 2015, Ferguson Wellman was ranked 32nd with $ 4.2 billion in total assets under management.