General Investing >> Money Manager Interviews >> September 7, 2009
Ralph W. Cole IV, CFA, is a Senior Vice President of Research and a member of
Ferguson Wellman Capital Management's equity team and is the firm's global
financials analyst. In this capacity, he also serves as the lead portfolio
manager on both our REITs and International disciplines for the firm. Before
joining the Ferguson Wellman in 1998, Cole worked as an investment officer for
U.S. Bancorp of Oregon and Washington, and as a financial consultant for Merrill
Lynch. While pursuing his master's degree, he worked at Payden & Rygel
Investment Council in Los Angeles, where he assisted in the development of two
mutual funds. Cole earned his MBA degree from the University of Southern
California and received his B.S. in finance and marketing from the University of
Oregon. Cole is a member and past president of the Chartered Financial Analysts
Society of Portland, past president and current board member of the Oregon Club
of Portland and a board member of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society,
Oregon Chapter. Cole is also past chair of United Way Newleaders Steering
Committee. Profile
Jason Norris, CFA is a Senior Vice President of Research and joined Ferguson
Wellman Capital Management in 2001. He is a member of the equity team managing
the technology sector. Norris also manages the firm's Dividend Value discipline.
Prior to joining Ferguson Wellman, Norris was an equity analyst with Morgan
Stanley Investment Management in New York City. He focused primarily on the
technology and telecommunications sectors for the Morgan Stanley Market Leader
Trust Fund and the Morgan Stanley Information Fund. Norris received his BBA
degree in economics from Boise State University. He continued his education
earning an M.B.A. in finance from the University of Notre Dame where he also
served as an investment research assistant. Norris is a member and serves on the
board of the Chartered Financial Analysts Society of Portland. He is also a
board member and investment committee member for Junior Achievement. Profile
TWST: Please start by telling us about Ferguson Wellman Capital Management and the firm's investment philosophy?
Mr. Cole: We're a 34-year-old, privately owned registered investment advisor.