Meet Our 2020-2021 New Hires

Chris Bixby, CFP®, EA, Senior Vice President, Portfolio and Wealth Management

The pandemic brought many opportunities for our colleagues to practice one of our core values of “advocate innovation and manage change.” While we adjusted to working from home, we did not stop the hiring process for several of our departments. We asked our newest colleagues to answer three questions about their experience joining the company during quarantine.

What have you learned since joining Ferguson Wellman?

Joining Ferguson Wellman has been an eye-opening experience into what a company looks like when they truly live by their values. Every activity, engagement or strategy is considered through the prism of our values. It is so engrained in the culture that it is almost a reflexive second nature. But that only happens due to the clear and ever present articulation of our values.

What has it been like to start a new job while working remotely?

Opening the Bellevue, Washington office meant that I would be remote. Having everyone else also remote has helped to ease the transition by placing us all on the same operating plane of being remote workers. Ferguson Wellman has done a wonderful job of keeping the relationships and culture going even with remote working.

What are you looking forward to about returning to the office and working downtown?

Relationships at work are crucial to working as a team. Personal engagement is always easier in person. While I won’t personally be in downtown, it will be nice to have the regular home-office visits knowing that others will be there and that I can engage with my colleagues directly, rather than through technology


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Jake Gradwohl, Client Relationship Associate

What have you learned since joining Ferguson Wellman?

I learned that Ferguson Wellman and West Bearing fosters a very supportive internal culture. During my training period, this was made apparent when longtime staff members volunteered their time to discuss the company and industry, or when my trainers offered extended video calls to go over their work with me in real time.

What has it been like to start a new job while working remotely?

Starting a new job remotely was daunting at first but overall, it was a very positive experience. While not sharing a physical office space with my colleagues made getting to know them at first more difficult, I am thankful for it because my interactions with them became very ‘intentional’ as my training continued. I feel like I learned more about them than I otherwise would have as a result.

What are you looking forward to about returning to the office and working downtown?

I am looking forward to the energy of conversations and the natural process improvements that will accompany our return to the office. Each of us learned a lot about ourselves and the way we work during quarantine, and I believe that being back in the same office space will let us organically build off our individual findings. My hope is that this will benefit our company and our clients as a collective.


Joe Herrle, CFA, Vice President, Alternative Assets

What is something interesting you have learned about Ferguson Wellman since joining the firm?

I learned that the team mentality is very real. There is a strong sense of camaraderie, and people genuinely want to see others succeed. Also, with any great team is a tremendous amount of trust, and you can see the confidence people have in each other when they interact.

What has it been like to start a job while working remotely?

My first week was completely full of video-meetings with my new colleagues, and it was great talking with a lot of the team one-on-one. It was like a crash-course in who-is-who at Ferguson Wellman so I feel like I got up to speed quickly. The downside, of course, is missing out on group interactions that clue you into the culture of the office.

What are you looking forward to about returning to the office and downtown?

Technology like Zoom has really helped while working remotely, but nothing can replace the energy of being in the office. Personally, I am energized when I am around others. Also, I often come up with my best ideas or solutions when having conversations with coworkers. I’ve missed that a lot while working from home and can’t wait to be in person.


Krystal Daibes Higgins, CFA, Vice President, Equity Research

What have you learned since joining Ferguson Wellman?

I’ve learned a lot already in my four short months at Ferguson Wellman. I’ve learned more about Ferguson Wellman’s approach to investment research as well as the different wealth management strategies to help clients preserve and growth their wealth. 

What has it been like to start a new job while working remotely?

It was slightly challenging to start a new job remotely but everyone at Ferguson Wellman made it as smooth as possible. My colleagues are always quick to jump on a call if I have any questions or need to discuss anything – big or small.

What are you looking forward to about returning to the office and working downtown?

Everyone at Ferguson Wellman is so fun and nice. I’ve seen some of the interaction between my colleagues and I can tell it’s going to be a high-energy work environment when everyone returns. Also, I’m excited about the downtown food trucks!


Tony Kahn, Client Relationship Associate

What was something interesting you learned about Ferguson Wellman since working here?

I learned that our firm not only welcomes change, but thoroughly embraces it. Since joining the firm, I have seen multiple technological changes implemented that have served as a tremendous benefit to all. It is intriguing to see the development of firmwide projects while receiving regular updates. I love seeing our company make a concerted effort to stay at the forefront of technology while keeping everyone informed while they do it.

What has it been like to start a new job while working remotely?

Beginning a new job remotely has been an interesting experience. It is a bit bizarre in the sense that I have been effectively working my entire tenure with people that I have never seen in person — internally and externally. To everyone’s credit at Ferguson Wellman, the challenges of working remotely have been mostly mitigated by the warmth, generosity and knowledge shared among the whole team. Whether it’s my fellow colleagues in the same role, our IT department, or the board of directors, I have felt connected to everyone.

What are you looking forward to about returning to the office and working downtown?

I am looking forward to finally meeting the Ferguson Wellman and West Bearing family in person and getting to know everyone better.


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What was something interesting you learned about Ferguson Wellman since working here? I learned that the Ferguson Wellman staff holds true to it being its own family. Even though we are all virtual and, for me, physically on the other side of the country, you can feel the sense of camaraderie that our company instills. From the virtual happy hours, holiday parties and goody bags that show up on your doorstep, there is always a reminder that Ferguson Wellman really is like its own family unit.

What has it been like to start a new job while working remotely? Beginning a job while working remote is very surreal. Throughout the interview process to today, I have only had the chance to meet all my co-workers remotely. Earlier in May I got the chance to come into the office to go live on our new trading system and it was the first time that I met the other traders in person, even though we had been meeting via Teams meetings every day. While we had been working together as a group for seven months, I still felt like it was my first day when I met them in person finally.

What are you looking forward to about returning to the office and working downtown?

There is only so much you can learn about your job and your co-workers virtually. When we return to the office I can’t wait for proper introductions and to interact with folks in person. I think there is something to be said to be able to walk down the hallway, knock on a door and have someone answer your question face-to-face. As for my return to Portland, I think it will be fun to finally explore my new city and find new favorite restaurants and places where I can fly-fish.

To learn more about Dinesh, click on the button below.


Ezra Kover, Associate Compliance Officer

What have you learned since joining Ferguson Wellman?

I’ve honestly learned so much. I’ve really increased my understanding of how an investment adviser functions. I’ve extended my knowledge about the compliance function, such as learning the applicable rules but also how they are implemented. It’s been so interesting and exciting to expand my knowledge base And I have only been able to do this because of Katherine’s mentorship and Ferguson Wellman providing the resources I’ve needed. Specific to the remote work environment, I’ve learned that to get to know my colleagues (and to let them know me a little) takes some additional effort. A call in place of an email is a good first step. Pushing myself to be more vocal or to take risks during companywide meetings is another. This has not come naturally to me, but when I’ve made the attempts Ferguson Wellman has received them warmly.

What has it been like to start a new job while working remotely?

I think starting remotely has had unique challenges but also some upside. I think the challenges have been mainly in building relationships with people. I think relationships made over zoom or Teams tend to be more formal. That can be a challenge in itself, but it can also make communication about issues that come up more difficult. I think a short drop-in to someone’s office may convey your intentions more accurately than a call or an email. But, I think people have been very understanding of this challenge and have given me time to work into my position.

Also, a clear upside in the beginning was more time to be with my family – breakfast and lunches. Less time commuting and a more flexibility in general. That time with my kids has been invaluable and something I will always be grateful for.

What are you looking forward to about returning to the office and working downtown?

Honestly, I am looking forward to getting to know my colleagues better. I’m looking forward to feeling like part of the team.


Hilary Russell, Client Relationship Associate

What was something interesting you learned about Ferguson Wellman since working here?
I hadn’t known before that the firm is employee-owned.

What has it been like to start a new job while working remotely?
Honestly, not as bad as I was anticipating. Everyone has been super kind, resourceful and helpful, even if I can’t sit next to them and learn the ins and outs of the position in person.

What are you looking forward to about returning to the office and working downtown?
I am looking forward to meeting my colleagues in person.


Matt Sampson, CFP®, Vice President of Wealth Planning

What was something interesting you learned about Ferguson Wellman since working here? I knew the firm was very involved in the community, but I was astounded to see the complete list of community boards, organizations and clubs that our employees have and currently are serving.

What has it been like to start a new job while working remotely? Much smoother than expected! The IT group has done a fabulous job getting my equipment set-up, and the onboarding curriculum has been thorough and very informative.

What are you looking forward to about returning to the office and working downtown? Getting to know all our colleagues in a more personal setting, as well as being involved in the office re-opening of Downtown Portland.


Shannon Spencer, Client Relationship Associate

What was something interesting you learned about Ferguson Wellman since working here?

The company has more acronyms than I have ever heard! Thank goodness they have an awesome training program.

What has it been like to start a new job while working remotely?

Working remotely has had both positives and challenges. I certainly feel that screen-sharing has been a lifesaver. I feel patience on both the trainer and the trainee have been imperative.

What are you looking forward to about returning to the office and working downtown?

Being in the office will avail time for getting to know a person better and, also, how tall they are.


What have you learned since joining Ferguson Wellman?

Trading is a new position for me so I’m continually learning how to be more efficient, develop a daily rhythm, and be the best team member I can be. The focus on our culture is so valuable and Ferguson Wellman is truly like a family unit – we serve our clients together and nothing compares to the support I feel at this firm.

What has it been like to start a new job while working remotely?

I thought it would be challenging, but Ferguson Wellman created an organized and thorough program which provided me with all the resources and content I needed. My first two weeks were filled with introductory meetings, so I was able to meet other employees outside of my immediate team. I was assigned a mentor, so I always have a person to go to if I have random questions, but everyone is so nice and helpful - getting the answers I need is never an issue!

What are you looking forward to about returning to the office and working downtown?

I can’t wait to be back in the office where I can meet everyone in person. The impromptu conversations are something I miss – it’s the little moments that count! I am a city person, so I love being in the middle of the action and really look forward to working downtown.