Our Story

Kathleen is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner with over 20 years experience providing comprehensive financial and estate planning as well as investment management. She is the managing partner of PIA and leads the firm's investment committee. She is also a member of Perkins & Company’s Wealth Management Team, offering her experience and knowledge of complex financial solutions. Kathleen’s time is spent meeting with clients, managing investment portfolios and managing the overall business activities of the firm. Kathleen has been recognized multiple times by both local and national publications for her work.

Kathleen is a member of the Estate Planning Council of Portland, the CFA Society of Portland and the Financial Planning Association. She serves on the board of directors for the Friends of the Children - Portland and is a member of the investment committee for the Multnomah Athletic Club.

Experience: Kathleen’s prior experience includes many years of private practice in the Seattle area. She also worked at a large west coast CPA firm and US Bancorp.

Education: B.S. in Business Administration, Finance from Oregon State University.

Interests: Kathleen enjoys traveling, gardening and cooking. She also spends her free time at the coast with her family. Whether it be soccer games, lacrosse games or swim meets, her three children keep her busy.

Ember is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™ practitioner with over a decade of experience in the Financial Services industry . Ember works with corporate executives, professional partners, expatriates, and entrepreneurs in providing comprehensive solutions to their unique concerns. Ember is a member of the firm’s Investment Committee. He maintains clients in Oregon, Washington and California. Ember is often called upon by local television media for commentary on topical financial matters. His entrepreneurial spirit and strong leadership skills, as well as his international sales experience, add to the expertise of the firm.

Ember is a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA). He has been involved with Guide Dogs for the Blind as well as the Institute for Natural Medicine. He served on the budget committee of the Riverdale School District in 2007-2008.

Experience: Ember’s prior experience includes acting as the Managing Director for a registered investment advisor firm in the Pacific Northwest where he created and managed the wealth management practice as well as Citigroup Global Markets. In his previous role Ember gained broad experience in ERISA consulting and retirement plan management. Before these ventures, he conceived and managed two successful start-up companies. He brings 22 years of management experience in leadership positions of sales, marketing, information systems, business development and customer service.

Education: Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Berkeley.

Interests: Ember grew up in Europe and South America, where he developed his love of travel. He enjoys playing soccer, cooking, reading, playing chess and spending time with his two young daughters.

John has earned the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is also a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™. Many of John’s clients are health care professionals. He’s a member of the firm's Investment Committee, which meets to discuss the macro-economic environment and how we adjust our investment strategy to current scenarios. John spends his time managing client portfolios, researching the investment landscape and adjusting asset allocations appropriately.

Experience: John’s prior experience includes work as a research analyst for the Red Chip Review and Northwest Investment Counselors. Prior to joining PIA, John was a portfolio manager with U.S. Trust.

Education: B.A. in Psychology, from University of Colorado; MBA from Willamette University

Interests:  John likes to spend time with his wife, Mitzi, and their two sons. He has a passion for travel, both domestic and international, and visited 26 countries around the world for 8 months in 2001-2002. The Northwest acts as the perfect backdrop for the numerous outdoor sports John loves, including rock climbing, mountaineering, hiking, fishing and hunting.

Lora is a CPA and is the analyst for the firm's financial planning activities. She interacts with clients regularly, creates seamless transactions and performs various research and other special projects as requested by clients. Lora is responsible for the firm's trading and is a member of the firm’s Investment Committee. Her enthusiasm and energy coupled with her analytical skills result in the highest level of client service.

Experience: Lora most recently worked in the tax and audit departments of a local accounting firm. Over the years she has worked at various financial services firms.

Education: B.S. in Business Administration & Accounting, Magna Cum Laude, from Portland State University.

Interests: Lora enjoys outdoor activities such as gardening, biking and running. She loves to travel and is always eager to share good food and wine with the company of friends.

Helena is our firm administrator and chief problem solver. She expertly manages the firm's operational, compliance and client service activities. Her depth of knowlege and operational experience drive her to continually seek ways for the firm to become more efficient.

Experience: Helena worked for several years at McKinley Capital Management working as Account Services Manager for high net worth clients and institutional portfolios of $10 - 500 million.

Education: B.S. in Business Administration from Wayland Baptist University

Interests: Helena and her husband enjoy the hunt and chase of geocaching. She also loves traveling, camping and trying something new.