Ferguson Wellman and West Bearing

Our colleague, Mary Lago, CFP®, CTFA, recently joined the board of trustees at Linfield University, along with Katie Paullin and Laurie Reser. As a Linfield alumni and leader at Ferguson Wellman and on numerous nonprofit boards, Mary will no doubt help advance the university's mission of connecting learning, life and community.

Our colleague, Peter Jones, CFA, discusses a surge in value stocks, economic growth, potential Fed rate cuts and more, in today’s Weekly Market Makers. Link to read in bio.

The rise of small-cap and value stocks is the main topic of today's Weekly Market Makers, written by Alex Harding, CFA. Link in comments.

In 2011, Oregon State University honored one of our company’s founders, Norb Wellman, with the Martin Chaves Lifetime Achievement Award that recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to OSU Athletics. This September, our former CEO Jim Rudd and his wife Cathy will also receive this award in recognition of their significant leadership, involvement and support over the years. Jim and Cathy’s passion and generosity have left an indelible mark on Oregon State in so many ways. Congratulations Jim and Cathy on this well-deserved honor. More details about the other honorees in the link below. 

Company ownership, whether through stocks or other ownership plans, is a benefit many employees take advantage of. However, withdrawing these stocks from retirement accounts are subject to ordinary income taxes, potentially placing huge tax burdens on eligible shareholders. In this month’s wealth management blog, our colleague, Tyler Conroy, CFP®, CPWA®, discusses the Net Unrealized Appreciation rules, and how they can help alleviate some of these tax burdens. Link in comments.

Today's Portland Business Journal included profiles of the new 40 Under 40 honorees. Also highlighted today were "Hall of Famers" Penny Serrurier, Elizabeth Leach and Dave Robertson. PBJ has also been sharing alumni profiles, including one of our colleague Nathan M. Ayotte, CFP®, who was honored in 2012. Now a principal of the firm, Nathan has led initiatives on our wealth management team and oversees our firm's staff, technology and operations departments. Outside of the office, Nathan served as president of the Multnomah Athletic Club in 2022 and is currently on the board of Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. Read more about Nathan' 40 Under 40 alumni profile in the link below and congratulations to Penny, Elizabeth and Dave for their many accomplishments throughout their careers. 

We are pleased to introduce Maria Clara Conlin, our new operations associate for Octavia Group, Ferguson Wellman's private family office. Maria-Clara previously worked as a client solutions associate for ultra-high-net-worth clients. She's our firm's second graduate from University of Denver, holding a major in business administration and dual minors in Spanish and business information/analytics. Maria-Clara works closely with our team lead, Kirstin S. Havnaer, and Katherine Russell. 

Celebrating our region's leaders this week, Portland Business Journal's 40 Under 40 Awards highlighted individuals who excel professionally and contribute significantly to their communities. In 2009, our own Jim Coats was selected for the award. Today he leads our growth strategies for new clients and chairs our firm’s institutional strategies committee. Jim has also served in leadership roles for OSU Alumni Association and was a liaison to OSU Foundation's investment committee. Read more about Jim in the 40 Under 40 alumni profile link below, and congratulations to this year’s honorees.

Our colleague, Brad Houle, CFA, discusses U.S. debt and government spending, June’s Consumer Price Index report and more in today’s Weekly Market Makers. Link in comments to read.

Casia Chappell, CFP®, CPWA®, recently sat down with the hosts of @The Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce Morning Hustle podcast to discuss the power of compounding interest. Just think if you invested your latte money for 30 years? Link in comments, jump to 22:00 if short on time!