Choosing a financial advisor is an intensely personal decision. After all, this is who you trust to help you secure your future so you can achieve your goals and live your dreams. But, it's not just about financial planning and investment skills. It's about commitment to your success. It's about personalized service that focuses solely on you. It's about creating trust and long-term relationships. Our highly-credentialed Investment Counselors and Portfolio Managers deliver on our promise of service and communication.

Investment Counselors

Jon Bettis, CFP^®, CRPS^®
Jon has been a financial adviser and consultant for more than 21 years, with experience with Bank of America and Washington Mutual. He has earned his Certified Financial Planner designation, his Certified Retirement Plans Specialist certification and holds a Masters degree in Taxation from National University. Jon demonstrates his extensive experience in all aspects of financial planning and has earned a reputation for building long-term client relationships. Jon is also a Major in the US Marine Corps Reserves.

Laura Chernova, CFP^®
Prior to joining StanCorp Investment Advisers, Laura served for 13 years at Wetherby Asset Management as an Investment Advisor, as well as in operational management and SEC compliance consulting. She has extensive experience in serving the comprehensive financial needs of high net worth clients encompassing a broad range of backgrounds and ages. Her extensive educational background includes attaining her Certified Financial Planner designation and a Bachelors of Arts degree in Sociology with an emphasis on Law from the University of California at Davis.

Erin Eddins, CFP^®, ChFC^®
Erin has more than 16 years of experience in investment and retirement planning services. Her focus has been retirement planning, built on the foundation of client needs analysis, financial planning and investment consulting and servicing. Prior to joining StanCorp Investment Advisers, she was Vice President and Manager of Investment Services for Invesmart where she led a team that managed more than $4 billion in client assets. Erin earned her Chartered Financial Consultant designation in 1998 from The American College in Bryn Mawr, PA. Erin is a native of the Pacific Northwest, living in the Puget Sound area most of her life. She graduated from Seattle University with a degree in Business Administration. Erin is a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA).

Frank Elmer
Frank is a senior investment advisor and has been in the retirement plan investment management industry for more than 25 years. His responsibilities include managing investment portfolios for individuals, charitable foundations, and qualified retirement plans. He has a degree in Business Administration from Arizona State University and is currently enrolled in coursework toward obtaining his CFP certification.

Alec Williamson, CFP^®
Alec has more than ten years of experience working as a fee-only financial planner. Prior to that Alec spent ten years working in commercial lending with Rainier Bank/Security Pacific Bank and as a registered representative with SunAmerica Securities. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, California and earned his Certified Financial Planner designation in 1993. Alec thrives on working with individuals and believes all business is based on personal relationships.

John Wyckoff, CPA/PFS, CFP^®
John's responsibilities at StanCorp Investment Advisers include developing and implementing financial plans and managing investment portfolios for individuals and families. He has been providing personal financial planning and investment advice for the last eight years, and his experience includes more than 30 years as a CPA. John earned his Certified Financial Planner designation in 2002 and his Personal Financial Specialist designation in 2001. John has a degree in Sociology and an MBA from the University of California, Berkeley and a Master of Taxation degree from Portland State University.

Financial Analyst

Darron Kuehn
Darron has been in the financial services industry for the last 10 years. He provides direct client planning services including preparation and maintenance of financial plans and management of investment portfolios. He holds degrees in both accounting and finance from Central Washington University. He is currently in the process of obtaining his Certified Financial Planner designation.

Business Development

James Titus, CFP^®
Jim is a Business Development Manager for StanCorp Investment Advisers. Jim has been in the financial planning industry for more than twenty years. His diverse experience in the financial world makes him a tremendous asset to his clients. Jim has been an industry leader in developing and funding retirement plans and he was integral in establishing and funding a mid cap value mutual fund. His strengths include comprehensive financial planning and counsel on investments, insurance, tax and estate planning. Jim serves on the Board of Directors of the Financial Planning Association of Oregon and SW Washington.

Michael Kappes
Michael is a Business Development Manager for StanCorp Investment Advisers and has a 14-year history in the financial service industry. His background includes positions as VP of Institutional Sales with TD Waterhouse Institutional and Regional Account Executive with Charles Schwab Institutional. Most recently he served as a Registered Investment Advisor with a Financial Planning firm in Washington state. He holds a BS in Business Administration from Washington State University. Michael is a member of the FPA and a retired Captain in the U.S. Army.

Security Assistants: Client Account Maintenance

Theresa Davis
Theresa has been in the financial services industry for 29 years, including 10 years at US Bank in Portland, Oregon from which she joined StanCorp Investment Advisers. Her experience also includes seven years at Chase and 11 years at Northern Trust Co., both in Chicago. Theresa has also spent 18 years in the United States Air Force Reserves as a Non-Commissioned Officer. She continues to serve in a finance function in the Reserves. She holds an Associates Degree in Business Administration and is a Notary Public.

Mounty Sythavongsa
Mounty is responsible for ensuring high quality and efficient client service. She creates and manages client records and target portfolio structures. She is available to respond to routine and special client requests regarding their accounts. Mounty has been in the insurance and financial industry for nine years with a specialty in customer service.

Portfolio Managers

Kim Ceserani, CFA^®, Senior Portfolio Manager
Kim has been with StanCorp Investment Advisers since 2001 and previously served in the same capacity with Standard Insurance Company since 1987. Her specialties are mutual fund research and fixed income analysis. Kim achieved her Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 1999 and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Portland State University.

Rajiv Jain, CFA^®, Senior Portfolio Manager
Rajiv has been with StanCorp Investment Advisers since 2002. His specialty is fixed income analysis. Prior to that, he worked for Intel and Sears Roebuck and Co. Rajiv holds an MBA and an MSEE from Purdue University and the University of Chicago School of Business. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Minnesota, and achieved his Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 2000.

Pat Montgomery, Bond Research Analyst and Trader
Pat has been with StanCorp Investment Advisers since 2001. In her 26 years with The Standard, she has had experience with virtually all aspects of securities operations. Her primary responsibilities include acquiring bonds for StanCorp Investment Advisers' clients. Her expansive network of broker/dealers ensures that clients benefit from the broadest range of choices at the most competitive prices. Pat holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Portland State University, is a Fellow of the Life Management Institute (FLMI), and is working towards her certification as a Certified Financial Planner. She is also a licensed tax consultant.

Executive Staff

Kim W. Ledbetter, FSA, President
Kim has been a director of StanCorp Investment Advisers since the company's inception, and he became president in June of 2004. He is Senior Vice President of Asset Management for Standard Insurance Company. He has been with The Standard in various capacities since 1974. Kim achieved his designation, Fellow, Society of Actuaries, in 1980. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Mathematics from Claremont McKenna College.

Julie Grandstaff, CFA^®, Vice President and Managing Director
Julie has been Vice President since the company's inception. She has been an officer with The Standard since 1998. Prior to that she worked with Investment Management Consultants and Bailard, Biehl & Kaiser. Julie achieved her Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 1996. She holds an MBA from California State University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Arizona State University.

Dan Stancil, Assistant Vice President
Dan joined The Standard in 1978 and has served in a variety of capacities. He joined StanCorp Investment Advisers in 2007 as AVP of Financial Planning and Operations. Prior to that, he led the Eastern Region Operations group for Standard Insurance Company. Dan is a graduate of Western Washington University. He earned his Certified Employee Benefits Specialist designation in 1988.

Additional expertise is added through the ongoing participation of the Investment Committee, a highly-qualified group who oversee investment recommendations.

The same team of Portfolio Managers who manage more than $14 billion in retirement plans and $4.7 billion in fixed income securities also manage the portfolios of individual clients.