Description of Advisory Services
Ferguson Wellman is an employee-owned, registered investment adviser established in 1975.
We provide personalized wealth management services to individuals and families; and
investment management services to institutions such as endowments, foundations and
retirement plans. We specialize in building and managing customized, separately managed
portfolios in excess of $4,000,000.
West Bearing Investments, a division of Ferguson Wellman, was established in 2013. With two
entry points to the same investment strategies, Ferguson Wellman is able to work with clients
earlier through its division West Bearing. This division provides personalized wealth
management services to individuals and families and investment management services to
institutions such as endowments, foundations and retirement plans. West Bearing specializes in
building and managing customized, separately managed portfolios in excess of $1,000,000.
Services provided:
• Investment account management services
• Wealth management services focus on but not limited to
o Wealth planning
o Retirement
o Life events
o Philanthropic strategies
o Trusts and estates
o Taxes
o Risk management
o Education funding
Board of Directors
Ralph Cole, CFA, Director, Equity Strategy and Portfolio Management
Joshua Frankel, CFP®, Director, Portfolio and Wealth Management, West Bearing Investments
Steven Holwerda, CFA, Managing Director
George Hosfield, CFA, Director, Chief Investment Officer
Jason Norris, CFA, Director, Equity Research and Portfolio Management
Assets Under Management
As of December 31, 2023, discretionary assets under management (AUM) for Ferguson Wellman
was
$ 8,394,137,837. Of this total AUM, Ferguson Wellman managed assets totaling
$7,739,169,190 and the West Bearing division managed assets totaling $654,968,648. Ferguson
Wellman and West Bearing generally do not manage accounts on a nondiscretionary basis but
may make exceptions for existing client relationships.
Discretionary Management
Authority is granted to Ferguson Wellman through our advisory contracts for discretionary
account management, enabling us to make determinations regarding securities and security
quantities to be bought and sold for our clients. We work closely with our clients on an ongoing
basis to tailor our advisory services to each client’s specific needs. Our discretion over the
portfolio is subject to guidelines specified by the client. A client’s guidelines may limit the scope
of prospective investments as a result of restrictions placed on certain securities. While we
believe in investing in the full spectrum of marketable securities, we understand our clients’
requirements or desires to restrict investments in certain individual securities or types of
securities.
Personal Financial Services
Octavia Group, a division of Ferguson Wellman, was established in December 2020 for existing
clients of the firm and for new clients with assets of $10 million or more managed by our firm.
This division provides personal financial services to individuals and families such as expense
management, technology support, and personal financial statements. Our private family office
offering augments Ferguson Wellman’s investment and wealth management strategies. At the
time of engagement, Octavia Group clients will sign a separate agreement establishing the
scope of services and fees.