THE MISSION TEAM |
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Senior Staff |
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CHAIRMAN, CEO and FOUNDER Carmen Bermúdezis the architect who designed Mission. She attended Colegio Superior de Señoritas in her native Costa Rica before immigrating to the United States, where she attended Santa Monica City College. After retirement from a seventeen-year career with TransWorld Airlines, Inc., Carmen entered the financial world and progressed to the positions of Chairman and Treasurer of Marathon Asset Management Co., Inc., a successful investment management company. She founded Mission in June of 1994. Carmen oversees the daily administration of the firm, with much of her time dedicated to Mission’s marketing and business development. Appointed in 2002 by the President of Costa Rica as Honorary Consul of Costa Rica to the United States, she has opened the Consulate office in Tucson, Arizona. As consul, Carmen's duties include expanding tourism and commerce between the United States and Costa Rica. Carmen has served on numerous community boards and currently is a director for the National Law Center for Inter-American free trade. She is affiliated with a variety of women’s, minority and business organizations. A former national-class triathlete, Carmen brings to Mission the same ability, strength and determination that allowed her, at the age of 50, to come in first in the 40 and over age division at the annual Escape from Alcatraz Biathlon.
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PRESIDENT, Laurel Ann Olson, J.D.helped develop and execute the business plans that opened Mission’s doors. She
oversees trust administration, operations and the daily implementation of investment
policy for each client. A practicing attorney for nearly 20 years, Laurie served as a
judge pro-tem for the San Diego Superior Court and taught business law as an
adjunct professor at Coleman College. Laurie is a member of the St. Elizabeth’s
Health Center Advisory Board, the Charitable Gift Planning Advisory Committee of
the Carondelet Foundation, Friends of the Monastery Advisory Board, Soroptimist
International of Desert Tucson, and the Southern Arizona Estate Planning Council.
She is the first woman to serve on the national board of the Association of
Independent Trust Companies (AITCO), an industry trade association. Formerly a
nationally ranked runner and a member of a world record setting masters 4 x 800
relay team, Laurie later began competitive cycling, twice completing the 111-mile
Tour de Tucson and winning four silver medals in the 1997 Senior Olympics. The
dedication, excellence and versatility Laurie demonstrates in her athletic pursuits and community activities are the same qualities she brings to Mission. |
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MANAGING DIRECTOR AND CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER, Thomas J. Feeneyhas been professionally involved in asset management and investment consulting since 1969. He has worked with cities, states and major corporations, concentrating particularly on service to charitable and other not-for-profit organizations. In addition to his responsibilities at Mission, Tom is President of Mission’s affiliate, Marathon Asset Management Co., Inc. He was previously Executive Director of Stewardship Services, Inc. and a Senior Vice President of Atalanta/Sosnoff Capital Corporation. Prior to his investment career, Tom served on the faculties of the University of Santa Clara, St. Joseph’s College and Guadalupe College. In later years, he lectured on investments at the University of Notre Dame and Georgetown University. His own academic background includes an A.B. in economics from Boston College, an M.B.A. degree from the University of Santa Clara, studies at the Stanford Law School and additional post-graduate work at the University of San Francisco. Tom’s community activities include fund development and pro bono consulting for non-profit organizations. An avid golfer today, he completed the famous Boston Marathon three times.
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SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, PORTFOLIO MANAGER, Susan L. Ernskyis responsible for institutional and individual portfolio management and leads Mission’s business development efforts. She earned her B.A. and M.B.A.—with a concentration in finance—from the University of Arizona. She joined Mission after twelve years in bank administration, retail banking, and bank operations. Before joining Mission, Susan worked for Citibank and Norwest Bank, progressing from management trainee to the Tucson bank president in 10 years. She is a former board member of the American Cancer Society, the YWCA, the KUAT Advisory Board, The Parent Connection, United Way of Greater Tucson and the Chicanos Por La Causa Advisory Board. She maintains an active community service schedule today, serving on the board of TMC HealthCare, one of Tucson's community hospitals. A recipient of numerous awards, including the YWCA’s 1995 Women on the Move Award, Susan’s professional achievements, leadership and community involvement exemplify Mission’s founding objectives.
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VICE PRESIDENT, PORTFOLIO MANAGER, Noell Rodriguezis a member of our portfolio management team, managing both individual and institutional portfolios, and has primary trading responsibility. She joined Mission following two years as an independent financial advisor and over 11 years of experience in the securities industry where she served as Supervising Branch Manager for Sutro & Co. for three years and Administrative Manager at Morgan Stanley Dean Witter. Her professional licensing includes: NASD General Securities (Series 7), SEC State Securities (Series 63), Investment Advisor and Life, Health, Variable Annuities Insurance License (Series 65), and General Securities Sales Supervisor (Series 8). Noell is active in the community, with much of her time dedicated to promoting opportunities for Hispanics through the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Hispanic Professional Action Committee. She is a graduate of the United Way Multicultural Leadership Development Program and was a 2003 YWCA Woman on the Move Nominee. Noell completed the majority of her undergraduate education at New Mexico State University prior to relocating to Tucson. She holds a B.A. in Business Administration from University of Phoenix.
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VICE PRESIDENT, TRUST ADMINISTRATOR AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, Lee M. Granaas, CTFAis responsible for client administration and business development in both the personal and institutional areas for Mission. Lee joined the company having three decades of fiduciary experience, most recently managing the Private Client Services department for Compass Bank in Tucson. Prior to that, Lee served as Vice President and Manager of Bank of America’s Trust and Investment Department in Tucson, and was with First Bank Systems’ Trust and Investment office in Rapid City, South Dakota. With her undergraduate degree in Business Administration from National College in Rapid City, Lee later earned the Certified Trust and Financial Advisor (CTFA) certification and completed advanced administration and graduate coursework with Cannon Financial Institute. She was the president of the Southern Arizona Estate Planning Council and has served on the Board of Directors for eight consecutive years. Her community involvement includes serving as a Foundation Board member for Casa de los Niños and her membership on the University of Arizona’s Planned Giving Advisory Council. Lee brings extensive trust experience and a strong orientation toward high quality service.
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VICE PRESIDENT, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, Cyndi Spragueis responsible for Mission’s trust and custody operations, which involve pension processing, cash and trade settlements, dividend and interest income collection, depository reconcilement and the various activities of trust accounting. Working closely with Mission’s portfolio managers and external investment managers, Cyndi ensures accurate and timely handling of trades and portfolio accounting for our clients. She brought to Mission nearly twenty years of experience in securities operations and trust accounting, including her instrumental role in the founding of Northern Indiana Trust in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Cyndi is a an honors graduate of Cannon's Certified Trust Operations Specialist and was Series 7 Registered with the National Association of Securities Dealers. She is a program volunteer with the YWCA and a graduate of its Women on the Move Leadership Program. Cyndi's responsibilities are the cornerstone for sound operations and strong growth at Mission.
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PORTFOLIO MANAGER AND TREASURER, C. William Winkler, Jr., C.P.A.manages investment portfolios, handles the internal finance, budgeting and accounting functions, and coordinates both internal and external development work relating to our information systems and portfolio management systems architecture. A Certified Public Accountant, he graduated from UCLA with a degree in Business Administration and earned his M.B.A. in accounting from UCLA. Before joining Mission, Bill was with Arthur Andersen & Co. in Boston and Teledyne, Inc. in Los Angeles. Most recently, he served as an independent financial consultant and accountant to non-profit organizations and several companies in various industries. Bill also taught introductory and advanced accounting and spreadsheet software classes. Bill’s three decades of financial, administrative and organizational experience assures Mission’s operation of effective portfolio and accounting systems and efficient internal procedures and controls. His analytical and inventive perspectives give Mission a progressive edge as we continue our rapid growth.
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Associate Staff |
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COMPLIANCE OFFICER, Helena R. Bish, J.D.is responsible for risk management, regulatory compliance and internal audit. A member of the Arizona State Bar, Helena's legal education and expertise contributes to Mission's success on the internal front as well as with clients. After completing a degree in Accountancy (cum laude) from Northern Arizona University, she later earned her law degree from the University of Arizona. She brings a depth of experience in estate planning and administration, individual and estate tax preparation, probate, auditing and regulatory compliance that is seldom matched in the trust industry. Helena is a member of the Fiduciary and Investment Risk Management Association and the Southern Arizona Estate Planning Council, an industry trade association. Her extraordinary initiative, versatility and diverse experience make her a valuable member of the Mission team.
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TRUST ADMINISTRATOR, Constance A. Hillyerserves as administrator of a variety of Mission’s accounts. Connie joined us with extensive experience in the industry, most recently at Citigroup in San Francisco, where she spent fourteen years administering accounts for Private Bank clients. She was also Assistant Manager of Sanwa Bank California’s Pasadena personal trust office, and prior to that spent a decade with Wells Fargo Bank, first in fiduciary and estate tax preparation and then personal trust and investment administration. She earned her B.A. from the University of Colorado, and after completing the Lawyer’s Assistant Program at Roosevelt University, Connie began her trust career as a legal assistant at the Chicago law firm Schiff Hardin & Waite. She is a member of the University of Arizona Foundation Professional Advisory Council and the Southern Arizona Estate Planning Council. Along with her background at major financial institutions, Connie’s focus on providing the very highest level of service to clients makes her a valuable member of Mission’s team.
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INVESTMENT ACCOUNTANT, Rashad Kellyis responsible for recording securities transactions for Mission’s clients and reconciling accounts to meet international performance standards. The Tucson native recently graduated from the University of Arizona with a B.S. in Business Administration with an emphasis on Business Management. Prior to attending the UA, Rashad received his Associate’s Degree in Business Administration from Pima Community College. At the University of Arizona, he received Honorable Mention for the Dean’s List at the Eller College of Management.
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ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, Rhonda L. Perezjoined Mission after a career as an operations supervisor for Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith. While there she supervised activities of the wire room and cashiering departments for the parent and satellite offices in southwestern Arizona. Rhonda gained her banking experience as a cash control clerk for Cigna Health Care, where she directed cashier and banking functions for medical branch offices. Her primary responsibilities at Mission involve general trust operations such as account setup and transfers, and payment processing. She works closely with the trust administrators and portfolio managers to process and settle portfolio transactions and properly account for client assets. Rhonda obtained her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Accounting from the University of Arizona.
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Trust Administrative Assistant, Pamela Reisingerbrings 6 years of legal and office management and estate planning experience to the Mission team. As Trust Administrative Assistant, she provides administrative support to our Trust Officers and aids in the overall maintenance of investment management and trust accounts. Pamela’s ability to communicate with professionals and clients (fluently in both Spanish and English) is a valuable asset in providing the highest standard of one-on-one client service. Born in Madrid, Spain, she and her husband relocated to Tucson in 2001 to enjoy our climate and desert fauna.
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ACCOUNTING PROJECTS COORDINATOR, Linda Riggsensures that the Mission team complies with the Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS) for reporting investment performance, and oversees numerous tax and accounting projects. Her prior career in public accounting includes a three-year stint as an auditor with an international firm and 10 years with local and national firms. Earlier, she worked in a financial capacity with a large aerospace firm for 13 years. Linda earned her undergraduate degree in business with an emphasis on accounting from California State University/Long Beach, and a Master’s degree from California State University/Dominguez Hills.
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PORTFOLIO MANAGER, Kerry Sroczynskijoins Mission’s portfolio management team with over twelve years experience in the financial services industry. Most recently, he served as commercial loan specialist for JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Prior to JPMorgan, Kerry worked for several independent financial advisors and served as the Director of Investor Relations for a commercial real estate firm located in Chicago where he was solely responsible for the management of over 7,500 investors. He entered the University of Illinois at Urbana as a salutatorian, graduating with a B.S. degree in Advertising. Kerry’s commitment to client service, and broad and process-oriented knowledge of the financial services industry are a welcome addition to the Mission Team.
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OFFICE MANAGER AND EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT, Barbara J. Strothmanoversees all internal office functions, assists with trust administration, and provides support and guidance for external meetings, conferences, and visiting clients. Barb facilitates many client contact issues where her cheerful and outgoing personality is a major asset. She joined Mission after 29 years of legal and marketing executive support services in Minnesota. That background and her excellent organizational skills help keep the Mission team on track.
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Electronic mailGeneral Information: info@MissionTrust.com |
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