Wally Obermeyer

President & Co-Chairman | Partner

info@obermeyerwood.com

Wally is the firm’s co-chairman and president, overseeing our operations, managing client relationships, and spearheading strategic initiatives.

Wally founded Obermeyer Asset Management after serving as regional vice president of Heritage Trust and Asset Management from 1994 to 1997. He has a broad range of business and financial experience, including managing his family’s ski apparel business and founding a hydroelectric generation company. Wally earned his MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA, cum laude, from Harvard College. He is a trustee and Investment Committee Chair of the Gates Family Foundation and a board member for the Denver Museum of Nature and Science Foundation and the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies. Wally has been recognized for over a decade in leading industry rankings, most recently in by Forbes (“Top Wealth Advisors” in 2019 and “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” in 2020) and Barron’s (“Top 100 Independent Advisors” in 2018 and “America’s Top Independent Advisors” in 2019 and 2020). Obermeyer is also one of Barron’s 2019 Hall of Fame advisors, in recognition of being ranked on the Top 100 list for over a decade.

You can read more about Wally in both the Forbes and Barron’s advisor directories.

On a Personal Note
Outside of the office, Wally is an avid and experienced pilot. As a Colorado native, it should be no surprise that he enjoys spending time on the slopes and considers himself an outdoors enthusiast. While at Harvard, he was also a letter-winning member of the Men's Lightweight Rowing team.

George F. Wood, CFA

Co-Chairman | Partner

George is our firm’s co-chairman.

George founded Wood Investment Counsel, LLC, in 1982 to provide independent investment management. He began his investment career in 1969 as an investment analyst with Stein Roe & Farnham, a leading investment advisory firm in Chicago, where he became a partner. He was subsequently with State Farm Insurance, where he was responsible for investment analysis and portfolio management. George holds an MBA from the University of Chicago and a PE (Professional Engineering) degree in chemical engineering from the Colorado School of Mines. He serves on the Colorado School of Mines Foundation Board of Governors and is chairman of its Investment Committee.

Skip Dines

Senior Vice President | Partner

skip@obermeyerwood.com

Skip manages client relationships, working with individuals, multigenerational families, trusts, pension and profit-sharing plans, and foundations.

Skip has more than 30 years of investment management experience in the Denver area. From 1986 to 1997, he was an officer, fixed-income research analyst, securities trader, and member of the Investment Committee for Tempest, Isenhart, Chafee, Lansdowne and Associates, then one of Denver’s leading independent investment advisors. He was a partner at Davis Capital Management, LLC, from 1997 until its merger with Wood Investment Counsel. Skip received a BS in biology from Lewis & Clark College. He is a regular member of the Denver Society of Security Analysts and the CFA Institute.

On a Personal Note 
Like many Colorado natives, Skip is an avid outdoorsman. When he isn't working, Skip enjoys camping, fishing, and hunting throughout the Rocky Mountains, from Colorado to British Columbia. He and his wife also enjoy spending time with friends and family and traveling.

Ali Flynn Phillips

Senior Vice President | Partner

ali@obermeyerwood.com

Ali manages client relationships, working closely with individuals and multigenerational families, and advises on asset allocation and investment strategy. She also helps implement our strategic and marketing initiatives.

Ali has worked in the financial industry for 25 years, joining Obermeyer in 2005. As a vice president at Goldman Sachs, she worked in debt capital markets and corporate derivatives and on the Fixed Income division's internal strategy team. Earlier, at Salomon Brothers in the US and London, Ali advised corporate clients on strategic alliances, risk-management policies, and capital-raising transactions. Ali earned her BA, cum laude, from Middlebury College with honors in economics. She is a board member and treasurer for the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies Endowment Fund and for Theatre Aspen, and serves on the advisory boards for Schwab Advisor Services and the Vanguard Leadership Group of the Aspen Institute. Ali is included in Forbes' "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" (2018-2020) and "Top Women Wealth Advisors" (2017-2020) lists. Working Mother/Shook Research also named her one of America's "Top Wealth Advisor Moms" (2017-2020).

Read more about Ali in the Forbes Top Advisory Directory.

On a Personal Note 
There's a good chance you'll find Ali doing something outdoors when she is not in the office. Whether it's skiing, hiking, golfing, biking, traveling, or keeping up with her two middle school kids, she's always on the move. After leaving the East Coast, she and her husband drove cross-country as they set out for California. They spent two months visiting mountain towns between Colorado and Canada and decided to give Aspen a try. They haven't left or regretted their decision, since.

Maia Babbs, CFA

Vice President | Investments and Client Advisory| Partner

maia@obermeyerwood.com

Maia performs security analysis and manages client relationships.

Maia has nearly two decades of broad financial industry experience. Most recently, she was an equity research analyst at Janus Capital, focusing on the global financial sector with an emphasis on investment banks, insurance, and specialty financial firms. Her experience includes working as an equity research analyst at Denver Investment Advisors, a senior associate at investment banking firm Green Manning and Bunch, Ltd., and an associate in Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.’s debt capital markets group. Maia received her BA in foreign affairs from the University of Virginia and her MA in Law and Diplomacy (International Affairs) with a concentration in international economics and finance from The Fletcher School at Tufts University. Appointed in 2015, Maia is a commissioner for the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE). She was appointed the chair of the Fiscal Affairs and Audit Committee of the CCHE in October of 2018. Maia was also elected to the Genesee Fire Protection District Board of Directors in 2018 and is currently serving as Treasurer for that organization.

On a Personal Note 
Outside of the office, Maia enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, as well as their two Australian shepherds. Taking full advantage of Colorado's great outdoors, they enjoy skiing in the winter, hiking with their dogs, and biking to local craft breweries (Breckenridge is their favorite!) in the warmer seasons. Maia's daughter loves SoulCycle, so they enjoy working out together when possible. With an Airstream in tow, their family goes road tripping and traveling any chance that they can get, especially if it's to the beach. And aside from Colorado, she has lived all over the world, including East Berlin, Prague, San Jose, Costa Rica, Buenos Aires, Boston, and New York.

Roger Hennefield, CFA

Vice President | Trading and Investments

roger@obermeyerwood.com

Roger manages the firm’s trading operations, fixed income portfolio, and performance reporting, as well as select client relationships.

Roger has worked in the financial sector since 1984 and joined Obermeyer in 1998 as one of the firm’s first team members. Roger previously worked for ASB Capital Management and Columbia Partners, LLC, as a fixed income and equity analyst providing quantitative portfolio and security analytics. He was an equity trader and did econometric modeling at Merrill Lynch in the 1980s. Roger holds an MBA in finance from the University of Colorado and a BS in mathematics from the University of Delaware.

On a Personal Note 
On any given winter morning, you can probably find Roger skinning-up and skiing-down Aspen mountain as the sun rises. During the warmer months, you can find him biking and hiking throughout the Roaring Fork Valley.

Bret Hirsh

Vice President | Investments and Client Advisory

bret@obermeyerwood.com

Bret performs security analysis and manages client relationships.

He began working in financial services industry in 2004, and was most recently a founding senior research analyst at One Tusk Investment Management in New York, NY. Bret's prior experience includes senior research positions at Scout Capital Management, Karsch Capital, and Crestwood Capital Management. He began his career as an analyst at Ares Management LLC and Credit Suisse First Boston. Bret is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned his B.S., cum laude, in philosophy, political science, and economics.

On a Personal Note 
In his free time, Bret serves as a chauffeur for his two young boys. He is a member of  the YPO global leadership community, the Vanguard group at the Aspen Institute, and the Finance Committee at Aspen Country Day School. He also serves as a board member at Alpine Legal Services, a non-profit civil legal assistance agency. Bret and his family founded the Hirsh Family Scholarship at the University of Pennsylvania.
 

Dana Gleason Nightingale, CFA

Vice President | Investments and Client Advisory| Partner

dana@obermeyerwood.com

Dana performs security analysis, manages client relationships, and spearheads the firm’s Denver-area marketing initiatives. She also helps clients analyze their overall financial situation and goals.

Dana has twelve years of financial sector experience. Before joining Obermeyer, she specialized in capital markets and investor relations, holding positions at Intelsat, Washington Real Estate Investment Trust, and Ford Motor Company. Dana earned her MBA in finance from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and a BBA in finance and political science from the University of Notre Dame. Forbes named Dana in its ranking of “America’s Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors” (2017-2020) and "Top Women Wealth Advisors" (2020). She was also included in Working Mother/Shook Research’s “Top Wealth Advisor Moms” (2017-2020).

Read more about Dana in the Forbes Top Advisory Directory.

On a Personal Note
On any given day you can find Dana spending time with her Czech shepherd, toddlers, and husband, Ben. She is learning to garden and enjoys creating meals for her family with anything that grows. In her free time, Dana escapes to Steamboat Springs to take full advantage of the amazing hiking and cross-country skiing Colorado offers. When in Denver, Dana stays active by trying out new workout classes in Cherry Creek and riding on her Peloton. If there's one thing you should know about Dana, it's that she's crazy about audio books. She's always looking for her next read (or listen) and is open to suggestions!

G. Tod Wood, CFA

Vice President | Investments | Partner

tod@obermeyerwood.com

Tod is a dedicated research analyst focusing on the financial, software, technology, and healthcare sectors.

Tod has more than two decades of investment management experience, beginning as an analyst for ING Barings Securities in Tokyo in 1994, where he served as senior economist and analyst for the financial and telecommunications sectors. He joined JP Morgan Fleming in London as a portfolio manager for Japanese equities, and then served as analyst and portfolio manager for Tokyo-based Whitney & Co., a leading Japanese hedge fund. Tod received a BA in Asian studies from Pomona College and an MA in international relations from The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.

On a Personal Note 
Tod has spent seven years serving on the Board of Directors at the Haleakala Waldorf School. During this time, he has helped expand the school from exclusively serving K-8 students to including grades 9-12, as well. He serves on the board of the Hui Noeau Visual Arts Center, where he currently teaches a senior seminar titled “Decision Making Under Uncertainty.”

Outside of the office, Tod enjoys walking, biking, and gardening as well as playing the guitar and piano. And he always enjoys a good book, especially one on math, science or African American literature and history.

Charlton Rugg

Chief Compliance, Legal, and Technology Officer

charlton@obermeyerwood.com

Charlton directs our compliance and technology programs and is a general resource on regulatory and legal matters. Charlton has extensive experience in securities regulation and law.

Before joining Obermeyer Wood, he founded C.A. Rugg Advisory Services LLC, a Denver-based private law practice providing representation and advice on regulatory and business matters. Previous positions include serving as senior counsel in FINRA’s Enforcement Department, as an assistant U.S. attorney in the District of New Jersey’s U.S. Attorney’s Office, and as an associate at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP in New York City. Charlton is a graduate of the University of Colorado School of Law and received his undergraduate degree in philosophy from Brown University.

On a Personal Note 
Outside of the office, you might find Charlton sailing, skiing, hiking, or simply trying to keep up with his two boys.

Brian Brady

Director | Marketing and Communications

brian@obermeyerwood.com

Brian directs our marketing program and client communications initiatives.

Brian has a decade of experience working across the public, nonprofit, and private sectors in marketing and communications leadership positions. Before joining Obermeyer Wood, Brian served as the Director of Communications at insurance technology company Vertafore, where he was responsible for leading all marketing, external, and internal communications. His previous experience includes various communications roles in the United States House of Representatives Budget Committee and for the nonprofit US-Ireland Alliance. Brian is a graduate of Princeton University where he earned his B.A. in political science with a focus on international relations and security studies.

On a Personal Note 
Brian enjoys spending time in the Rocky Mountains mountains snowboarding, skiing and hiking. When it's a little warmer out, Brian loves playing soccer, a sport he played at the NCAA division 1 level in college. Outside of the office you'll find Brian rooting on any sports team from Washington, D.C. and cooking.

Mary Elisberg

Vice President | Client Services | Partner

mary@obermeyerwood.com

Mary is responsible for the administration of client services in the Denver office, as well as many of the firm’s human resource functions.

Mary joined Wood Investment Counsel in 1993 and has 35 years of experience in the investment field. Mary has managed administrative, operations, and trading activities. Previously, she administered more than 100 pension accounts for Coughlin Asset Management Group and performed various operational responsibilities for the Asset Management Group. Mary earned her bachelor’s degree in management and accounting from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan.

On a Personal Note 
Mary is an active volunteer puppy raiser for Canine Companions for Independence (CCI). CCI is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support to ensure quality partnerships. Mary, and our Denver office, is proud to often host a puppy on their journey to becoming an assistance dog serving disabled adults and children, veterans, and specific professional fields.

Kimbo Brown-Schirato

Manager | Client Services

kimbo@obermeyerwood.com

Kimbo assists with client relationship management, including supporting analysis around financial goals and cash flows. She is also a key contact for liquidity requests and retirement plan distributions.

Originally from South Africa, she has lived in the Roaring Fork Valley since 2006. Kimbo brings experience in the nonprofit and hospitality sectors, most recently working as Aspen Youth Experience’s business manager, where she was responsible for bookkeeping, financial reporting, and human resource management. She earned her BBS from the University of Cape Town with honors in marketing and economics. Kimbo is a board member of the Aspen Community Foundation.

On a Personal Note
In their free time, Kimbo and her husband enjoy spending as much time in the outdoors as possible. You can find them skiing, rock climbing and mountain biking with their little girl, Taylor. They are fully subscribed to the weekend warrior #vanlife and enjoy exploring the Mountain West in their custom converted Sprinter van.

Molly A. Hartzler

Manager | Client Services

molly@obermeyerwood.com

Molly is responsible for the administration of client accounts. She also assists in trading and operational areas.

Molly joined Wood in 2009 with more than two decades of financial and investment management operations experience. She began her financial career at Wells Fargo in the trust administration area. She also worked in investment management operations at PVG Asset Management in Golden, Colorado.

On a Personal Note
Outside of work, Molly is a traveler to all places sunny! She also enjoys spending time with family and friends, especially her teenage son, who is an avid baseball player.

Christine Goodendorf

Manager | Bookkeeping

chris@obermeyerwood.com

Chris oversees our firm’s finance and business operations.

Chris has more than 20 years of experience in the financial sector. Before joining Obermeyer in 1997, Chris provided accounting support for Bank of Aspen and World Wide Ski Corporation.

On a Personal Note 
When she is not in the office, Chris enjoys spending time with her cats Lloyd and Minnie, who she named after her parents. In her free time she enjoys knitting and reading.

Elise A. Wood

Senior Associate | Client Services

elise@obermeyerwood.com

Elise manages multiple aspects of our client accounts including setup, reconciliation, and maintenance, and serves as a primary point of contact with third-party custodians. She also handles various aspects of our SEC compliance.

Elise brings extensive experience in the independent investment advisory business, most recently serving as a client service representative with The Milestone Group. A native of Ohio, Elise earned her BS from the College of Charleston.

On a Personal Note
While she was born a Buckeye, Elise has called Colorado home since 2007. She grew up in Central Ohio as the oldest of three siblings, and the shortest in height by almost a foot. Whether in the mountains, Maritimes, or the Lowcountry, she loves spending time with family and "framily."   

Jody Dible

Associate | Client Services and Operations

jody@obermeyerwood.com

Jody works closely with our team in the areas of general support and client services. She also manages key aspects of our Aspen office’s technology systems.

She has extensive operations and support experience, including positions at Shamrock Foods, Four Corners Properties in Basalt, and CenturyLink. Her background includes computer science, information technology, and software development studies at the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University.

On a Personal Note 
Always trying to enjoy the outdoors, you'll find Jody camping , hiking, paddle boarding, mountain biking, cooking or traveling on any given weekend. And, of course, she is a crazy dog mom to three fur babies.

Luke Jones

ASSOCIATE | CLIENT ADVISORY

luke@obermeyerwood.com

Luke works closely with our relationship managers to address clients’ needs and financial questions while also helping with the onboarding and transition of new relationships. He also helps support our Portfolio Committee by performing portfolio analysis and handling special reports.

Before joining Obermeyer Wood, Luke was an Associate at Perella Weinberg Partners, where he worked closely with large endowments and foundations in helping perform portfolio analysis, developing investment presentations, and modeling client situations. Prior to that, he worked as a trader for Scottrade, a large broker-dealer. Luke has spent extensive time working in third world countries volunteering for organizations like Food for the Hungry, The Dalit Freedom Network, and Hope Haven Rwanda. He received his education from Baylor University with a Bachelors in Business Administration, emphasizing in Marketing; Non-Profit Development. Luke is a CFA Level II Candidate.

On a Personal Note
Luke spends most his time hanging out with his wife Sawncy and German Shepard, Ada. He is an avid golfer in the summer and skier in the winter.              

Naomi Seldin

Associate | Client Services

naomi@obermeyerwood.com

Naomi supports client services, office administration, and the firm’s communications initiatives.

She has more than a decade of communications and support experience, including positions at Cornell University’s Alumni Affairs office, and newspapers in New York and New Jersey. She has a BA from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

On a Personal Note
When she's not working, you can find Naomi traveling, reading, or spending time with her husband and son. Her love of the outdoors blossomed at an early age while she was growing up in Durango, Colorado. In fact, she hiked her first 14-er near Silverton, Colorado was she was 12!

Efrata Kirose

ASSISTANT | CLIENT SERVICES AND MARKETING

efrata@obermeyerwood.com

Efrata supports client services, office administration, and marketing initiatives.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in international relations with a business concentration and a design technologies certificate from the University of Colorado Boulder. Efrata has experience working in microfinance, marketing, and design. She also utilizes her graphic design skills as a volunteer to assist global NGOs and non-profit organizations.

On a Personal Note
Efrata enjoys having picnics with friends and playing her guitar. She served as a board member of the Boulder Council for International Visitors, where she enjoyed interacting with people from all over the world.