OUR PEOPLE
We are passionate and focused about what we do and how we do it.
The result is a team of professionals each with unique knowledge and deep experience.
Michael O. Tempest
Co-Chief Investment Officer
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Michael Tempest is Managing Principal and Co-Chief Investment Officer for Alta Capital Management (Alta), a member of Guardian Capital Group Limited. He joined Alta in 1996.His career in the financial services industry began in January 1991, when he joined Shell Oil as a financial analyst in Houston, Texas. Prior to joining Alta, Mike worked in the institutional equity departments of Bear Stearns and Morgan Stanley, international investment banking firms based in New York City.
Mike received a bachelor’s degree in international finance from Brigham Young University. He earned his MBA with a concentration in Finance from Columbia Business School in New York City. Mike serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Utah, where he teaches a course in investments.
Casey D. Nelsen, CFA
Co-Chief Investment Officer
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Casey Nelsen is a Managing Principal and Co-Chief Investment Officer for Alta Capital Management (Alta), a member of Guardian Capital Group Limited.
His career in the investment management industry began with Alta in 2007.
Casey graduated from Brigham Young University’s Marriott School of Management, (with a bachelor’s degree in business management, with a finance emphasis). As an undergraduate, Casey was a founding member of the Brigham Young University student investment fund. He continues to work with students managing the fund, making annual visits to share investment insights. He is a CFA® Charterholder and a member of the CFA Society of Salt Lake.
Melanie Hucherard Peche, CFA
Portfolio Manager
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Melanie Peche is Portfolio Manager for Alta Capital Management (Alta), a member of Guardian Capital Group Limited. She joined Alta in 2004. Her career in the financial services industry began in June 1994 when she joined Goldman Sachs as an equity analyst. As a sell-side equity analyst, Melanie has also had the opportunity to advise corporate managements and government officials on strategy, financing, privatization and equity market valuations. Prior to joining Alta, Melanie was Vice President of European Equities at Salomon Smith Barney in London. Melanie graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in finance and accounting and is an alumna of the Applied Security Analysis Program. She is a CFA® Charterholder and is active in the CFA Society of Salt Lake.
Andrew H. Schaffernoth, AFTA
Client Portfolio Manager
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Andrew Schaffernoth is a Client Portfolio Manager for Alta.
As CPM, he serves as an external voice and proxy for the investment team while also advocating internally for the interests of Alta clients. He provides clients, prospects, and consultants with detailed information regarding Alta’s investment philosophy, strategies, and holdings. He joined Alta in 2006. His career in the financial services industry began in 1987 when he joined First Union National Bank in the Institutional Trust Group.
Directly prior to joining Alta, Andrew was founder of Chesapeake Investment Marketing & Advisory Group in Virginia. Andrew graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Trust and Investment Management from Campbell University. He holds the Accredited Trust Financial Advisor (ATFA) designation and is active in numerous professional organizations and boards.
Nathan Rhees
Client Portfolio Manager
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Nathan (Nate) Rhees is Client Portfolio Manager for Alta Capital Management LLC (Alta). He joined Alta in 2006.
His career in the financial services industry began in 2000 when he joined Fidelity as Trading Specialist. Directly prior to joining Alta, Nate served as a Vice President with Goldman Sachs in its investment management operation where he managed multiple departments including control and risk management, collateral-based lending, trade execution and mutual fund operations.
Nate graduated with a bachelor’s degree in finance and economics from Utah State University. He serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Utah, teaching a finance professionals lecture series.
Carter Allen, CFA
Equity Research Analyst
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Carter Allen is an Equity Research Analyst for Alta Capital Management (Alta), a member of Guardian Capital Group Limited. He joined Alta in 2019.
His career in financial services began at Alta. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in finance, investment, and banking, as well as a Master of Science in finance. He is an alumnus of the Applied Security Analysis Program, a two-year program that combines financial theory with hands-on training in security analysis and portfolio management. He is a CFA® Charterholder and a member of the CFA Society of Salt Lake.
Nirvon Mahdavi, CFA
Equity Research Analyst
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Nirvon Mahdavi is an Equity Research Analyst for Alta Capital Management (Alta), a member of Guardian Capital Group Limited. He joined Alta in 2016, while a student at the University of Utah.
Nirvon began his career in financial services at Alta and is a graduate of University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business (B.S. Finance). He is a CFA® Charterholder and a member of the CFA Society of Salt Lake.
Daniel Lasky
Junior Equity Research Analyst
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Daniel Lasky is a Junior Equity Research Analyst for Alta Capital Management (Alta), a member of Guardian Capital Group Limited. He joined Alta in 2022.
Daniel entered the industry in 2022 when he joined Alta. He gained previous experience as a tax accountant for Drivetime Automotive Group, where he handled both its retail and related finance business taxes. Daniel earned an Accounting, Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Boise State University
Haley M. Hammond
Chief Compliance Officer
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Haley Hammond is Chief Compliance Officer for Alta Capital Management LLC (Alta). She joined Alta in 2005.
Prior to joining Alta, Haley was an investment consultant at Fidelity Investments, where she advised clients on asset allocation strategies and individual investments for their portfolios.
Haley holds bachelor’s degrees in finance and human resource management and an MBA with an emphasis in finance, all from the University of Utah.
Todd Kearney
Director of Trading
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Todd Kearney is the Director of Trading for Alta Capital Management (Alta), a member of Guardian Capital Group Limited. He joined Alta in 2010.
His career in the financial services industry began in 1995 when he joined Fidelity as a trader for retail clients. During his six-year tenure at Fidelity, he also held roles as an investment consultant and as a supervisor in retail operations. In 2001, Goldman Sachs recruited Todd and, over the following eight years, he worked in several areas of operations for the organization, including margin, trade settlements, ACATs, restricted stock and alternative investments.
Todd is a graduate of the University of Utah.
Debi Holmes
Director of Operations
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Debi Holmes is the Director of Operations for Alta Capital Management (Alta), a member of Guardian Capital Group Limited. She joined Alta in 2019.
Her career in financial services began in 2006 in the operations group at Merrill Lynch. There she had exposure to multiple instruments of investment on the operations side, supporting institutional sales, trading, and advisors. Her time in operations continued at Morgan Stanley, and then Goldman Sachs, further expanding her exposure to various investment vehicles. Debi is a graduate of the University of North Florida with a bachelor’s degree in business management.
Curtis Lingren
Trader
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Curtis is a Trader for Alta Capital Management (Alta), a member of Guardian Capital Group Limited. He joined Alta in 2015.
His career in financial services began in 2012. Curtis operates in tandem with Alta’s Director of Trading to ensure best execution for the firm. He also liaisons portfolio changes to third-party platforms, oversees client special situations, tax loss harvesting, and performs ad-hoc analysis. Prior to joining Alta, Curtis was a member of the sales and trading team at GPS Capital Markets – a boutique foreign exchange firm based in Salt Lake City. During his time at GPS, Curtis consulted with various corporate executives to implement comprehensive FX execution and risk management policies for international treasury departments around the country. Curtis holds an active FINRA Series 65 license and is a graduate of the University of Utah, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Finance.
Ruairi Chapman
Director, Client Services
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Ruairi Chapman is a Director, Client Service & Development for Alta Capital Management LLC (Alta). He joined Alta in 2022.
Ruairi entered the industry in 2007 when he joined Fidelity Investments as a Registered Representative. Subsequent roles included managing teams in support of Equity Derivatives trading for Goldman Sachs institutional client base. Directly before joining Alta, Ruairi was US Head of Synthetic Product Group Operations and Senior Vice President for Goldman.
Ruairi earned two degrees – a BA in French and a BA in International Studies with a minor in History Administration from the University of Utah. He holds Series 7, 63 and 65 securities licenses from FINRA.
Zach Bitner
Client Services Leader
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Zach Bitner is Client Services Leader for Alta Capital Management (Alta), a member of Guardian Capital Group Limited.
His career in the investment management industry began with Alta in 2014 as an Operations Associate. Zach’s background in operations provided valuable experience for his current role where he has various responsibilities in supporting the firm’s overall client service and development initiatives.
Zach holds an active FINRA series 65 license and graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree in Finance and Chinese minor.
Isabelle Allen
Client Services Associate
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Isabelle Allen is a Client Services Associate for Alta Capital Management (Alta), a member of Guardian Capital Group Limited. She joined Alta in 2023.
Before joining Alta, Isabelle was a loan coordinator at Prosperity Home Mortgage where she was able to begin her career in the financial services industry.
Isabelle graduated from Oklahoma State University with a bachelor’s degree in Communications.
Donna Thygesen
Operations Associate
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Donna Thygesen is the Operations Associate for Alta Capital Management (Alta), a member of Guardian Capital Group Limited. She joined Alta in 2005.
Her career in financial services began in 1992 at A. G. Edwards. There she helped facilitate day-to-day operations through various roles, including Cashier, Wire Operator, Client Associate for several financial advisors and Operations manager. Donna joined the Alta team in Trading and Operations, bringing her expertise and commitment to excellent client service.
Candice Shurtliff
Compliance/Operations Associate
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Candice Shurtliff is the Compliance/Operations Associate for Alta Capital Management (Alta), a member of Guardian Capital Group Limited. She joined Alta in 2023.
Before joining Alta, Candice was a 401(K) Planning Consultant at Fidelity where she was able to begin her career in the financial services industry.
Candice graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
Keith Schwartz
Director, Southeast Region
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Keith Schwartz is Director, Southeast Region for Alta Capital Management LLC (Alta). He became part of the Alta team in 2018 with the acquisition of Alta by Guardian Capital Group (Guardian). He joined Guardian in 2016 and is responsible for building and servicing financial intermediary relationships in the Southeast United States.
Keith brings more than 22 years of investment industry experience to his role. His career in the financial services industry began in 1994 when he joined Merrill Lynch. Directly prior to joining Guardian, Keith held a similar position with Affiliated Managers Group and its predecessor firm Aston Asset Management.
Keith graduated from New York University with a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in both Finance and Economics.
Joe Reid
Director, Central Region
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Joe Reid is Director, Central Region for Alta Capital Management LLC (Alta). He became part of the Alta team in 2018 with the acquisition of Alta by Guardian Capital Group (Guardian). Joe joined Guardian in 2016 and has responsibility for business development in the Central Region of the United States.
His career in the financial services industry began in 1998 when he joined the AIM Family of Funds. Prior to joining Guardian, Joe was a partner and Managing Director at Aston Asset Management where he was directly responsible for mutual fund business development in Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Joe joined Aston’s predecessor firm, ABN AMRO in 1999.
Joe received a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Texas Christian University and holds Series 6, 7 and 63 securities licenses.
Bob Leahy
Director, Northeast Region
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Bob Leahy is Director, Northeast Region for Alta Capital Management LLC (Alta). He became part of the Alta team in 2019 and has responsibility for business development in the Northeast Region of the United States.
Bob brings more than 25 years of investment industry experience. His career in the financial services industry began in 1993 when he joined NATIXIS. Directly prior to joining Alta, Bob was Director Northeast Regional Manager, Broker Sales at AMG Funds. Bob was responsible for the business development in the Broker Dealer Channel, Northeast region.
Bob received a Bachelor degree in Communications from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst campus.
David Robinow
Director, Western Region
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David Robinow is the Director, Western Region, for Alta Capital Management LLC (Alta). David is focused on the US Western Region for Alta. He became part of the Alta team in 2018 with the acquisition of Alta by Guardian Capital Group Limited. He joined Guardian in 2016 and is responsible for building and servicing financial intermediary relationships in the Western United States.
He brings more than 20 years of investment industry experience to his role. Prior to joining Guardian, David was a partner with Aston Asset Management, as well as holding numerous sales consulting positions with Callan Associates and Charles Schwab.
David received his Business Economics degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara and holds his Series 6, 7 and 63 FINRA licenses.