Valley Investors Podcast with Nathan Erickson

In this episode, Terence Thompson shares his path from Air Force officer to investment leader at a multi-billion-dollar single family office in Arizona. He opens up about lessons learned across institutional and family office investing, his personal motivations, and the balance between wealth creation, preservation, and purpose. A must-listen for anyone curious about private capital management, ca...

In this episode of the Valley Investors Podcast, Don Opatrny shares his path from Cleveland to Cornell, through Wall Street and eventually to philanthropic leadership in Arizona. Don reflects on a dynamic career at Goldman Sachs that spanned corporate finance, international restructuring, and asset management. Now based in Phoenix, he's channeling his expertise into nonprofit investment strategy—e...

In this episode of the Valley Investors Podcast, host Nathan Erickson welcomes Bill Nygren, Partner, and Chief Investment Officer at Harris Associates and Vice President of Oakmark Funds. Bill shares his journey from a working-class high school in St. Paul, Minnesota, to becoming a distinguished value investor managing the Oakmark Fund. He discusses his investment philosophy, lessons from his earl...

In this episode of Valley Investors, Nathan Erickson welcomes Rob Arnott, Founder and Chairman of Research Affiliates, and a featured speaker at the upcoming CFA Society Phoenix Market Forecast Dinner. Rob discusses his pioneering work in fundamental indexing, the evolution of quantitative investing, and the importance of rebalancing in capturing returns. He shares insights into the limitations of...

In this episode of Valley Investors, host Nathan Erickson sits down with Dr. Hendrik Bessembinder, the Francis J. and Mary B. Labriola Endowed Chair at Arizona State University. Dr. Bessembinder shares his unique path from motorcycles to academia, diving into his extensive research on market design, trading strategies, and long-term investment performance. They explore his most famous work, "Do St...

In this episode of Valley Investors, Nathan Erickson interviews Kory Leadon, CFP, senior lead advisor at Brighton Jones. Kory shares his journey from growing up in Yakima, Washington, to his long tenure at Brighton Jones. He discusses the firm's unique approach to wealth management, the importance of tax planning, and how they integrate personal CFO services for their clients. Kory also delves int...

In this episode, Nathan Erickson welcomes Boots Dunlap, CEO and Co-founder of RRA Capital. Boots shares his journey from the military to real estate, detailing how his family's deep roots in Arizona shaped his career. He discusses the evolution of Arizona's economy, the intricacies of real estate cycles, and the innovative strategies behind RRA Capital's success in private credit and bridge lendin...

In this episode of Valley Investors, host Nathan Erickson welcomes Mark Steed, Chief Investment Officer at the Arizona Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS). Mark shares his journey from Michigan to Arizona, delving into his background in Latin American studies and his experience in microfinance. The discussion highlights the unique aspects of pension management, the challenges of asse...

In this episode, Nathan Erickson welcomes Dr. Sunil Wahal, the Jack D. Furst Professor of Finance and the Director of the Center for Responsible Investing at Arizona State University, also serving as a consultant for Avantis Investors. Dr. Wahal shares his global journey in finance, from his early years in India, London, and Hong Kong to his academic and professional endeavors in the United States...

In this episode, host Nathan Erickson sits down with Paul Matson, the Executive Director of the Arizona State Retirement System, to explore the intricate world of pension fund management. Paul shares his journey from Canada to Arizona, shedding light on the nuances between Canadian and U.S. investment strategies and the pivotal role of governance in achieving organizational success. Listeners will...

In this episode, Nathan Erickson welcomes Gargi Chaudhuri, the Head of iShares Investment Strategy at BlackRock. Gargi brings her extensive experience of over two decades in the financial markets, offering a wealth of knowledge in fixed income and equity strategy. Listeners will gain invaluable insights into the evolving landscape of global finance, from the intricacies of Bitcoin ETFs to the pote...

In this episode of Valley Investors, host Nathan Erickson introduces Cameron Black, the VP, CIO, and Treasurer at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona. With a diverse background from television production to finance, Cameron discusses managing substantial assets, the strategic importance of advanced degrees and certifications, and the unique challenges of overseeing investments for an insurance compa...

Welcome back to Valley Investors, where we untangle the complexities of the investment realm. In today's episode, Nathan Erickson sits down with Jeff Mindlin, the Chief Investment Officer at ASU Enterprise Partners. Jeff's extensive experience spans hedge funds, private wealth, and strategic roles in the nonprofit sector. Jeff will offer an insider's perspective on effective investment strategies,...

Welcome to Valley Investors, where we break down the intricacies of the financial world. Today, host Nathan Erickson has the pleasure of talking to Tom Connelly, the Chief Investment Officer at Versant Capital Management. With a career spanning over 35 years, Tom brings a wealth of hands-on experience in investment and estate planning and manager research. This episode promises to dive deeply into...

Welcome to Valley Investors, the podcast where we delve into the world of finance, investments, and entrepreneurship. Today, our host Nathan Erickson is thrilled to chat with seasoned investment expert Harry Papp, CFA, who is the Managing Partner and Portfolio Manager at L. Roy Papp Associates. Harry's father, Roy, started the firm in 1978, and Harry and his wife, Rose, joined the firm in 1981. Ha...

The Valley Investors Podcast gives listeners insight into the most prominent investors in the Arizona community and beyond.  We speak with founders, CEOs, and Chief Investment Officers about what brought them to Arizona, their views on investing, and their connections to the local community. Find out more at: https://www.cfasociety.org/phoenix