Ballast’s founders have over 20 years of experience navigating markets together
Jeff Kautz, CFA
Ballast Co-Founder & CEO- Portfolio Manager with 23 years of financial industry experience
- 1997 – 2014 Perkins Investment Management – Portfolio Manager, CIO, CEO
- 1993 – 1997 Market maker and Specialist for GVR & Co. on the Midwest Stock Exchange
- University of Illinois, B.S., University of Chicago, M.B.A.
Randy Hughes
Ballast Co-Founder & CIO- Portfolio Manager with 22 years of financial industry experience
- 1995 – 2015 Perkins Investment Management – Director of Research and Analytics, Equity Analyst
- 1994-1995 Registered Representative at First Investors Corp
- Southern Illinois University, B.S. Governors State University, M.B.A
J. Christopher Leshock
Ballast Focused Alpha, Portfolio Manager- Portfolio Manager & Equity Analyst with 18 years of financial industry experience
- 2015 & 2016 Schwartz Capital Group – twice an Interim Consultant & Investment Analyst with a large family office operation
- 2004 – 2015 Perkins Investment Management – Partner & Equity Analyst
- 2000 – 2004 Morgan Stanley & Co. – Transportation Team, Associate Analyst
- 1995 – 2000 Resource Data International – Energy Industry Analyst
- Marquette University, B.S. Accounting, DePaul University, M.B.A. Finance
Dave Mertens
Ballast Partner & Head of Business Development- Investment professional with over 35 years of financial industry experience
- 2002-2017 Jensen Investment Management – Managing Director
- 1995-2002 Berger Financial Group – Senior Vice President and President, Berger Distributors
- Ball State University, B.S., Marylhurst University, M.B.A.