Speakers

Michael Serio is the regional chief investment officer for the Mountain Northwest region of Wells Fargo Private Bank. He leads a team of investment professionals who deliver comprehensive, custom, diversified portfolio management for clients of The Private Bank. In his role, Mr. Serio serves as the investment thought leader in the region by providing insight and interpretation of the economy and financial markets at client events and through written commentary.

Prior to joining Wells Fargo in 2013, Mr. Serio co‑founded Wolf Creek Energy Partners, which was formed to finance minority interests in the shale oil and gas business. Prior to Wolf Creek Energy Partners, he served as managing director for Citigroup Private Bank in Denver, where he oversaw the investment process for five private bank offices serving the ultra affluent. Mr. Serio has more than 25 years of experience in financial services. He started his career as a portfolio manager for First National Bank of Chicago, and he has also worked as a portfolio manager for Sanford Bernstein, JP Morgan, and Stein Roe & Farnham.

Harlan Kredit was a Ranger Naturalist at Yellowstone National Park for 46 summers, through 2017. He obtained his BA from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI, and his MS in Teaching at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA.

Harlan has taught high school science for the past 56 years in Michigan and Washington State and has given 25 science workshops to teachers across the State of Washington. In addition, he regularly teaches adult education courses to community members. Harlan was also the Athletic Director at Lynden Christian High School for 30 years, and has been an Emergency Medical Technician for 25 years.

Jack Timmons grew up in Texas and has lived in Seattle for the last two decades. In 2012, he attended BBQ Summer Camp at the Meat Sciences department of Texas A&M, then toured many historic barbecue temples of Central Texas. Returning to Seattle, he bought an offset smoker, imported some post oak, mesquite, and hickory, and started the Seattle Brisket Experience.

Tom is a long time financial journalist, investment manager, educator, and author, who is the founder and CEO of Vestory, a Registered Investment Advisory based in Bellevue. Vestory is responsible for managing $450 million dollars for clients in 31 states. Financial Adviser Magazine recognized Vestory as one of the 50 Fastest Growing RIA’s the past 2 years.

Tom has been a financial journalist for over 25 years and is currently co‑host of Talking Real Money, which airs on KOMO Saturdays at Noon, and is a popular podcast. He also spent 5 years as host of PBS TV’s Serious Money, where he was nominated for a Regional Emmy.

Alan Merry was born in Seattle and grew up in what is now Kenmore. He graduated with a BA in Political Science from the University of Washington and is currently a Health Care Data Analyst for Kaiser Permanente Washington, a local Health Care Organization, serving the State of Washington and portions of Idaho and Oregon. His forte is in creating Work Management Systems and complex step‑saving macros.

Merry has had three distinct careers: politics, marketing/public relations, and computers and data gathering. Although the latter has always been a means of survival for him — “I enjoy most putting together databases work process databases” — his source of pride and purpose comes through community service.

Tom Varga, is the Founder, CFO, and former Executive Manager and Consulting Practice Manager of CFO Selections. Besides his current role as CFO, he represents the company’s interests with strategic partners, builds and supports business development activities, and provides consultation on various aspects of the business, particularly strategic initiatives.

Described as an impassioned and visionary pioneer in outsourcing financial services, Tom founded CFO Selections in 2002, after twenty years of extensive experience working with small and growing businesses in finance and operations roles.

It took Mike Hopkins just one year to prove to the Washington Husky family that he was the right choice to take over the program, as he spent his first season as head coach guiding UW to a 21‑13 record, earning Pac‑12 Coach of the Year honors and leading the team to the second round of the NIT. Washington made many kinds of history during Hopkins’ first season, with some standout victories that put the Dawgs on the national radar.

Hopkins’ 2017‑18 squad recorded Washington’s first 20‑win season since 2011‑12 and the 28th 20‑win season in program history. While retaining almost the entire roster from a year ago, Hopkins took a team that went 9‑22 in 2016‑17 and 2‑16 in Pac‑12 play to a 21‑13 record and a 10‑8 mark in league action. It was the biggest win jump overall at UW since the 1936‑37 and 1937‑38 season. Additionally, the eight‑win jump in conference action was the biggest improvement in UW history for league play.

Kevin is employee #1 and has been the General Manager for NW Wind & Solar since its inception in 2009. He is directly responsible for all business operations, projects, and customer satisfaction, with a focus on design and installation management.

With over 800 projects and 8 MW of solar PV deployed in Washington State, Kevin is pleased to have established a diverse project portfolio and extensive list of professional references. Showcase projects include the Bullitt Center in Seattle, Seattle Aquarium, Google’s Kirkland Campus, four Fire Stations, “Net Zero Energy” projects for tribal facilities, private businesses, and homes, as well as bringing solar PV to 25 schools.

Denny Fitzpatrick joined Willows Lodge as general manager in the summer of 2014, overseeing all aspects of this favorite getaway in the Pacific Northwest.

Prior to Willows Lodge, Denny was general manager at the premier luxury destination Hotel 1000, where his daily responsibilities included overseeing all aspects of the mixed-use luxury destination, the first in downtown Seattle to combine the services and amenities of a world-class hotel with exquisite condominium residences.

Brianna currently leads as President the Northwest Region of the Keiretsu Forum angel investment community, the largest and most active venture investor globally, comprising over 50 chapters, with over 2,500 active members investing over $75 million annually into over 180 companies. Brianna is also an active advisor to Keiretsu Capital in supporting due diligence, co-investments, and syndications for each of their Co‑Investments Funds.

Brianna has been an active leader and angel investor with Keiretsu Forum since its launch in Seattle in 2005 and supporting its growth to become the largest and most active group globally.