OUR TEAM

Christopher Brown, CFP® - Client Services
Chris Brown began working with Houston Asset Management in the summer of 1998 as a college intern before joining John Payne’s team in September 2003. Chris earned a BS in Economics with a business minor from Texas A&M University. He went on to complete the University of St. Thomas’s financial planning program. Chris is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and maintains his Series 7 and 66 securities registrations. Chris and his wife Adrienne live in Rosenberg with their dachshund Bow.

Paula Garza – Document Retention Specialist
Paula joined Houston Asset Management, Inc. in September of 2004. She helps maintain, scan and organize our documents and assist with office mail outs and projects. Paula was born in Mexico but became a US citizen in 2008. Paula is bilingual and mother to a son named Chris.

John Hannah – Client Services
John Hannah serves as a Client Services Specialists, where he assists Bob Frater.  In this capacity, he handles many organizational responsibilities and direct project support for the team.  He also provides support to the company’s extensive 401(k) advising business. John is a Registered Assistant* with a Series 7 securities registration.  John is a fourth generation Houstonian, where he graduated from Lamar High School before earning his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Rice University, specializing in quantitative international relations and extended immediate deterrence theory.

*Registered Assistant with SagePoint Financial, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC

Connie Kutac – Chief Financial Officer
Connie has been associated with the founders of HAM since September 1975. She is currently the Chief Financial Officer being responsible for all accounting and bookkeeping activities as well as processing client paperwork. Connie and her husband, Jerome, have 3 sons.  In her spare time, she enjoys going to baseball games, playing board games and solving Sudoku puzzles.  Her weekends are filled with family time at their ranch.

Daniel Lampe – Client Services
Daniel joined Houston Asset Management, Inc. in August of 2006. He attended the University of Denver from 2002 through 2006. During his junior year he spent a semester abroad in Australia and New Zealand. He graduated from the Daniel’s College of Business, Reiman School of Finance with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with an emphasis in Finance and a minor in Leadership. Daniel is a Registered Assistant with a Series 6, 7, 63 and 65 securities registration. He is working his way towards attaining an Insurance licenses and achieving a CFP® designation. Daniel lives in the Heights with his Labrador, Tex. He enjoys spending time with family and friends, supporting local professional sports teams and competing in triathlons.

*Registered Assistant with SagePoint Financial, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC.

Joel Rowland – Client Services
Joel has been with Houston Asset Management for eleven years, with his primary focus working with Bob Frater’s clients. Additionally, Joel is a Registered Assistant with a Series 6 and 63 securities registration. He is a licensed insurance agent and is the long-term care specialist of Houston Asset Management. Joel was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and currently resides in Spring, Texas. He graduated from the University of Alabama in 1998. Joel enjoys spending time with close family and friends. He enjoys playing golf and is an avid football fan, particularly of the Alabama Crimson Tide and Houston Texans.

*Registered Assistant with SagePoint Financial, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC.

Shannon Ruiz – Client Services
Shannon is the newest team member joining Houston Asset Management, Inc. in February 2009. Shannon has been working in the financial services industry for the last 14 years.  She is working with John Payne and Christopher Brown as their assistant and servicing clients.  Shannon is a Registered Assistant with a Series 6 registration and is currently studying for more securities registration exams. In her free time, Shannon enjoys spending time with her family.

 *Registered Assistant with SagePoint Financial, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC.

Stephanie Sermas – Client Services
Stephanie joined Houston Asset Management, Inc. in January 2007, as an assistant to Richard Hollis. Previously, she obtained her business degree from the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University, where she graduated cum laude with a double major in international business and marketing and a minor in French. An avid traveler, Stephanie has lived abroad in both England (one year) and France (6 months). When not in the office, Stephanie studies dance and plays recreational softball.

Mary Silva –Insurance Services
Mary joined Houston Asset Management, Inc. in August of 1999. She is a native Houstonian who loves everything about this city. Mary handles the administration of our life insurance contracts, helps with client and office support, as well as any special needs around the office. She is also in charge of client mail outs, printing and office supply.

In her time away from the office Mary loves night fishing off a pier, cooking, and spending time with friends. She has been a diehard Astros fan since 1971.

Kristian started with HAM as Bob Frater’s assistant in November 2001. She currently is the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Compliance Manager and is a Registered Representative* with Series 6, 7, 24, 63 and 65 securities registrations. Kristian has a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Marketing from the University of Houston. She is responsible for overseeing the operations of HAM and ensuring that the office is compliant with all government regulations. Kristian is working her way towards achieving a CFP® designation and has completed most of the educational requirements.  Kristian is a member of the Financial Planning Association, a competitive soccer player, wife and mother of two sons.

*Kristian Taylor is a Registered Representative offering securities through SagePoint Financial, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and member FINRA/SIPC. Offers investment advisory through Houston Asset Management.