OUR TEAM

Sylvia Bartay – Client Services

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 and has an insurance license.  Chris and his wife Adrienne live in Rosenberg with their son Peyton and 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.

Linda Ludwick – Receptionist, Correspondence
Linda earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Stephen F. Austin State University.  After retiring from teaching in public and private schools, Linda joined Houston Asset Management in October 2009 as a part time Receptionist.  She is an active member of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church.  Rick and Linda live on the west side of Houston with their cat, Bingle.  Linda has two grown sons.  In her free time, she enjoys reading, Pilates, and participating in church activities.

Linda McPherson – Client Services

Linda worked with Robert Hampton 15 years before she joined Houston Asset Management in April 2011.  She assists Mr. Hampton by servicing clients, doing data entry, and bookkeeping.  She and her husband, Dennis, live in the hill country near Kerrville, TX with their three cats.  They have two grown children and three grandchildren.  Linda spends her weekends enjoying early mornings and late afternoons on the deck, bird watching, gardening, and being entertained by the wildlife that come and goes.  She enjoys baking, playing board games, cards, and spending time with her family and friends.

Harry Montgomery – Client Services
Harry joined Houston Asset Management, Inc. in 1999 as the Director of Client Relations for our Louisiana clients.  Harry has served over 37 years in the United States Armed Forces and has a Degree in Business Administration from McNeese State University.  He retired as Colonel of USARNG in 1989, but continues involvement with the Employee Support Guard and Reserves.  Harry is a member and Chairman of the Fort Polk Retiree Council, member of Sulphur Rotary Club and actively volunteers for his Church.  He resides in Sulphur, Louisiana with his wife Larysa.

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.  Fixed and/or Traditional Insurance Services offered through Investment Marketing Resources, Inc.  Investment Marketing Resources, Inc. is not affiliated with SagePoint Financial or registered as a broker-dealer or investment advisor.

Shannon Ruiz – Client Services
Shannon joined 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.

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 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.

Jacque Turner – Client Services

Jacque Turner holds the position of Client Services/Relations Administrative Assistant to Bob Hampton and joined the Houston Asset Management team in April 2011 when the firms merged.  She has been working in the financial industry as Bob’s assistant for the last 22 years.  Jacque is formerly from Corpus Christi, Texas but now resides in Stafford.  She enjoys spending time with friends, motorcycle riding, fishing, working out at the gym, walking on the beach, and learning to play golf.  She is mother to a son named Chris.

Evelin Valenzuela – Client Services

Evelin joined Houston Asset Management in April 2011 as the assistant to both Richard Hollis and Rich Welsh.  She previously worked for Mr. Hampton for 5 years doing office duties, bookkeeping, and servicing clients.  She is attending Houston Community College, where she completed two years, in pursuit of her Bachelor’s degree.  She is married, and is mother to 3 children.  Her weekends are always full of different activities with her children.  They love to have family and friends over to enjoy barbequing and swimming in their pool.  She comes from a big family and is always surrounded by family members, especially in the summer.