Our People
Allen R. Ernst, President, Wealth Manager
Allen began his career as a professional wealth manager with one of the world’s largest investment firms in the summer of 1998. Over the years, he has worked to guide clients and their families through a variety of different market environments—some of which have been the most difficult ever faced by the US economy.
The experience he gained during the "tech wreck" of 2000, the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the Enron and WorldCom bankruptcies, the recovery of 2003—2007, and the 2008 subprime mortgage meltdown strongly informs the advice his clients receive today. In addition, his experience working with private corporations as a Chief Financial Officer and Director of Finance and Operations gives him an objective perspective and understanding of what business owners go through as they launch companies, grow and operate them, and perhaps eventually sell them.
Because the world of finance is so complex, Allen approaches his work carefully. He is thorough, deliberate, and known for his attention to detail. He also prefers investment strategies that are comprehensive and are professionally managed over those that are speculative or untested.
On a personal level, Allen is a graduate of Washington State University. He enjoys hunting, fishing, golf, snow skiing, competitive sailing and climbing big mountains. He feels strongly about philanthropy and has served in various leadership capacities within Safari Club International and other sportsmen groups. He and his wife Christina live in the Kingston area with their much loved yellow Labrador retriever, Si.
Allen has always enjoyed the outdoors. A seventh generation native of the Pacific Northwest, he has a longstanding heritage as an active member of sportsmen supported conservation organizations. He believes that his journey to this point illustrates the essence of not only who he is as a person, but also what he represents and endeavors to support and instill in the clients he serves.
The power to conserve wild things and wild places is strong for him, and is evident in all aspects of his life and his work. In fact, working with a client base of fellow sportsmen and conservationists that love wildlife and wild places, represents a long-time dream to bring his professional and personal pursuits into seamless alignment.