“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other. ”
— John F. Kennedy
Brian C. Baker, CFA
Co-Founder, Partner, Portfolio Manager
An investment professional for more than three decades, Brian earned his bachelor’s degree in history from the University of California at Berkeley. He has worked in many facets of the investment industry, from taking orders as a registered representative in a discount brokerage house to conducting proprietary trading and market-making operations. Brian serves as the firm’s Chief Investment Officer, and is frequently seen pacing on a treadmill at his stand-up desk while devouring daily information flow. He has two college age kids, Izzy a competitive equestrian at University of Southern California and Isaac, a captain of the University of California, Santa Barbara Lacrosse team.
Barnes C. Ellis
Co-Founder, Partner, Portfolio Manager
Barnes earned his bachelor’s degree in government from Harvard University and was an award-winning newspaper reporter for several years before turning his investigative skills to the investment industry. After working as a portfolio manager for a San Francisco-based firm, he and Brian founded Baker Ellis in 2002.
When he is not at work, Barnes loves flying his Cessna 206 to Eastern Oregon, where he saved a historic hike-in, fly-in wilderness lodge that had fallen into disrepair and rebuilt it as a sustainable nature-oriented resort. The Minam River Lodge was named one of the Best New Hotels in the World by Conde Nast Traveler in 2018.
Philip Bagdade, CFA
Analyst/Portfolio Manager
A member of the Baker Ellis team since 2012, Philip’s interest in financial markets began in his pre-teen years and led him to obtain a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Arizona, where he also competed on the men’s golf team. After graduation, he knocked on the door at Baker Ellis and persuaded Brian and Barnes to hire him.
Philip has been awarded the Chartered Financial Analyst designation (CFA) and serves on the Ambassador Board and board of directors for the Children’s Course and First Tee of Greater Portland, a non-profit youth development organization. A fluent speaker of Swedish and a devoted cook, he has trouble shaking the sobriquet of the “Swedish Chef.”
J.B. Groh, CFA
Chief Analyst/Portfolio Manager
J.B earned his B.S. in Finance from the University of Arizona in 1990, and an MBA from UA’s Karl Eller Graduate School of Management in 1994. Prior to joining Baker Ellis, he was vice president and senior research analyst at a diversified financial services firm.
J.B. has been honored in the Wall Street Journal‘s “Best on the Street” survey of analysts five times since 2006, and is a member of the Portland CFA society.
In his free time he enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, coaching lacrosse and occasionally playing guitar in a garage band.
Jack Dukeminier, CPA, CFA
Analyst/Portfolio Manager
After graduating summa cum laude from the University of Oregon with a degree in economics in 2010, Jack stayed at UO to earn his MBA from the Charles H. Lundquist School of Business.
He began his financial services career as a consultant, working on private company valuation, post-acquisition dispute, and forensic accounting engagements.
Along the way he also became a Certified Public Accountant (2015) and was awarded the Chartered Financial Analyst designation (2018).
Jack earned four letters on the UO men’s golf team, and competes in elite-level amateur events. When not at the office or on the golf course, he spends time with his wife, Amanda, their young son and the family’s energetic Labradoodle.
Patricia Watson, IACCP
Head of Operations and Chief Compliance Officer
Patricia joined Baker Ellis after earning her bachelor’s degree in economics from Reed College in 2018. Patricia grew up in the Methow Valley, a small rural community in the Northern Cascades of Washington state. From there she moved to Beijing, China to study Mandarin Chinese, which is where her interest in economics began.
Since joining Baker Ellis, Patricia earned her certification as a registered investment advisor representative and an Investment Advisor Certified Compliance Professional.
Outside of the office, Patricia performs in various community theater productions, including most recently as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Krista Pomeroy
Client Services Manager
After graduating from Bowling Green State University in Ohio with a degree in Exercise Science, Krista began making her way West where she worked as an adaptive sports instructor in Colorado. She moved to Vancouver, Wash in 2016 to work with a local non-profit supporting individuals with visual impairments. She then moved to Portland to work with a local surrogacy agency as a case manager.
Krista has always had an interest in the financial field, which prompted her to join Baker Ellis in 2021. Outside of the office, Krista enjoys exploring the outdoors with her dog Gracie and her partner Jon. Whether it be by bike or with a backpack on, any excuse for Krista to be in the mountains is a good one.