“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.
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.
*JB Groh was listed in Wall Street Journal’s “Best on the Street” survey in 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, and 2012. The survey is based on data created and tabulated by FactSet Research Systems, Inc. from the twelve months preceding the award year (e.g. for 2006, data was collected Jan-Dec 2005). No compensation was provided directly or indirectly by the adviser in connection with obtaining or using these third-party ratings.
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.