General Investing >> Money Manager Interviews >> October 14, 2014

A Fundamentally Driven Investment Approach to Finding Quality and Value

Derse, Thomas A.
Thomas A. Derse, CFA, is a Portfolio Manager and Analyst at Benzott Capital Advisors. Mr. Derse joined the firm in 2004. Previously President of Channel Islands Capital Management, Inc., and a Partner in an accounting firm, he managed portfolios and assisted clients with tax, estate, retirement and business planning. Mr. Derse obtained a B.S. in accounting from California State University, Fresno, and an M.S. in taxation from Golden Gate University. He is a Certified Public Accountant, a CFA charterholder and a member of the CFA Institute and CFA Society of Los Angeles — CFALA.  Profile
Larson, Scott T.
Scott T. Larson, CFA, is Chief Investment Officer at Benzott Capital Advisors. Mr. Larson joined the firm in 2007. Previously a Principal with Grayhawk Venture Partners, a private venture capital firm, he was responsible for investment due diligence, research and analysis. Mr. Larson earned a B.S. in finance and a B.A. in psychology from Arizona State University. He is a CFA charterholder and a member of the CFA Institute and CFA Society of Los Angeles — CFALA.  Profile
Bernzott, Kevin
Kevin Bernzott, Chairman and CEO of Benzott Capital Advisors, founded the firm in 1994. Previously CEO of McGaelic Group, a multigenerational family investment office, he focused on real estate development and asset management. He is a Director of the Ventura County Sheriff's Foundation. Mr. Bernzott earned a doctorate in law from the University of West Los Angeles. He is a member of the CFA Institute and CFA Society of Los Angeles — CFALA.  Profile
TWST: Give us a little bit of background on Bernzott Capital Advisors.

Mr. Bernzott: I started the firm in 1994 after a stint as CEO of a multigenerational family office. It was a very