Meet The Team
- Aucutt, Rachel
- Baskins, David
- Becker, Linda
- Brown, Kenneth
- Downie, Suzi
- Feil, Terry
- Herman, Martin
- Hoetger, Dusty
- Kessel-Harbart, Michelle
- Robello, Wayne
Aucutt, Rachel
Client Service Associate
Rachel joined Avisen Securities in 2016 as a receptionist and client service associate. Rachel assists clients and staff with paperwork, asset transfers, and other administrative responsibilities. She always has a positive attitude and a smile on her face when interacting with clients. She is often the first point of contact for clients and her client focus along with excellent communication skills make her one of the most important employees at the firm.
Baskins, David
Investment Manager
Prior to forming Baskins Hoetger Wealth Management, Dave served as an investment advisor and money manager for more than 30 years with two of the largest national brokerage firms, Morgan Stanley and Kidder Peabody.
Dave strives to provide institutional level portfolio management at the individual level. Dave’s commitment to his client’s satisfaction is his top priority and he makes it a goal to put his client’s needs first. Many of his clients have been with him for 20+ years and would describe him as trustworthy, caring and honest.
Dave graduated from Stanford University with a degree in Political Science and English Literature. He is a Registered Investment Advisor, and holds a Series 7 and 65 securities license. While at Stanford, he was three-time golf All-American and continues to enjoy the challenges of the game to this day. In 2011, Dave qualified for, and played, in the U.S. Senior Open at the historic Inverness Club.
Dave is married with four children and enjoys spending much of his free time with his family, playing golf, and reading.
Becker, Linda
Vice President, Investments
Linda began her career in the securities industry in 1983 with Landsing Capital Corporation, a real estate securities company. In 1986 she secured a position with Shearson Lehman Brothers in La Jolla, CA, and developed a passion for the markets. In 1992, she and her husband decided a move to a less populated state, offering more outdoor activities, would be desirable, and have lived in Carson City, NV ever since.
Mrs. Becker earned a B.A. Degree from Arizona State University and currently holds Series 7, 63, and 65 licenses, as well as Life, Health and Long Term Care licenses in California (CA #0A41188) and Nevada. She believes her greatest strengths in this profession are the desire and ability to build strong long-term relationships. Her specific areas of focus are individual stocks, income planning and asset protection through insurance.
Linda Becker was born in Germany while her father was serving in the military. The family returned to the U.S. a few years later and she has spent most of her life living in the west. Over the years she has developed a great deal of interest in worldwide news, history and travel. She is currently married with one grown daughter. During her leisure time, she and her husband enjoy cooking and entertaining together. She also enjoys reading and staying fit, as a longtime member of Lakeridge Tennis Club.
Brown, Kenneth
CEO
Kenneth Brown is CEO and co-founder of Avisen Securities, Inc., a boutique investment securities firm with offices in California and Nevada. Mr. Brown has over 30 years of experience in brokerage, portfolio management, fixed income, and hedge fund management. Mr. Brown began his career in the securities industry in 1980 with Kidder Peabody. Later he moved into money management with Bateman, Eichler, which was eventually acquired by Kemper Securities. Mr. Brown stayed on with Kemper until he was recruited back to Kidder Peabody which was later acquired by PaineWebber.
In 1994, Mr. Brown co-founded Lynx Capital Group, one of the earliest hedge funds on the West Coast, focusing on technology investing. Also that year, he was recruited by Van Kasper & Co. to open the firm's first Sacramento office. Mr. Brown continued his tenure with the firm until it was acquired by Wells Fargo in 2001.
After a long career in the investment securities business managing assets for Fortune 500 companies and as Managing Partner at Lynx, Mr. Brown was attracted to the entrepreneurial world and in 2001 co-founded Brown Robello Capital Management, LLC, an SEC registered investment advisory firm. Mr. Brown has been named a 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 *Five Star Wealth Manager and the firm currently manages over $100 million in assets where he serves as Managing Partner and Senior Portfolio Manager. In 2003, he co-founded Avisen Securities Inc. a broker-dealer to provide global investment services on a local level with an emphasis on customized solutions.
*About the Five Star Wealth Manager Designation
- Neither the advisor or the Firm has paid any fees to Five Star Professional before or after receiving the designation.
- Five Star Professional does not evaluate the investment performance or skill of managers, and the Five Star Wealth Manager designation is not indicative of past or future performance.
- To receive the Five Star Wealth Manager award, a wealth manager must satisfy 10 objective eligibility and evaluation criteria that are associated with wealth managers who provide quality services to their clients. The eligibility criteria is as follows:
- Eligibility Criteria - Required
- Credentialed as an investment advisory representative or a registered investment advisor.
- Actively employed as a credentialed professional in the financial services industry for a minumum of five years.
- Favorable regulatory and complaint history review.
- Fulfilled their firm review based on internal firm standards.
- Accepting new clients.
- Evaluation Criteria - Considered
- One-year client retention rate.
- Five-year client retention rate.
- Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered.
- Number or client hourseholds served.
- Education and professional designations.
- Eligibility Criteria - Required
The Five Star Wealth Manager Award Program Summary and Research Methodology provides additional information about the designation.
Downie, Suzi
Client Service Associate
Suzi joined Avisen Securities in 2019 as a receptionist and client service associate. Suzi assists clients and staff with paperwork, asset transfers, and other administrative responsibilities. She always has a positive attitude and a smile on her face when interacting with clients. She is often the first point of contact for clients and her client focus along with excellent communication skills make her one of the most important employees at the firm.
Suzi is located in our Reno branch office.
Feil, Terry
Sr. Vice President Investments
Mr. Feil is currently Sr. Vice President-Investments of Avisen Securities, Inc. Since January 2002 he has also served as a senior portfolio manager with Brown Robello Capital Management, LLC (BRCM). BRCM is a SEC registered investment advisory firm and strategic partner of Avisen Securities. Prior to BRCM, Mr. Feil was a portfolio manager with Piper Jaffray (10/93-1/02) and Everen Securities (9/90-10/93). Mr. Feil was the office manager for Bateman Eichler Hill Richards from August 1985 to September 1990. Mr. Feil was named a 2010 *Five Star Wealth Manager.
*About the Five Star Wealth Manager Designation
- Neither the advisor or the Firm has paid any fees to Five Star Professional before or after receiving the designation.
- Five Star Professional does not evaluate the investment performance or skill of managers, and the Five Star Wealth Manager designation is not indicative of past or future performance.
- To receive the Five Star Wealth Manager award, a wealth manager must satisfy 10 objective eligibility and evaluation criteria that are associated with wealth managers who provide quality services to their clients. The eligibility criteria is as follows:
- Eligibility Criteria - Required
- Credentialed as an investment advisory representative or a registered investment advisor.
- Actively employed as a credentialed professional in the financial services industry for a minumum of five years.
- Favorable regulatory and complaint history review.
- Fulfilled their firm review based on internal firm standards.
- Accepting new clients.
- Evaluation Criteria - Considered
- One-year client retention rate.
- Five-year client retention rate.
- Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered.
- Number or client hourseholds served.
- Education and professional designations.
- Eligibility Criteria - Required
The Five Star Wealth Manager Award Program Summary and Research Methodology provides additional information about the designation.
Herman, Martin
Vice President, Investments
Martin Herman began his 40+ year tenure in the finance industry with Prudential Life. In 1968 he attended the New York Institute of Finance and completed an intense training program before joining EF Hutton, where he worked as a broker and manager. After 17 years, he joined Paine Webber/UBS where he worked as an investment professional for the next 24 years. Mr. Herman joined Avisen Securities in 2009 and currently holds the Series 4, 7 and 63 licenses.
Always a Bronx New Yorker at heart, Marty’s clients believe in his no nonsense New York style, and his investment philosophy of blue chip equity investing. Mr. Herman offers clients (and their future generations) consistent and stable growth based on long term goals and solid analysis.
Mr. Herman studied at Manhattan School of Music and graduated from Hunter College. In 1960 he left the East Coast and moved his family to the San Fernando Valley before eventually settling down in Reno, NV.
Marty and his wife Judy, a former Reno Councilwoman, are active in the Sierra Nevada Porsche Club and members of the “Legends of the West” in Virginia City.
Hoetger, Dusty CFP®
Financial Planner
Dusty spent nearly a decade in the entertainment industry with Sony Music Distribution before beginning her career as a Financial Planner. Her background includes several years of working with Tower Records in the marketing, sales, and distribution of Sony artists. Her interest in the financial services industry led her to pursue a certificate in Personal Financial Planning from UCDavis.
Dusty obtained her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification in 2009. She was granted permission to use the CFP® mark of distinction after having met the rigorous education, experience, and ethical requirements of the CFP Board and having passed the two-day CFP® Certification Examination covering the following areas: the financial planning process, risk management, investments, tax planning, retirement and employee benefits, and estate planning.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Chico State University. She is a Registered Investment Advisor and holds a Series 7 and 63 securities license. She is a member of the Financial Planning Association and currently serves as a board member at both the local and state level.
She enjoys keeping active by playing team sports, traveling, and spending time with her family, which includes having fun with her “son” Cody (black lab mix).
Kessel-Harbart, Michelle
Chief Operating Officer
Ms. Kessel-Harbart has been with the company since its inception. She is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the firm and deeply involved in client support. She also leads the company's marketing initiatives and corporate development strategies. Prior to joining Avisen Securities, Ms. Kessel-Harbart was the Marketing Director for Dexterra, a mobile enterprise software company, and a consultant with Corollary Solutions, a Bay Area consulting firm, where she led marketing campaigns and high-profile projects for such companies as Compaq Computers and Actional Software. Ms. Kessel-Harbart has held senior marketing and management positions with companies in the financial services and high-tech industries, including Kidder Peabody, PaineWebber and Pandesic.
Ms. Kessel-Harbart holds her MBA and BA from California State University - Sacramento. She holds the FINRA Series 7 and Series 66 licenses, as well as a certificate in Professional Fiduciary Management from the University of California, Riverside, and is a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma National Honor Society. She is active in her community and serves on various boards and committees with non-profit organizations and local companies.
Robello, Wayne
President
Mr. Robello has over 15 years of experience in the securities industry. In 2001 he co-founded Brown Robello Capital Management, LLC (BRCM), a registered investment advisory firm, and continues to be an active portfolio manager. During his professional career in the securities industry, Mr. Robello has held a variety of management and investment advisor positions. Mr. Robello was responsible for opening the Sacramento branch of Van Kasper & Co. and was the regional office manager of that branch for five years. Mr. Robello has extensive experience managing stock and bond portfolios for individuals and corporations. Mr. Robello has also worked for Merrill Lynch and Kidder Peabody in Sacramento.