Team
Managing Directors
James E. Braden
James E. Braden, CPA
Managing Director
Jim has been an investment advisory professional for more than thirty years and joined Prairie Capital in 2024 pursuant to their merger with Brownlie & Braden Advisors. Prior to joining Prairie Capital, Jim was Co-Founder of Brownlie & Braden Advisors, where he was responsible for all aspects of advising and maintaining client relationships of the firm. Jim began his career with Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. (now KPMG). He received his B.B.A. in Accounting from Baylor University and is a licensed CPA in the state of Texas with the Personal Financial Specialist designation.
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Joined the firm in 1997, legacy Brownlie & Braden Advisors
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B.B.A. in Accounting from the Hankamer School of Business at Baylor University
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Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas
Michael M. Gentry
Michael M. Gentry, M.S., M.B.A.
Managing Director
Michael has been an investment professional since 2003, and joined Prairie Capital in 2012. Prior to joining Prairie Capital, Michael spent seven years with Credit Suisse in Chicago as a Director in the HOLT division. He was responsible for consulting with hedge funds and other institutional asset managers, and for managing HOLT’s North American sector specialist team. He was also co-portfolio manager of a number of HOLT managed equity strategies. Prior to joining Credit Suisse, Michael spent two years with Ernst & Young’s corporate restructurings practice. He received his B.S. in Accounting and Business Administration and M.S. in Accounting from the University of Kansas and his M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Michael has passed the CPA exam in the state of Kansas.
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Joined the firm in 2012
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B.S. in Accounting and Business Administration from the University of Kansas
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M.S. in Accounting from the University of Kansas
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M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business
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Kansas City, MO
Brian N. Kaufman
Brian N. Kaufman, J.D.
Managing Director
Brian has been an investment professional for over three decades, and co-founded Prairie Capital in 1995. Brian coordinates business, legal and tax matters with clients and their advisors. Prior to forming Prairie Capital, Brian practiced law for over a decade as a partner with the Kansas City office of a major international law firm. His practice emphasized tax law, securities law, and venture capital. Prior to practicing law, Brian was a certified public accountant who practiced with a Big Six accounting firm. Brian serves or has served on the Board and Investment Committees of the Menorah Legacy Foundation, the Board and Finance Committee of the Salvation Army, the Bloch Advisory Council of the UMKC Henry W. Bloch School of Management, and the KU Advancement Board. He received a B.S. in Accounting and Business Administration from the University of Kansas, and a J.D. from Stanford Law School.
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Joined the firm in 1995
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B.S. in Accounting and Business Administration from the University of Kansas
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J.D. from Stanford Law School
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Kansas City, MO
Andrew S. Klocke
Andrew S. Klocke, M.B.A.
Managing Director
Andy began his career as an investment professional when he joined Prairie Capital in 2003. Andy serves or has served on the Board of Directors of The REACH Healthcare Foundation, the Kansas State University Foundation Asset Management Committee, Kansas State University College of Business Finance Advisory Board, and is an alumnus of the Kansas City Tomorrow leadership program. He received his B.S. in Finance (Phi Kappa Phi) and his M.B.A. from Kansas State University, where he earned four First Team Academic All-Big 12 Conference honors as a four-year letterman on the Kansas State University football team.
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Joined the firm in 2003
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B.S. in Finance from Kansas State University
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M.B.A. from Kansas State University
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Kansas City, MO
Curtis A. Krizek
Curtis A. Krizek, J.D.
Managing Director
Curtis has been an investment professional for over three decades, and co-founded Prairie Capital in 1995. Curtis coordinates business, legal and tax matters with clients and their advisors. Prior to forming Prairie Capital, Curtis practiced law as a partner specializing in corporate, securities, real estate, private equity, and finance. Curtis serves or has served on the boards of various organizations, including The UVA Jefferson Scholars Foundation, The REACH Healthcare Foundation, The Nature Conservancy (KS Chapter), The Kansas Development Finance Authority, The Kansas State University Foundation, The Peregrine Fund, The Kansas City Ballet, Centurions Civic Leadership Program, and the State of Kansas Indigents’ Defense Services. He graduated from Kansas State University with a B.S. in Life Sciences, and received a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law.
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Joined the firm in 1995
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B.S. in Life Sciences from Kansas State University
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J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law
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Kansas City, MO
R. Riley Pratt
R. Riley Pratt, MAcc, CFA, CPA
Managing Director
Riley has been an investment professional since 2009 and joined Prairie Capital in 2019. Prior to joining Prairie Capital, Riley spent five years with Morgan Stanley where he served as a Private Wealth Advisor for ultra high net worth individuals and families. His responsibilities included focusing on creating and implementing highly customized investment portfolios as well as co-leading the group’s efforts in third-party asset manager selection and due diligence. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, Riley was a senior associate in the financial services audit practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Riley graduated from the Honors College at Michigan State University with a B.A. in Accounting and earned a Master of Accounting degree from Oakland University. He is a licensed CPA in the state of Illinois and a CFA® charterholder.
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Joined the firm in 2019
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B.A. in Accounting from Michigan State University
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M.S. in Accounting from Oakland University
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Denver, CO
Cory M. Ross
Cory M. Ross
Managing Director
Cory has been an investment professional since 2012 and joined Prairie Capital in 2022. Prior to joining Prairie Capital, Cory spent ten years with Marsico Capital Management, where he served clients across the institutional, family office, and RIA channels. Cory received his B.S. from Louisiana State University, where he captained the men’s tennis team. In addition, Cory received an M.B.A. in Finance from the University of Denver. He is active in the Denver community, including serving as a trustee for the Arnold Palmer scholarship program.
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Joined the firm in 2022
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B.S. from Louisiana State University
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M.B.A. in Finance from the University of Denver
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Denver, CO
Rob R. Schneider
Rob R. Schneider
Managing Director
Rob has been an investment professional for over three decades, and co-founded Prairie Capital in 1995. Prior to joining Prairie Capital, he was one of the first individuals selected by Kidder, Peabody & Co. in the late 1980’s to participate in its investment consulting program for high net worth individuals and entities. Rob serves or has served on the Board of Trustees of the Kansas State University Foundation, the Kansas State University Foundation Asset Management Committee, and the Kansas State University College of Business Finance Advisory Board. Rob earned a B.S. in Finance and Business Marketing from Kansas State University.
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Joined the firm in 1995
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B.S. in Finance and Business Marketing from Kansas State University
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Chicago, IL
John S. Thurlow
John S. Thurlow, M.B.A.
Managing Director
John has been an investment professional since 2013 and joined Prairie Capital in 2019. Prior to joining Prairie Capital, John spent five years at Goldman Sachs in the Investment Management Division where he served entrepreneurs, family offices, and foundations. John was a Strategy and Operations consultant with Deloitte Consulting prior to joining Goldman Sachs. John received his B.S. in Finance and Accounting from Kansas State University and his M.B.A from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. John serves on the Kansas State University College of Business Finance Advisory Board and as an Executive Mentor.
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Joined the firm in 2019
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B.S. in Finance and Accounting from Kansas State University
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M.B.A from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business
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Kansas City, MO
Angie Tower
Angie Tower, MAcc, CPA, CTFA
Managing Director
Angie has been in the financial services industry since 2003 and joined Prairie Capital in 2022. As Chief Operating Officer, Angie manages firm-wide business operations to create an exceptional experience for clients and staff. Angie works closely with the team to direct, manage and oversee strategic firm-level initiatives, investment supporting functions, and our Flint Hills Funds. Before joining Prairie Capital, Angie spent six years as COO/CFO/VP of a private trust company for a large multi-generational single-family office and private foundation, serving on both Investment Committees. Prior to that, Angie spent 13 years with PwC specializing in providing tax services to partnerships and companies in a wide variety of asset classes including hedge funds and private equity. Angie maintains CPA and CTFA licenses. In her spare time, she enjoys playing and watching sports with her husband and two sons, as well as spending time at the lake with her family and Labrador Retriever.
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Joined the firm in 2022
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B.S in Business Administration from the University of Missouri-Columbia
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M.S. of Accountancy from the University of Missouri-Columbia
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KANSAS CITY, MO
Team
Benjamin J. Ackley
Benjamin J. Ackley
Private Fund Operations
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Joined the firm in 2012
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B.S. in Accounting and Finance from the Kelley College of Business at Hardin-Simmons University
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Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas
Brett Blau
Brett Blau, M.B.A.
Client Services
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Joined the firm in 2022
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B.S. in Business Administration, Accounting, and Finance from Rockhurst University
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M.B.A. from Rockhurst University
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Kansas City, MO
Chris Blunt
Chris Blunt
Reporting
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Joined the firm in 2003
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B.B.A. in Finance from the University of Iowa
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Kansas City, MO
Jenn Blunt
Jenn Blunt
Client Services
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Joined the firm in 2008
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B.S. in Financial Management from Kansas State University
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Kansas City, MO
Michael Bryson
Michael Bryson
Research
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Joined the firm in 2014
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B.S. in Finance from the University of Kansas
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Kansas City, MO
Josh Caudle
Josh Caudle
Reporting
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Joined the firm in 2019
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B.S. in Finance from Kansas State University
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Kansas City, MO
Tyler L. Dodd
Tyler L. Dodd, MAcc, CPA
Client Services
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Joined the firm in 2019
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B.B.A. in Accounting and Business Honors from Mays Business School at Texas A&M University, Magna Cum Laude
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M.S. of Management from Mays Business School at Texas A&M University with Honors
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Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas
Kelly Frazier
Kelly Frazier
Client Services
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Joined the firm in 2006
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B.S.B.A. in Finance and Banking from Missouri State University
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Kansas City, MO
Tracy L. Graham
Tracy L. Graham, MBA
Private Fund Operations
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Joined the firm in 2013
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B.B.A. in Management from The Jesse H. Jones School of Business at Texas Southern University
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M.B.A. with a concentration in Accounting from the School of Management at Walden University
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Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas
Hayden Gwinner
Hayden Gwinner
Reporting
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Joined the Firm in 2023
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B.S. In Finance From Kansas State University
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Kansas City, Mo
Elizabeth A. B. Hatfield
Elizabeth A. B. Hatfield
Operations
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Joined the firm in 1998
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B.B.A. from the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University
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Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas
Shawn Hause
Shawn Hause
Client Services
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Joined The Firm In 1998
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B.S. Accounting from the University of Missouri
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B.S.B.A. Finance & Banking from the University of Missouri
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Kansas City, MO
Karen L. Hyles
Karen L. Hyles
Administrative Support
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Joined the firm in 2020
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A.A.S. in Business Administration from Tompkins Cortland College
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Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas
Megan Heacock
Megan Heacock
Operations
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Joined the firm in 2021
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Kansas City, MO
Michelle Heacock
Michelle Heacock
Administrative Support
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Joined the firm in 2002
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B.S. in Elementary Education and Teaching from Northwest Missouri State University
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Kansas City, MO
Ian Johnson
Ian Johnson, M.S.
Research
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Joined the firm in 2011
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B.S. in Business Administration and Management from the University of Missouri-Kansas City
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M.S. in Applied Economics from Johns Hopkins University
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Kansas City, MO
Sarah C. Johnson
Sarah C. Johnson
Administrative Support
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Joined the firm in 2011
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B.A. in Music from the School of Arts and Humanities from Trinity University
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M.A. in Teaching with a concentration in Music from Trinity University
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Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas
Hiba A. Khan
Hiba A. Khan, CFA, FMVA
Client Services
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Joined the firm in 2021
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B.S. in Finance from the College of Business at Gulf University for Science & Technology, Summa Cum Laude
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Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas
Ben Kisner
Ben Kisner
Client Services
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Joined the firm in 2010
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B.A. in Finance from Lindenwood University
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Kansas City, MO
Wayne Kraus
Wayne Kraus
Reporting
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Joined the firm in 2004
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B.S. in Marketing from the University of Iowa
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Kansas City, MO
Chris Markham
Chris Markham, M.B.A.
Research
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Joined the firm in 2010
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B.S. in Sports Management from the University of Kansas
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M.B.A. from Pittsburg State University
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Kansas City, MO
Alex Marr
Alex Marr
Operations
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Joined the firm in 2018
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B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Missouri
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Kansas City, MO
Jamie Moore
Jamie Moore
Administrative Support
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Joined the firm in 2012
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B.S. in Public Relations and Art History from the University of Central Missouri
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Kansas City, MO
Caleb Orr
Caleb Orr
Research
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Joined the firm in 2024
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B.S. in Finance from Oklahoma State University
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Kansas City, MO
Jarrod Pierson
Jarrod Pierson, MLS
Client Services
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Joined the firm in 2006
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B.S.B.A. in Finance from Kansas State University
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MLS from Texas A&M University School of Law
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Kansas City, MO
Sean Pleimann
Sean Pleimann
Client Services
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Joined the firm in 2023
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B.S. in Finance from the University of Kansas
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Kansas City, MO
Angela Robertson
Angela Robertson
Client Services
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Joined the firm in 2006
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B.A. in Business Administration and Finance from Park University
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Kansas City, MO
Julie Rush
Julie Rush, M.B.A.
Research
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Joined the firm in 2004
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B.S. in Business Administration, Accounting, and Finance from the University of Kansas
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M.B.A. from The University of Kansas
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Kansas City, MO
Chase Schreiner
Chase Schreiner
Research
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Joined the Firm in 2023
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B.S. In Finance From the University of Kansas
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M.S. In Business Analytics From the University of Kansas
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Kansas City, Mo
Brian Seymour
Brian Seymour, CFA
Research
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Joined the firm in 2008
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B.S. in Finance from the University of Kansas
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Kansas City, MO
Tracy Smikahl
Tracy Smikahl
Administrative Support
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Joined the firm in 2008
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B.A. in Speech-Language-Hearing: Sciences and Disorders from the University of Kansas
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Kansas City, MO
C. Elise Sosebee
C. Elise Sosebee, MAcc, CPA
Client Services
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Joined the firm in 2019
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B.B.A. in Accounting from McCombs School of Business at University of Texas in Austin
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M.S. in Professional Accounting from McCombs School of Business at University of Texas in Austin
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Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas
Kerry Staggs
Kerry Staggs, M.B.A.
Private Fund Operations
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Joined the firm in 2012
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B.A. in Business Administration from Truman State University
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M.B.A. from Rockhurst University
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Kansas City, MO
Annie Tweedy
Annie Tweedy
Reporting
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Joined the firm in 2008
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B.S.B.A. in Finance and Banking with an emphasis in real estate from the University of Missouri
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Kansas City, MO
Omar Villa
Omar Villa
Private Fund Operations
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Joined the firm in 2019
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B.B.A. in Finance from the University of Missouri-Kansas City
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Kansas City, MO
Rachel K. Willard
Rachel K. Willard, MAcc, CPA
Client Services
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Joined the firm in 2016
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B.B.A. in Accountancy from the Price College of Business at The University of Oklahoma
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M.S. of Accountancy from the Price College of Business at The University of Oklahoma
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Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas
Managing Directors
The firm’s Managing Directors are responsible for managing client relationships and serve on the firm’s Investment Committee. They provide clients with sophisticated wealth management solutions to various investment, financial planning, reporting, and accounting needs. Individuals within the group have earned advanced degrees including J.D. and M.B.A., as well as designations including CPA and CFA.
Operations, Compliance & Administrative Support
The operations team is responsible for processing asset transfers and authorizations, completing documentation to open and maintain accounts, and technology integration. The compliance team is responsible for maintaining registration and annual compliance filings, as well as monitoring federal and state securities laws and regulations. The administrative support team coordinates matters across the various Prairie Capital teams to provide a cohesive client experience.
Client Services
The client services team works in tandem with the Managing Directors to serve clients. This includes responding to client inquiries in a prompt manner, ensuring documents are readily available and secure, and coordinating the work of investment managers and other third-party service providers.
Client Reporting
The client reporting team produces performance reports for both traditional investments and alternative strategies. Client reporting can be customized and tailored to individual needs, including in-depth reporting on public and private investments, as well as the ability to report on assets custodied or managed on other platforms.
Investment Research
The investment research team performs qualitative and quantitative due diligence, as well as monitoring of existing and new investment managers. The research team also monitors marketplace trends and macroeconomic factors that may impact client portfolios or present investment opportunities.
careers
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