Professional
As Chief Investment Officer, Kent leads Foster Group’s Investment Strategy Group and Investment Committee. The Investment Strategy Group meets bi-monthly to evaluate current investments held in managed portfolios, review overall portfolio allocation strategies, and research new investment products and strategies under consideration. The Investment Committee is responsible for governance over all investment functions including portfolio construction, trading, benchmarking and fiduciary standards. As an experienced advisor, he participates in meetings with investors to help determine how to design and implement a portfolio matched to specific needs and circumstances.
Kent has more than 24 years of experience in investment operations, trading, trust management, portfolio research and design, and advising clients. He currently participates in leading Foster Group as a member of the Executive Team and Board of Directors. He enjoys speaking and writing on various topics. Along with internal publications, his articles and interviews have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Physician’s Money Digest, Iowa Medicine, The Des Moines Register, Investment News, and other forums. Kent graduated from the University of Iowa with High Distinction in Finance in 1984. He has served as a State Representative in the Iowa Legislature (Vice-Chair, Ways & Means Committee on taxation) and on the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute’s Board of Governors.
Personal
What I like the best about my roles at Foster Group are how they bring together so many of the experiences and responsibilities that I have been given. While I have tremendous respect for, and pay close attention to, the technical, number-crunching aspects of investments and finance, experience has taught me that it is the more human elements of communication, understanding, wisdom, and decision-making that usually lead to success. I have observed this while communicating a message across cultures in an international mission organization, working in the legislature to find policy answers that are fair to all citizens, and in managing personal wealth for individuals and institutions. The challenge of taking complex ideas and making them clear and applicable to ‘real life’ in a way that improves confidence and quality of life is rewarding in any context.
I truly appreciate how Foster Group as an organization places a high priority on family and community engagement. My wife, Kim, and I have four great daughters, a grand-daughter and three sons-in-law who all keep us happily engaged in their lives and pursuits. In addition, we remain very involved in our local church—through teaching, leading and music. Plus, we enjoy bicycling, golf and being outside, including our annual two-week family trip to the mountains of Colorado. I can’t find enough time to read my ever-growing book list and, of course, we follow the Iowa Hawkeyes as loyal alumni and parents of Hawks!
Education
B.B.A. Finance, University of Iowa (Iowa City, Iowa)
Community Involvement
Greater Des Moines Charitable Foundation Board Member
Professional Advisory Council Board Member