Ryan has nearly 30 years of investment industry experience. He began his career in 1986 at Ameriprise Financial, formerly known as IDS American Express. In 1989, he left the investment industry to run a large retail business in Chubbuck, Idaho, where he developed relationships with hundreds of customers and suppliers. In 1997, he sold the businesses and returned to the investment industry as a financial advisor with Merrill Lynch, where he met and partnered with Brent Koetter. Ryan and Brent worked at Merrill Lynch up until the Pocatello branch was closed, and then at D.A. Davidson for nearly 15 years before transitioning their practice to Stifel in 2016. Over the past 25 years, they have established a successful practice helping clients manage their finances and pursue their short- and long-term financial goals.

Ryan believes in long-term investment planning and takes a conservative approach to helping his clients build wealth while seeking to mitigate downside risks. He prioritizes building relationships with his clients and focuses on helping them identify what matters most to them. He understands that each client he works with is unique and desires to help them build a legacy for themselves, their families, their businesses, and their friends.

Ryan graduated from Idaho State University with a B.S. in Economics and holds the Certified Wealth Strategist® designation. Outside of the office, he and his wife, Carol, have been married for 40 years. They spend much of their spare time with their four children and their spouses, chasing around their 13 grandchildren. He enjoys all sports and is also active in his church activities.

Brent brings nearly 28 years of experience to his role as a financial advisor. He began his career in 1998 with Merrill Lynch, later served clients at D.A. Davidson, and ultimately joined Stifel in 2016. Before entering the financial services industry, Brent worked in education, teaching high school math, health, and physical education. He also built a distinguished career as a high school football coach, spending most of his coaching tenure at Highland High School in Pocatello, Idaho, where he led his teams to multiple state championships. Coming from a family with a deep tradition of coaching excellence, Brent carries the same leadership, discipline, and strategic mindset into his work as a financial advisor.

During his first decade in the investment industry, Brent navigated clients through two major economic events—the late-1990s dot-com bubble and the 2008 Global Financial Crisis. These experiences shaped his ability to guide individuals through periods of uncertainty and reinforced his expertise in asset classes, allocation, and long-term investment strategy.

Brent takes a conservative, common-sense approach to investing and wealth management. He believes the evidence is clear: market timing is an unreliable strategy, and long-term investing provides a more consistent and disciplined path toward financial success. Just as importantly, he prioritizes transparency—ensuring his clients understand what they own and why they own it. Over the years, Brent and his team have built strong, meaningful relationships with the families they serve. His legacy is rooted in the trust, communication, and high standards of service that have defined his practice. As he looks to the future, Brent is committed to ensuring that this legacy continues in the hands of professionals who share those same values. His son, Joe, who joined the HK Investment Group in 2022, plays a central role in that long-term vision. Joe's involvement is an important part of Brent's continuity plan, helping ensure that clients receive the same thoughtful guidance and steadfast support for generations to come.

Brent holds a B.S. in Education–Physical Education and an M.P.E. in Athletic Administration from Idaho State University. Outside the office, he enjoys spending time with his children and grandchildren. He is also actively involved in his church and is a devoted caregiver and guardian to his youngest daughter, who is disabled.

Asset allocation does not ensure a profit or protect against loss.

John began his investment career with Stifel in 2018. Prior to joining the HK Investment Group, he spent much of his career in the retail automotive business, with 18 of those years as the General Manager of the local Chevrolet dealership. His years of management experience in the automobile industry provide a strong business background and taught him valuable lessons, including the importance of relationships and understanding customers and how to analyze financial statements.

John’s interest in investment planning began in college as a finance major. He knew Ryan and Brent personally for more than 30 years before making a career change and joining the HK Investment Group in 2018. Many of the clients and friends he forged over his long business career have since entrusted their financial legacy to John, a testament to his character and skill set.

John takes a client-focused approach, spending time with his clients to learn what is important to them and what their goals are, and tailoring a specific action plan for them. He believes in the importance of legacy and enjoys educating the next generation on how investments work and what is possible with the right investment plan. At this point in his career, he wants to pay it forward by helping his friends, family, and clients establish their own financial legacy.

John earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Idaho State University. In 2023, he attained the Certified Investment Management Analyst® certification after completing coursework administered by the Investments & Wealth Institute taught in conjunction with the Yale School of Management. He has lived in Pocatello for the last 50 years, graduating from Pocatello High School and then Idaho State University. John and his wife have three children. His favorite pastime is playing golf when he is not busy chasing his kids around town while they are pursuing their activities.

Alex began his financial services industry career in 2011 and joined Stifel in 2025. Prior to joining Stifel, he was a financial advisor and vice president with Ameriprise Financial. Alex believes that the right financial guidance can help his clients prepare for whatever life brings – both the expected and unexpected. He is dedicated to providing one-on-one financial guidance tailored to his clients, personalized wealth management strategies for a diversified portfolio, and strategies to help mitigate risk. Alex periodically meets with his clients to review their goals, progress, and investments.

Alex focuses on wealth management, insurance products, retirement income strategies, and intergenerational planning when creating tailored plans for his clients. He knows there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach. By building a long-term relationship, he is able to gain knowledge of his clients’ unique needs, goals, and dreams.

Alex earned a Bachelor of Science in Management from Brigham Young University, where he was a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society and the baseball team. He holds Series 7, 63, and 65 securities licenses. Alex earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification from the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc., which identifies those individuals who have met the experience requirements of the CFP Board, have successfully completed financial planning coursework, and have passed the CFP® Certification Examination.

Following in the footsteps of his father, Alex has grown up with this career. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Dani, and their four kids, Jett, Peyton, Alexis, and Skylar, and being active. Alex likes to play and watch baseball, basketball, golf, and football. He enjoys traveling and creating new experiences.

Joe joined the HK Investment Group at Stifel in 2022. Before transitioning into wealth management, he spent four years working in both the banking and healthcare revenue industries, specializing in client service, consumer finance, and the digital payment experience. This background gives him a unique understanding of how people interact with their finances and the importance of clear, trustworthy guidance.

Joe takes a long-term, disciplined approach to wealth management and holds himself to a high standard of service. He prioritizes clear and consistent communication, full transparency, and an unwavering commitment to putting his clients' interests first. Legacy is deeply meaningful to Joe; he believes the hard work, sacrifice, perseverance, wisdom, and love of those who came before us deserve to be honored and thoughtfully stewarded.

He earned a B.S. in Business Management from Grand Canyon University. Outside the office, Joe spends his time with his wife, family, and friends. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoys mountain biking, trail running and skiing. 

Jenifer joined the HK Investment Group in 2019 as a Client Service Associate. Despite not being in the industry long, she has quickly become more than proficient in her role. She prides herself on top-tier client service and is always willing to support the team in whatever way she can. She enjoys helping clients with their account-related needs and is passionate about building relationships and trust with clients and the team.

Jenifer was born and raised in Pocatello and is active in the community. Outside the office, she enjoys being in the outdoors and spending quality time with her friends and family.

Melissa Durham is a Client Service Associate at Stifel, where she supports the HK Investment Group. She is known for her professionalism, reliability, and genuine care for others. Melissa is passionate about building meaningful relationships while creating a positive experience for every client she serves. She looks forward to continuing to grow within the industry and building a strong future in financial services.

Outside of work, Melissa is devoted to her faith, family, and life outdoors. She is married to her husband, Jason, and is a proud mom to two boys, Easton and Colt. In her free time you will find her riding horses, exercising, and spending time outside with her farm animals.