GREAT FALLS - Key Persons
High standards of service and connecting with clients are the foundation of how she does business. She understands that the value of a dollar earned and the importance of building a plan based on her clients' timeline, objectives, risk tolerance, and lifestyle are what go into cultivating relationships that last for generations. Her love of service and connection comes through in her outside activities with the Great Falls Chamber of Commerce, Agriculture Committee, Non-Profit Alliance, and Military Affairs Committee. She is also a member of the Tenacious Dames (all women's riding club), assisting with the many organizations they support, including Children's Receiving Home, veteran housing and support, and suicide prevention, to name a few, and is involved with the Service Dog Team with Dog Tag Buddies, volunteering with their veteran support and suicide prevention campaigns.
Job Titles:
- Vice President / Investments
The newest member to the team, Brenda brings more than 25 years of experience and strong ties to the community.
Brenda began her investment industry career in 1994 at Dain Bosworth (currently RBC), moving to DA Davidson in 2000, and joining Stifel in 2021. She has a gained a keen understanding of how hard her clients work for their money and is committed to helping them identify their financial needs, goals, and dreams, all while journeying with them through the asset gathering stage to the distribution stage during retirement. Having earned the Certified Wealth Strategist® designation, one of Brenda's focuses is helping clients build a highly customized long-term wealth strategy by critically analyzing their objectives, risk tolerances, and tax situations.
Highly active in the Great Falls community, Brenda has been involved with various organizations, including: board member for Farm in the Dell, basketball coach for Special Olympics, volunteer coordinator for Eagle Mount's Margarita Meltdown Fundraiser, board member for YWCA, women's financial committee co-chair at DA Davidson, director for Ladies Harley Owners Group, and past president for Junior League Great Falls. She has also been involved with Great Falls Chamber Leadership High School/Ambassador Award, Order of the Eastern Star, Big Sky Girl Scouts, as well as Road Dame for The Tenacious Dames (all women's riding club) and the many organizations they support, such as the Children's Receiving Home, veteran housing and support, and suicide prevention.
Outside the office, Brenda's hobbies include spending time with family, traveling, riding motorcycles, being outdoors, and helping make a difference in people's lives.
Carla joined the H&F Financial Group in 2019. She has a passion for interacting with others and fostering a valuable and beneficial client experience.
Carla was born and raised on a farm in rural Montana. She met her husband, Matthew, in college, and they were married in 2000. They have three active teenagers, and their weekends are spent attending volleyball, football, basketball, and track events. Carla and Matthew also coach junior high and high school basketball. She enjoys spending time with family, hanging out with friends, and relaxing at the lake.
Job Titles:
- Registered Client Service Associate
Christy brings 22 years of financial services experience to the team, with 11 of those years at Stifel. As a Registered Client Service Associate, she strives to deliver top-tier service to clients. She holds the Series 7 securities license. Christy was born and raised in Great Falls. She and her husband, Val, have two college-aged children, Tony and Katie. Outside of the office, she enjoys camping, boating, reading and quilting.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Financial Advisor
Curtis began his investment industry career in 2013 with Mark Finnicum at Wells Fargo Advisors. In 2020, he transitioned to Stifel, where he is able to partner with financial advisors who share his views on personalized service while expanding his capabilities and strategies to help his clients pursue their goals. Having attained the Accredited Wealth Management Advisor® designation, he has gained in-depth knowledge on comprehensive wealth planning strategies, equity-based compensation plans, tax-efficient investment strategies, and asset management alternatives.
In addition to serving his clients, Curtis is committed to supporting his community. He is an active member of United Way of Cascade County, involved with The Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, and serves on the board of directors at Apollos University. He is also a regular donor with the American Red Cross.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Financial Advisor
Jeff has been in the investment industry for 35 years, recently joining Sharon Hancock in his path toward retirement while continuing to deliver the outstanding service his clients have come to expect.
Jeff was raised in Great Falls, Montana, and graduated with a B.S. in Business Finance from Montana State University. He is married with two adult sons. In his free time, he enjoys traveling and taking on personal construction projects.
Job Titles:
- First Vice President / Investments
Mark began his investment industry career as a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones in 2000. He joined Wells Fargo Advisors in 2013 and transitioned to Stifel in 2020. With his recent move to the H&F Financial Group at Stifel, he has found a company that supports his commitment to his clients and allows him to continue putting his clients first. Having successfully navigated two major recessions, his commitment to honesty, integrity, and dedication to client goals is the foundation of his entire financial practice.
Active in the community, Mark is a board member of the Great Falls Public School Board, an active member of Toastmasters as a distinguished toastmaster, and is a past district governor with Rotary Club of Great Falls. He also contributes regularly to the American Red Cross, having donated 11-plus gallons of whole blood. Away from the office, Mark and his wife, Jacque, lead a very active life together playing hockey and enjoying the outdoors. They also enjoy spending time with their two grown children and two young grandchildren, Clay and Callie.
Mark joined Stifel more than six years ago and maintains his passion for analyzing markets and analyzing investment choices to provide valuable investment guidance to his clients. His goal is to help them stay on track while they pursue their long-term financial goals.
A Great Falls native, Mark attended the University of Montana, where he earned a B.A. in Economics. In his spare time, Mark is an avid outdoorsman. He enjoys kayaking, biking, backpacking, and landscape photography.
Job Titles:
- Operations Coordinator ( NReg )
Patty brings 17 years of financial industry experience to the team, with 11 of those years being at Stifel. As Operations Coordinator, she strives to deliver top-tier service to clients and providing the branch with operational support.
Patty was born and raised in Ludington, Michigan, but has lived in Great Falls for 34 years. She has two grown sons, Chris and John. Outside the office, she enjoys kayaking, riding her bike on the River's Edge Trail, horseback riding in Belt, Montana, and traveling to Ludington every summer to sit on the white sandy beaches of Lake Michigan with her family.
Job Titles:
- Leader
- Vice President / Investments Branch Manager
Sharon has been in supervisory roles for nearly 40 years at various firms throughout the Western United States, including: UBS Financial Services, Piper Jaffray, D.A. Davidson, Lehman Brothers, Smith Barney, and Franklin Distributors. She brings with her considerable experience in wealth management and believes doing business face-to-face is an integral part of providing the highest level of attention and care to those with whom she works. She joined Stifel as Branch Manager in 2009.
As the leader of our team, Sharon is a community-focused individual who understands that our friends' and neighbors' unique needs are more than just numbers. She sets a standard of professionalism, diligence, competence, integrity, and connection to those who come through our doors, building multigenerational relationships.
Sharon was born and raised in Havre, Montana. Outside of the office, Sharon and her husband, Ed, enjoy spending time with their grandkids, working in their garden, and traveling to concerts and events throughout our beautiful country.