LeeAnn Leonard

AAMS, CRPC

AAMS, CRPC

First Vice President/Investments; Branch Manager

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LeeAnn began her career in 1992 as Manager of private placements for Financial Industries Corporation in Austin, Texas.  She joined Stifel in 2013 after having worked for TD Ameritrade, A.G. Edwards, and Merrill Lynch.  LeeAnn earned a B.S. in Accounting from Northwest Missouri State University and holds Series 7 (General Securities Representative), 9 & 10 (General Securities Sales Supervisor), and 63 (Uniform Securities State Agent) securities licenses, as well as life, health, and variable insurance (including annuities).  In addition, she has attained the Accredited Asset Management Specialist™ and the Certified Retirement Planning Counselor™ designation from the College for Financial Planning.

Outside of the office, LeeAnn enjoys spending time with her husband and two boys, traveling, watching sports, reading, and crafting.

Lyle Officer

CRPC

CRPC

First Vice President/Investments

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Lyle has been helping his clients pursue their financial goals for nearly 25 years.  He joined Stifel in 2013 after working for Merrill Lynch for nearly six years.  Prior to Merrill Lynch, he was a financial advisor with A.G. Edwards for eight years.  Lyle attended University of Missouri – Kansas City and Johnson County Community College where he earned an Associate of Science degree.  He holds Series 7, 63, and 65 securities licenses and attained the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ designation from the College for Financial Planning.  

Lyle loves spending time with his wife, Shelly, and their four children and grandchildren.  When not in the office, he enjoys hunting, fishing, being on the water, boating, and scuba diving.  He is active in his community with youth sports.

Michael J. Portman

CRPC

CRPC

Vice President/Investments

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Mike joined Stifel in 2013 after serving more than 10 years as a Financial Consultant with Merrill Lynch and A.G. Edwards.  He began his investment industry career after spending more than 20 years in lending and management with banks in the St. Joseph market.  He holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor^TM designation from the College for Financial Planning.

Active in the local community, Mike has served on past boards and held leadership positions with various organizations, including Community Housing Ministry, Pony Express Historical Society, United Way, Buchanan County Tourism Board, Chamber of Commerce, and Ducks Unlimited.

Kerry Ames

First Vice President/Investments

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Kerry joined Stifel in 2020, bringing over 20 years of experience working in the financial services industry.  He gained his experience working for local banks in the St. Joseph area, helping his clients with their lending and retirement needs.  Kerry’s mission is to create long-term, meaningful relationships with his clients and provide them with personalized financial guidance.
 
Kerry attended the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he earned a B.S. in Human Environmental Science with a Consumer and Family Economics major.  He holds Series 7 and 66 securities licenses, as well as life, health, and variable insurance licenses.  In his free time, Kerry enjoys spending time with family and friends, fishing, and frequenting the Florida Keys.

Craig L. Grable

Associate Vice President/Investments

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Craig began his career as a Financial Advisor in 1993 with A.G. Edwards and joined Stifel in 2013.  He is a lifelong resident of Wathena, Kansas, where he previously served on the Wathena City Council.  Craig is an active Boy Scout leader, a member of the Wathena Masonic Lodge, Moila Shrine in St. Joseph, and the Kansas State University Alumni Association.

Craig is a graduate of Kansas State University, where he earned a B.S. in Business Administration.  He enjoys volunteering in the community and spending time with his wife, Renee, and their three adult children.

Heidi R. LaFave

Financial Advisor

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Heidi has more than 25 years of financial services experience.  She earned a Bachelor of Science from Northwest Missouri State University and holds Series 7 and 66 securities licenses, as well as life, health, and variable insurance licenses (including annuities).  Her mission is to work diligently to earn her clients’ trust and provide them with a high level of service.  She processes investment and economic information used in designing and implementing the investment process best suited for the clients’ needs.

Active in the community, Heidi has been a member with the St. Joseph’s Chamber of Commerce for more than 20 years.  She serves on the board of the Cotillion for Achievement and the YWCA.  She also serves as a local Chamber of Commerce diplomat and as a Northside Pride Association member.  She has been a member, served on past boards and/or held leadership positions with various organizations, including Junior League of St. Joseph, church, high schools/PTSA booster clubs, and NWMSU sorority chapter.

Heidi has been married for more than 25 years and has two children.  When not in the office, she enjoys spending time with her family, donating time back to the community, and watching her son play various sports.

Colten Joseph

Financial Advisor

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Colten began his investment industry career interning at Stifel’s St. Joseph branch in 2022, where he gained experience supporting financial advisors in their day-to-day responsibilities.  Prior to joining Stifel, he served as a Financial Analyst at Tradebot Systems.  Now as a Financial Advisor, Colten’s mission is to build strong relationships with each of his clients and serve them with the value they deserve. 

Colten earned a B.S. in Business, majoring in Finance from the University of Kansas.  He holds Series 7 and 66 securities licenses, as well as life, health, and variable insurance licenses. 

Julie Barber

Branch Operations Manager

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Julie brings more than 35 years of experience in the financial services industry to the team, having started her career as an Administrative Assistant in 1988 with Blunt Ellis & Loewi.  She joined Stifel in 2013 after working for A.G. Edwards, and later Merrill Lynch.  In her role, she focuses on the daily operations and management of the office, as well as handling administrative duties for several financial advisors.  She holds Series 7 and 63 securities licenses.

Outside the office, Julie enjoys spending time with her children, grandchildren, and siblings, as well as watching the Kansas City Chiefs football games, and reading a good book.

Paula McDowell

Client Service Associate

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Paula has more than 20 years of financial services experience, beginning her career with the opening of St. Joseph’s first Raymond James office as Office/Operations Manager in 2002.  She joined Stifel in 2012 with the opening of Stifel’s St. Joseph’s office.  Prior to that, Paula spent 20 years as Corporate Operations Officer for two local construction companies and office manager for a local CPA firm. 

With traditional values, hard work, loyalty, and uncompromising quality, Paula delivers top-tier service to the team’s clients through education and a high level of communication.  She’s been married to her husband, Gary, for more than 40 years.  Outside the office, Paula enjoys activities with her grandchildren, family, and friends.

Jill Gaiser

Cashier/Wire Operator

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Jill has 25 years of experience in the financial industry, starting at the local bank in town and moving to KCB Bank as Vice President of operations.  She is now responsible for carrying out many of the general office responsibilities and delivering a highly personalized client service experience.

Jill has been married to her husband, Jerry, for 40 years.  They have three children and six grandchildren.  Outside the office, Jill enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, and attending sporting events.