​Striking the Balance Between Quality Service and Quality Investments
Founded by Gregory Toppe, Venado Investment Advisors was established to tackle a prevalent issue observed in the financial services industry. Many firms tend to be skewed towards either client-facing professionals or investment experts. Client-centric firms excel in service but often fall short in delivering top-notch investment solutions. On the other hand, investment-centric firms may develop impressive strategies but frequently lack adequate attention to client needs. Venado was founded with the purpose of striking a balance – offering both Quality Service and Quality Investments.
Gregory Toppe, CFA
FOUNDER, CHIEF INVESTMENT ADVISOR
​Greg brings over 25 years of extensive finance and investment expertise to the table. His diverse background encompasses research and portfolio management, investment counseling, mergers and acquisitions, as well as institutional sales and service.

A pivotal part of Greg's career includes his role as an analyst and subsequently as a portfolio manager at Kayne Anderson Rudnick. There, he successfully managed a portfolio exceeding $800 million, covering large, small, and mid-cap stocks. Greg also served as a portfolio manager at Trivant Portfolio Group, an analyst, and assistant portfolio manager at Mt. Eden Investment Advisors, and an analyst and Senior Vice President/client portfolio manager at Fisher Investments.

Greg holds an MBA from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and a BA from Marquette University. Greg also holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. While originally from Wisconsin and having left a piece of his heart in San Francisco, he proudly calls Thousand Oaks home. Here, together with his wife, Kristine, they are raising their three children and a rescue dog.

In his leisure time, you can find Greg coaching youth basketball, casting a fly line in the Sierra’s, or engrossed in a history book at his favorite coffee shop.

Advisory Board

James Fletcher, CFA

​James is the Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Ethos Investment Management, a Utah based money manager focused on small cap emerging markets equities. Prior to founding Ethos, he was a Portfolio Manager at APG Asset Management, one of the largest public pensions in the world. James and Greg previously worked together at Kayne Anderson Rudnick where he developed the firm’s emerging markets strategy.

James is also the founder of Young Investors Society, a global non-profit that enhances financial literacy of high school students around the world. James lives in Park City, UT with his wife and five children.

Matt Kelly, CFA

Matt founded and has served as portfolio manager at MRKF Capital, an investment management firm, since May 2020. Previously he was a director and trader at First Eagle Investment Management (formerly THL Credit Inc.) from 2017 to May 2020 and a Vice President and Senior Credit Analyst from 2006 to 2017. In addition, he is currently serves on the board of directors of Lendway, Inc., a publicly holding company with operations in in-store advertising and non-bank lending. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Miami University and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin. Matt and Greg are long-time friends having sharped their analytical tools together in Madison.

Dr. Maretno Agus "Augus" Harjoto

Agus received his PhD in economics from the University of Kentucky in 2002. Dr. Harjoto and colleagues were the recipients of 2021 Inaugural S&P Global Academic ESG Research Award. Dr. Harjoto received the 2009 Moskowitz Prize Award and the 2019-2021 Denney Chair Professorship. He was awarded the Howard A. White category 2 teaching award in 2011.

He has published over sixty refereed research publications in various well-regarded journals such as Journal of Management, Journal of Corporate Finance, Financial Management, Journal of Banking & Finance, Journal of Financial Research, Financial Review, Journal of Business Ethics, Business Ethics, the Environment & Responsibility, Journal of Business Research, Review of Managerial Science, and Advances in Accounting. His research expertise on environmental, social and governance (ESG) and board diversity received media coverage by the New York Times and Fortune. 

Agus and Greg became friends through their children who went to school together. Between shuttling each other’s kids to activities and hiking with the families, they have come to appreciate their unique perspectives on finance and investing.