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BOB WILLIS, CEO, Willis Investment Counsel The last 20 years may not be the best representation of U.S. economic history. Likewise, it may or may not be a reliable predictor of the future. Whatever the case, recent trends of low interest rates and inflation appear to...
Suzanne E. Bagwell
Client Service Associate
Ms. Bagwell is a Client Service Associate for Willis Investment Counsel. Her primary responsibilities include portfolio administration and other matters in support of the firm’s operations team.
Kaitlyn E. Smith
Operations Associate
Ms. Smith is an Operations Associate for Willis Investment Counsel. Her primary responsibilities include client reporting, special projects, and other matters in support of the firm’s operations team.
Ms. Smith holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in marketing from Georgia Southern University.
Tracey A. Patton
Senior Analyst
Ms. Patton is a senior research analyst for Willis Investment Counsel. Her primary responsibilities include conducting equity research for the WIC Core Equity (large-cap) Strategy and assisting in the day-to-day management of the WIC Managed Volatility and Income Strategy.
She is a member of the Junior League of Gainesville-Hall County.
Ms. Patton holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from North Georgia College and State University with a concentration in finance and accounting.
Julia R. Padgham
Firm Administrator
Ms. Padgham is the Firm Administrator for Willis Investment Counsel. Her primary responsibilities include day-to-day firm operations, portfolio administration, client service, and other matters in support of the firm’s operations team.
Ms. Padgham holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Atlanta College of Art.
John M. Lewis
Senior Analyst
Mr. Lewis is a senior research analyst for Willis Investment Counsel. His primary responsibilities include conducting research for the WIC Small Cap Value Strategy, the WIC Fixed Income Strategy, and other areas of research within the firm.
Mr. Lewis holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Georgia with a concentration in finance. He has passed Level I of the CFA Program.
Natalie R. Challen
Director of Relationship Management
Ms. Challen is the Director of Relationship Management for Willis Investment Counsel. Her primary responsibilities include supporting the trading operations of Willis Investment Counsel, portfolio analytics, and technology-driven projects. She also serves as secondary support for our operations team in terms of reporting, compliance, and client service.
She is a board member of the Quinlan Visual Arts Center, a tri-chair for the Medical Center Auxiliary’s Marketplace, and is a graduate of Leadership Hall. In addition, she serves on the Board of Trustees for Lakeview Academy.
Ms. Challen holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Georgia with a concentration in finance.
Robert T. Willis, Jr., CFA
CEO and Chief Investment Officer
Mr. Willis is the founder, CEO, and Chief Investment Officer of Willis Investment Counsel. He oversees portfolio design, participates in securities selection and fundamental analysis, and chairs the firm’s investment committee.
Prior to founding WIC in 1979, Mr. Willis was a tax accountant in the Atlanta office of Arthur Andersen & Co. He is also a former trustee and investment committee member of the State of Georgia Employee Pension Fund and served on the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors during Governor Deal’s administration.
Mr. Willis holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, with high distinction, from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School where he also serves as a guest lecturer. He is a member of the CFA Institute, the Atlanta Society of Financial Analysts and the Rotary Club of Gainesville.
Giovanna M. Golden
Portfolio Administrator
Ms. Golden is a Portfolio Administrator for Willis Investment Counsel. Her primary responsibilities include client service, portfolio administration, and other matters in support of the firm’s operations team.
Ms. Golden holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Georgia State University.
Brett M. Slattery, CFA
Director of Research and Portfolio Manager
Mr. Slattery is the Director of Research for Willis Investment Counsel. He also manages the firm’s Core Equity (large-cap) Strategy and serves on the firm’s investment committee.
Prior to joining WIC, Mr. Slattery was a senior portfolio manager at Harris SBSB (a unit of BMO Financial Group) for three years, and an equity research analyst at Abingdon Capital Management for seven years.
Mr. Slattery holds an MBA from the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University, and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater. He is also a member of the CFA Institute.
Kelli M. Wright
CCO and VP, Operations & Trading
Ms. Wright is the Chief Compliance Officer and Vice President of Operations and Trading for Willis Investment Counsel. She oversees securities trading, the portfolio accounting and client reporting systems, and portfolio monitoring for client specific investment policy compliance. She holds the IACCP® designation (Investment Adviser Certified Compliance Professional). The IACCP® is a professional program granting the designation to individuals who complete an 18-month program of study of the Investment Advisers Act, pass a certifying examination, and meet certain work experience, ethics and continuing education requirements.
Prior to joining WIC, Ms. Wright served as a financial advisor for the private banking group of Wachovia Bank of Georgia (now Wells Fargo).
Ms. Wright holds a Bachelor of Science degree and an MBA degree (concentration in finance) from Auburn University.
James J. Kilroy
President and Portfolio Manager
Mr. Kilroy is the President of Willis Investment Counsel, having responsibility in the areas of strategy, client relations, firm operations, and portfolio management. He serves as the portfolio manager for the Small Cap Value Strategy, and is also a member of the firm’s investment committee.
Prior to joining WIC, Mr. Kilroy was an analyst with Abingdon Capital Management, a long/short hedge fund, for seven years. Mr. Kilroy’s tenure at Abingdon Capital Management was preceded by two years as an equity research analyst at Bear, Stearns & Co. covering the multi-industrials sector, and four years as an investment banker with SunTrust Equitable Securities.
Mr. Kilroy serves on the Board of Directors of Healthcare Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: HR) Healthcare Realty is a publicly-traded Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) that focuses on owning, managing, acquiring and developing outpatient medical facilities throughout the United States. He is also the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Lakeview Academy. Additionally, Mr. Kilroy is a board member of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce and Elachee Nature Science Center, where he serves on the investment committee.
Mr. Kilroy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the Kenan-Flagler School of Business at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.