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St. Joseph, MO PCG

LeeAnn R. Leonard, AAMS®, CRPC®, First Vice President/Investments; Branch Manager

LeeAnn Leonard, AAMS, CRPC

First Vice President/Investments; Branch Manager

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 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®, First Vice President/Investments

Lyle Officer, CRPC

First Vice President/Investments

Lyle has been helping his clients pursue their financial goals for more than 20 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 earned an A.S. from Johnson County Community College.  He holds Series 7, 63, and 65 securities licenses and attained the Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorTM designation from the College for Financial Planning.  

Lyle loves spending time with his wife, Shelly, and their four children.  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®, Vice President/Investments

Michael J. Portman, CRPC

Vice President/Investments

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 CounselorTM 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, Vice President/Investments

Kerry Ames

First Vice President/Investments

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.  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

Craig L. Grable

Associate Vice President/Investments

Craig began his career as a Financial Advisor in 1993 with A.G. Edwards and joined Stifel in 2013. Prior to Stifel, he worked for Merrill Lynch.  A lifelong resident of Wathena, Kansas, he has served on City Council for 13 years.  He is also an active Boy Scout leader, as well as a member of the Wathena Masonic Lodge, Kansas State Alumni Association, and Moila.

Craig earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Kansas State University.  Outside the office, he enjoys volunteering in his community and spending time with his wife, Renee, and their three kids.  Some of their best times spent together are going to Kansas State football games and scouting events.

Heidi has nearly 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 your trust and provide you 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.

Heidi has been a member with the St. Joseph’s Chamber of Commerce for more than 20 years.  She serves as a local Chamber of Commerce diplomat and a member of the Cathedral of St. Joseph.  She has also been active with Junior League of St. Joseph and with high schools on various PTSA/Booster clubs. During college, she served as a board member with the Phi Phi chapter’s Alpha Sigma Alpha Alumni.

Heidi has been married for more than 20 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.

Julie Barber, Branch Operations Manager

Julie Barber

Branch Operations Manager

Julie brings more than 30 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 being with family.  She never tires of spending time with her two adult children, four grandchildren, and helping her siblings care for their elderly parents.

Paula McDowell, Client Service Associate

Paula McDowell

Client Service Associate

Paula has 20 years of financial services experience, beginning her career with the opening of St. Joseph’s first Raymond James office as Office/Operations Manager.  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 35 years.  In her spare time, she enjoys computers, outdoor activities, and family gatherings.

Jill Gaiser headshot

Jill Gaiser

Cashier/Wire Operator

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.