Our Team
Steven Check
President and Chief Investment Officer
Mr. Check founded Check Capital Management (CCM) in 1987. As CCM’s Chief Investment Officer, he is responsible for overall investment policy and portfolio management. While formally educated as an engineer (plus coursework in accounting), Mr. Check found his passion in investing and helping others with financial issues. He thoroughly studied great investors—Benjamin Graham, Warren Buffett, Charlie Munger, etc.—learning not only their techniques but the underlying mindset that ensured their success. Mr. Check holds a BS degree in Electrical Engineering from Iowa State and a Masters in Engineering from the University of California, Irvine.
Christopher Ballard, CFP®
Managing Director
Mr. Ballard is responsible for business development and general client service. A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, he provides individualized guidance, such as goal-setting and retirement planning. Mr. Ballard’s 12 years of experience before CCM included Vice President / Financial Consultant with a national stockbrokerage, Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley and Chief Investment Officer of Green Thumb Financial, an investment advisory firm. Mr. Ballard received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Ryan Kinney
Research Director / Portfolio Manager
Mr. Kinney advances Check Capital’s portfolio management process by means of a value-oriented, bottom-up approach to equity research. He and Steven Check identify prospectively profitable investments, then monitor the performance of those selected. He also authors “Company Reports” and “Company Close–Ups” to keep clients informed about their holdings. Mr. Kinney joined CCM in 2013 as a research analyst, becoming Research Director and Portfolio Manager in 2016. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration (emphasis in finance) from San Diego State University.
Jock Meeks, CRPC®
Client Services Director
Mr. Meeks oversees service to Check Capital’s clients. His 40 years of experience in financial services includes seven years with an investment banker, followed by twelve years with a national brokerage firm. He held an NYSE Branch Manager Principals license and acted as Branch Manager for more than two years. Mr. Meeks earned his Bachelor of Arts at the University of Wyoming. He received the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation from the College for Financial Planning in 2008.
Jeremy Saltzberg
Vice President, Senior Investment Officer
Mr. Saltzberg is responsible for various client-service initiatives at Check Capital in addition to providing financial counsel to clients regarding their accounts. Prior to joining CCM, he was both a Portfolio Manager and Director of Investment Research with Avondale Asset Management as well as Vice President at Spectrum Asset Management. Mr. Saltzberg began his career as an Investment Analyst with Beacon Pointe Advisors in Newport Beach, California. He attained his Bachelor’s degree in Business Economics at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
John Thatcher, AAMS®, CRPC™, WMS℠
Vice President, Senior Investment Officer
Mr. Thatcher advises existing clients and educates prospective clients about Check Capital’s investment programs. His 20 years of industry experience include three years as a Financial Advisor for IDS Financial Services (an American Express Company) followed by 15 years as a Vice President / Financial Consultant at a major financial services firm. He was also the Operations Manager for a residential construction company for six years. Mr. Thatcher earned his Accredited Asset Management Specialist℠ designation from the College for Financial Planning in 2008.
Alan Ebright
Vice President, Senior Investment Officer
Mr. Ebright is responsible for business development and client service. He has been an investment professional for over two decades, working for several firms in various capacities. He’s able to help individuals who are 1) still in the accumulation phase of their investing life, 2) in need of a plan as they head into retirement, or 3) already retired. Mr. Ebright holds a Bachelor of Science degree in finance/accounting from the University of Southern California.
Jim Waite, CRPC®
flexFOLIO Portfolio Manager
Mr. Waite manages the flexFOLIO program, concentrating on highly personalized portfolios to meet specific client objectives. His 35 years of securities-industry experience include a decade as a Financial Consultant and Operations Manager with a national stockbrokerage, following five years as Investment Services Manager at Griffin Financial. Mr. Waite holds a BA in Business Administration (emphasis in finance) from California State University, Fullerton. He earned the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation from the College for Financial Planning in 2008.
Robert Hill
Chief Compliance Officer / Trading Manager
Mr. Hill oversees both regulatory compliance and trading for the firm. He executes equity and fixed-income trades for individual client portfolios as well as the Blue Chip Investor Fund. Mr. Hill also supervises the firm’s account reconciliations and technical operations. Prior to joining Check Capital, he was Business Analyst for a nationally recognized printed-circuit-board distributor, where he researched companies to identify suitable, prospectively profitable business partners. Mr. Hill holds a BS in Business Administration (emphasis in finance) from California State University, Long Beach.
Nancy Kernan
Senior Administrator
Ms. Kernan provides account support to clients, performs internal administrative services and acts as office manager. She has 30 years of experience in the securities industry, serving as Sales Assistant with Shearson Lehman Brothers and Portfolio Administrator with both Loomis Sayles & Co. and Palley-Needelman Asset Management. Ms. Kernan attended Interstate Business College.
Ginny Williams
Associate Administrator
Ms. Williams provides account support to clients, as well as performing internal administrative services. Her 31 years of securities-industry experience include Sales Assistant, Acting Branch Operations Manager, New Accounts Administrator and Wire Operator at Shearson Lehman Hutton, Prudential Securities and Bateman Eichler, Hill Richards. Ms. Williams was Portfolio Administrator at Palley-Needelman Asset Management and Neuberger Berman. She attended Golden West College.
Lauren Flammer
Marketing Director / Administrative Assistant
Ms. Flammer is responsible for internal marketing efforts as well as providing additional administrative support to other staff members. Prior to joining the Check Capital team, Ms. Flammer held previous positions in both marketing and administrative work. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Business with an emphasis in Marketing from the University of Arizona Eller College of Management.