Who We Are

Bruce Rinne – Partner

Bruce, a founding KKRA partner, is a portfolio manager, focusing on managing fixed income, cash and balanced portfolios for our clients. He prides himself on his deep connection with clients and the level of service KKRA provides. Prior to forming KKRA, Bruce worked with Ned Karren as a senior portfolio manager at Seafirst Investment Advisors, where he began his career in investment management.

A University of Washington graduate with local ties, Bruce enjoys the many offerings of the Pacific Northwest with his wife, Rebecca, and two sons. When he wants to escape the securities markets, he likes to head to his woodshop and focus his attentions on creating…sometimes a complex piece of furniture, and others a simple kitchen tool. In either case, he says, “There is something about a sharp spinning blade or the keen edge of a chisel that demands complete attention!”

Jeffrey Atkin – Partner

Jeff is a managing partner and portfolio manager of KKRA. Utilizing his extensive experience in equity research and analysis, he manages stock and balanced portfolios for our clients. Prior to joining KKRA in 1986, Jeff was a founding partner of Cable, Howse & Ragen in Seattle and served as Vice President of Research at Foster & Marshall and Piper, Jaffray & Hopwood.

A Minnesota native and graduate of the University of Minnesota, Jeff has called the PNW home for many years. He is a Past President and member of the CFA Society of Seattle, Past Chairman of the Washington Athletic Club and currently serves on investment committees for several community boards. An active member of the community and supporter of the arts, Jeff serves as a trustee of the Tacoma Art Museum and co-chairs its Collection Committee, is a Past President of the Board of Pilchuck Glass School and is Past President of the Board of Trustees of PONCHO.

Jeff and his wife Brenda enjoy traveling and discovering new artists and museums, and are avid attendees of the symphony and local theatres. He and Brenda also enjoy spending time with their children and grandchildren and supporting the community they have long-enjoyed being part of.

LeAna Alvarado-Smith – Partner, Director of Operations & Compliance

LeAna began her career with KKRA in 1996 and has since been actively involved with every aspect of the firm's operations, from trading to reporting, and she now oversees the firm’s operations and compliance departments. She puts her MBA from Seattle University to great use for our clients by streamlining processes, testing new technology and formulating and implementing policies and procedures.

A Seattle native, LeAna is active in her community; serving on several boards and projects, including bringing a beautiful neighborhood outdoor fitness center and sports court to fruition. She, along with her husband and two sons, enjoys life in the Pacific Northwest by getting outdoors to play and watch sports year-round, supporting their neighborhood and spending dedicated family time together.

Kara E. Gerhart – Partner, Director of Client Relations

Kara became part of our family in 2010, bringing a wealth of client service expertise. Prior to joining KKRA, she led client servicing for top brokerage teams. Her personalized service and attention to detail allow her to find solutions that are tailored directly to each client's needs.

While Kara called the east coast home for many years, she and her husband now enjoy the active, outdoor lifestyle of the Pacific Northwest by hiking, kayaking and camping. Kara is an active community member through her regular volunteer work with PAWS, and was recognized as PAWS "Outstanding Volunteer" in 2013.

Jason Kain – Portfolio Analyst & Equity Trader

Jason began his career at KKRA in September 2021 as a Portfolio Implementation Analyst involved with upgrading and managing the firm’s trading platform and processes. In his current role as a Portfolio Analyst & Equity Trader he manages the trading operations and assists the Portfolio Managers with maintaining the investment strategies while actively pursuing his CFA designation.

Born in Detroit, Michigan Jason has lived in the PNW since graduating from the University of Wyoming in 2018. Prior to joining KKRA he worked with Fisher Investments in Camas and Morgan Stanley – Parametric in Seattle. In his free time, Jason enjoys being outdoors with his German Shepherd, Ruby, and sampling the wonderful variety of restaurants that Seattle has to offer.

Candis Brinkley, Client Operations Associate

Candis joined KKRA in July 2023; she assists both the client service and operations teams. A native of Jacksonville, Florida; Candis made the move to the PNW in 2023.

Ned Karren – Founding Partner

Ned is one of the founding partners of KKRA, establishing the firm with Mike Kunath and Bruce Rinne in 1983, and retiring in 2019. It impossible to properly summarize his 36-years of contributions as a founding partner of KKRA. Always smiling and supportive, genuinely full of grace, he led by example with an unwavering commitment to our clients, KKRA staff, and his partners.

Michael Kunath, Founding Partner (1940-2019)

In Memoriam

Mike was a founding partner, portfolio manager and principal of KKRA. Prior to starting KKRA, Mike was a founding partner of Sirach Partners, Vice President of Institutional Sales for both Piper Jaffray, Vice President and Principal of Herron Northwest and cut his teeth early in his career in the investment department of Peoples National Bank. Mike grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and spent time in Quito, Helsinki, and Bangkok during his family’s period of diplomatic service and attended school in India. These early life experiences likely helped to develop his life-long interest in world affairs. A retired army Captain who was raised and schooled abroad, Mike settled in Seattle, where he earned both a BA and an MBA from Seattle University, co-founding the Associations for both the Graduate School of Business Students and the Graduate School of Business Alumni while there. He continued his diligent contribution to the broader Seattle-area community through a myriad of charities, playing a leading role in organizations such as the Celebrity Waiter’s Luncheon, Gilda’s Club, the YWCA, and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Those of us who knew and worked with Mike have lost a dear friend and valued colleague. No words can adequately express our sadness nor our gratitude for the opportunity to have known and worked with him. Mike had a significant impact on the Seattle business and philanthropic community, and we will honor his memory by continuing the work he loved.