Sandy Villere

Villere & Co. invests selectively and independently, using an active, concentrated portfolio strategy. The firm seeks to enhance portfolio returns while minimizing risk. The objective for equity holdings is to outperform the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and similar indexes over a full market cycle and take advantage of market or security inefficiencies. Depending on the goals and objectives of the client, portfolios generally include fixed income securities to provide the potential for stability as well as income.

Functions as a College/University

GKM Advisers invests in high-quality, growing companies that are trading at reasonable valuations. The firm typically holds their investments for many years, with the goal of minimizing taxes and transaction costs. GKM employs top-down analysis of global and national economics to identify structural changes and trends that impact the financial marketplace. They also examine industry and sector performance and company fundamentals. For clients seeking real growth of assets, GKM uses equities are their primary investment vehicle. The firm uses fundamental analysis to identify growth companies that are reasonably priced and have the potential for above average returns over an extended period of time. They take a continuous macro view of the US and the world, focusing on economic implications and searching for catalysts that drive perception and change in the economy. GKM invests in industry-leading companies that are operating in positive sectors. The firm looks for companies with historic profitability and earnings momentum that are producing real growth in demand for their products and services. They also look for companies with strong and under-leveraged balance sheets. GKM seeks to identify franchises as early as possible. Portfolios are diversified by sector and market-cap size to reduce stock-specific risk. Though not limited by sector, market-cap or geography, GKM tends to invest in the stocks of US large-cap companies in the health technology, technology services and electronic technology sectors. The firm also invests in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. GKM maintains a low turnover rate. The GKM Growth Fund is a no-load mutual fund that seeks long term capital appreciation. The Fund employs a GARP investment style and usually invests in a diversified portfolio of common stocks from small-, mid- and large-cap companies. Stocks are selected through fundamental analysis of a company's financial reports and other public records. GKM looks for stocks having all or some of the following characteristics: (1) strong earnings growth (2) reasonable valuations (3) quality management and (4) financial strength and stability. While the Fund invests across a range of industries, certain sectors may be overweighted compared to others because GKM seeks the best investment opportunities regardless of sector. The sectors in which the Fund may be overweighted will vary at different points in the economic cycle. At times, a portion of the Fund may be invested in new issuers. A security may be sold if GKM's research indicates that there has been deterioration in the company's fundamentals or growth potential.