Stability through long-standing relationships
One of the most common and rewarding comments we receive is that our clients see us as an extension of their family. It means they know we always have their best interest at heart. Transparency and discretion are the hallmarks of Atwood and Palmer. It’s the only way we know how to build trust to build our generational client relationships.
Founders
Steven N. Palmer
- 55 years of investment experience
- Co-founded Atwood & Palmer, Inc. in 1990
- Responsible for portfolio management, investment research and client service
- Previously Senior Vice President in charge of the Investment Department at First National Bank of Kansas City
Mr. Palmer attended the University of Missouri-Columbia and earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Missouri Valley College. He received his Masters degree with distinction in Business Administration from Rockhurst University’s School of Management in the Executive Fellows Program.
Steve has served on numerous charitable and religious boards in the Kansas City area and currently serves on several boards of directors, including: National Advisors Trust Company, The Jack and Helyn Miller Foundation, and the Melcher Family Foundation.
Away from the office, Steve likes spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He also enjoys golf, travel, and is a former pilot in the United States Air Force.
Investment Counselors
Steven P. Franke
- 29 years of investment experience
- Joined the firm in 1996
- Responsible for portfolio management, investment research, client service, and equity and fixed income trading
Mr. Franke earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance/Economics and Management from Rockhurst University, Kansas City, Missouri. He has four children, likes to cook, enjoys skiing, traveling and spending time with family. He currently is a Board Member and Finance Chair of the Faith Love Hope Win (FHLW) Foundation and is a member of the Finance Council and chairs the Investment Committee of the Archdiocese of Kansas City In Kansas and he has served as a board member for various local charitable and not-for-profit organizations.
Spencer A. Jones, CFA®
- 29 years of investment experience
- Joined the firm in 2004
- Responsible for portfolio management, investment research and client service
- Previously Asset Manager at UBS Financial Services in Kansas City
Mr. Jones earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Southern Methodist University, and earned his Chartered Financial Analyst designation (CFA). He has twin daughters and enjoys golf and hockey. He is the current Treasurer of the City of Mission Hills. He has served as a board member for various local charitable and not-for-profit organizations.
Peter J. Sowden, CFA®
- 21 years of investment experience
- Joined the firm in 2006
- Responsible for portfolio management, investment research and client service
- Previously a partner at a local investment advisory firm in Overland Park, KS
Mr. Sowden earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. He has earned the Chartered Financial Analyst designation (CFA). He has three children and enjoys tennis, hockey and golf. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Rose Brooks Center and has served as a board member for various local charitable and not-for-profit organizations.
William N. Palmer
- 18 years of investment experience
- Joined the firm in 2007
- Responsible for portfolio management, investment research and trading execution
- Previously a Wealth Management Analyst at Morgan Stanley in Denver, CO
Mr. Palmer earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in both Finance and Economics from the University of Denver and a Master of Business Administration from the Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis. He has three children and enjoys traveling, golf, skiing, and hockey. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Saint Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City and has served as a board member for various local charitable and not-for-profit organizations.
Evan R. Lang, CFA®
- 11 years of investment experience
- Joined the firm in 2024
- Responsible for portfolio management, investment research and client service
- Previously a portfolio manager and senior research analyst at TortoiseEcofin and Duff & Phelps Investment Management
Mr. Lang earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas Christian University’s Neeley School of Business and John V. Roach Honors College. He has earned the Chartered Financial Analyst designation (CFA). He has one child and enjoys golf, basketball, and traveling. He currently serves on the Finance Committee of Rose Brooks Center.
Steven P. Franke
Steven P. Franke
- 29 years of investment experience
- Joined the firm in 1996
- Responsible for portfolio management, investment research, client service, and equity and fixed income trading
Mr. Franke earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance/Economics and Management from Rockhurst University, Kansas City, Missouri. He has four children, likes to cook, enjoys skiing, traveling and spending time with family. He currently is a Board Member and Finance Chair of the Faith Love Hope Win (FHLW) Foundation and is a member of the Finance Council and chairs the Investment Committee of the Archdiocese of Kansas City In Kansas and he has served as a board member for various local charitable and not-for-profit organizations.
Spencer A. Jones, CFA®
Spencer A. Jones, CFA®
- 29 years of investment experience
- Joined the firm in 2004
- Responsible for portfolio management, investment research and client service
- Previously Asset Manager at UBS Financial Services in Kansas City
Mr. Jones earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Southern Methodist University, and earned his Chartered Financial Analyst designation (CFA). He has twin daughters and enjoys golf and hockey. He is the current Treasurer of the City of Mission Hills. He has served as a board member for various local charitable and not-for-profit organizations.
Peter J. Sowden, CFA®
Peter J. Sowden, CFA®
- 21 years of investment experience
- Joined the firm in 2006
- Responsible for portfolio management, investment research and client service
- Previously a partner at a local investment advisory firm in Overland Park, KS
Mr. Sowden earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. He has earned the Chartered Financial Analyst designation (CFA). He has three children and enjoys tennis, hockey and golf. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Rose Brooks Center and has served as a board member for various local charitable and not-for-profit organizations.
William N. Palmer
William N. Palmer
- 18 years of investment experience
- Joined the firm in 2007
- Responsible for portfolio management, investment research and trading execution
- Previously a Wealth Management Analyst at Morgan Stanley in Denver, CO
Mr. Palmer earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in both Finance and Economics from the University of Denver and a Master of Business Administration from the Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis. He has three children and enjoys traveling, golf, skiing, and hockey. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Saint Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City and has served as a board member for various local charitable and not-for-profit organizations.
Evan R. Lang, CFA®
Evan R. Lang, CFA®
- 11 years of investment experience
- Joined the firm in 2024
- Responsible for portfolio management, investment research and client service
- Previously a portfolio manager and senior research analyst at TortoiseEcofin and Duff & Phelps Investment Management
Mr. Lang earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas Christian University’s Neeley School of Business and John V. Roach Honors College. He has earned the Chartered Financial Analyst designation (CFA). He has one child and enjoys golf, basketball, and traveling. He currently serves on the Finance Committee of Rose Brooks Center.
Operations
Teresa L. Burch
- 36 years experience in the investment counseling industry
- Joined the firm in 2004
- Responsible for regulatory compliance, operations, portfolio administration, and client service
Mrs. Burch earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance from Park University and a Master in Information Systems Management from DeVry University’s Keller Graduate School. She has three children and two grandchildren, likes to read, enjoys basketball and football, traveling, and spending time with family. She has served as a board member of a not-for-profit charity and also volunteers with Just a Sandwich organization providing food to local Kansas City shelters.
Rachel L. Galvin
- 30 years experience in the investment counseling industry
- Joined the firm in 1995
- Responsible for client service and operations
Mrs. Galvin has two daughters and enjoys time with family, reading, camping, and working with stained glass.
Jamie Montgomery
- 19 years of experience in the investment counseling industry
- Joined the firm in 2017
- Responsible for client service, operations and special projects
- Previously a content developer at Charles Schwab
Mr. Montgomery earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance/Economics from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. He also earned a Master of Science degree in Management from Baker University. He has two children and enjoys running, hiking, camping and listening to live music.
Teresa L. Burch
Teresa L. Burch
- 36 years experience in the investment counseling industry
- Joined the firm in 2004
- Responsible for regulatory compliance, operations, portfolio administration, and client service
Mrs. Burch earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance from Park University and a Master in Information Systems Management from DeVry University’s Keller Graduate School. She has three children and two grandchildren, likes to read, enjoys basketball and football, traveling, and spending time with family. She has served as a board member of a not-for-profit charity and also volunteers with Just a Sandwich organization providing food to local Kansas City shelters.
Rachel L. Galvin
Rachel L. Galvin
- 30 years experience in the investment counseling industry
- Joined the firm in 1995
- Responsible for client service and operations
Mrs. Galvin has two daughters and enjoys time with family, reading, camping, and working with stained glass.
Jamie M. Montgomery
Jamie Montgomery
- 19 years of experience in the investment counseling industry
- Joined the firm in 2017
- Responsible for client service, operations and special projects
- Previously a content developer at Charles Schwab
Mr. Montgomery earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance/Economics from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. He also earned a Master of Science degree in Management from Baker University. He has two children and enjoys running, hiking, camping and listening to live music.