Elena Whitford, CFA
Founder & Chief Executive Officer. Former Senior Portfolio Strategist at Mountain Crest Asset Group with 20 years of multi-asset experience.
Our Story
Apple Ridge Capital was founded in 2006 by a team of former institutional portfolio managers who believed affluent households deserved the same rigor and transparency typically reserved for pension plans and endowments. Today, our 58-person team supports clients from offices in Denver, Scottsdale, and Chicago, providing national coverage with local insight.
Leadership
Marcus Han, CFA
Chief Investment Officer. Oversees the Investment Policy Committee and multi-asset research process with 22 years of allocation expertise.
Priya Desai, CPA
Chief Financial Officer & Chief Compliance Officer. Leads regulatory oversight, SSAE 18 audits, and enterprise risk management.
James Larkin, CFP®
Head of Client Advisory. Guides a national team of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals delivering holistic financial planning.
Milestones
- 2006: Firm launches with $120 million in assets advised for founding families.
- 2010: Introduces evidence-based investment framework anchored in strategic allocation and tactical risk controls.
- 2014: Opens institutional services group serving foundations and corporate retirement plans.
- 2018: Earns “RIA Innovator of the Year” from the Rocky Mountain Wealth Association.
- 2023: Surpasses $3.8 billion in regulatory assets under management with 460 client families and 18 institutional relationships.
Core Values
Fiduciary First
We sit on the same side of the table as our clients, free from proprietary products or hidden fees.
Evidence-Based
Decisions are grounded in data, peer-reviewed research, and scenario analysis.
Transparent Communication
Clear reporting, direct access to decision-makers, and proactive education.
Community Impact
Two percent of firm profits donated annually to financial literacy initiatives in the communities we serve.