Ron Richardson
Senior Portfolio Manager | Managing Partner
Since 1984, it has been Ron’s mission to provide active investment management and comprehensive financial guidance that allows his clients to enjoy their wealth, rather than spending endless hours supervising it.
Just as climbers call on seasoned guides to help them conquer the most challenging peaks, we believe that those with significant wealth deserve the expertise of a seasoned portfolio manager.
We have been refining our investment skills, amassing considerable financial knowledge to serve Vista clients and their vision of the future for more than 36 years. We know the industry well. We understand the careful, measured planning and broad outlook required to achieve lasting success. Our process will guide you from one objective to the next, and steadily toward your ultimate objectives.
In 2009 Ron formed Vista Investment Partners, while at Raymond James. His desire to build relationships and serve clients has led to many accolades. The most important being the trust and respect of those he serves. Ron has hosted a holistic call for other portfolio managers since he founded Vista to provide guidance as well.
An alumnus of Southwestern College, in Winfield, Kansas, Ron holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
Originally from Winfield, Ron has resided in Oklahoma City for the past 35+ years. He enjoys putting his spare time to use cycling, fishing and supporting causes like Teen Recovery Solutions, and Heartline.
Al Mertens
Senior Portfolio Manager | Senior Vice President
As a fee-based fiduciary with an RIA (Registered Investment Advisor), Al’s professional passion is in partnering with families to achieve and maintain their generational goals, and in providing corporate entities of all sizes with disciplined, measurable, and accountable portfolio management.
Al began his career at Merrill Lynch in 1993 after graduating Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Business Finance from the Meinders School of Business at Oklahoma City University. He is also a proud Mount Saint Mary Rocket and United States Army veteran.
Al also writes and directs feature films, which have won awards at festivals worldwide. His wife, Brandi, is one of the three financial Comptrollers for Oklahoma County. They can often be spotted together on their acreage scanning for wildlife, including deer, bobcats, and the occasional bald eagle.
Kimberly Arthur
Chief Compliance Officer | Business Manager
Kimberly was working for the U.S. Air Force in Germany when a chance introduction led to an opportunity to work for worldwide consulting firm, Accenture (formerly Andersen Consulting). Intrigued by the prospect of building a career in the financial industry, she made the leap and hasn’t looked back.
After four years with Accenture, where she worked on a client accounting team for the company’s clients throughout Europe, the Middle East, Asia and India. Kimberly returned to the U.S. and went to work for Morgan Stanley in Texas.
It was the move to Dallas, Texas that led her to a role in the compliance department of local firm, Southwest Securities, and to the realization that compliance was a part of the industry that suited her strengths and appealed to her interests.
She was working for the Oklahoma City branch of Raymond James & Associates with Vista Investment Partners founder, Ron Richardson, in 2016 when the opportunity to join Ron in forming the company arose.
She currently serves as Chief Compliance Officer and Business Operations Manager and is excited to be a part of building a company whose passion and mission is to provide an exceptional level of service to clients.
Dale Thurman
Chief Operating Officer
Dale joined Vista Investment Partners as a 25+ year resident of Oklahoma. He currently resides in Edmond with his wife Jennifer and daughter Harper.
Responsible for day-to-day operations and technology, Dale brings a background of project management, analytics, and digital strategy from both the Energy and Finance industries. He has his MBA in Corporate Finance from the University of Oklahoma. He loves building efficiencies into process, and helping execute the vision of the partnership.
When not at the office, Dale enjoys playing bass guitar, catching up with friends, and going to the movies.
Amy Arnold
Client Service Specialist
Amy has worked in the financial industry for more than 20 years. Starting with Capital West Securities, right out of high school, she began as receptionist and then worked her way up to being registered and working for Financial Advisors. After Capital West, Amy pursued a career with an independent broker/CFP for approximately 16 years – in addition to assisting her with other financial endeavors. She arrived at Vista from Merrill Lynch, where she served as a Wealth Management Client Associate for 2 years. "I am excited about the opportunity, as Vista Investment Partners has a fantastic vision and I am so happy to be part of it!"
Amy has 2 boys – Greyson - 9 and Brandon - 20. Amy and Greyson live in Oklahoma City, while Brandon lives in Edmond. She is passionate about making sure people know how amazing they are and loves helping them achieve the best outcomes for their families, in both personal and financial capacities.
Cotton
Feel-Good Ambassador
While Ron and the team are busy watchdogging your investments, our resident lovable ball of fur, Cotton, is busy fulfilling his watchdog duties, too. Well, okay, he’s mostly here to look cute and make us all smile, but he does a darn good job of it. He’s a Samoyed – a breed used by ancient nomadic tribes to herd reindeer and pull sleds. And while we haven’t yet had a client request reindeer herding or sled pulling, it’s good to know that should the need ever arise, he’s got you covered. Until then, you’ll find him snuggled up in the office being irresistibly soft and working hard at living up to his title.