complexities of investments 

Wealth Advisor / Partner

Mark began his career in the financial services industry in 1993. Mark graduated cum laude from the University of Utah with a degree in Economics. He started working at Fidelity while in college and began learning the business through various roles at Fidelity. He ultimately worked with the High Net Worth clients in the Salt Lake City office.

Mark later worked (2003-2011) with Zions Bank and Contango Capital, the investment arm of a large Regional Bank. Contango was a Registered Investment Advisory (RIA) Firm where Mark worked to build relationships and provide financial solutions to some of Zions valued clients. Mark saw the value of working more as an RIA and increasingly less as a broker. The industry has continued to move toward the RIA model as more advisors move away from the traditional role of a broker.

In 2011, Mark decided to pursue the path of becoming an independent advisor. Mark is focused on providing custom investment solutions and constantly striving to deliver high level customer service. Mark’s business focus is on providing services primarily to business owners and their families. He finds immense satisfaction in working with multiple generations of families to provide investment solutions built on the years of relationships and helping to carry out the family vision.

Mark and his wife Toni have resided in the Layton area for over 21 years. They have 2 sons and 2 daughters. Mark and his family love to spend time together and especially have enjoyed traveling as a family. Mark and his family have been very involved in the community and support various causes that promote educational opportunities.

Wealth Advisor / Partner

Don is a Wealth Advisor and Partner with Fortress Asset Management. Don has over 39 years of experience in the investment industry and has completed the examination process for the Series 7 (Registered Representative), Series 63 (Uniform Securities Agent), Series 65 (Investment Advisor Representative) and Life and Disability Insurance licenses. Don’s practice centers around business owners, providing not only investment advice and management but also helping prepare for transition to the next generation and customizing investments to meet their investment goals and objectives. His greatest satisfaction is in developing long-term relationships and working with generations of families. “There isn’t one approach to investing, and everybody doesn’t fit the same mold. My focus is helping clients invest for their needs and to help them navigate through both good and tough markets.” Don’s career has spanned over multiple business cycles, recessions and market corrections, giving Don the perspective necessary to effectively guide clients.

After graduating from the University of Utah with a degree in Organizational Communication (finance emphasis), Don began his career with Dean Witter where he worked for 20 years. He moved his business to Citigroup Global Markets Inc. in 2003 and then transitioned away from the big wire-house organizations to a fee-only, independent advisor firm in 2009.

Wealth Advisor / Partner

Brock has over 20 years of experience in the Investment industry. Brock has spent the past 12-plus years working as an independent investment advisor. He loves the ability he has to independently research and provide the best unbiased investment solutions for his clients. One of Brock’s strengths and specialties is the ability to help entrepreneurs plan for the future. His personal focus is on helping clients navigate the difficult path of selling a business and transitioning the proceeds of the sale in a tax efficient manner into a portfolio that meets clients’ future financial goals. He has developed a network of service providers to assist clients with all aspects relating to the divestiture of their businesses.

Brock started his career in the investment industry in 2002 at Zions Bank where he learned to appreciate the financial markets and the opportunity to help others work towards their investment goals. Throughout his years in the industry, what Brock has come to value most are the relationships he has established with his clientele. Always striving to do what is in the best interest of the people he genuinely cares for, he embraces the philosophy that each client does not fit into a “one-size-fits-all” approach.

Brock is from Ogden, Utah and graduated from Weber State University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, and simultaneously completed the examination process for the Series 7 license. He currently holds his series 65, 63, and is insurance licensed.

Brock and his wife, Whitnie, currently live in Kaysville, UT with their three, young children. Outside of work, Brock enjoys golfing, hunting, coaching soccer and spending time with his family.

Client Services Manager

Laura has over 22 years of experience in the financial services industry. Laura is the Client Services Manager for Fortress Asset Management and works directly with clients to assist with all account servicing needs including deposits and withdrawals, new client onboarding, and tax reporting.

Laura began her career with Morgan Stanley in January of 2000. She worked at Morgan Stanley for over 6 years. During that time, she completed the examination process for the Series 7 and 66 licenses and worked as Registered Client Service Associate and Operations Manager. After leaving Morgan Stanley, Laura continued her career at Merrill Lynch where she worked for 8 years, serving as Registered Client Service Associate and Resident Director’s Assistant.

Laura made the move to the RIA business in 2014 when she joined Yellowstone Partners. The ability to work for a smaller company with more opportunities to grow drew her in. She worked with Yellowstone Partners for over 3 years as the Client Services Manager before joining Fortress Asset Management.

Laura is detail oriented and enjoys creating organization and processes to accomplish her job. She enjoys problem solving for clients and learning new things. Laura’s favorite thing about her job is the personal relationships she is able to build with each client.
Laura and her husband, Justin, currently live in Herriman, UT.

Chief Investment Officer / CFA

Mark is Chief Investment Officer for Fortress Asset Management and manages equity, mutual fund, ETF, and asset allocation strategies. He also manages individual portfolios.

Mark was Senior Investment Strategist at Wells Fargo Wealth Management for fifteen years through 2015. He co-managed the Large Cap Value Strategy for the firm and managed a large book of accounts for high-net-worth families and individuals, charitable trusts, and corporations. He also worked as an equity analyst and was a member of the Fixed Income Strategy Team.

Mark was a Senior Vice President at First Security Investment Management for fifteen years through 2000, where he managed a large book of accounts for high net-worth families and individuals, charitable trusts, foundations, and corporations. He also managed mutual funds, portfolio management, and equity research functions.

Mark holds the designation of Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s degree in business - finance and a master’s degree in public administration – finance.

Associate Advisor

Riley began working as an intern for Fortress Asset Management during the summer of 2018. When he went back to school, he was able to continue his work as an intern for the next two summers. Riley graduated cum laude from Utah State University with a degree in Finance in 2021. While going to school at Utah State, he had the opportunity to work as a teachers’ assistant for a macroeconomics course. This position allowed Riley to really gain an appreciation for economics as well as finance. Riley has also completed the examination process for the Series 65.

Riley works with many clients directly helping them to get involved with the software that Fortress Asset Management uses, such as eMoney. Over the last number of years, he has assisted many clients to set up this software allowing them to have real time views of their net worth. In addition to working with clients in a number of fashions, Riley has also played a roll in helping with companies to set up 401(k) plans. He has come to learn the detailed process and is able to help set up a plan that is suitable for the company. Riley enjoys getting to work individually with clients and building relationships with those he spends time with.

Riley and his wife, Samantha, currently live in South Ogden, UT. Riley enjoys hunting, rodeo, and spending time with his family. Riley and Samantha additionally assist many of the youth that live in their area, which is something that they enjoy spending time doing.