Eric Walton

Managing Partner

Mr. Walton is Managing Partner and CEO of Westwind Capital.  He is responsible for providing strategic leadership for the organization and works closely with the team members to develop and implement Westwind Capital’s vision, mission, and growth initiatives. Mr. Walton chairs the firm’s investment committee responsible for overseeing the organization’s investment strategies and portfolio management. He leads the investment team in identifying, analyzing, and executing investment opportunities that align with the company’s investment tenants and risk tolerance.

An active philanthropist and civically engaged within the community and New Mexico, Mr. Walton is Chair of the Westwind Capital Foundation, which is the philanthropic arm of Westwind Capital responsible for grant giving throughout the Southwest.

Mr. Walton attended New Mexico State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in finance.

Scott Kozney

CFA®

Head of Research and Director of Trading

Mr. Kozney is Head of Research and Director of Trading at Westwind Capital. He oversees all institutional and retail trading for the firm. He is a key member of the firm’s investment committee responsible for managing equity and fixed income portfolios. Mr. Kozney also heads up Westwind Capital’s Denver, Colorado office.

Prior to joining Westwind Capital, Mr. Kozney spent five years with Cordillera Asset Management, where he served a variety of roles, including Head of Trading, Senior Research Analyst and Mid-Cap Portfolio Manager. Before that, he gained experience at Unicom Capital, LLC, a hedge fund in Denver.

Mr. Kozney graduated summa cum laude from the University of Colorado, earning a degree in Finance with minors in Economics and Accounting.

Sheila Walton

CFA®

Chief Financial Officer/Compliance

Ms. Walton is CFO and Chief Compliance Officer of Westwind Capital. She is the co-creator of the fOCUS Equity Portfolio strategy and is a key member of the firm’s investment committee where she is responsible for formulating and monitoring investment ideas. As CFO, she supervises financial activities, portfolio accounting, billing and performance reporting for the firm.

Mrs. Walton is actively involved in the community, as she serves on the board of directors of Citizens Bank of Las Cruces and serves as the Chair of the Bank’s Investment Committee. She is also a member of the Westwind Capital Foundation grant committee.

She graduated with Honors from New Mexico State University with a degree in Economics.

Patrick Grooms

MBA, CFP®, CFA®

Partner/Investment Advisor

Mr. Grooms began his career as an intern with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and then became an advisor with Edward Jones and US Bancorp Wealth Management. Mr. Grooms is a member of the firm’s advisory committee that oversees investment ideas and investment decisions.

Mr. Grooms is a Registered Investment Advisor and is responsible for developing and servicing institutional and individual client relationships. Actively involved within the community, Mr. Grooms utilizes his financial planning expertise by moderating and hosting the annual Estate Planning Institute conference of Southern New Mexico.

Mr. Grooms graduated with honors from New Mexico State University, majoring in Finance, Human Resource Management with a minor in Economics.

Scott Lieberwirth

CFP®

Investment Advisor

Mr. Lieberwirth is the Chief Operating Officer of Westwind Capital, overseeing growth and development of the firm as well as managing day-to-day operations.  He is responsible for implementation of operational strategies that align with the company’s goals as well as improvement of operational efficiencies and productivity.

He is also a member of team responsible for servicing over $500 million in client assets. As a member of that team, he helps formulate complex estate planning strategies and implement financial plans with clients’ tax and estate planning consultants. Mr. Lieberwirth sits on the firm’s advisory committee that oversees investment ideas and investment decisions.

Mr. Lieberwith’s unique experience in NCAA athletics brings a diverse range of skills to Westwind Capital; his experience with donor engagement, fundraising for operational expenses, budgeting and compliance all contribute to understanding the intricate details of advising clients through lifestyle planning, tax planning and philanthropy.

Mr. Lieberwirth graduated with honors from New Mexico State University with a degree in Marketing.

Erica Reeves

Operations

Ms. Reeves is a valued member of the Operations team at Westwind Capital, where she plays a crucial role in overseeing external communication with clients and financial custodians. With a strong focus on client service, she efficiently manages requests related to account services, money movement, and portfolio accounting, ensuring that clients receive timely and accurate support.

Joining Westwind Capital with over 15 years of experience in operations management, Ms. Reeves has a robust background in legal administration and small business operations. This diverse experience has equipped her with a unique skill set that blends operational excellence with a deep understanding of client relations. Her expertise extends to project management, where she excels in streamlining processes and enhancing organizational efficiency. She is dedicated to fostering positive client experiences and is known for her proactive approach to problem-solving and attention to detail.

She believes in the importance of building strong relationships and is committed to delivering exceptional service to every client.  With a keen eye for detail and a client-centered mindset, Ms. Reeves is an integral part of the Westwind Capital team, contributing to the firm’s mission of providing exceptional financial services.

Jon Stirling, CES™

Investment Advisor

Mr. Stirling is the lead investment advisor for Westwind Capital’s Denver office, where he is responsible for the growth and development of the firm’s client engagement in the Denver area. He is also a member of the firm’s advisory committee, which oversees investment strategies and decisions.

With a diverse background in the financial services industry, Mr. Stirling plays a key role in vetting investment ideas and making tactical allocations in varying market conditions at Westwind Capital. Prior to joining the firm, he worked for Option One as Head of Trade Operations and at Blue Fire Capital Family Office in Chicago, Illinois. After relocating to Denver, he served as Director of Client Relations for Northwestern Mutual.

Mr. Stirling is a Certified Estate and Trust Specialist™ (CES™), bringing valuable expertise in estate planning and trust management to his role. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Professional Golf Management and Marketing from Ferris State University.

Maximillian Doctor

MBA

Research and Trading

Mr. Doctor is a member of the equity and fixed income research teams. He assists with institutional and retail trading for Westwind Capital. He is responsible for the development and research of individual investments to be presented to the investment committee. Additionally, Mr. Doctor is a member of the firm’s investment committee.

Prior to joining Westwind Capital, Mr. Doctor was in Chicago, Illinois working in the industrial and multi-family real estate industry. He was a Financial Analyst and Assistant Asset Manager overseeing the development of real estate projects across the Midwest.

Mr. Doctor graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management and minor in Finance from Texas Christian University. He also received an MBA from Texas Christian University.

Jolie Tixier

MBA

Operations

Ms. Tixier is an integral member of Westwind Capital’s operations and compliance team. She manages the firm’s internal client relationship management software, overseeing the workflows of individual advisors and advisor teams. Additionally, Ms. Tixier is responsible for maintaining quarterly and annual filings with the SEC, as well as managing cybersecurity audits. She also oversees client service with custodians and supports the firm’s marketing efforts.

Ms. Tixier joined Westwind Capital in 2022, bringing over 15 years of experience in higher education and nonprofit foundations. Her background in hospitality and tourism management has taken her around the world, with roles at Guantanamo Bay, Costa Rica, and Spain. Her diverse experience in hospitality management has proven invaluable in managing operations and client engagement at Westwind Capital.

Ms. Tixier holds a bachelor’s degree from New Mexico State University and an MBA from European University in Barcelona, Spain.

Marco A. Rodriguez, CEP™

Investment Advisor

Mr. Rodriguez began his career with Raymond James Financial services as an Investment Strategy Analyst. For over a decade, he was responsible for leading research efforts on portfolio management, asset allocation and investment strategies. He later furthered his career and transitioned to compliance and wealth management roles with Wells Fargo and Charles Schwab.

Mr. Rodriguez is a member of the Westwind Capital advisory team responsible for servicing over $500 million in client assets. Being bilingual in Spanish, he administers the team’s international financial plans and helps direct client assets to meet investment objectives. He is a member of the firm’s advisory committee that oversees investment ideas and investment decisions.

Mr. Rodriguez earned Bachelor’s degrees in both Finance and International Business from the University of Texas at El Paso. With the Certified Estate Planner™ designation, Mr. Rodriguez is recognized for his specialized knowledge in estate planning, adding valuable insight to his professional role.