Alpha Architect Research and Education Team
Wes Gray, PhD(Bio)
CEO/CIO
Wes Gray, PhD (CEO)
After serving as a Captain in the United States Marine Corps, Dr. Gray earned an MBA and a PhD in finance from the University of Chicago where he studied under Nobel Prize Winner Eugene Fama. Next, Wes took an academic job in his wife’s hometown of Philadelphia and worked as a finance professor at Drexel University. Dr. Gray’s interest in bridging the research gap between academia and industry led him to found Alpha Architect, an asset management firm dedicated to an impact mission of empowering investors through education. He is a contributor to multiple industry publications and regularly speaks to professional investor groups across the country. Wes has published multiple academic papers and four books, including Embedded (Naval Institute Press, 2009), Quantitative Value (Wiley, 2012), DIY Financial Advisor (Wiley, 2015), and Quantitative Momentum (Wiley, 2016).
Dr. Gray currently resides in Palmas Del Mar Puerto Rico with his wife and three children.
Jack Vogel, PhD(Bio)
CIO/CFO
Jack Vogel, PhD
Ryan Kirlin(Bio)
President
Ryan Kirlin
Doug Pugliese(Bio)
Head of 1042 Solutions
Doug Pugliese
Kyle Baxter, CFA®(Bio)
VP – Portfolio Services
Kyle Baxter
Mr. Baxter is currently the VP of Portfolio Services at Alpha Architect, where he assists with operations, compliance, and accounting. He graduated with an MS in Finance from Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College in NYC and a BS in Chemistry from the University of Maryland. In addition, Mr. Baxter is a CFA® charterholder. He previously served as Assistant Director of Operations for Baxter Properties, a family real estate business, managing several commercial and residential buildings.
Jess Bost, CFP®(Bio)
VP – Strategic Partnerships & Client Success
Jess Bost
Her background in CrossFit, Olympic Weightlifting, and Nutrition coaching provides a framework for teaching and supporting the long-term effects of a methodical, evidence-based, disciplined approach. Jess has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Berry College, holds a CrossFit-L1 certification, and has Series 7, 65 & 63 licenses. She is a Retirement Income Certified Professional(RICP®) and is currently a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) candidate.
Currently residing in Augusta, GA, Jess and her husband are raising two strong little ladies. When she’s not out looking for adventures and opportunities to make memories with her people, you’ll most likely find her in the gym lifting something heavy.
Tommi Johnsen, PhD(Bio)
Consulting/Content
Tommi Johnsen, PhD
Currently, Dr. Johnsen is a consultant to wealthy families/individuals, asset managers, and wealth managers.
Elisabetta Basilico, PhD/CFA® (Bio)
Consulting/Content
Elisabetta Basilico, PhD, CFA®
See our consulting page for more information.
Alex Clark (Bio)
VP — Marketing
Alex Clark
In his free time, Alex is building out a gym in his garage under the delusion that will get him to work out again. When he’s not thinking about working out, Alex practices his cooking skills where he excels at using three pans when one would suffice. Alex obtained a BA in English Literature from Arizona State University. He and his wife live in a suburb of Phoenix, AZ with their son, daughter, and two dogs.
Jose Ordonez (Bio)
VP – Financial Education, Portfolio Services
Jose Ordonez
Jose serves as the Vice President of Financial Education at Alpha Architect, where he directs video marketing initiatives to advance the company’s mission of empowering investors through education. Jose passed all three levels of the CFA® Program (February, 2024) and earned a B.A. in Cinema & Media Arts with a minor in Biblical Studies. Post-graduation, he founded Wish Creative, a video production company catering to clients in South Florida. Jose also played key roles in several independent feature films both as a producer and creative. Notably, his directorial debut premiered at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival.
Erik Chavez (Bio)
Director, Portfolio Services
Erik Chavez
Interested in learning more about the Ops team?