John P.M. Higgins
Chairman, President & Chief Investment Officer
Member, Investment Committee
John oversees the investment and asset allocation decision, as well as focusing on developing specialty investments in private equity and real estate.  His firsthand experience in mergers and acquisitions has guided the firm’s philosophy of active investment management.  John is a former vice president of Banque de Gestion Privee, Paris; vice president of Lambert Brussels Capital Corporation, New York; and vice chairman of the Maverex Corporation, an energy firm based in Denver.  He is an honors graduate of Harvard College.

Robert A.G. Monks
Founder
Considered a visionary in many investment and business circles, Bob has been closely associated with Ram Trust Services since its founding in 1969. As an investor and advocate for investors’ rights, he has been critical in the development of Ram Trust Services’ innovative style of investment management. Bob is the former chairman of the board of The Boston Company and the Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Company. He was the administrator for the ERISA program in the U.S. Department of Labor, a founding trustee of the Federal Employees’ Retirement System and chairman of two committees to study the Maine Retirement System. Bob holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard College and a law degree from Harvard Law School. He is a member of the Massachusetts and Maine Bars.

Stewart A. Gardner
Executive Advisor
Stewart is the founder and Managing Director of our affiliate, The Stoneharbor Group, which specializes in private partnership and high net worth portfolio management. He brings to Ram Trust Services a comprehensive approach to portfolio management for high net worth clients. Stewart has over twenty-three years experience with alternative investments. Stewart attended Le Rosey School, graduated cum laude from Harvard, and holds a Master of Business Administration from Columbia University.

Robert C. S. Monks
Executive Advisor 
Bobby is a prominent real estate developer and entrepreneur. He contributes his extensive investment expertise in private equity, real estate and strategic planning. He has founded numerous real estate development companies, a commercial bank, and the world´s largest proxy services company. He is also an owner and director of Maine Today Media Inc., and T3i Group.  Bobby attended Duke University and earned his BA degree from the University of Southern Maine. He also attended George Mason University's School of Conflict Resolution.

 Michael P. Wood, CFA
Managing Director and Member, Investment Committee
As the head of the Portfolio Management Group, Mike oversees the management of all client portfolios and works directly with clients to define and achieve their investment goals. A member of the Investment Committee, he participates in the identification of Core Investments as well as the regular review of Ram Trust Services’ Specialty Investments. Prior to joining Ram Trust Services, Michael was vice-president and portfolio manager for the Trust and Investment Group of People's Heritage Bank and a former trust officer for The Boston Company. Mike received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Boston College and holds a Master of Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University. He is a member of the CFA Institute and is a Chartered Financial Analyst charter holder.

Kate C. Wilkinson
Senior Portfolio Manager and Member, Investment Committee
Kate manages client portfolios and coordinates all aspects of our client services. She works with clients on their investment goals, gifting, generational wealth transfer, education funding, trustee responsibilities and personalized management of client’s day to day financial affairs. Prior to joining Ram Trust in 1999 she worked at the law firm of Hale and Dorr, People’s Heritage Bank and Key Bank. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Colby College and two securities licenses.

Renee Walker
Senior Securities Analyst and Member, Investment Committee
Both our Portfolio Management Group and Investment Research Departments rely heavily on Renee’s analytical skills.  She is responsible for making recommendations on new investment opportunities to the Investment Committee and providing analysis of all equity holdings in client accounts. Renee also works closely with John Higgins to identify new investment opportunities for our clients.  She has several years of analytical and financial services experience gained from prior work experience at Unum Corp., Forum Financial Group and Longwood Partners.  Renee has completed CFA Level I, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Maine.

 William S. Schaffner, CPA
Director of Tax Services
As the head of the tax group, Bill works with the portfolio management group to help develop strategies to minimize client taxes and to advise on the tax and estate planning aspects of particular investment strategies.  He has been with Ram Trust Services since 1979.  He is also treasurer for several of Ram Trust Services’ affiliate companies.  Bill is available to consult with clients on their personal and business tax planning and will work with client's counsel to assist in the implementation or evaluation of their estate plans. His group also offers a full line of individual, trust, estate and business tax preparation services. Before joining the firm, he worked for Coopers & Lybrand and Ernst & Ernst.  He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of New Hampshire, and a Master of Science in Accounting from Syracuse University.

Maria A. Gwinn CPA, MST
Senior Tax Advisor
Maria, a Certified Public Accountant, works to develop strategies to minimize client taxes and to advise on the tax and estate planning aspects of particular investment strategies. She also oversees the day to day activities of the tax group. She has been with the firm as a tax advisor since 2005. Before joining the firm, she worked for Coopers & Lybrand, and also two regional public accounting firms, where her concentration was individual, small business and non profit taxation. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from the University of Southern Maine and also has a Master of Science in Taxation from Thomas College. She is a member of the Maine Medical Center Annual Giving Program Business Committee and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Sandy Ward
Operations Manager
As Manager of our operations area, Sandy maintains the technology necessary to transact all cash and security activity. She is responsible for our custodial and private bank relationships, as well as for the integrity of the data and transaction with our custodians. Sandy oversees the firm’s daily operations as well as all the firm’s retirement accounts.

Mark Conlogue
Systems Administrator
Mark maintains our network infrastructure, as well as our network servers, e-mail and workstations.  He evaluates, installs, and maintains all of our computer hardware and software. He is available to work with clients for purchse advice, and consulting on their home computers, as well as internet connectivity, anti-virus, and e-mail.

Meghan M. Page
Assistant Portfolio Manager
Meghan assists with the management of client portfolios and helps clients with their overall financial needs.  She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and holds a Master of Business Administration with a finance concentration from the University of Southern Maine.  She also holds two securities licenses.

Ainsley A. Coll
Assistant Portfolio Manager
Ainsley assists clients and our Portfolio Managers.  She coordinates cash transfers, bill payments, mortgages and insurance.  Prior to joining Ram Trust in 2007 she worked at Downeast Mortgage and Forum Financial.  She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance/Economics from Thomas College and holds a Master in Business Administration with a finance concentration from the University of Southern Maine.

Joseph P.M. Higgins
Research Associate
Joe assists the Research and Portfolio Management departments with various projects surrounding our client’s equity holdings. He also provides research on new investment opportunities in both private equity and real estate. Prior to joining Ram Trust in 2009, Joe worked for Key Bank in Boston, and Toll Brothers in the Washington D.C. area. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Roanoke College.