The founding principals of our firm have known each other for over twenty years. Ten years ago, they began working to develop solutions for a single family office and to create a registered investment advisory firm with institutional capabilities . It's the fusion of their experience, perspectives, and knowledge that are the foundation of Westward.
Managing Director/CEO
James Holcomb
James has over twenty-five years of experience working with a wide variety of clients as an investment manager, consultant, and fiduciary. His clients have included family offices, corporations, financial institutions, not-for-profit organizations, municipalities, individuals, trusts, and retirement plans. Prior to co-founding Westward Investment Advisory, he was the national director of BMO Global Asset Management's non-ERISA institutional investment advisory and asset servicing businesses. James has also held positions at Deloitte Consulting, MetLife's institutional retirement plan division, and Commerce Bank's capital markets group.
James' education includes undergraduate studies at the United States Military Academy at West Point, a Bachelor of Science and Business Administration in Finance with emphasis in Investment Management from the University of Arkansas and graduate studies in Finance with emphasis in venture capital and entrepreneurship at the University of Missouri, Kansas City. James has also completed the Investment Management Theory & Practice program at the Yale School of Management.
James has served on the boards of several private foundations and social service organizations. He is founding chair of the Neuroscience Board at the Medical College of Wisconsin, a former director of the Advisory Board of the Milwaukee Public Museum and a long-time volunteer for the United Way and the Salvation Army.
Managing Director/CCO
Casey McLiney
Casey has over twenty-five years of experience in financial services. He began his career working with community banks in a variety of capacities and has held management roles including Vice President, Director, and Chairman of the Board. Casey has over twenty years of capital markets experience working with institutional and individual investors on portfolio management, security analysis, and asset/liability management. He also has significant experience as a senior manager for a registered broker/dealer.
Casey earned a BGS degree from the University of Kansas and is an active member of the Kansas Bankers Association, the Missouri Bankers Association, and the Community Bankers of America.
Casey is an active supporter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Catholic Charities, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, The Kansas City Symphony, and St. Ann's Catholic Church and School in Prairie Village, KS.