Leadership Team

Chairman & Managing Partner

Andrew P. Kerai, CFA

Andrew Kerai serves as the company’s Chairman and Managing Partner and is responsible for overseeing the firm’s day-to-day activities, portfolio management, business development, and strategic planning. He is a seasoned executive with extensive investment experience across a wide range of asset classes. Andrew is a CFA Charterholder who previously oversaw multiple strategies at an investment management company with roughly six billion in assets under management. Beginning his career on the fixed income desk at Prudential Investment Management, Andrew has a broad depth of experience managing client assets and leading investment teams.

Andrew earned a B.S. in International Finance and Accounting from American University in Washington, D.C. Outside of work, Andrew is actively involved in a number of charitable organizations, including serving on the U.S. Board of Directors for the America-Israel Friendship League, the Investor Board for Gift of Adoption Fund, and as a mentor for the CFA Society.

Chairman Emeritus and Founder

Clifford J. Brott

Mr. CJ Brott, the firm's founder and Chairman, is active in the firm's day-to-day activities. His primary responsibilities include active management of client portfolios, market research, and presentation of Capital Ideas investment services to prospective clients.

CJ earned a B.A. in Economics from the University of Texas at Austin in 1970. He joined Weber, Hall, Cobb & Caudle, a privately held New York Stock Exchange member firm, in that year, and became an officer and shareholder in 1975. In 1984, while still with Weber Hall, he founded Capital Ideas as a separate Registered Investment Advisory firm. In 2006 CJ became a Principal and Registered Representative of Alliance Financial Group but he currently maintains his dual registrations with Rhodes Securities, Inc.

Mr. Brott has been active in the city of Dallas, serving on several boards in both a civic and business capacity. He is a recognized expert in his field. CJ is a sought-after public speaker and has been interviewed by various national and local financial publications. From 1980 until 2015 he lectured regularly on financial topics at Southern Methodist University.

President and Chief Compliance Officer

Karen Burns

Ms. Karen Burns joined Capital Ideas in 1995. As president of the company, she is responsible for investment operations, client support services and performance measurement. Ms. Burns is also involved with the active management of client portfolios.

Karen earned a B.S. in Economics and Finance from the University of Texas at Dallas in 1992. She joined Southwest Securities Credit Department in 1993 and was an Assistant Supervisor for 2 years before leaving to join the Capital Ideas team in June of 1995.

Ms. Burns has served on the Board of the Dallas County Medical Society, holding the offices of both Treasurer and Finance Chairman. She is active with her church and serves on numerous committees. For almost 20 years Karen assisted CJ Brott with his class at SMU.