Ralph Cole

Ralph Cole, CFA, is Vice President and Director at Ferguson Wellman Capital Management, based in Portland, OR, where he oversees portfolio management for clients across Oregon, Washington, California, and Colorado. He is actively engaged in guiding the firm’s investment policy and serves on both the board of directors and the investment/trading team, playing a key role in strategic decisions and client service. Cole’s investment expertise centers on global financials and international equity strategies, having begun his career at Ferguson Wellman as an equity analyst and team leader for international equities. He manages portfolios for both individuals and institutions, with a focus on equities, fixed income, and diverse asset allocations.

Prior to joining Ferguson Wellman in 1998, Cole was an investment officer at U.S. Bancorp of Oregon and Washington and a financial consultant at Merrill Lynch. During his graduate studies, he worked at Payden & Rygel Investment Council in Los Angeles, assisting in mutual fund development. His academic credentials include an MBA from the University of Southern California and a BS in finance and marketing from the University of Oregon; he holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.

Cole is recognized for his leadership in both the investment industry and the community—serving on boards such as the Portland Metro Chamber of Commerce and the CFA Society of Portland, where he is a past president. He has won awards from the Portland Business Journal, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and the Oregon Club for his professional contributions and community impact.