INVESTMENT TEAM

Ryan E. Crane, CFA
Chief Investment Officer
Show bio >
Ryan Crane is the Chief Investment Officer of Stephens Investment Management Group ("SIMG"). He also serves as the Lead Portfolio Manager for SIMG's Small Cap Growth, Mid Cap Growth, Small-Mid Cap Core Growth and Small-Mid Cap Select Growth Strategies as well as two sub-advised mutual funds, the American Beacon Stephens Small Cap Growth Fund and the American Beacon Stephens Mid-Cap Growth Fund. Prior to joining SIMG in 2004, Ryan had been at AIM Capital Management since 1994, where he was a Senior Portfolio Manager for the AIM Small Cap Growth Fund and the team leader for the small/mid-cap growth complex. While at AIM, Ryan also served as a portfolio manager for various other small and mid cap growth funds. Prior to AIM, Ryan was an intern at the City of Houston Controller's Office, providing research on fixed income investment strategies. He held various positions at GulfMark Offshore and at Energy Ventures (now Weatherford) prior to joining AIM Capital Management. Ryan received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors in economics from the University of Houston in 1994. He is also an investment counselor for the student managed investment fund at the University of Houston's Bauer School of Business. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is Series 7, 9, 10, and 63 registered. Ryan is also an accomplished track cyclist, having won multiple U.S. National and Pan-American championships.
Chief Investment Officer
Show bio >
Ryan Crane is the Chief Investment Officer of Stephens Investment Management Group ("SIMG"). He also serves as the Lead Portfolio Manager for SIMG's Small Cap Growth, Mid Cap Growth, Small-Mid Cap Core Growth and Small-Mid Cap Select Growth Strategies as well as two sub-advised mutual funds, the American Beacon Stephens Small Cap Growth Fund and the American Beacon Stephens Mid-Cap Growth Fund. Prior to joining SIMG in 2004, Ryan had been at AIM Capital Management since 1994, where he was a Senior Portfolio Manager for the AIM Small Cap Growth Fund and the team leader for the small/mid-cap growth complex. While at AIM, Ryan also served as a portfolio manager for various other small and mid cap growth funds. Prior to AIM, Ryan was an intern at the City of Houston Controller's Office, providing research on fixed income investment strategies. He held various positions at GulfMark Offshore and at Energy Ventures (now Weatherford) prior to joining AIM Capital Management. Ryan received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors in economics from the University of Houston in 1994. He is also an investment counselor for the student managed investment fund at the University of Houston's Bauer School of Business. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is Series 7, 9, 10, and 63 registered. Ryan is also an accomplished track cyclist, having won multiple U.S. National and Pan-American championships.

John M. Thornton, CFA
Portfolio Manager
Show bio >
John Thornton is a Portfolio Manager for Stephens Investment Management Group. Prior to joining SIMG in 2004, John worked for AIM Capital Management, Inc., and was responsible for portfolio management and research and analysis on the AIM Small Cap Growth Fund. Previously, John served as an analyst on AIM's technology funds. Prior to joining AIM in 2000, John worked for El Paso Corporation as project manager in its engineering department responsible for coordinating energy infrastructure design and construction projects. John earned his bachelor's degree in engineering with honors from Vanderbilt University in 1995 and his M.B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin in 2000. He holds a Chartered Financial Analyst designation and his Series 6, 7, and 63. John's primary sector responsibilities include Energy and Information Technology.
Portfolio Manager
Show bio >
John Thornton is a Portfolio Manager for Stephens Investment Management Group. Prior to joining SIMG in 2004, John worked for AIM Capital Management, Inc., and was responsible for portfolio management and research and analysis on the AIM Small Cap Growth Fund. Previously, John served as an analyst on AIM's technology funds. Prior to joining AIM in 2000, John worked for El Paso Corporation as project manager in its engineering department responsible for coordinating energy infrastructure design and construction projects. John earned his bachelor's degree in engineering with honors from Vanderbilt University in 1995 and his M.B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin in 2000. He holds a Chartered Financial Analyst designation and his Series 6, 7, and 63. John's primary sector responsibilities include Energy and Information Technology.

Kelly Ranucci, CFA
Portfolio Manager
Show bio >
Kelly Ranucci is a Portfolio Manager with Stephens Investment Management Group. Prior to joining SIMG in 2004, Kelly worked for AIM Capital Management, Inc., and was responsible for research and analysis of small and mid-capitalization securities on AIM's Small Cap Growth Fund and AIM Mid-Cap Growth Fund. Kelly joined AIM in 1994. Kelly earned a B.B.A from Texas A&M University in 1993 and an M.B.A. with a concentration in finance from the University of Houston where she graduated with honors and served as Senior Portfolio Manager for the student-managed investment portfolio in 2002. Kelly holds a Chartered Financial Analyst designation and her Series 6, 7, and 63. Kelly's primary sector responsibility is Health Care.
Portfolio Manager
Show bio >
Kelly Ranucci is a Portfolio Manager with Stephens Investment Management Group. Prior to joining SIMG in 2004, Kelly worked for AIM Capital Management, Inc., and was responsible for research and analysis of small and mid-capitalization securities on AIM's Small Cap Growth Fund and AIM Mid-Cap Growth Fund. Kelly joined AIM in 1994. Kelly earned a B.B.A from Texas A&M University in 1993 and an M.B.A. with a concentration in finance from the University of Houston where she graduated with honors and served as Senior Portfolio Manager for the student-managed investment portfolio in 2002. Kelly holds a Chartered Financial Analyst designation and her Series 6, 7, and 63. Kelly's primary sector responsibility is Health Care.

Samuel M. Chase III, CFA
Portfolio Manager
Show bio >
Sam Chase is a Portfolio Manager with Stephens Investment Management Group. Prior to joining SIMG in 2004, Sam worked for AIM Capital Management, Inc., and was responsible for research and analysis of small capitalization securities on AIM's Small Cap Growth Fund. Prior to joining AIM, Sam worked for Wachovia Capital Associates where he focused on middle market growth capital investments. Before joining Wachovia Capital, Sam was employed by Wachovia Securities as an Analyst in the firm's investment banking division. Sam earned his bachelor's degree in history at Washington and Lee University in 1999 and his M.B.A. from Southern Methodist University in 2004. Sam holds a Chartered Financial Analyst designation and his Series 7, 63, and 65. Sam's primary sector responsibilities include Consumer Discretionary and Financials.
Portfolio Manager
Show bio >
Sam Chase is a Portfolio Manager with Stephens Investment Management Group. Prior to joining SIMG in 2004, Sam worked for AIM Capital Management, Inc., and was responsible for research and analysis of small capitalization securities on AIM's Small Cap Growth Fund. Prior to joining AIM, Sam worked for Wachovia Capital Associates where he focused on middle market growth capital investments. Before joining Wachovia Capital, Sam was employed by Wachovia Securities as an Analyst in the firm's investment banking division. Sam earned his bachelor's degree in history at Washington and Lee University in 1999 and his M.B.A. from Southern Methodist University in 2004. Sam holds a Chartered Financial Analyst designation and his Series 7, 63, and 65. Sam's primary sector responsibilities include Consumer Discretionary and Financials.

John R. Keller, CFA
Equity Analyst
Show bio >
John Keller is an Equity Analyst for Stephens Investment Management Group. Prior to joining SIMG in September 2013, John worked for Stephens Inc. as a Senior Research Analyst responsible for sell-side coverage of the Oilfield Services sector. Prior to joining Stephens Inc. in 2009, John was at Johnson Rice & Company L.L.C. where he spent five years as an Associate covering the Oilfield Services sector. John earned his bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Puget Sound in 2000 and his M.B.A. from Tulane University in 2005. He holds the Series 7, 63, 66, 86, and 87 licenses. John's primary sector responsibility is Industrials.
Equity Analyst
Show bio >
John Keller is an Equity Analyst for Stephens Investment Management Group. Prior to joining SIMG in September 2013, John worked for Stephens Inc. as a Senior Research Analyst responsible for sell-side coverage of the Oilfield Services sector. Prior to joining Stephens Inc. in 2009, John was at Johnson Rice & Company L.L.C. where he spent five years as an Associate covering the Oilfield Services sector. John earned his bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Puget Sound in 2000 and his M.B.A. from Tulane University in 2005. He holds the Series 7, 63, 66, 86, and 87 licenses. John's primary sector responsibility is Industrials.

Mark A. Merricks
Equity Trader
Show bio >
Mark Merricks is an Equity Trader with Stephens Investment Management Group. Mark joined SIMG in 2006. Prior to joining SIMG, Mark worked for AIM Capital Management, Inc. from 1992 through the beginning of 2006. Mark was a Senior Equity Trader for AIM Capital Management, Inc and involved in equity trading since 1994. Mark earned his bachelor's degree in Finance at Sam Houston State University. Mark holds his Series 6 and 63.
Equity Trader
Show bio >
Mark Merricks is an Equity Trader with Stephens Investment Management Group. Mark joined SIMG in 2006. Prior to joining SIMG, Mark worked for AIM Capital Management, Inc. from 1992 through the beginning of 2006. Mark was a Senior Equity Trader for AIM Capital Management, Inc and involved in equity trading since 1994. Mark earned his bachelor's degree in Finance at Sam Houston State University. Mark holds his Series 6 and 63.