We are a financial advisor from the Old School. We do our own investment management and research and give clients the same advice we’d give a member of our own family.
Our company was founded in Omaha in 1994. Today, we are a privately-owned firm with offices in the Regency One Building.
A management fee is our only source of income. We don’t sell annuities or any other products that might conflict with the best interests of our clients.
At December 31, 2023, we managed just under $476 million, mostly for individuals and families.
It’s easy to get started on an investment strategy with our QuickStart. You can read our Insights blog for financial planning tips, investment analysis and news about us and our company.
Your Experienced Team
As you can see from the descriptions below, your team has a lot of experience. All of us work together to help each client.
Eric Ball
Chief Executive Officer
Eric joined America First in 1997. Previously employed by Wallace R. Weitz & Co, Eric also served as Vice President and Manager of Equity Strategy in the Trust Division of FirsTier; Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Westchester Capital Management, a financial advisor in Omaha; and as Securities Analyst for Kirkpatrick Pettis Smith Polian.
Eric earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation and is a past President of the Omaha-Lincoln Society of Financial Analysts.
Eric is married to Denise and has two children and three grandchildren.
Check Eric’s background on the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website.
Eric’s email address is eball@am1st.com
Matt Holloway
Financial Planner, Chief Operating Officer & Chief Information Security Officer
Matt joined America First in 2005. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering from the Peter Kiewit Institute of the University of Nebraska. He is a holder of the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification.
Matt is married to Sara and has five children.
Check Matt’s background on the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website.
Matt’s email address is mholloway@am1st.com
Katerina Wiese
Financial Planner & Vice President
Katerina joined America First in 2008. She previously worked for a financial planning firm in Omaha.
She has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha with an emphasis in Finance, Banking and Investments. She is a holder of the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification.
Katerina is married to Zach and has three children. Born in the Czech Republic, Katerina became a US citizen in 2017.
Check Katerina’s background on the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website
Katerina’s email address is kwiese@am1st.com
David Guthrie
Vice President
David joined America First in 2007. He worked for Wells Fargo as Vice President and Senior Private Banker. During his 30+ year career in the industry, he also served as a middle market lender in the Commercial Lending Department at U.S. Bank.
David earned a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is also a graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington in Seattle.
David is married to Renee and has four children and five grandchildren.
Check David’s background on the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website.
David’s email address is dguthrie@am1st.com
Drew Holloway
Chief Financial Officer & Chief Compliance Officer
Drew is a proud graduate of Creighton University with an accounting and finance degree. He is an avid Bluejay basketball fan.
Drew and his wife have four children and live in in Lincoln.
Check Drew’s background on the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website.
Drew’s email address is dholloway@am1st.com
Barry Dunaway
Director of Research
Barry joined America First in 2004. He has had senior positions in securities analysis and portfolio management with KPM Investment Management, a registered investment advisor in Omaha; Wallace R. Weitz & Co, and the Trust Division of FirsTier.
A graduate of the University of Nebraska at Omaha with emphasis in economics, he also holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation. Barry is married to Rhonda and has a son.
Check Barry’s background on the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website.
Barry’s email address is bdunaway@am1st.com
Amy Byrne
Client Care Officer
Amy joined America First in 2018. She previously served as Operations Manager for Westchester Capital Management, a financial advisor in Omaha. She also worked as a sales assistant with a national brokerage firm.
Amy received her degree as an Executive Assistant from the Nebraska College of Business. She has two children.
Check Amy’s background on the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website.
Amy’s email address is abyrne@am1st.com
+ Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.
+ Chartered Financial Analyst® and CFA® are trademarks owned by the CFA Institute.
