History

MWR was founded in 1998 by Brooks Ragen and Scott McAdams. Underlying the formation of their new company was the belief that Northwest-based investment firms occupy a unique and valuable niche to regional investors and businesses.

The Northwest’s ideal geographic location removed from the drum-beat of “Wall Street” allows regional firms to operate more independently. Thus, individual stock investing using a contrarian, value-based approach is common practice for MWR advisors and analysts.

A wave of consolidation in the late 90s left a void of regional, independent firms in the Northwest. Consequently, Brooks and Scott set out to recreate the classic investment firm model that had worked so well before – consisting of the traditional divisions in trading, retail, research, institutional, corporate finance – but with strategic modifications to remain current and competitive.

MWR opened its doors on January 4, 1999, with eight people, but outgrew its original space in just three short years. The Seattle headquarters moved three blocks to their current location, which has since tripled in square footage.

The company opened a branch in Bellevue, WA in 2004, followed by Portland, OR in 2005, and Yakima, WA in 2009. In the fall of 2010 MWR underwent a massive expansion, increasing their employee headcount by ~50%, and opening branches in both Mount Vernon, WA in December 2010, and Anacortes, WA in January 2011.

The company continues to grow steadily, serving clients at home in the Northwest and around the world.