OUR TEAM

27+ Years Capital Market Experience  

187+ Capital Market Campaigns 

$1.5B+ Capital Formation/M&A  Engagements 

Ron Both, Managing Partner & Founder

Ron is a dynamic, highly effective communicator with unrivaled connections in the investment community, including investment advisors, equity analysts, institutional investors, money managers, and family offices. With over 35 years in the capital markets and 25 years in investor relations, Ron founded Encore in 2025. He possesses an expert understanding of the investment strategies of institutional investors and investment advisors. This expertise, combined with his extensive experience, enables him to lead successful investor relations and capital market campaigns for companies at various stages of growth and development.
 
Throughout his career, Ron has spearheaded more than 200 major investor relations campaigns, driving over $1.6 billion in capital formation, mergers and acquisitions, and divestitures for numerous private and public companies. He has also provided strategic communication strategies for over 20 mergers and acquisitions.
 
Ron’s earlier experience in the brokerage and investment banking industry includes roles such as branch manager for HR Financial (Olde), institutional broker with B.C. Ziegler, trader at La Salle St. Securities, and investment officer with Marshall and Ilsley Bank (BMO Harris). He earned a B.A. in economics from the University of Wisconsin and is a dedicated Packer fan.
 
Specialties: Capital markets navigation, deal and non-deal roadshows, strategic communications, finance and investment analysis, corporate messaging, investor relations, business development, investment banking, capital formation, mergers and acquisitions, SEC compliance, sales, and marketing.

14 Years’ Experience in the Capital Markets 

90+ Investor Relations Campaigns 

$510M+ Capital Formation/M&A Engagements 

Grant Stude, Managing Parter and Head of Communications & Operations 

Grant is an extraordinarily talented investor relations professional with extensive experience in financial and investment analysis, strategic financial communications, and corporate messaging. Since joining CMA in 2016, CMA clients have benefited from his deep knowledge and skills in business management, processes and communication logistics. 

Over the course of the last 14 years, Grant has executed 90+ investor relations campaigns for both private and public companies across a range of industries.  

His earlier experience in investor relations includes working with micro- and small-cap companies to implement a client-specific strategy that effectively communicates their story. BS in Finance from Indiana University with a minor in Psychology. 

Specialties: Capital markets navigation, strategic communications, financial writing, finance and investment analysis, corporate messaging, investor relations, public relations, crisis management, and graphic design. 

Independent Advisor

27+ Years Experience in Investment Banking, Investment Management, Private Equity, Business Consulting

19+ Years in Cleantech & Sustainability

 

C. Scott Kitcher

Scott Kitcher offers more than 27 years of executive experience in investment banking, investment management, private equity and business consulting, with a special focus on Clean-tech and sustainability.

After graduating from Stanford University, Scott joined Yamaichi International – America, then one of the ‘Big 4’ Japanese investment banks, where he led the firm’s Western U.S. investment banking efforts, including underwriting, buy & sell side analysis, M&A, investor relations and other business development activity for Japanese and U.S. clients. Scott was also a frequent conference panelist on U.S. banking in Asia.

Scott became involved in the Clean-tech industry in the mid-90s while serving as Investment Counsel V.P. in charge of the Western U.S. for Eaton Vance Management, and national representative for Eaton’s Hong Kong-based partner, Lloyd George Management. At Eaton, he excelled in institutional sales, marketing, client service and portfolio management.

In 2009, Scott founded EcoFin Consulting, a financial and strategic consulting firm that helps early stage and transitioning Clean-tech companies advance to the next level.

Scott also now serves as president and CEO of Sustain OC a non-profit trade association that promotes the Clean-tech industry in Orange County, California, including renewable energy, clean transportation, energy efficiency and other resource conservation, green building and consumer products, and corporate sustainability.

He currently serves on several corporate, non-profit and academic boards and committees, including:

  • Samueli School of Engineering at UCI, Advisory Board Member

  • Advanced Transportation Center (LAEDC); Director, Orange County

  • biix, Board of Directors Member

  • BlueFire Renewables, Advisor to Board of Directors

  • Stomp Motors, Advisory Board Member

  • Indi.com, Advisory Board Member

  • UCI Masters in Public Policy Program, Advisory Board Member

  • US Green Building Council, Orange County Market Leaders Advisory Board Member