H. Kevin Birzer, CFA, CPA, Senior Managing Director

Mr. Birzer, Senior Managing Director, is a co-founder and has been at TCA since 2002. He has 30 years of investment experience, and began his career in 1981 at KPMG Peat Marwick. His subsequent experience includes three years working as a Vice President for F. Martin Koenig & Co., focusing on equity and option investments, and three years at Drexel Burnham Lambert, where he was a Vice President in the Corporate Finance Department. In 1990, Mr. Birzer co-founded Fountain Capital Management, a high yield bond management firm and founding sponsor of Tortoise. Mr. Birzer graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Notre Dame and holds a Master of Business Administration degree from New York University. He earned his CFA designation in 1988.

Zachary A. Hamel, CFA, Managing Director

Mr. Hamel has been a Managing Director of TCA since 2002 and is a Partner with Fountain Capital, a founding sponsor of Tortoise.  Mr. Hamel joined Fountain Capital in 1997 and covered energy, chemicals and utilities.  Prior to joining Fountain Capital, Mr. Hamel worked for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) for eight years as a Bank Examiner and a Regional Capital Markets Specialist.  Mr. Hamel graduated from Kansas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.  He attained a Master of Business Administration from the University of Kansas School of Business.  He earned his CFA designation in 1998.

Kenneth P. Malvey, CFA, Managing Director

Mr. Malvey has been a Managing Director of TCA since 2002 and is a Partner with Fountain Capital, a founding sponsor of Tortoise.  Prior to joining Fountain Capital in 2002, Mr. Malvey was one of three members of the Global Office of Investments for GE Capital's Employers Reinsurance Corporation.  Most recently, he was the Global Investment Risk Manager for a portfolio of approximately $24 billion of fixed-income, public equity and alternative investment assets.  Before joining GE Capital in 1996, he was a Bank Examiner and Regional Capital Markets Specialist with the FDIC for nine years.  Mr. Malvey graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Winona State University, Winona, Minn.  He earned his CFA designation in 1996.

Terry C. Matlack, CFA, Managing Director

Mr. Matlack has been a Managing Director of TCA since 2002. From 2001 to 2002, Mr. Matlack was a full-time Managing Director at Kansas City Equity Partners (KCEP), a founding sponsor of Tortoise.  Prior to joining KCEP, Mr. Matlack was President of GreenStreet Capital and its affiliates in the telecommunications service industry.  Mr. Matlack served as the Executive Vice President and a board member of W.K. Communications, Inc., a cable television acquisition company, and Chief Operating Officer of W.K. Cellular, a cellular rural service area operator.  Mr. Matlack graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Kansas State University.  He holds a Juris Doctorate and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Kansas.  He earned his CFA designation in 1985.

David J. Schulte, CFA, CPA, Managing Director

Mr. Schulte has been a Managing Director of TCA since 2002. Previously, Mr. Schulte was a full-time Managing Director at Kansas City Equity Partners(KCEP), a founding sponsor of Tortoise from 1993 to 2002, where he led private financing for two growth MLPs.  Mr. Schulte served on the Board of Directors of Inergy, LP, a propane gas MLP, from 2001 to 2004.  Mr. Schulte served as the observer to the Board of Directors of Markwest Energy Partners, a natural gas gathering and processing MLP from 2002 – 2004. Before joining KCEP, he spent five years as an investment banker at the predecessor of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc.  Mr. Schulte holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Drake University and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Iowa.  He is a CPA and earned his CFA designation in 1992.

Kevin Brown, Junior Analyst

Mr. Brown joined Tortoise Capital in 2011 as an Junior Analyst. Mr. Brown worked for Tortoise Capital as an intern in 2011. He received a Bachelor of Science in Financial Management and a Bachelor of Arts in Modern Languages – French from Kansas State University.

Braden Cielocha, Assistant Research Analyst

Mr. Cielocha joined Tortoise Capital in 2011 as an Assistant Research Analyst. He previously served as a member of the United States Marine Corps. In 2010, Mr. Cielocha graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance with highest distinction from the University of Kansas.

Nick Holmes, Assistant Research Analyst

Mr. Holmes joined Tortoise Capital Advisors in 2010 as an Assistant Research Analyst. Mr. Holmes worked for Tortoise Capital Advisors as an intern in 2009. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Yale University. Mr. Holmes earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Kansas.

Brett Jergens, CFA, CPA, CFP, Investment Analyst

Mr. Jergens joined Tortoise Capital Advisors in 2007 as a Research Analyst. Previously, Mr. Jergens was a tax accountant with KPMG, LLP and most recently practiced as a financial planner.  He received a Bachelor of Science degree in both Finance and Accounting from Kansas State University.  Mr. Jergens is a licensed CPA, with the Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) designation from the AICPA and is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP).

Brian Kessens, CFA, Investment Analyst

Mr. Kessens joined Tortoise Capital Advisors in 2008 as an Investment Analyst. Previously, he was a Vice President at Citigroup Global Markets in Global Energy Investment Banking from 2004 to 2008. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the United States Military Academy at West Point. Mr. Kessens earned a Master of Business Administration from Columbia Business School in New York. He is also a CFA Charterholder.

James Mick, CFA, CPA, Investment Analyst

Mr. Mick joined Tortoise Capital Advisors in 2006 and currently serves as an Investment Analyst. Previously, he was a Senior Finance Specialist at General Electric Insurance Solutions (now Swiss Re) from 2003 to 2006 and a Senior Auditor at Ernst & Young from 2000 to 2003. Mr. Mick graduated from the University of Kansas with Bachelor of Science degrees in Business Administration and Accounting. He holds a Master of Accounting and Information Systems degree from the University of Kansas and is a CPA. Mr. Mick earned his CFA designation in 2010.

Michael Perry, Junior Analyst

Mr. Perry joined Tortoise Capital in 2011 as an Junior Analyst. Mr. Perry worked for Tortoise Capital as an intern in 2011. He received a Bachelors of Science in Finance from the University of Denver.

Evan Raynsford, Junior Analyst

Mr. Raynsford joined Tortoise Capital in 2011 as an Junior Analyst. Mr. Raynsford worked for Tortoise Capital as an intern in 2011. He received a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Finance from the University of Missouri.

Matthew Sallee, CFA, Investment Analyst

Mr. Sallee joined Tortoise Capital Advisors in 2005 as a Research Analyst. Previously, Mr. Sallee served for five years as a Senior Financial Analyst with Aquila, Inc where he was responsible for analysis of capital allocation at its communications infrastructure subsidiary, Everest Connections. In 2000, he graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Missouri - Columbia with a degree in Business Administration.

Robert Thummel, CPA, President of Tortoise North American Energy Corp.

Mr. Thummel joined Tortoise Capital Advisors in 2004 as an Investment Analyst. In September 2008 he was appointed President of Tortoise North American Energy Corp. Previously Mr. Thummel was Director of Finance at KLT Inc., a subsidiary of Great Plains Energy from 1998 to 2004 and a Senior Auditor at Ernst & Young from 1995 to 1998. Mr. Thummel earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Kansas and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Kansas State University.

Arshad Azim, Vice President

Mr. Azim joined Tortoise in 2011 as a vice president focused on business and product development. Before joining the company, Mr. Azim was a Managing Principal at Veritas Equity Management. Prior to Veritas, he was a senior investment analyst at EnnisKnupp & Associates. Mr. Azim earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in economics and management from Northwood University.

Jeff Fulmer, Senior Advisor, Petroleum Engineer/Geologist

Mr. Fulmer has over 25 years of energy industry experience, having joined Tortoise in 2007 as a Senior Investment Analyst. From 2002 to 2007 Mr. Fulmer was with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) where he headed a group of infrastructure analysts engaged globally in critical infrastructure analysis, assessment, and protection. Prior to the DoD, Mr. Fulmer served as president of Redland Energy, senior vice president of Statoil Energy, and in engineering and geologic positions for ARCO Oil and Gas and Tenneco Oil Exploration and Production. Mr. Fulmer graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Geological Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines and holds a Master of Petroleum Engineering degree from the University of Southern California.

Jeremy Goff, Associate

Mr. Goff joined Tortoise in 2011 as an associate focused on business and product development. Before joining the company, Mr. Goff worked for The Blackstone Group in New York where he designed and raised capital for Blackstone’s private investment funds and maintained relationships with Blackstone’s limited partners. Prior to Blackstone, he served as a Ranger Infantry Officer in the U.S. Army. Mr. Goff earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Andrew Goldsmith, Head of Institutional Sales and Consultant Relations

Mr. Goldsmith joined Tortoise Capital Advisors in 2011 to lead the institutional sales efforts for the firm. He brings more then 15 years of experience, most recently with ClearBridge Advisors, where he served in a similar role as Institutional Sales Manager. Prior to ClearBridge, he worked at Reserve Funds, Bear Stearns and Kemper Funds all in a sales and marketing capacity. Mr. Goldsmith is a graduate of Haverford College in Pennsylvania and has his FINRA series 7, 63 and 24 licenses.

Michelle R. Kelly, CFA, Director

Ms. Kelly joined Tortoise Capital in 2006 and serves as Director focused on business and product development, marketing and communications. Prior to joining the company, Ms. Kelly was an investment banker for Goldman, Sachs and Co. for several years in its Industrial & Natural Resources Group in Chicago and its Financial Institutions Group in New York. Ms. Kelly graduated Summa Cum Laude from DePauw University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. Ms. Kelly earned her CFA designation in 2009.

Abel Mojica III, Head of Corporate Development

Mr. Mojica joined Tortoise Capital Advisors in 2005 and played a key role in the development of Tortoise Capital Resources Corp. In 2008 he was named Head of the newly formed Corporate Development Group. He brings more than 14 years of experience, most recently as a private equity investor with Kansas City Equity Partners (KCEP), a founding sponsor of Tortoise. His investment experience included early investments in Inergy Partners, LP (NRGY) and Markwest Energy Partners, LP (MWE). Prior to KCEP, Mr. Mojica was a high yield investment banker with First Chicago Capital Markets and a commercial banker with Citigroup. He is a graduate of the University of Chicago with an MBA from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.

Edward Russell, Director

Mr. Russell joined Tortoise Capital Advisors in 2006. Since April 2007 has served as President of Tortoise Capital Resources (TTO). Mr. Russell serves as a director for VantaCore Partners LP, Mowood LLC, and Abraxas Petroleum Corp. NASDAQ: AXAS). Previously, Mr. Russell was a Managing Director at Stifel, Nicolaus & Company Inc., where he headed the Energy and Power group. At Stifel, Mr. Russell was responsible for all of the energy and power transactions, including all of the debt and equity transactions for the Tortoise funds starting with their first fund’s initial public equity offering in February 2004. Prior to that, Mr. Russell worked as an investment banker at Pauli & Company, Inc. and Arch Capital, LLC. His experience also includes serving as a commercial banker with Magna Bank and Southside National Bank. He attended Maryville University in St. Louis, MO.

Brian Sulley, Research Analyst

Brian Sulley joined Tortoise Capital in 2010 as a Research Analyst focused on business and product development. Previously, Mr. Sulley served as a Senior Financial Analyst with the Cerner Corp. where he was responsible for financial modeling and analysis across business lines. Mr. Sulley graduated from the University of Tulsa with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Finance and holds a Masters of Science in Finance from the University of Tulsa.

Kyle Krueger, CFA, CIPM, Trader

Mr. Krueger joined Tortoise Capital Advisors in 2004 as an Equity Trader. Prior to joining the company, Mr. Krueger was a fixed income analyst for Fountain Capital from 1999 to 2004. Mr. Krueger graduated Magna Cum Laude from William Jewell College with a degree in Business Administration. He earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Kansas. Mr. Krueger earned his CFA designation in 2003. Mr. Krueger earned his Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement (CIPM) designation in 2008.

David Santacroce, Trader

Mr. Santacroce joined Tortoise Capital in 2011 as an Equity Trader. Previously he was a Global Equity Trader for General Electric Asset Management from 2005 to 2011 and an Operations Associate from 2003 to 2005. Mr. Santacroce graduated from Boston College with a Bachelor or Science degree in Finance and Economics.

Matthew Weglarz, Trading Assistant

Mr. Weglarz joined Tortoise Capital Advisors in October 2008 as a Trading Assistant.  Mr. Weglarz worked for Morgan Keegan as an intern in 2007.  He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Missouri State University and, most recently, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame in 2008.

P. Bradley Adams, Director of Financial Operations

Brad Adams joined Tortoise Capital Advisors in 2005 as the Director of Financial Operations. Mr. Adams serves as the Chief Financial Officer for the TYG, TYY, TYN, TPZ and NTG funds and as Assistant Treasurer for the TTO fund. Previously, he served as a consultant to the financial services industry from 2003 to 2005 and as Vice President of Finance and Operations, Chief Operating Officer and Director of Jones & Babson, Inc. (an investment company distributor and service provider) from 1984 to 2003. Mr. Adams holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Wyoming and a Master of Business Administration from Rockhurst College.

Brent Behrens, Financial Operations Analyst

Brent Behrens joined Tortoise Capital Advisors in 2005 as a Financial Operations Analyst. Mr. Behrens supports the financial and operational aspects of the closed-end funds. Previously, he was a Portfolio Accountant at State Street Corp. Mr. Behrens graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Accounting.

Diane M. Bono, Chief Compliance Officer

Diane Bono joined Tortoise Capital Advisors in 2005. Ms. Bono serves as Chief Compliance Officer of Tortoise Capital Advisors and as Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Secretary for the TYG, TYY, TYN, TTO, TPZ and NTG funds. From September 2005 through May 2006, she served as Tortoise Capital Advisor’s Director of Compliance. Prior to joining Tortoise Capital Advisors, Ms. Bono was a corporate and securities law attorney with Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP. Ms. Bono is a graduate of Blackburn College, with a Master of Business Administration from Suffolk University and a Juris Doctorate from St. Louis University.

Ryan Channell, Financial Operations Analyst

Ryan Channell joined Tortoise Capital Advisors in 2010 as a Financial Operations Analyst. Mr. Channell supports the financial and operations of the closed-end funds. Previously, he was an Associate at Kennedy and Coe in Topeka. Mr. Channell holds a Bachelor of Science in Business and a Master of Accounting from the University of Kansas.

Kimberly Elliott, Tax Analyst

Kimberly Elliott joined Tortoise Capital Advisors in 2010 as a Tax Analyst. She is primarily responsible for all aspects of tax functions. Previously, Ms. Elliott was a Senior Tax Associate at CBIZ. Ms. Elliott holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master of Accounting from the University of Kansas.

Shobana Gopal, CPA, Tax Analyst

Shobana Gopal, CPA joined Tortoise Capital Advisors in 2006 as a Tax Analyst. She is primarily responsible for all aspects of tax functions. Previously, Ms. Gopal worked in public accounting for 13 years where her responsibilities included tax returns for large partnerships, corporations, S Corporations and individuals; preparation of multi-state tax returns for partnerships, corporations and individuals; and tax planning for both individuals and companies. Ms. Gopal received an undergraduate degree from P.S.G College of Arts & Science in India and a Masters of Science in Business with an emphasis in Information Systems from the University of Kansas.

Pamela Kearney, Director of Investor Relations

Pamela Kearney joined Tortoise Capital Advisors in 2005 as Director of Investor Relations. Previously, Ms. Kearney held Investor Relations, Public Relations and Marketing positions with H&R Block, YRC Worldwide, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and Marion Merrell Dow. Ms. Kearney earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Avila University and a Master of Business Administration from Baker University. She is a member of the National Investor Relations Institute and the Public Relations Society of America from which she holds the Accreditation in Public Relations designation.

Diane Kroh, Administrative Assistant

Diane Kroh joined Tortoise Capital Advisors in 2004. She serves as an Administrative Assistant and is primarily responsible for supporting the Managing Directors and various staff with all aspects of daily administrative activities. Previously, Ms. Kroh was Administrative Assistant to the Associate Dean at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) Dental School as well as Administrative Assistant in the UMKC Conservatory of Music. Ms. Kroh obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from John Brown University.

Raven Olivarez-Weber, Financial Operations Analyst

Raven Olivarez-Weber joined Tortoise Capital Advisors in 2010 as a Financial Operations Analyst. Ms. Weber supports the internal portfolio management system and the operation of the separate account platform. Previously, Ms. Weber was an Advisory Operations Team Coordinator for VSR Financial Services. Ms. Weber holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance and Management from Park University.

Alexis Paolantonio, Marketing Associate

Alexis Paolantonio joined Tortoise Capital Advisors in 2011 as a Marketing Associate. Prior to joining Tortoise, Ms. Paolantonio worked in various marketing roles for Vanguard and The Hartford, both located in Philadelphia. Most recently, she worked in the home office for Hilliard Lyons, a regional broker/dealer based in Louisville, Ky. as the Mutual Fund Product Specialist. Alexis graduated from Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations, and minors in Business and Economics and has her FINRA series 6 and 63 licenses.

Jennifer Park, Institutional Client Relations Specialist

Jennifer Park joined Tortoise Capital Advisors in 2006 and currently serves as Institutional Client Relations Specialist for Tortoise's separately managed accounts. Prior to joining Tortoise Capital Advisors, she served as Regulatory and Investor Relations Specialist with Brooke Corp. Ms. Park attained her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.

Lisa Rebel, Administrative Assistant

Lisa Rebel joined Tortoise Capital Advisors in 2005. She serves as an Administrative Assistant and is primarily responsible for supporting the Managing Directors and various staff with all aspects of daily administrative activities. Previously, Ms. Rebel was Executive Administrative Assistant at KLT Inc., a subsidiary of Great Plains Energy, Inc., as well as at Custom Energy, LLC and Electronic Realty Associates, Inc. Ms. Rebel obtained a Bachelor of Arts in History from Baker University in Baldwin City, Kan.

Rachel Ryan, Administrative Assistant

Rachel Ryan joined Tortoise Capital Advisors in 2010 as an Administrative Assistant. She supports investor relations, public relations and marketing. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism and a minor in Business from the University of Kansas.

Connie Savage, CPA, Controller

Connie Savage joined Tortoise Capital Advisors in 2004 as Controller. Ms. Savage serves as Secretary for the TYG, TYY, TYN, TTO, TPZ and NTG funds. Previously, she served as Controller of Kansas City Equity Partners (KCEP), a founding sponsor of Tortoise, from 2001 to 2004 and GreenStreet Capital from 1998 to 2001. Ms. Savage graduated Magna Cum Laude from Rockhurst University with a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting.

Christie Smoyer, Compliance Administrator

Christie Smoyer joined Tortoise Capital Advisors in 2010 as Compliance Administrator. Ms. Smoyer is primarily responsible for supporting the Chief Compliance Officer and various staff with all aspects of compliance. Previously, Ms. Smoyer was a paralegal at Polsinelli Shughart PC in the Administrative Law and Financial Services Departments. Ms. Smoyer graduated from Johnson County Community College in 2005 from the Paralegal program with an Associate of Arts degree.

Gary Walborn, Manager of Information Technology

Gary Walborn joined Tortoise Capital Advisors in 2007 as the Manager of Information Technology. He is primarily responsible for managing network servers, voice, data, firewall, e-mail and desktop computers. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Walborn was Senior Field Engineer for Results Technology where he installed and maintained Windows network, firewall and e-mail systems for various clients, including Tortoise Capital Advisors. Mr. Walborn earned his Associates of Applied Science in Electronics from DeVry University and has since become a Microsoft Certified Professional System Engineer and certified Cisco Network administrator.