Mr. Krawez began his career more than 20 years ago with Smith Barney in San Francisco and later moved to their investment banking division in New York City where he was ranked as a top-rated analyst focusing on health care. Prior to joining Scharf Investments, Mr. Krawez was a Partner and head of research for Belden and Associates Investment Counsel where he managed a successful large blend portfolio. He has also held research analyst positions at Dodge & Cox, Telegraph Hill Investment Counsel, and SC Fundamental, a successful value oriented hedge fund. Mr. Krawez earned both a BS with honors in Business Administration and an MBA from the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley. While at UC Berkeley he worked for Professor Yellen, the current Chair of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve. Mr. Krawez is a CFA® charterholder and a member of the Security Analysts of San Francisco.

Damon Ficklin is Head of Team for Polen Capital's Large Company Growth team, where he is responsible for leading the Large Company Growth team and maintaining the investment philosophy. Damon also serves as lead Portfolio Manager of Polen Capital's Global Growth strategy and co-Portfolio Manager of the firm's flagship Focus Growth Strategy. Damon began his career at the firm in 2003, serving as Research Analyst. Prior to joining Polen Capital in 2003, Damon was an Equity Analyst at Morningstar covering the health care sector, and a tax consultant at Price Waterhouse helping Fortune 500 companies implement tax strategies. Damon graduated magna cum laude from the University of South Florida with a B.S. in Accounting. Damon earned an M.S. in Accounting from Appalachian State University and an M.B.A. with high honors from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business with concentrations in Finance and Economics. Damon is a member of the Board of Directors and serves on the Investment Committee for Make-A-Wish Southern Florida.

Gabe Houston serves as a Senior Research Analyst and an investment committee member. He is responsible for new idea generation, research, analysis and valuation. Mr. Houston joined Scharf Investments in May 2006. Mr. Houston earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management Economics from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Mr. Houston has earned his Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member of the CFA Society of San Francisco.

Stephen Atkins is a co-Portfolio Manager of the firm’s Global Growth strategy. Prior to joining Polen Capital in 2012, Stephen spent twelve years as a Portfolio Manager at Northern Trust Investments, including eight years as a mutual fund Co-Manager. Before joining Northern Trust, Stephen was a Portfolio Manager at Carl Domino Associates, LP. Stephen received his B.S. in Business Administration from Georgetown University and a General Course degree from the London School of Economics. Stephen is a CFA® charterholder and a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of South Florida.