Kellen tackles a broad range of responsibilities across the client onboarding and management experience, including sourcing new deals, introducing and educating business owners on receivables finance, and growing their relationship with Raistone.
He was introduced to the finance space by his professors at Montana State University (MSU) in Bozeman, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in business finance with a minor in economics. While earning his degree, Kellen was a member of the MSU men’s tennis team and spent a semester studying abroad at the University of Copenhagen.
In his final year at MSU, he began studying to become a CFA® charterholder. After earning his degree, Kellen secured a position working in the supply chain department at Boeing where he managed contracts between Boeing and its raw materials suppliers.
“When I was at Boeing, I learned firsthand the importance of capital access for suppliers working with large organizations,” he shared.
Upon passing all three levels of the CFA® Program, Kellen wanted to pivot to a role with a stronger focus in finance. After reaching out to Raistone CEO Dave Skirzenski through mutual connections, he interviewed at Raistone and joined the Originations team.
“It was a great fit, and the role seemed like a natural jumping off point. I’ve been able to bring a unique perspective to the team with my combination of supply chain management experience and finance experience,” he said.
Kellen particularly enjoys the supportive environment Raistone provides. “I especially appreciate the open communication and collaboration, not only within the Originations team but with all of the other departments as well,” he explained. “When I joined the team, I wasn’t too familiar with trade finance specifically, but there was always someone who was very knowledgeable about the subject and happy to help me learn.”
Kellen and his team manage a large client base, working to ensure Raistone solutions continue to align with their business needs as they scale. “We really like to see when our solutions help our clients’ businesses grow to the point where they need to increase their facility size. My team and I are proud to give our clients a leg up. They can access their capital easier and quicker than their competitors,” he said.
Every day, he looks forward to helping new and existing clients improve access to working capital. “The flexibility and scalability of Raistone solutions are unmatched. I’ve seen how restricted working capital access can prevent businesses from achieving their potential growth, and it’s always rewarding to be able to provide them with this tool that they can use to realize their business goals,” he shared.
Kellen’s commitment to finding his clients the best possible solution is highlighted by the many satisfied Raistone clients he serves, including Creative Construction, Todd’s IT, Boujee LLC, and more.
“My favorite part of the job is connecting with clients and understanding their business and the industry they operate in. Every industry has its own unique challenges and opportunities and by understanding these nuances, we can craft a working capital facility that helps drive our clients’ growth and success,” he said.
Growing up in Montana, Kellen has always enjoyed skiing. In recent years, he has made time to travel to other countries and explore new slopes. He also enjoys staying active by playing tennis, golfing, spending time outdoors, and exploring the Pacific Northwest, where he currently lives.
