Rick Keller established the First Foundation Advisors’ predecessor organization in 1990. During the past 30 years he has provided the vision and investment management leadership to create an integrated financial company offering wealth management, consulting, trust, and banking services. As the Chair of the Board of First Foundation Advisors. Mr. Keller defines and communicates First Foundation Advisors’ corporate values throughout the organization and communities it serves. Mr. Keller’s knowledge of the economy is a key part in delivering investment management services at First Foundation Advisors. He is a recognized leader in the field of investment advisors. 

Mr. Keller served as a Trustee of the University of California, Irvine Foundation, chair of the Foundation’s Investment Committee, and is a current member of the Investment Committee. Mr. Keller was honored to be selected as consultant to the Investment Advisory Committee of The Regents of the University of California. Mr. Keller is a founding member of The Center for Investment and Wealth Management (CIWM) at UC Irvine’s Paul Merage School of Business. He served as co-chair of CIWM’s Executive Committee and Advisory Board for six years and was also a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board. Mr. Keller is active on several other boards of directors, including the Orange County Sheriff’s Advisory Board. 

Mr. Keller is a former executive board member of the UCI Center for Diabetes Treatment and Research. He served as a member of the UC Irvine Planned Giving Forum, as well as on its steering committee. He also served as member of the board of directors of the Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.’s Institutional Advisory Board, the Orange County Business Committee for the Arts, and the formerly named Orange County Performing Arts Center (Segerstrom Center for the Arts). At various times, Mr. Keller has served on the City of Irvine’s Investment Committee as chair, the board of directors of Institute of Certified Financial Planners of Orange County, Hoag Hospital Endowment Council, and Planned Giving Round Table of Orange County. 

Mr. Keller earned a Bachelor of Science degree in finance from San Diego State University. He completed the financial planning program at the University of Southern California and is a Certified Financial Planner. 

Mr. Keller’s knowledge of the investment management industry and his expertise as a trustee or director of several leading national education and healthcare institutions based in Orange County make him a valuable member of the Ostentus’ advisory board.