Paul Palmer, JR.

Paul grew up in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He earned his business degree from LSU in 1980 and moved to Dallas to work for Mobil. In the early 80s, he came to Houston, where he worked as a credit analyst for a small bank. In the mid 80s, he left banking to begin a career in financial planning. more >

Cole Campbell

Cole, the son of a minister, is a native Texan who’s lived all over the state, from Houston to Midland, Pampa to Waco. He went to college in Huntsville, and got his first taste of wealth management at Met Life. He defines his success by the number of families he helps, not the number of dollars he earns or manages. more >

Kurt Box

Kurt grew up in Bandera, Texas. He was brought up to respect all people, no matter their upbringing or their job. Kurt graduated cum laude from Texas A&M, then earned his masters in finance. He started on the path to being an investment banker. Then he met Paul Palmer at a professional function. more >

LIZBETH MONTENEGRO

Associate Financial Advisor

Liz was born in Bogota, Colombia and moved to Houston as a child. She earned her Bachelor degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from University of Houston- Victoria.  Her career in finance started in 2005 at JP Morgan Chase working as a teller and working her way through different positions to personal banker. She then worked in oil and gas in multiple roles ending with her role as cost controller. Though she enjoyed her work, she realized that she really wanted to help people and work with them directly. She enrolled in Rice University’s CFP ® Program and received her certificate. She joined The Advocates in 2022 and is happy to be working with clients to help them live their values. In her personal time, she enjoys traveling, playing tennis, cooking and spending time with her husband David and their son Remy.

ANNA BANKS

Director of Operations & CCO

A Houston native, Anna graduated magna cum laude from Texas Tech University in 2005 with a B.A. in Arts.  Anna currently serves the firm as overseer of all non-advisory operations functions and as the Chief Compliance Officer. Prior to joining the firm in 2011 she spent five years as service manager and assistant vice president for Wells Fargo. Family is the center of Anna’s life. She met her husband Dana in high school (1999!), and they married in 2006. She and Dana live in Houston with their 4 children and 3 rescue dogs. Anna is passionate about her faith. She teaches catechism and is a regular volunteer and parishioner at St. John Vianney Catholic Church. Her “spare time” is spent in the kitchen cooking for groups of friends and family. She also loves reading, hiking, painting, drawing and spending evenings watching movies and snuggling with her husband and kiddos.

LIGIA GRIJALVA

Client Service Representative

Ligia was born and raised in Los Angeles. Her career in finance and wealth management started in 2004 with Wells Fargo, while she was a student at Cal State Northridge. Starting as a part-time teller, she rose through the ranks post-graduation to become branch manager and assistant vice president.

Before joining The Advocates in 2014, she worked with a boutique financial advisory firm. Ligia’s contribution to The Advocates can be most felt through her impressive work ethic, ensuring all client plans are seen through to completion, down to the very last signature line.

In her personal time, Ligia enjoys traveling, riding bikes, camping, and going out to their ranch in Ledbetter with her husband Abner and their three children, Abner, Jr, Alexa, and Siena.

STEVEN MARTINEZ

Client Service Representative

A U.S. Army veteran of nine years, Steve has served in Europe, within the continental U.S., and in Somalia. While he has been a civilian for quite some time, the military is still near and dear to his heart. Before joining The Advocates as a client service associate, civilian life brought Steve to Wells Fargo where he would ultimately serve as a personal banker and a trainer for twelve years. At the Advocates, Steve adds a top-notch level of client service to the firm. Those of you who have had the pleasure of speaking with Steve over the phone can attest to his infectious laugh and smile. A proud homeowner, Steve lives in Copperfield with his wife Lacey, his sons John and Nicholas, Kira the dog, and Bo-Bo the cat. Steve is a member of the Knights of Columbus and is a member of St. John Vianney Catholic Church.