Thomas M. Franks, CFA    Founder and President

Tom has over 30 years experience in the investments industry. He founded Emmanuel Capital Management, LLC, in 2004.

For the previous 18 years Tom worked as an investment analyst, portfolio manager, and Vice President at Federated Investors, one of the largest US investment management firms, as measured by assets under management. He was responsible for the oversight of equity mutual funds with over $3 billion in assets, managing separate account programs, and working with analysts to manage the equity research function. Prior to that, Tom participated in the management of asset allocation funds, bond funds, and money market mutual funds.

Before working in the mutual fund industry, Tom gained experience as a financial planner with a boutique financial planning firm, and as a corporate financial analyst in the oil and gas industry.

Tom was born and raised near Latrobe, Pennsylvania . He attended Pennsylvania State University to earn a B.S. in chemical engineering. Later, he earned his Masters of Business Administration (MBA), with an emphasis in finance, at Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh, consistently ranked as one of the top US business schools.

Tom founded Emmanuel Capital, LLC to combine some of his greatest passions–his Christian faith, the financial markets, stock investing, and the desire to make a positive difference in the world.

The name Emmanuel was chosen for the firm, which means “God with us”, as a reminder that God is with us in all things, at all times. Emmanuel is also a reference to Jesus Christ, God incarnate, who came to us to be man’s Savior and Lord, and so also signifies the firm’s reliance on God and on Christian principles.

Tom is married and has 2 children. His family are long-time members of North Way Christian Community in Wexford, Pennsylvania. Tom is a also a long-time member of Promise Keepers , a Christian Men’s group, and enthusiastic supporter of Compassion International, which supports impoverished children all over the world.

Tom is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) , a member of Kingdom Advisors and the Christian Marketplace Network. He is a member of Toastmasters International and past President of The North Hills Toastmasters Club of Pittsburgh.

 

Kirk A. Weiss, Partner

Kirk Weiss joined Emmanuel Capital Management (ECM) because he is driven to help individuals and make a difference in their financial lives.  Kirk enjoys working with people and has a strong passion for investment management.  Kirk has earned a B.S. in Finance and an MBA from Robert Morris University (RMU), graduating near the top of his class.  Kirk also holds a Series 65 (Investment Advisor) designation.

Kirk has over 18 years of financial services industry experience. After graduation from RMU, Kirk joined Coleman Financial as a Portfolio Analyst. His duties included portfolio management, investment analysis & securities trading.

More recently, Kirk worked for Mellon Financial Corporation as a Corporate Cash Manager and Senior Financial Analyst. His responsibilities included managing the cash function (approximately $400 million per day) for a Mellon subsidiary company, managing client relationships, analyzing financial statements, and designing financial models.

Prior to joining ECM, Kirk performed small business consulting, and provided investment management services for select clients.

Kirk was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA and currently lives with his family in Irwin, PA.  He is married and has one child.  Kirk and his family currently attend Grace Life Church in Monroeville, PA and serve in various roles.