About Us
John H. Bair serves as the President of Ascend Wealth Advisors, LLC, bringing with him a wealth of experience and expertise in both investment management and geological exploration. His journey into the world of finance began during his high school years, where he developed a keen interest in tracking individual stocks.
After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from Denison University in 1976, John’s hands-on investment experience took root while pursuing a master’s degree in Geology at Louisiana State University. During this time, he delved into investing in natural resource-related companies, a passion that has remained with him throughout his career.
Upon completing his master’s degree in 1980, John embarked on a decade-long tenure as a petroleum geologist in Houston, Texas. He meticulously evaluated the potential of acreage blocks in State and Federal lease sales and gained invaluable operational insights during numerous visits to wellsites along the Gulf Coast.
The downturn in energy prices in the late ’80s prompted John to transition into the realm of investment management in 1989, combining his extensive stock market knowledge gained since his high school days with his 10 years working experience in the oil and gas industry. He has since held various key positions, including Principal, Branch Office Manager, General Securities Principal, and Registered Options Principal for several FINRA member firms before co-founding AWA in 2013.
John’s dedication to professional development is evident through his achievements, including earning the Certified Fund Specialist (CFS) designation. He is also actively involved in professional organizations such as the CFA Society of Cleveland, the CFA Institute, the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG), the Houston Geological Society, and the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC).
