Founding and Original Ownership
Fisher Investments was founded in 1979 by Kenneth L. Fisher, who remains the controlling founder and executive chairman. The firm is headquartered in Camas, Washington, and operates as a private, employee-owned advisory firm. Kenneth Fisher created the company based on his quantitative and fundamental research approach to equity investing Forbes.
The firm manages assets across multiple mandates and serves institutional, pension, and high-net-worth clients globally. Because Fisher Investments is privately held, ownership is concentrated among its founders and senior leadership rather than public shareholders. The firm's private structure allows long-term investment decisions without quarterly earnings pressure from public markets.
Leadership and Executive Ownership
Damian Ornani has served as the chief executive officer of Fisher Investments since 2016, succeeding founder Kenneth Fisher in the CEO role. Ornani joined the firm in 2006 and holds a significant executive stake, making him one of the key internal owners alongside Fisher SEC EDGAR.
The executive team includes several managing directors and portfolio managers who hold equity-like compensation and long-term incentive plans. While exact ownership percentages are not publicly disclosed, the firm's private structure means leadership teams typically hold substantial economic interests in the business. Fisher Investments' compensation structure ties executive pay to long-term asset growth and client outcomes.
Corporate Structure and Ownership Model
Private Ownership and Employee Ownership
Fisher Investments operates as a private partnership-style organization with significant employee ownership through deferred compensation and equity participation plans. The firm is not publicly traded, so ownership is limited to founders, executives, and eligible employees rather than outside public investors Investopedia.
The corporate structure includes multiple registered entities that manage separate investment mandates and sub-advisory relationships. These entities operate under common ownership and strategic direction from the executive leadership team based in the United States.