Our People

Thomas C. Cock
Founder
Managing Partner

Tom is co-host of Investoradio, a weekly radio show and podcast. He has been in broadcasting for over 35 years, including a 5 year stint as the TV host of PBS’ Serious Money which was nominated for a Regional Emmy.

Prior to founding Vestory in 2009, Tom was a partner at one of the largest investment advisory firms in the country. Tom played a key role in the growth of that firm for over a decade, and was instrumental in making it one of the 100 fastest growing private companies in Washington state.

In his current capacity Tom oversees the advising, compliance and business operations of Vestory as well as working with his own clients. He is also a speaker at many events, and hosts several radio programs on investing.

Tom is interviewed often for his views on money and finance. He has been interviewed by many radio and TV stations, including KOMO, KVI, KCBS, KFNN, KKNT and KZOK. He has also been quoted at Bankrate.com, The Wall Street Journal, and in Horizon Air Magazine.

Tom is a member of the Planned Giving Advisory Council for Whitman College, and was a founding member of the Washington News Council. He also previously served on the boards of the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce, The Bellingham Festival of Music and Whatcom Day Academy. Much of Tom’s time is spent on soccer fields where he plies his trade as a nationally licensed soccer coach and referee.

Don McDonald
Principal
Education Director

Host of the popular, nationally syndicated “Don McDonald Show” from 1988 until 2007, Don has been one of the country’s biggest advocates for individual investors. His emphasis on no-load, diversified investing has helped to reshape the investing landscape. Don also wrote and published the “Don McDonald Moneyletter” for 15 years.

As a “recovered stockbroker” with one of the country’s largest brokerage firms, he knows first hand about the misleading sales practices employed by much of the financial services industry. Don has been featured in various publications, including Money Magazine and Newsweek. He is also a frequent guest on television and radio programs, nationwide and continues his educational outreach to investors on Vestory’s weekly radio show, Investoradio.

Jim Whipps
Senior Advisor

Jim was a Senior Manager with Boeing for seventeen years, spent three years as a mortgage banker, and two years a broker with Edward Jones. Then Jim spent seven years as a financial advisor with Merriman, Inc. in Seattle.  He is a member of the Financial Planning Association.

In his off hours, Jim enjoys playing golf, traveling with his wife, Cindy, and spending time with his three grown sons.  Jim and Cindy also enjoy being involved with charitable and volunteer organizations.