Growing up, Gretchen’s family spent their summers in the picturesque mountains of Sun Valley, Idaho - along the Big Wood, Silver Creek and the Salmon Rivers. It was here that her suburb-dwelling family became enchanted with the remarkable journey of the mighty salmon.

During her idyllic childhood summers, Gretchen’s Dad began writing little league recaps under the pen-name, Adipose Fin. He’d delight the kids and, let’s be honest, mostly their parents with colorful retellings of each game. Characters like Jesus ‘Saves -The-Day’ Diaz, Will ‘Shoot the Moon’ Mooney, and Will ‘Whitey’ Sword faced off against the rival team from the next town, all before heading to the local pizza shop.

He chose the name Adipose Fin as an inside joke from their time spent at the Sawtooth Fish Hatchery, where that small fin—once thought to be just a useless piece of fatty tissue—was often clipped off the fish.

When parents received emails from ‘Adipose Fin’ the kids were always captivated and intrigued by this mystery character - someone was watching their baseball games, with nicknames for each of them, (never knowing it was their Assistant Coach).

Later in life, I had the distinct pleasure - and times challenge - of working for my Dad for nearly 7 years. I saw firsthand how he ran his boutique investment bank with discipline, heart and professionalism.

After he tragically died in a Hurricane in 2012, I felt compelled to honor his legacy. That inspiration became the foundation of this firm - where heart meets hustle, where we back our beliefs with action, and where we strive to do meaningful, excellent work every day.

A year after he died, the Adipose Fin was learned not to simply be a useless appendage, it is actually essential to the full life cycle of a salmon. It plays a critical role in helping salmon return - sometimes within five yards - to the very place where they were born, after a lifetime spent migrating between freshwater and the ocean.