Forty Under 40: Amy E. Knight

Amy Knight’s tenacity in business is reflected by her after hours activities: she’s a mother of four, a triathalete and she annually participates in adventure races. In 2006 she completed the Escape from Alcatraz Triathalon (a 1.5 mile swim in shark infested waters, an 18-mile bike ride and an 8-mile run).

So obtaining her CPA license, starting her own broker-dealer business and now managing $70 million in assets with 350 clients for Stephens Inc., while no walk in the park, is at least in perspective for the Helena native.

After earning her degree in accounting from the University of Arkansas and getting her CPA license in 1989, Knight moved back to Helena and settled down.

There, she worked at Merchants and Farmers Bank from 1990-95, eventually managing the bank’s securities department. Then, she and her husband, Vaugh, moved to Stuttgart for a few years to farm, until he decided it was time for law school.

In 1998, Knight opened an Edward Jones office in Fayetteville and built it to about 300 clients. She supported the family while her husband finished school. In 2002 she joined Stephens.

Her greatest achievement has been earning the trust of clients and continuing to grow her personal book of business through referrals.