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About Us

Founded in Utah, we created Hedgehog to help others find the same returns on their investments we have found for ourselves. With over 30 combined years of investing experience, we believe that excellent returns on investment shouldn’t be hard to come by and that financial partnerships should be about building strong relationships and real trust.

Our Team

Matthew Bates

Chief Executive Officer

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Josh Bishop

Chief Client Relations Officer

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Dave Ashby

Chief Financial Officer

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Matthew Bates

Chief Executive Officer

As a US Army Veteran, Matt understands the value of hard work and dedication. He has a Bachelors of Science in Computer Science from the University of Utah and remains involved in cutting-edge software projects to this day. He also has extensive experience with real estate investing as well as business operations. His passions include playing guitar and he is an avid woodworker.

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Josh Bishop

Chief Client Relations Officer

Josh has 8 years of experience in business management, financial operations, and sales. He has co-owned two successful businesses prior to starting Hedgehog Investments with his partner. Josh believes that integrity, commitment, and transparent intent is the moral compass that should be utilized in this business.

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Dave Ashby

Chief Financial Officer

Dave leads the creation of client contracts, receipts, beneficiary forms, withdrawal forms, wire transfers, internal contracting, business finances, and tax returns. Dave is also an Enrolled Agent and has worked in the accounting industry for 13 years. He’s got his hands full outside the office caring for over 80 animals, from dogs to horses to goats to chickens. Dave also puts on a workshop for Thanksgiving where you can learn how to cull a Turkey—how cool is that!

Thiel Ruperto

Chief Operating Officer

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Benjamin Jenkins

Marketing Director

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Crystal Heywood

Director of Investor Relations

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Thiel Ruperto

Chief Operating Officer

For over two decades, Thiel has helped individuals, families, and businesses reduce taxes, eliminate debt, and increase their tax-free spendable income by creating nearly bulletproof custom financial and retirement plans. A proven leader, Thiel has played a key role in building and maintaining high-performing teams throughout his career. Most notably, he built a sales and marketing team from the ground up. In just three years, Thiel grew the team from 0 to 215 and led them to become the top-performing team in the organization.

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Benjamin Jenkins

Marketing Director

We all have a story to tell. Whether as individuals or as organizations, we all have a reason for being. Benjamin’s passion is to tell those stories through a variety of creative mediums whether that be graphic design, video, web design, or the old-fashioned way—with words. Being the CEO of a marketing agency and a multi-tiered LGBTQ+ media company, Benjamin has the opportunity to impact people and organizations from all walks of life and showcase their remarkable stories. 

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Crystal Heywood

Director of Investor Relations

Crystal works with investors to ensure that their contracts are handled seamlessly and supports investors in any way they need. She has 8 years of substance abuse billing and claims experience and 11 years supporting military families. Outside of the office, Crystal loves playing video games and overlanding with friends and family! Fun fact: She got married to her husband Erick out camping in the West Desert near Dugway, but a snowstorm came out of nowhere and they were stuck out there for another week.

Our Values

Investing is what we do, our values are how we do it. This is everything we stand for.

Accountability

We Are All Accountable

We take ownership of our actions, thoughts, and words.

Honor

We Show Respect

We respect and understand others’ morals and values and always assume positive intent.

Integrity

We Act With Integrity

We value honesty and fairness in every interaction and align our actions with our deepest values.

Selflessness

We Put The Needs Of Others Before Our Own

We believe that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.

Accessibility

We Are Here For You

We are readily available to answer any questions to clear unmet needs to meet a mutual level of understanding.

Unafraid of Failure

We Take Chances

We encourage ourselves, and others, to be fearless with ambition. We are not careless, but are willing to go out on a limb to do what we feel needs to be done.

Kindness

We Act With Kindness In Every Interaction

We treat ourselves, and others, with the utmost respect and understanding to build meaningful relationships.

Transparency

We Prioritize Open Communication

We don’t hide anything behind closed doors and lead every interaction with honesty.