Octave J Francis III,

Octave Francis III is the founder and managing director of FFC Investment Advisors of Raymond James. Leveraging more than 31 years of investment banking experience, he directs the group’s business development and client-related investment management activities.

Octave was introduced to traditional investment banking in 1986 through the New Orleans office of Legg Mason/Howard Weil, where he trained in both municipal finance and institutional bond trading. In 1992, as vice president with Paine Webber, he managed a “Diag” institutional fixed income desk which provided regional coverage to local and state agencies, corporations and depository institutions throughout the South Central U.S.

From 1996 through early 2001, as a senior executive with Prudential Securities, Octave established and managed an advisory group which specialized in institutional asset-liability performance, liability-driven asset management and prudent fiduciary standards for public and private institutions. He led that group independent in 2001 as FFC Capital Management; where, as the managing principal, he chaired the registered investment and municipal advisor’s investment and finance committee, and supervised the day-to-day activities of the independent advisory practice.

Octave is a Certified Investment Management Analyst® and a member of the Investments & Wealth Institute. He completed coursework at the Aresty Institute of Executive Education through The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He holds Series 6, 7, 24, 50, 52, 53, 63 and 65 industry licenses and an MBA in finance from the A.B. Freeman School of Business of The Tulane University of Louisiana.

Octave has been active in the community throughout his career. He serves as a trustee of the New Orleans Aviation Board, Louis Armstrong International Airport; the Archdiocese of New Orleans Board Sub-Committee on Investments; the Board of Orleans School Facilities Foundation; and the Catholic Foundation Archdiocese of New Orleans.

He has served on the board of GNO, Inc., the Louisiana Economic Development Corporation (past vice chair), the New Orleans Regional Black Chamber of Commerce (past chair), the Louisiana Museum Foundation, the Louisiana Children’s Museum Foundation, Providence Community Housing (PCH), Kingsley House of New Orleans, and St. Mary’s Dominican High School.

Octave is a lifelong resident of Orleans Parish, where together with his wife of 32 years, Penny Duet Francis, they have raised their two daughters, Casi and Camryn; maintained a home in uptown New Orleans for the past 23 years; and founded and operated businesses such as Eclectic Home, a New Orleans furniture retailer and interior design firm.

Octave and his family are active, proud Louisianans who fully subscribe to the state’s rich history, diverse culture and sportsman’s paradise environment. They are avid participants in sports and activities such as hunting, boating and fishing, golfing, cycling and motorcycling.