Craig Pieringer is a portfolio manager for the Essential Value Equity team at Allspring Global Investments. He joined Allspring from its predecessor firm, Wells Fargo Asset Management (WFAM). Before joining WFAM, Craig was a portfolio manager for Benson Associates, which was acquired by WFAM. Prior to this, he was a senior portfolio manager for high-net-worth clients at First Asset Management, a subsidiary of U.S. Bancorp. Before joining U.S. Bancorp, Craig was the director of research for Anderson Capital Management. He began his investment industry career in 1984. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. Craig also earned a master’s degree in international public policy from Johns Hopkins University in Washington, D.C., and a master’s degree in business administration from the Amos Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. He has earned the right to use the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) designation and has served as president of CFA Society Portland.

Jeff Goverman is a portfolio manager for the Essential Value Equity team at Allspring Global Investments. He joined Allspring from its predecessor firm, Wells Fargo Asset Management (WFAM). Before joining WFAM, Jeff was a research director, senior partner, and research analyst at Pacific Crest Securities. While there, he built a nationally recognized research department. Prior to that, he was an executive vice president and software and internet analyst with Cowen and Co. Earlier, he served as a research analyst with Soundview Financial, focusing on minicomputers and networking. He began his investment industry career in 1987. Jeff earned a bachelor's degree from Colby College, a master's degree in business administration from Carnegie Mellon University, and a master's degree in information technology from Pace University.

Garth Nisbet is a senior portfolio manager for the Essential Value Equity team at Allspring Global Investments. He joined Allspring from its predecessor firm, Wells Fargo Asset Management (WFAM). Before WFAM, he served as senior vice president and senior portfolio manager at Quest Investment Management Inc. Earlier in his career, Garth served as a senior vice president and senior portfolio manager at Columbia Management. In addition, he served as Crabbe Huson Group’s chief investment officer. He began his investment industry career in 1985 with the State of Wisconsin Investment Board. Garth earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and communications from the University of Washington and a master’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in finance from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He has earned the right to use the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) designation and is member of CFA Institute and CFA Society Portland, where he previously served as president.

Gustaf Little is a portfolio manager for the Essential Value Equity team at Allspring Global Investments. He leads the team’s coverage in key industries within consumer, industrials, and utilities. He joined Allspring from its predecessor firm, Wells Fargo Asset Management (WFAM). Prior to this, Gustaf served as a senior research analyst for the team, where he was involved with equity research within the consumer, industrials, and utilities sectors as well as day-to-day portfolio management. Gustaf began his investment industry career in 2006. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in finance and economics from the Pamplin School of Business at the University of Portland. Gustaf is a member of CFA Society Portland and CFA Institute.