Hutchens Investment Management, Inc., an independent investment advisor managing $100 million+ in assets for equity and multi-asset portfolios announced today that it has merged with New Leaf Asset Management, LLC.

New Leaf executives Fletcher Cole, CFA, and Carrie Bossi are now part of the Hutchens team, which employs a disciplined institutional approach focused on fundamentals. Cole re-joins the firm as a partner to spearhead Hutchens’ research initiatives and Bossi provides research support.

From 1997-2001, Cole was Hutchens’ director of research and portfolio manager during which time he refined the investment models and served as the primary portfolio manager for the firm’s mid-cap accounts. From 2002-2011, prior to the merger with Hutchens, he was managing member and co-founder of New Leaf. Cole was previously a submarine warfare officer in the U.S. Navy and also worked with Gabelli & Company and E.R. Taylor Investments.

“Fletcher’s style complements our growth-oriented bent and is well-suited for today’s challenging market environment. We see great cross-pollination potential as we share thoughts on stocks, economic themes and investment ideas, and are committed to providing the highest quality investment services to our institutional and high net worth clients. Our investment process, methodology and philosophy will continue to add value over the long term by controlling risk and focusing on fundamentals,” said William Hutchens, CFA, founder of Hutchens Investment Management.