Who We Are

R. Gordon Sykesgordon_x344w

Gordon’s career in the investment industry began in 1981 with Benjamin Franklin Savings and Loan, as an insurance agent. Becoming familiar with the industry led him to move from selling products to helping clients look at their entire financial picture. To that end, he incorporated his own firm, Brokered Benefits, in July 1984. He is currently the Principal and 50% owner of Sykes Financial Services, and a Registered Investment Advisor Representative.

Gordon grew up in the ranching community in eastern Oregon. He served his country in the US Army, with most of his time spent in Germany where he was a member of the Special Operations Branch.

Gordon’s educational background includes a BA in the University Scholars Program from Portland State University, an MS in Financial Services from American University, and an MA from Staatliches Hochschulinstitut fur Leibeserziehung (Johannes Gutenberg Universitat) in Germany, in sports teaching and economics.

Gordon was Oregon State Marble Champion in junior high school and he still has a huge marble collection. He ran track for Pendleton High School and still holds a record to this day. He also ran track in many European countries for the US Army CISM track team. In his spare time he enjoys playing chess and reading, especially works of history, and is a ham radio operator. Gordon gives back to the community by doing volunteer work for his church.

Gordon is married with 3 children and “Opa” to 2 granddaughters

Tim Batog

Tim is a Registered Investment Advisor Representative and Vice President at Sykes Financial Services, where he has worked since 2021. He is getting to know all of SFS’s existing clients and welcoming new ones as he enthusiastically learns the ropes from Gordon. He’s also an organizational whiz — he’s been processing paperwork, handling phone calls, modernizing office practices, maintaining client files, and helping with everything that needs to be done to keep the office running efficiently. Tim also assists with compliance by keeping the office updated with all the State of Oregon and FINRA filings. He recently completed his certification as an Accredited Asset Management Specialist™.

Tim grew up moving all over the country from coast to coast, and eventually went to middle and high school in San Diego. He moved to Oregon in 1993 and graduated from the University of Oregon in 2003 with a Bachelors of Landscape Architecture.

Tim has worked in various fields over the years, including some time in the service industry and a number of years at Intel. Most recently he managed a wholesale tree nursery for ten years and ran his own successful fine gardening business for nearly two decades. He has also volunteered with Friends of Trees as a neighborhood coordinator, with Depave as a crew leader, and worked to build and repair trails with the Pacific Crest Trail Association and Trailkeepers of Oregon.

Tim lives in NE Portland where he is outnumbered by his four dogs. He also enjoys gardening at home, working on his fixer house, tending his small flock of backyard chickens, hiking, and camping.