Our People
This is KAR. Our investment approach defines us. But it is our people that embody our spirit. Ever passionate, curious, and responsible…and not just at work.
Executive Management
- Executive Management
- Equities
- Investment Support - Portfolio Implementation
- Investment Support - Trading
- Business Support - Operations
- Business Support - Compliance
- Business Support - Performance & Analytics
- Business Support - IT & Software Development
- Business Support - Strategic Initiatives
- Business Support - Finance
- Business Support - Office
- Sales & Marketing - Institutional Client Services
- Sales & Marketing - Marketing
Stephen A. Rigali, CFA
Industry Start Date: 1979
KAR Start Date: 1991
Education: B.S., Business and Economics, Loyola Marymount University
Prior Work Experience:
Vice President – Shearson Lehman Brothers
What Do You Enjoy Most About Your Job:
There are two aspects of my role that are very rewarding. The first aspect is working with our clients. We have the pleasure of working with a wonderful group of institutional and individual clients and, over the years, we have become very close to our clients. It’s been very rewarding to see the positive impact we have been fortunate to have on our clients and their financial well-being.
The second aspect of my job that I find rewarding is strategic planning for the firm. It has been exciting and rewarding to see the firm evolve over the years as we execute on our business plans. I also enjoy getting the opportunity to watch our employees advance in their careers and the organization as the firm has continued to grow.
What Do You Enjoy Most About Working at KAR:
What I enjoy most about working at KAR are my colleagues. We are a close knit group. We have a number of employees that have been with the firm for 10 to 20 years and that is pretty unusual in most organizations. I think many of us have stayed with the firm for so long because we have shared common values and we work very closely together within those shared values for the benefit of our clients.
What Are You Involved in Outside of Work:
Outside of KAR, I enjoy cycling. I have been cycling, specifically road cycling, for over 10 years. Cycling is great for clearing the mind. I enjoy the close knit group and I tend to find that cyclists generally are people that are motivated, social and have a positive outlook on their lives. Cycling has taken me all over the world and I think the best way to travel is on a bike.
Jeannine Vanian
Industry Start Date: 1987
KAR Start Date: 1989
Education: Attended The American University in Cairo, Egypt
What Do You Enjoy Most About Working at KAR:
The special culture of KAR is the primary reason I have been at the firm for over 25 years. We spend many hours of our day away from other things that we enjoy (like our families). So I believe it is very important to work with people that we enjoy, to feel challenged and to have the opportunity to evolve and grow, to have mutual respect with our peers and colleagues and, it goes without saying, to have the highest ethical standards.
We also have a very client-centric attitude. When faced with a difficult situation with multiple options, when you look at it from a client standpoint, the decisions really become easy. This is a guiding principle that we live by and it makes work and decision making much easier when you approach it from that viewpoint.
What Are You Involved in Outside of Work:
Outside of KAR, my main focus is my family. I am fortunate to have a wonderful husband, three kids and let’s not forget the dog. Balancing work and family is always a challenge and, having been at the firm for over 25 years, I find myself very fortunate that work also feels like family to me. I think it is also important to note that I am not unique in this situation. If you look at the employees across the firm, over 40% of our employees have been with us over 15 years and over 20% have been with us over 20 years.
Douglas S. Foreman, CFA
Research Experience Start Date: 1986
KAR Start Date: 2011
Doug Manages: Large Cap Sustainable Growth, Mid Cap Sustainable Growth, All Cap Sustainable Growth
Education: B.S., Marine Engineering, U.S. Naval Academy
M.B.A. , Harvard University
Prior Work Experience:
Director of Equities – HighMark Capital Management
Group Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of U.S. Equities – Trust Company of the West
What Do You Enjoy Most About Your Job:
When I was in the Navy, investing became a hobby for me. I used to read a lot of books on investing. And I figured out that if I could make a living at a hobby that I enjoyed then it was a good profession to pursue.
What Do You Enjoy Most About Working at KAR:
The most enjoyable part of working at Kayne Anderson Rudnick is the people. It is really a family type of environment. Everyone is truly interested in doing what is best for our clients and, as a firm, we are focused on doing the right thing. The investment group is always interested in learning and becoming better investors. They are always striving to find the best ways to invest our clients’ money and I am truly proud of this as this is how our business should be oriented.
What Are You Involved in Outside of Work:
When I am not in the office I enjoy spending time with my wife and kids. I also love golfing. I spend a fair amount of time trying to improve my game (not that it has worked out that well so far!). I also enjoy boating. I spent a number of years in the Navy and I still enjoy being out in the water to this day.
Douglas S. Foreman, CFA
Research Experience Start Date: 1986
KAR Start Date: 2011
Doug Manages: Large Cap Sustainable Growth, Mid Cap Sustainable Growth, All Cap Sustainable Growth
Education: B.S., Marine Engineering, U.S. Naval Academy
M.B.A. , Harvard University
Prior Work Experience:
Director of Equities – HighMark Capital Management
Group Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of U.S. Equities – Trust Company of the West
What Do You Enjoy Most About Your Job:
When I was in the Navy, investing became a hobby for me. I used to read a lot of books on investing. And I figured out that if I could make a living at a hobby that I enjoyed then it was a good profession to pursue.
What Do You Enjoy Most About Working at KAR:
The most enjoyable part of working at Kayne Anderson Rudnick is the people. It is really a family type of environment. Everyone is truly interested in doing what is best for our clients and, as a firm, we are focused on doing the right thing. The investment group is always interested in learning and becoming better investors. They are always striving to find the best ways to invest our clients’ money and I am truly proud of this as this is how our business should be oriented.
What Are You Involved in Outside of Work:
When I am not in the office I enjoy spending time with my wife and kids. I also love golfing. I spend a fair amount of time trying to improve my game (not that it has worked out that well so far!). I also enjoy boating. I spent a number of years in the Navy and I still enjoy being out in the water to this day.
Chris Armbruster, CFA
Research Experience Start Date: 2005
KAR Start Date: 2013
Sector Coverage: Large-capitalization consumer-discretionary, health-care and technology sectors
Chris Manages: Large Cap Sustainable Growth, Mid Cap Sustainable Growth, All Cap Sustainable Growth
Education: B.A., Business Economics, minor in Accounting, University of California, Los Angeles
Prior Work Experience:
Associate Analyst , Special Situations – B. Riley & Co.
Vice President, Equity Research – Al Frank Asset Management
What Do You Enjoy Most About Your Job:
Every day we come into the office we are challenged with turning over rocks and kicking tires to find high-quality investment opportunities for our clients’ hard-earned money. That discovery process has always been exhilarating for me. It’s like CSI Wall Street, but instead of solving a crime, we are looking for long-term investment opportunities to help our clients meet their long-term financial goals.
What Do You Enjoy Most About Working at KAR:
At KAR, we have an overarching investment philosophy, but the analysts are empowered to work within that discipline to find creative ways to add value to the investment process. I feel very privileged to work alongside some incredibly intelligent and highly credentialed professionals. That structure keeps employees both highly motivated and allows us to build more complete pictures of investment opportunities.
What Are You Involved in Outside of Work:
When I am away from the office, I really value the time that I can spend with my family. I have two young daughters and I love every minute that I get to spend helping them grow and develop. The unpredictability of the stock market pales in comparison to what two young daughters can do when they are running around the house.
Todd Beiley, CFA
Research Experience Start Date: 1999
KAR Start Date: 2002
Sector Coverage: Small and mid-capitalization communication services and energy sectors
Todd Manages: Small Cap Core, Small Cap Sustainable Growth, Small Cap Quality Select, Global Small Cap
Education: B.S., Finance, Northern Arizona University
M.B.A., University of Southern California
Prior Work Experience:
Associate Analyst, Equity Research – Prudential Securities
Equity Research Associate – RNC Capital Management
What Do You Enjoy Most About Your Job:
I love learning about different kinds of very interesting companies—what makes good business and how it can differentiate itself from its competitors. I enjoy the combination of developing an understanding of a business’ unique attributes with the intellectual challenge of investing and the requirement of cultivating a view that is oftentimes different from prevailing wisdom.
Also, the experience of coming into the industry in 1999, when things were pretty euphoric in the market and then living through the market downturns in 2002 and 2008 has given me a lot of perspective in seeing the highs and lows of investor emotions. I believe this helps me maintain objectivity in times when emotions can run high.
What Do You Enjoy Most About Working at KAR:
The most enjoyable part about working at KAR is having the freedom to find investments wherever they may be. I am empowered to manage the portfolio in a way that I truly believe and I am supported by strong analytical resources to help me in this endeavor.
What Are You Involved in Outside of Work:
When I’m not working I like to spend time with my kids coaching their sports teams. My two sons play baseball and I feel like I am reliving my youth with them when I get out there on the field and coach their teams.
I am also involved in helping the public education system in Los Angeles. I am on a Young Professionals Board of the largest charter school organization in the city and we help thousands of inner-city kids get a better education.
Julie Biel, CFA
Research Experience Start Date: 2008
KAR Start Date: 2013
Sector Coverage: Small and mid-capitalization information technology sector
Julie Manages: Small-Mid Cap Sustainable Growth
Education: B.A., Economics and Psychology, New York University
M.B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Prior Work Experience:
Equity Research Associate – Imperial Capital
Equity Research Associate – Merrill Lynch
What Do You Enjoy Most About Your Job:
What I love about investing in the sense of discovery. I love learning about new companies, understanding why they have been successful in the past, why they are going to be successful going forward and how they are going to manage in difficult economic conditions. To me, it is really getting under the hood and understanding each individual company that makes this job so fascinating. I truly enjoy being able to look at every single company and realize that there are different questions that need to be answered in order to understand if it is going to make a suitable investment for us.
What Do You Enjoy Most About Working at KAR:
What I really love about working at KAR is the people. There is such a strong sense of comradery. People have a real open-door policy. I have found that the people here are incredibly open and willing to discuss ideas. People take you seriously and they want to hear what you have to say. Some of the informal professional development that I have experienced includes the portfolio managers taking you into their jobs so that one day I can become a portfolio manager. I really appreciate that level of accessibility.
What Are You Involved in Outside of Work:
Outside of work, I ride horses and participate in competitions. I used to ride competitively when I was a kid and I took a long break when I worked on Wall Street. I recently have gotten back into it and I find it to be such good use of my competitive spirit (more so than yoga!). It is so fun to develop a young animal and to see it come along and flourish.
Jon K. Christensen, CFA
Research Experience Start Date: 1995
KAR Start Date: 2001
Sector Coverage: Small and mid-capitalization health-care sector
Jon Manages: Small Cap Core, Small Cap Sustainable Growth, Small Mid Cap Core and Mid Cap Core
Education: B.S., Mathematics/Applied Science, University of California, Los Angeles
M.B.A., California State University, Long Beach
Prior Work Experience:
Portfolio Manager and Senior Research Analyst – Doheny Asset Management
What Do You Enjoy Most About Your Job:
I really love investing in it. It is an exciting profession to be in because you are always learning something new—a new business model, a new technology, a new consumer product, a new way to conduct business. It can be very humbling, but the beauty of the profession is that you are learning every day that you come into the office.
What Do You Enjoy Most About Working at KAR:
One of the things I enjoy most about working at KAR is the people. I work with a great group of people that continually challenge you intellectually.
One of the other things I truly enjoy is that I fundamentally believe in our high-quality approach to investing. Every day we are examining really great businesses, really digging in and challenging each other as to why these are or are not great businesses. As a result, we all make each other better as investors. That makes coming to work every single day a truly enjoyable experience.
What Are You Involved in Outside of Work:
While I thoroughly enjoy my work, my family is by far the most important thing to me. I have two kids that keep me very busy. I have coached their sports teams since they were three years old. They learn from me but, most importantly, I learn from them as well and that helps me be a better parent.
Outside of that, I read and I love being active. I run, ski and play tennis. I also am very involved in my church.
Hyung Kim
Research Experience Start Date: 2004
KAR Start Date: 2017
Sector Coverage: Emerging markets and international small cap portfolios
Hyung Manages: Emerging Markets Small Cap , International Small Cap
Education: B.A., German, minor in Economics, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Seoul, Korea
M.B.A., University of Chicago, Graduate School of Business
Prior Work Experience:
International Equity Analyst – Advisory Research
Corporate Banking – HSBC and Woori Bank, Seoul, Korea
What Do You Enjoy Most About Your Job:
I really love the intellectually stimulating aspect of investing. I read, think and learn about businesses and industries every day. I get to talk and ask questions to industry experts and management teams around the world. The job doesn’t stop here. I also try to understand what others in the market are thinking and decide if I can form a different view that can ultimately lead to an investment thesis. I will never retire from investing.
What Are You Involved in Outside of Work:
Outside of work, I really value spending time with my family. I also enjoy lifting weights in the gym, playing golf, reading, traveling and watching sports.
Julie Kutasov
Research Experience Start Date: 2001
KAR Start Date: 2001
Sector Coverage: Small and mid-capitalization materials and industrials sector
Julie Manages: Small Cap Quality Value, Small-Mid Cap Quality Value and Small-Mid Cap Core
Education: B.A., Business Economics, University of California, Los Angeles
M.B.A., Harvard Business School
Prior Work Experience:
Goldman Sachs program focused on investment management for high-net-worth individuals
Senior Associate – Arthur Andersen
What Do You Enjoy Most About Your Job:
I feel very lucky that I am in a profession that allows you to be challenged intellectually every day no matter how long you have been in the industry. That makes me very excited to come to work on a daily basis. In fact, I am as enthusiastic today about coming to work as I was on my very first day at Kayne Anderson Rudnick.
What Do You Enjoy Most About Working at KAR:
The most enjoyable part about working at KAR is the culture. No matter how much we have grown (and we’ve grown quite a bit in my time here), it still feels like a small, family-like firm. The first thing you notice is the respect that everyone has for each other on the team. And when I use the word “team,” it is very genuine. It is a very collaborative environment and that helps you grow professionally.
What Are You Involved in Outside of Work:
I’ve always admired those that find time in their busy schedules to help other less fortunate people in need. I was truly honored to join the Board of Trustees of a Los Angeles-based student scholarship foundation several years ago, which I was a recipient of myself as an undergrad at UCLA. There is nothing more rewarding than being involved in young people’s lives and to see their dreams come true.
Richard Sherry, CFA
Research Experience Start Date: 1998
KAR Start Date: 1995
Sector Coverage: Large-capitalization energy, financials and utilities sectors
Richard Manages: Large Cap Quality Value and Global Dividend Yield
Education: B.A., Economics, University of California, Los Angeles
M.B.A. , University of Southern California
Prior Work Experience:
Marketing Analyst – Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management
Operations/Marketing Supervisor – Pilgrim Asset Management
What Do You Enjoy Most About Your Job:
I enjoy the fact that there is always something new to learn. It could be a new business that we have never looked at in the past or it could be re-examining a business that we have haven’t looked at in a number of years. We are constantly getting new pieces of information that give us more knowledge. I love learning about new things and you really get to satisfy your curiosity with this job.
What Do You Enjoy Most About Working at KAR:
I love working at KAR because it is a very collegial and open company. We are not the kind of place where everyone shuts their door and stays to themselves. We work together and we talk about things all the time. From that, you get different perspectives and you learn more than if you are just off on your own. We spend a lot of time together educating each other. I think this leads to more knowledge and, therefore, better investment results for our clients.
What Are You Involved in Outside of Work:
My time outside of work is spent with my family. I have two boys and they keep me busy whether it is helping them with their homework or shuttling them to different activities. We also like to go to the park to play ball and we love to hike. If I have any free time, I love to read history, financial books and if I totally want to escape I’ll read some Stephen King.
Craig Stone
Research Experience Start Date: 1989
KAR Start Date: 2000
Sector Coverage: Small and mid-capitalization industrials sector
Craig Manages: Small Cap Quality Value, Small-Mid Cap Quality Value, Small-Mid Cap Core, Mid Cap Core and Global Small Cap
Education: B.S., International Business, San Francisco State University
M.B.A., University of Southern California
Prior Work Experience:
Portfolio Manager – Doheny Asset Management
What Do You Enjoy Most About Your Job:
The investment team is unified in our goal of helping our clients attain financial security. We want to do this by achieving strong returns, but also by making sure that we focus on capital preservation. I truly enjoy working on a team that works so diligently to help our clients achieve their financial goals.
What Do You Enjoy Most About Working at KAR:
What I most enjoy about working at KAR is the people and camaraderie. It’s very important for everyone to have a common belief and all of the investment professionals here at KAR truly believe in our philosophy of investing in high-quality companies. I think it is very rare in our industry to have such strong commonality and cohesion in our investment philosophy.
What Are You Involved in Outside of Work:
I enjoy traveling and I am a hobbyist photographer. During my travels, I like to take my camera and seeing the world through the camera lens gives you a different perspective. This perspective helps me to see that the world is so different in many ways, but people are also very similar and I enjoy exploring these different aspects of the world around us.
Craig Thrasher, CFA
Research Experience Start Date: 2004
KAR Start Date: 2008
Sector Coverage: International and emerging markets small cap portfolios
Craig Manages: International Small Cap, Emerging Markets Small Cap, Global Small Cap
Education: B.S., Business and Public Administration, concentration in Finance, University of Arizona
M.B.A. , University of Chicago, Graduate School of Business
Prior Work Experience:
Equity Analyst – Kirr, Marbach & Company
What Do You Enjoy Most About Your Job:
What I enjoy most about investing is that it involves solving a wide range of very complex problems. When you do your work on an investment, you conduct a lot of research and analysis and then you form a hypothesis about the investment you are either going to make or not make. When you do this over a number of companies over a number of years you get to test your investment hypotheses over time. Through this process, you get to learn a lot and I find that to be very fascinating and rewarding.
What Do You Enjoy Most About Working at KAR:
One of the best things about working at KAR is that the firm’s investment philosophy is the same as my own personal investment philosophy. There are a lot of different ways to approach investing, but I believe that if you are going to excel you really need to believe in what you are doing. I spend a lot of time studying and thinking about investing and I really do believe that the most important aspect of any investment decision is the quality of the business. There aren’t a lot of other firms out there that place as much emphasis on business quality as we do here at KAR and that makes it very satisfying for me to come to work every day.
What Are You Involved in Outside of Work:
Outside of work, I really enjoy traveling. I have traveled to over 40 countries outside of the U.S. and I enjoy visiting new places, observing different cultures and seeing how people live throughout the world.
Another thing that I find fulfilling outside of work is participating in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. I have been a Big Brother for over seven years and my little brother and I have been able to do things together that I am not sure he would have had a chance to do if it were not for the program. Some of the things we have done together include taking him to see snow for the first time and teaching him to ride a bike and to swim. It has been very rewarding to be a part of these activities with him.
Chris Wright, CFA
Research Experience Start Date: 2012
KAR Start Date: 2012
Sector Coverage: Financials and real estate sector
Chris Manages: Long-Short Strategy
Education:
B.S.E., concentration in Finance, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
M.B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Prior Work Experience:
Senior Associate, Turnarounds, and Restructuring – Alvarez & Marsal
Associate, Investment Banking Financial Institutions Group – Houlihan Lokey Howard & Zukin
What Do You Enjoy Most About Your Job:
Investing is an amazing profession. It is intellectually challenging and dynamic. Your mind is never dull and you are constantly learning.
What Do You Enjoy Most About Working at KAR:
I feel very fortunate every day I come to work at KAR. I am surrounded by bright people that share my passion for investing and a focus on finding high-quality businesses.
What Are You Involved in Outside of Work:
When I am not poring over annual reports, I am busy at home with my two young children. Every day as a parent is a brand new learning experience and it is extremely rewarding, especially the big hug my kids give me each night when I come home from work.
Ekaterina Advena
Research Experience Start Date: 2009
KAR Start Date: 2015
Sector Coverage: International and emerging markets small cap portfolios
Education: Bachelor and Master of Macro Economics – Institute of World Economy and Informatization, Moscow, Russia (graduated summa cum laude)
M.B.A., Amos Tuck School of Business, Dartmouth College
Prior Work Experience:
Research Analyst – Mission Value Partners
Equity Research Analyst – Bloomberg
What Do You Enjoy Most About Your Job:
I love investing and really enjoy learning about various business models as I try to figure out what allows companies to succeed or, on the contrary, lose their competitive position and even fail. It’s exciting, intellectually rewarding and humbling – sometimes all at the same time.
What Do You Enjoy Most About Working at KAR:
KAR is unique because of the people. Everyone is a true professional, passionate about what they do and will go out of their way to help one another. It creates an incredible environment.
From a professional standpoint, I highly value that KAR’s investment philosophy aligns with my own. This alignment makes searching and recommending new ideas easy and natural as I’m choosing the same companies I would for my own portfolio.
What Are You Involved in Outside of Work:
I love to travel with my family and learn about new countries, cultures and history.
Sean Dixon
Research Experience Start Date: 2008
KAR Start Date: 2018
Sector Coverage: Small cap and mid cap portfolios: consumer discretionary and industrials sectors
Education: B.S.B.A, Finance, minor in Accounting, University of Denver
Prior Work Experience:
Analyst – Madison Street Partners
Analyst – Denver Investments
What Do You Enjoy Most About Your Job:
I enjoy learning about the competitive positioning of businesses and the evolving nature of markets. The ongoing change of this environment fosters an intellectually stimulating and exciting industry to spend my professional time.
What Do You Enjoy Most About Working at KAR:
The most enjoyable aspect of working at Kayne Anderson Rudnick is the people and our shared approach to investing in high-quality businesses. The team’s common approach to investing in high-quality companies promotes an intellectually stimulating environment as we search and learn about businesses across industries and over time.
What Are You Involved in Outside of Work:
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family and getting in the ocean as much as possible. I recently became a father and it is truly a wonderful experience to share and be a part of my daughter’s learning and getting exposure to new things.
Noran Eid
David Forward
Research Experience Start Date: 2014
KAR Start Date: 2018
Sector Coverage: International and emerging markets small cap portfolios
Education: B.A., Economics, Cornell University
Prior Work Experience:
Equity Research Analyst – DWS Asset Management
What Do You Enjoy Most About Your Job:
I love the sense of discovery that comes with researching a new idea. We get to come in every day and learn something new about what makes certain businesses succeed and fail. Whether we choose to invest or not, almost nothing we learn goes to waste. This makes the job exciting and meaningful and that accumulated knowledge compounds over time. I feel incredibly lucky to be doing something intellectually stimulating that I believe in and am passionate about while being surrounded by people who feel the same.
What Do You Enjoy Most About Working at KAR:
We spend a lot of time assessing the culture of other companies, but what I’ve experienced at KAR sets the bar pretty high. It’s not just about passion and intelligence – it really comes together when everyone operates under the same investment philosophy and is focused on finding great businesses expanding their edge over competitors. This collaborative environment makes it impossible not to learn something new every day.
What Are You Involved in Outside of Work:
I enjoy pretty much any sport and try to run every day. Outside of work, I love to hike and travel to countries a little outside my comfort zone. In New York, I was involved with a Big Brother program called iMentor for four years and plan to join something similar in Los Angeles.
Adam Xiao, CFA
Research Experience Start Date: 2013
KAR Start Date: 2018
Sector Coverage: Small cap and mid cap portfolios: consumer staples, financials and industrials sectors
Education:
B.A, Operations Research and Management Science, University of California, Berkeley
M.B.A., Columbia Business School
Prior Work Experience:
Equity Research Analyst – Diamond Hill Capital Management.
Equity Research Associate – Dodge & Cox
What Do You Enjoy Most About Your Job:
I find the work of investing a joy because of the continuous discovery and knowledge accumulation. I live for the moments when learning about a company I realize there might be something special there and it sets off for me a thrilling chase to verify that inkling and to fully understand each aspect of the business that contributes to that specialness. Each incremental discovery adds to my understanding of business and competition. That feeling of growth keeps me motivated and excited throughout.
What Do You Enjoy Most About Working at KAR:
What I love the most about KAR is working with people who each individually have a deep passion for investing and a strong desire to continuously improve at it. I am invigorated every day by the atmosphere of shared striving to hone the craft. The best part of our entire team is that each member is warm, friendly and enthused to help you. The discussions we have, challenging our ideas and exploring new avenues of thinking, have each time made me better – and that is a feeling that I treasure.
What Are You Involved in Outside of Work:
Outside of the office, I spend a good amount of my time on fitness. I enjoy being active not only because of the endorphin rush post-workout but also because of the opportunity to get a little better and go a little further each time. I am also constantly on the lookout for new songs that move me, great fiction stories that resonate with me, comedians well-versed on the human condition and well-researched psychology lectures that can teach me about who we are.
Jordan Greenhouse
Industry Experience Start Date: 1997
KAR Start Date: 2016
Education: B.S., Psychology, University of Utah
M.B.A., Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell University
Prior Work Experience:
Regional Vice President, Private Client Group – Fidelity Investments
Chief Operating Officer – Rady Asset Management
What Do You Enjoy Most About Your Job:
I have always enjoyed the constant changes the financial markets have to offer. In my role, I have the pleasure of working with a wide array of people (individuals, prospects, financial advisors, consultants, etc.) which can take the conversations in many directions. These relationships are what I find most satisfying about my job.
What Do You Enjoy Most About Working at KAR:
I enjoy the collaborative and thought-provoking environment the KAR culture provides. The firm’s focus on uncovering great businesses and taking a disciplined long-term approach aligns well with my own personal philosophy.
What Are You Involved in Outside of Work:
I enjoy surfing, skiing, snowboarding and spending time with my family.
James B. May, CFA
Prior to joining Kayne Anderson Rudnick in 2019, Mr. May worked as a product specialist covering domestic and international equity strategies at Virtus Investment Partners and as a senior portfolio manager and ETF specialist in the Global Structured Products Group at SSgA. He has approximately 30 years of investment experience. Mr. May earned a B.A. in Finance from Bentley University and an M.B.A. from Boston College. Mr. May is a Chartered Financial Analyst charterholder.
Frank Lee, CFA
Industry Experience Start Date: 1991
KAR Start Date: 1995
Education: B.A., Economics, University of California, Los Angeles
M.B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Prior Work Experience: Investor Relations Representative – T. Rowe Price Associates
Jennifer Okutake
Industry Experience Start Date: 1996
KAR Start Date: Consultant – 4/17/17; Permanent – 10/1/18
Education: MBA, Marshall School of Business – University of Southern California
BA, Economics – University of California, Irvine
Prior Work Experience: First Pacific Advisors – SVP of Operations
Tradewinds Global Investors – SVP Co-Manager Portfolio Administration & Asst. Portfolio Mgr.
Roxbury Capital – Assistant Portfolio Manager
NWQ Investment Management – Supervisor Managed Accounts Department
William Chow
Bryan Dario, CFA
Industry Experience Start Date: 1995
KAR Start Date: 1998
Education: B.S., Kinesiology, University of California, Los Angeles
Prior Work Experience: Mutual Fund Trader (Institutional Clients) – T. Rowe Price Mutual Funds
Sharon Delgado
Joe Nazarian
Robert Ruiz
Joseph Aube
Industry Experience Start Date: 2002
KAR Start Date: 2015
Education: B.S.B.A., Finance, Northeastern University
M.B.A., University of Connecticut
Prior Work Experience:
Trader for Domestic and International Equities for Various Institutional Strategies – Artio Global Investors (formerly Julius Baer)
Head of Trading for a Small Hedge Fund
Kei Kim
Industry Experience Start Date: 2010
KAR Start Date: 2018
Education: B.A., Economics, New York University
Prior Work Experience: Trader – Atlantic Investment Management
Trader – The Millburn Corporation
What Do You Enjoy Most About Your Job:
What I enjoy most about my job is that every day is a new day. I have to be keen on what’s going on globally (economics, social issues, etc.) to fully understand what’s moving markets, which, as a trader, I find exciting to be a part of!
What Are You Involved in Outside of Work:
I spend my time outside of work mostly with my wife and my family, along with close friends that I grew up with. I try to stay physically active and busy to take advantage of the nice year-round LA weather!
Rikki McDaniels
Industry Experience Start Date: 2001
KAR Start Date: 2017
Education: Southern University, Louisiana
Prior Work Experience: Consultant – KAR
NWQ & Tradewinds
What Do You Enjoy Most About Your Job:
I enjoy the group of people I work with the most.
What Are You Involved in Outside of Work:
I have 2 kids and my youngest is in high school and involved in sports. We spend a lot time at practices and meets.
Nora Salazar
Industry Experience Start Date: 1993
KAR Start Date: 1993
Education: Finance Major, Texas Tech University
Prior Work Experience: Banking
What Do You Enjoy Most About Your Job:
I like the fact that no two days are the same. There is always something different so that keeps it interesting.
Olivia Song
Industry Experience Start Date: 2003
KAR Start Date: 2016
Education: B.S., Business Administration, University of California, Riverside
Prior Work Experience: Institutional Trader Tradewinds Global Investors/Nuveen Investments
Institutional Trading Assistant/Coordinator – NWQ Investment Management Company/Nuveen Investments
What Do You Enjoy Most About Your Job:
What I enjoy most about my job is that there is always something to learn, which I find to be a great privilege.
What Do You Enjoy Most About Working at KAR:
What I enjoy most about working here is the culture and the people. KAR is truly a team-oriented environment, as everyone is willing to help no matter how chaotic their day might be at the moment.
What Are You Involved in Outside of Work:
Outside of work, I love spending time with my family and two children, who keep me constantly busy with their hobbies.
Andrew Stout
Industry Experience Start Date: 2002
KAR Start Date: July, 2020
Education: BS in Business Administration from the University of Kansas, MBA in Finance from Emory University
Prior Work Experience: 1996-2000 Koch Industries, Inc (International Commodity Trader) Wichita, KS
2002-2007 Credit Suisse (International Sales Trader) New York, NY and London, ENG
2007-2012 Artio Global Investors (Senior Trader) New York, NY
2012-2013 Vinik Asset Management (Senior Trader) Tampa, FL
2013-2015 Kopernik Global Advisors (Head of EMEA Trading) Tampa, FL
2015-2019 Monashee Investment Management (Head of International Trading) Boston, MA
2019 Vinik Asset Management (Senior Trader) Tampa, FL
What Are You Involved in Outside of Work:
When I am not at work, I am spending time with my wife and three kids, which usually means I’m either on a flag football field, in a basketball gym, or at a hockey rink.
Trina Vasquez
Industry Experience Start Date: 1997
KAR Start Date: 2017
Education: B.A. University of California at Berkeley
Prior Work Experience: Tradewinds Global Investors
NWQ, Provident Investment Counsel
What Do You Enjoy Most About Working at KAR:
What I enjoy most about working at KAR are the people.
What Are You Involved in Outside of Work:
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband and family by staying active and enjoying the great outdoors.
Kimberly Hoang
Industry Experience Start Date: 1998
KAR Start Date: 2016
Education: B.A., Economics and Political Science, Boston College University
Executive M.B.A., Certificate in Finance, University of California, Los Angeles
Prior Work Experience: Vice President, Investment Operations – Nuveen Investments
Associate Vice President, Accounting Manager – Ares Investments LLC
Roxanne Clark
Gary Reyes
Jason Wong
Joseph Tarr
Michael Shoemaker
Industry Experience Start Date: 2004
KAR Start Date: 2019
Education:
J.D., Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology
M.B.A., Finance and International Business, DePaul University
B.S. Business Administration, major in Accounting, The University of Arizona
Prior Work Experience:
Chief Compliance Officer, Driehaus Capital Management
Compliance Officer, PIMCO
Senior Compliance Analyst, Driehaus Capital Management
Lori A. McNeill
Nicolette Hayden
Vincent Tran
Karl Tan
Sandeep Mishra
Industry Experience Start Date: 1999
KAR Start Date: 2013
Education: B.T., Indian Institute of Technology in India
M.S., University of Maryland
Prior Work Experience:
Vice President, Software Development for Derivatives and Commodities Trading – Union Bank
Assistant Vice President – City National Bank
Sean Grigorian
Industry Experience Start Date: 2002
KAR Start Date: 2007
Education: B.A., Psychology, Azad University in Tehran
Prior Work Experience: Network Administrator – Metrocities Mortgage
Aung OO
Suyash Sathaye
Brad Schoonmaker
Michael Walther
Matthew Griego, CFA
Noel Phenicie, CPA
Industry Experience Start Date: 1996
KAR Start Date: 2008
Education: B.A., Business Economics (Accounting Emphasis), University of California, Santa Barbara
Prior Work Experience:
First Vice President, Controller – Countrywide Home Loans Global Markets Division
Accounting Manager – Roxbury Capital Management
Jorge Franco
Marie Roman
Clarissa Ali
Joyce Hill
Rochelle Rodriguez
Stephen A. Rigali, CFA
Industry Start Date: 1979
KAR Start Date: 1991
Education: B.S., Business and Economics, Loyola Marymount University
Prior Work Experience:
Vice President – Shearson Lehman Brothers
What Do You Enjoy Most About Your Job:
There are two aspects of my role that are very rewarding. The first aspect is working with our clients. We have the pleasure of working with a wonderful group of institutional and individual clients and, over the years, we have become very close to our clients. It’s been very rewarding to see the positive impact we have been fortunate to have on our clients and their financial well-being.
The second aspect of my job that I find rewarding is strategic planning for the firm. It has been exciting and rewarding to see the firm evolve over the years as we execute on our business plans. I also enjoy getting the opportunity to watch our employees advance in their careers and the organization as the firm has continued to grow.
What Do You Enjoy Most About Working at KAR:
What I enjoy most about working at KAR are my colleagues. We are a close knit group. We have a number of employees that have been with the firm for 10 to 20 years and that is pretty unusual in most organizations. I think many of us have stayed with the firm for so long because we have shared common values and we work very closely together within those shared values for the benefit of our clients.
What Are You Involved in Outside of Work:
Outside of KAR, I enjoy cycling. I have been cycling, specifically road cycling, for over 10 years. Cycling is great for clearing the mind. I enjoy the close knit group and I tend to find that cyclists generally are people that are motivated, social and have a positive outlook on their lives. Cycling has taken me all over the world and I think the best way to travel is on a bike.
Daniela Bailly
Industry Experience Start Date: 1995
KAR Start Date: 1995 (rejoined in 2009)
Prior Work Experience:
Vice President of Marketing – Bjurman, Barry & Associates
Internal Wholesaler and Key Accounts Manager for the Advisory Services Group – Kayne Anderson Rudnick
What Do You Enjoy Most About Your Job:
What I enjoy most about my job is all of the people that I meet and get to build long-term relationships with. I have been in this business for over 20 years and over that time I have gotten to meet some incredible people and I truly value those relationships.
I also enjoy the fact that each day my job is different. My job never gets old because every day presents a new set of challenges that I get to figure out and conquer.
What Do You Enjoy Most About Working at KAR:
I truly enjoy working at KAR! I love the rich heritage of the firm and the culture that has been built, primarily by Mr. John Anderson. He was a wonderful person and a great mentor.
I also really enjoy all of the people that I work with. I have known many of my co-workers for years and it is a true family environment!
What Are You Involved in Outside of Work:
When I am not working, I love to spend time with my family and my four kids. I am very active with their schools and activities. I also like to spend time helping with local charities here in Texas where I live.
Stephanie Gillman
Industry Experience Start Date: 1993
KAR Start Date: 1999
Education: B.A., Business Economics, University of California, Santa Barbara
Prior Work Experience:
Senior Communications Specialist – Capital Guardian Trust Company
Marketing Associate – Mercer Global Advisors
What Do You Enjoy Most About Your Job:
What I enjoy most about my job is that each day presents a new opportunity to learn and to grow. On a daily basis, we deal with a wide range of projects and tasks for our clients and prospects and it is very rewarding to come up with solutions that meet all of the required objectives. I am fortunate to be able to offer up creative solutions within my position and that always makes the problem solving more fun.
What Do You Enjoy Most About Working at KAR:
As like most people at KAR, what I enjoy most about working here is the culture and the people. It is such a collegial environment and that really makes it easy to come to work every day. The culture is also very oriented toward balance in our work and personal lives and that is so appreciated as we all try to effectively manage all aspects of our lives.
What Are You Involved in Outside of Work:
Outside of work I love to spend time with my two children. They are very active in sports and extracurricular activities and I like to be able to participate and be there for all of their events. Outside of that, I also love to travel and spend time exploring new cities and cultures.
Maritza Gonzalez
Industry Experience Start Date: 2002
KAR Start Date: 2004
Education: B.A., Sociology, California State University, Northridge
J.D., Glendale University College of Law
Prior Work Experience:
Presentation Development Coordinator – Capital Guardian Trust Company
What Do You Enjoy Most About Your Job:
What I enjoy most about my job is the constant challenge. There is always something new to learn which creates the opportunity to continuously grow.
What Do You Enjoy Most About Working at KAR:
I truly enjoy the people and culture at KAR. I work with a great group of people and I look forward to coming to work every day.
What Are You Involved in Outside of Work:
Outside of work I love to spend time with my family. I also enjoy traveling, going to concerts and being active.
Ben Corser
Jordan Greenhouse
Industry Experience Start Date: 1997
KAR Start Date: 2016
Education: B.S., Psychology, University of Utah
M.B.A., Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell University
Prior Work Experience:
Regional Vice President, Private Client Group – Fidelity Investments
Chief Operating Officer – Rady Asset Management
What Do You Enjoy Most About Your Job:
I have always enjoyed the constant changes the financial markets have to offer. In my role, I have the pleasure of working with a wide array of people (individuals, prospects, financial advisors, consultants, etc.) which can take the conversations in many directions. These relationships are what I find most satisfying about my job.
What Do You Enjoy Most About Working at KAR:
I enjoy the collaborative and thought-provoking environment the KAR culture provides. The firm’s focus on uncovering great businesses and taking a disciplined long-term approach aligns well with my own personal philosophy.
What Are You Involved in Outside of Work:
I enjoy surfing, skiing, snowboarding and spending time with my family.
Stephanie Gillman
Industry Experience Start Date: 1993
KAR Start Date: 1999
Education: B.A., Business Economics, University of California, Santa Barbara
Prior Work Experience:
Senior Communications Specialist – Capital Guardian Trust Company
Marketing Associate – Mercer Global Advisors
What Do You Enjoy Most About Your Job:
What I enjoy most about my job is that each day presents a new opportunity to learn and to grow. On a daily basis, we deal with a wide range of projects and tasks for our clients and prospects and it is very rewarding to come up with solutions that meet all of the required objectives. I am fortunate to be able to offer up creative solutions within my position and that always makes the problem solving more fun.
What Do You Enjoy Most About Working at KAR:
As like most people at KAR, what I enjoy most about working here is the culture and the people. It is such a collegial environment and that really makes it easy to come to work every day. The culture is also very oriented toward balance in our work and personal lives and that is so appreciated as we all try to effectively manage all aspects of our lives.
What Are You Involved in Outside of Work:
Outside of work I love to spend time with my two children. They are very active in sports and extracurricular activities and I like to be able to participate and be there for all of their events. Outside of that, I also love to travel and spend time exploring new cities and cultures.
Maritza Gonzalez
Industry Experience Start Date: 2002
KAR Start Date: 2004
Education: B.A., Sociology, California State University, Northridge
J.D., Glendale University College of Law
Prior Work Experience:
Presentation Development Coordinator – Capital Guardian Trust Company
What Do You Enjoy Most About Your Job:
What I enjoy most about my job is the constant challenge. There is always something new to learn which creates the opportunity to continuously grow.
What Do You Enjoy Most About Working at KAR:
I truly enjoy the people and culture at KAR. I work with a great group of people and I look forward to coming to work every day.
What Are You Involved in Outside of Work:
Outside of work I love to spend time with my family. I also enjoy traveling, going to concerts and being active.