Stanford Financial Group today announced the formation of Stanford Institutional Consulting, a new business group within its global network of financial services companies. Based in Baltimore, MD, Stanford Institutional Consulting (SIC) serves the needs of both high net worth clients and institutional clients spanning education, healthcare, foundations, endowments, associations, and retirement plans, with assets ranging in size from $10 million to over $1 billion.
SIC is practitioner-driven and client-centric, providing customized and proactive advice through a solution-based approach to all aspects of its clients' portfolios, including capital markets analysis, investment manager research and opinion, and custodial selection, which will be delivered independently. SIC will be led by veteran Financial Advisor Christopher C. Aitken, CIMA, who will serve as Executive Managing Director and Senior Investment Consultant; and Stephen L. Thacker, CIMA, Managing Director, Senior Investment Consultant. Messrs. Aitken and Thacker have worked as a team for the past 15 years. Joining them will be an experienced team of financial services professionals, including: Dawn M. Pfaff - Vice President, Senior Analyst; Timothy J. Truss - Senior Analyst; Danyelle L. Berger - Senior Analyst; Ayaz Hasan - Analyst; Shari L. Serafin - Vice President, Operations Manager; Teri L. Houp - Vice President, Portfolio Administration; and Karen Doggett - Senior Portfolio Administrator.
"The formation of Stanford Institutional Consulting underscores our commitment to using our strong balance sheet to build a top-notch portfolio of institutional and wealth management services," said Sir Allen Stanford, Chairman, Stanford Financial Group of Companies. "At a time when the financial services industry is facing unprecedented challenges, the Stanford Group is poised to continue its proven track record of growth."
Laura Pendergest-Holt, Chief Investment Officer, Stanford Financial Group, added: "We are delighted this team of well-respected and seasoned professionals has chosen to bring their expertise to launch this important new business for our company. This new team has an established track record of exceptional client services, and we are confident they will help accelerate our company's growth."
Mr. Aitken brings more than 22 years financial services experience to Stanford and has been ranked among Barron's "Top 100 Financial Advisors" for the past three years and Registered Rep's "Top 100 Financial Advisors" for the past two years. Mr. Thacker brings more than 16 years experience to the company.
"The Stanford global organization has the financial resources, investment and research acumen, and dedicated management team to be a leader in developing new services and supporting new technologies to offer our clients," said Mr. Aitken. "As the number of investment options has expanded dramatically, our sophisticated client base requires a broader choice of solutions than most firms can deliver. In deciding to join Stanford Institutional Consulting, we were guided by a number of considerations of significant importance, the most essential was that it offers the freedom and support to seek out and deliver these solutions for our clients."
Prior to joining Stanford Institutional Consulting, Mr. Aitken was Managing Director for Citi-Smith Barney Institutional Consulting. He began his investment career with Smith Barney and its predecessor firm. From 2006- 2008, Mr. Aitken was named to Barron's "Top 100 Financial Advisors" and also was named to Registered Rep's "Top 100 Financial Advisors" in 2007 and 2008. He was a two-time President of the Association of Professional Consultants (APC), an independent organization dedicated to professionalism within the consulting industry. In addition, he has been a member of the Investment Management Consultants Association (IMCA) for nearly 20 years, and frequently speaks throughout the U.S. on a host of investment topics, including risk evaluation, performance measurement analysis, asset allocation, pension liability modeling, writing investment and spending policy, alternative investments, and understanding investment styles. He earned his Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) designation at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania and holds a B.S. from the University of Maryland.
Mr. Thacker also joins the company from Citi-Smith Barney Institutional Consulting where he has served for the past 16 years, most recently as a Senior Institutional Consultant. In his new role, Mr. Thacker will provide counsel on investment policy statements, asset allocation, investment advisor research and performance reporting for foundations, endowments, hospitals, pensions and high net worth families. He is a former board member of APC and also is a member of IMCA. Thacker received his CIMA designation from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania and holds a B.S. from Virginia Military Institute.
In addition to Messrs. Aitken and Thacker, the following individuals have also joined at Stanford Institutional Consulting:
-- Dawn Pfaff, Vice President and Senior Analyst is responsible for managing the team of analysts at Stanford Institutional Consulting. She brings more than 20 years industry experience to Stanford and joins the company from Citi-Smith Barney Institutional Consulting, where she was Manager, Research Analyst. Her career also includes work with Legg Mason, Alex Brown/Deutsche Bank and Wachovia. Ms. Pfaff holds the Series 7, 63, 65 and 31 licenses, as well as a B.A. from Western Maryland College.
-- Timothy J. Truss, Senior Analyst also joins from Citi-Smith Barney Institutional Consulting where he was a Research Analyst. With more than 10 years financial services experience, Mr. Truss is responsible for conducting manager research, developing research reports and analyzing portfolios. He holds the Series 7, 63, and 66 licenses and an MBA from Loyola College in Maryland.
-- Danyelle Berger, Senior Analyst, brings nearly 10 years experience to Stanford Institutional Consulting and is responsible for manager and statistical analysis, performance reviews and client reporting. Prior to joining the company, she was a Research Analyst with Citi-Smith Barney Institutional Consulting. She holds the Series 7, 63, and 65 licenses and earned an MBA from Johns Hopkins University.
-- Ayaz Hasan, Analyst, spent the last two years at Citi-Smith Barney Institutional Consulting where he served in the same capacity. In his new role, Mr. Ayaz will focus on client reporting, performance analysis and manager research. He holds the Series 7 and 66 licenses and a B.S. from Towson University.
-- Shari Serafin, Vice President, Operations Manager has nearly 20 years financial services experience and most recently served as Senior Portfolio Administrator for Citi-Smith Barney Institutional Consulting. She also has worked with Prudential Securities in New York where she managed the municipal bond liaison desk. She began her career with First National Bank of Maryland where she was a Junior Fixed Income Trader. Ms. Serafin holds the Series 7, 63, 53, 65, and 31 licenses and earned a B.S. from Western Maryland College.
-- Teri Houp, Vice President, Portfolio ADMINISTRATION, joins Stanford Institutional Consulting as Administrator from Citi-Smith Barney Institutional Consulting where she has served for more than 22 years in portfolio administration. Prior to Citi, Ms. Houp held various positions with Legg Mason Wood Walker, Inc. She holds the Series 7 license.
-- Karen Doggett, Senior Portfolio Administrator, brings more than 25 years industry experience to Stanford. Most recently, Ms. Doggett worked in portfolio administration with Citi-Smith Barney Institutional Consulting, prior to which she worked with George K. Baum & Co. where she held the positions of First Vice President, Municipal Syndicate and Vice President of Operations. Ms. Doggett holds the Series 7, 66 and 31 licenses, as well as a M. Ed. and a B.S. from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Executives at Stanford Institutional Consulting can be reached at:
Stanford Institutional Consulting
A Division of Stanford Capital Management
2800 Quarry Lake Drive, First Floor
Baltimore, MD 21209
Main Number: +1-410-753-9600
Toll Free: +1-866-410-9920
www.stanfordinstitutionalconsulting.com
About Stanford Financial Group
Stanford Financial Group is a privately held global network of independent, affiliated financial services companies led by Chairman and CEO Sir Allen Stanford. The first Stanford company was founded by his grandfather, Lodis B. Stanford in 1932. Stanford's core businesses are private wealth management and investment banking for institutions and emerging growth companies.
The Stanford Financial Group of companies provides private and institutional investors with global expertise in asset allocation strategies, investment advisory services, award-winning policy and equity research, international private banking and trust administration, commercial banking, investment banking, merchant banking, institutional sales and trading, real estate investment and insurance. Stanford has over $50 billion in assets under management or advisement. Stanford Financial has made it a priority to invest in the communities in which it operates across the globe through signature corporate philanthropy initiatives with nonprofit organizations such as St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and countless local and national charities that strengthen communities.
SOURCE: Stanford Financial Group
No comments:
Post a Comment