Diane Balsamo, Senior Vice President, Fund Administration
Prior to joining Gramercy in February 2003, Ms. Balsamo was a manager at SS&C Technologies, a hedge fund administrator and technology service provider for the past 4 years. She managed five investment accountants and oversaw portfolio accounting for over 40 hedge funds and managed all information distributions, while acting as the primary liaison for all client queries. Prior to SS&C, Diane was an Account Manager for Marcoin Business Services, a financial consulting firm specializing in all aspects of tax and accounting.
AAS in Business Administration-Accounting at Berkeley College
|
|
Ed Beshlian, Senior Vice President, Business Development and Client Services
Prior to joining Gramercy in October of 2007, Mr. Beshlian was employed by Jennison Associates for twelve years where he was most recently Vice President of Client Development responsible for strengthening their client service efforts with consultants and institutional clients. Prior to that, he held positions in Jennison’s marketing and communications and operations departments. From 1994 to 1995, he worked at Pershing and from 1992-1994 he worked at First Chicago Trust Company of New York.
MBA at Fordham University
BS in Accounting at Villanova University
|
|
Jose Cerritelli, Senior Vice President, Head of Global Sovereign Strategy
Mr. Cerritelli has over 20 years investment experience in emerging markets debt securities. Previously, he was Director of Research at ICAP/Exotix in New York 2005-2006. He was a Managing Director for Andean Region Research at Bear Stearns 2000-2005. He was a Research Director at the Provident Group 1999-2000; a Fixed-income analyst at Fintech Advisors, 1997-1998; and a Sovereign Analyst an Alliance Capital, 1995-1996. He was the Economist for Latin America at Barings Brothers, 1994-1995; and emerging markets debt specialist at CR-P Associates, 1990-1993; Jose was also a sovereign debt analyst at Bank of America, 1984-1989.
PhD ABD MIT
BA in Economics, Universidad Catolica del Peru
|
|
Gilberto Chavez-Velazquez, Managing Director, Portfolio Manager
Mr. Chavez-Velazquez will utilize his broad product expertise to help generate returns and hedge portfolios such as GEMF, GAOF and Arco; and assist in developing and launching new Gramercy investment vehicles in the future. Mr. Chavez-Velazquez has extensive experience trading and managing portfolios comprising emerging market credit, currency and derivative assets and has actively managed positions in external sovereign and corporate debt, local sovereign and corporate fixed income, spot and forward foreign exchange trading, and derivatives such as credit default swaps, total return swaps and options. He has broad geographic and local market trading experience, having managed proprietary desks as well as client flow books out of offices in New York/Greenwich, London, Moscow and Mexico City.
After 2 years at JP Morgan, Gil spent 10 years on Credit Suisse’s Emerging Markets team where he consistently ranked as one of their most profitable traders. Subsequent to Credit Suisse, he served as a portfolio manager for both Millennium Partners and Amaranth, focusing on both local and external markets. Mr. Chavez-Velazquez joined Gramercy in April 2008.
BA in Mathematical Economics at Yale (Honors)
|
|
Doug Cummings, Managing Director, Head of Business Development & Client Services
Before joining Gramercy, Doug was a Managing Director at Lyster Watson & Company, a $2 billion hedge fund of funds in New York. Prior to that Doug was at Pacific Investment Management Company (PIMCO) for 8 years where he was directly responsible for new business development in the large corporate, government, endowment and foundation sectors in the U.S. and Canada. He also led the marketing effort for PIMCO’s EM Debt mandates.
MBA in Finance at Harvard Business School
AB in Economics at the University of Western Ontario (Honors)
Registered representative of the NASD (series 3, 6, 7 and 63)
|
|
John DelVirginia, Managing Director, Chief Financial Officer
Prior to joining Gramercy in September 2002, Mr. DelVirginia was Controller and Head of Operations at Merlin BioMed Investment Advisors, LLC, a healthcare hedge fund based in New York. While at Merlin, John was responsible for management of the financial, trading and administrative operations of the firm, acted as a client representative for limited partner inquiries and was a liaison for audit, legal and tax issues. From 1999-2000, Mr. DelVirginia was a senior accountant at The Millburn Corporation and was responsible for the administration of several hedge funds where his duties included settlement of trades, daily NAV calculations, and audit and tax issues. From 1996-1999, he worked at Rothstein, Kass & Co, P.C. as an audit supervisor under their investment partnership practice.
BS in Accounting at Montclair State University
CPA
|
|
Brandon De Natale, Vice President, Trading Operations
Prior to joining Gramercy in September 2006, Mr. De Natale was the Manager for the US Daily Fund Accounting Group for S.A.C. Capital Advisors, LLC, a multistrat hedge fund based in Stamford, CT where he was accountable for the proper and accurate reconciliation of the firms books and records. Previously, he worked as an operations analyst at S.A.C. Capital responsible for trade correction, corporate actions, margin and reconciliation for Fixed Income, US Equity and CDS products. From 2001 to 2003, Brandon was the Operations Manager for Hammond Inc., a private equity fund specializing in US Equities.
BA Geography at University of Delaware
|
|
Suleyman Duyar, Equity Trader
Prior to joining Gramercy in July 2006, Mr. Duyar worked as a Proprietary Analyst and Trader at Kellogg Capital Group, L.L.C. where he traded a closed-end fund strategy using firm capital, managed portfolio risk using various hedging techniques and formulated models to estimate intraday NAV and discount. Previously, he worked as a Summer Analyst with Arçelik A.S. and Bear, Stearns & Co., Inc., where he was involved in the preparation of financial models for coverage of Latin American Emerging Markets. At Gramercy, he assumes the role of trading stocks selected by the Optimizer and contributing to all other aspects of portfolio management.
BA in Economics at University of Michigan
|
|
Kathleen Fennelly, Vice President, Business Development and Client Service
Ms. Fennelly will concentrate her efforts towards increasing capacity and ensure more effective communications with the pension plan consultant community, direct institutional investors and other Gramercy clients as well as the RFP process, consultant database management and timely/accurate reporting, and the creation of opportunity, comprehensive and interesting client analytics. Prior to joining Gramercy in March 2008, Ms Fennelly was employed by Iridian Asset Management for eight years where she was most recently Vice President of Client Service. From 1998-1999 she was a Marketing Associate at Fleming Asset Management, from 1996-1998 she was a Marketing Research Analyst at Templeton Direct Advisors and from 1993-1996 she was a Marketing Associate at Thorsell, Parker Partners.
BA in English from Manhattanville College
|
|
Maura Finnegan, Marketing, Executive Assistant
Prior to joining Gramercy in April of 2007, Ms. Finnegan worked at Amaranth Advisors LLC where she assisted primarily the Facilities, Investor Relations and Security departments and served in a variety of administrative roles. Maura was also a Therapeutic Recreational Instructor and Aide at South East Consortium for Special Services Inc. where she worked with adults and children with various disabilities and special needs in Westchester County.
She is completing her BA in Speech Communications at Iona College this coming semester.
|
|
Carlos Gomez, Associate, Research Analyst
Prior to joining Gramercy in September 2007, Mr. Gomez was an Associate in Credit Suisse's Latin American Corporate Credit Research group, covering high grade, high yield, and distressed debt securities. From 2005 – 2006, he worked with Credit Suisse's Latin American team, based in Mexico City, as an Equity Analyst responsible for covering telecom and media companies. From 2002-2005, Mr. Gomez worked as a Junior Associate in the IFC / World Bank's Global Telecommunications group. Mr. Gomez is a Mexican citizen and is fluent in Spanish, Portuguese and French.
CFA
MPP, University of Chicago
BA in Economics at ITESM (Monterrey Institute of Technology for Higher Studies)
Registered representative of the NASD (7 and 63)
|
|
Michael Harris, Vice President, Chief Technology Officer
Mr. Harris administers the network, maintains the company’s web sites, and develops internal applications. Prior to joining Gramercy, Michael worked at LiveTechnology, Inc. He developed company intranets, extranets, and other web sites for many leading companies, such as Coca-Cola, Omnicom, and Shell/Texaco. He also created web sites and web applications at UGO.com. Michael worked at Internet Security Systems, Inc. (ISS) where he deployed ISS security products across large corporations’ networks. He started his career at American Management Systems, Inc. as a programmer and database administrator.
BS in Computer Science at Binghamton University
|
|
Warren Harvey, Managing Director, Human Resources
Prior to joining Gramercy in January, 2008, Mr. Harvey was most recently a Senior Vice President with WorldBridge Partners, a national executive search firm. During his 18 years there he directed the investment management practice, providing human resource solutions and consulting services to a wide variety of clients in the hedge fund, institutional investment management, and private wealth disciplines. Prior to WorldBridge, Mr. Harvey held a position with Goldman Sachs in the Controller’s Department managing currency reporting. Warren began his career with Chemical Bank completing the management training program and focusing on retail branch management.
BBA in Accounting at Hofstra University
|
|
David Herzberg, Senior Vice President, Research
Prior to joining Gramercy in October 2002, Mr. Herzberg worked at Bear Stearns and Co., Inc. as a Research Associate in its Global High Yield department, specializing in Latin American corporate research. From 1997-1998, he was a junior analyst at Caspian Securities where he covered Latin American bank equities. From 1996-1997, he worked at GTE Service Corporation as an Associate in its International Development training program.
BA in Economics and Political Science at Middlebury College
Registered representative of the NASD (7 and 63)
|
|
Caroline Hills, Office Manager
Ms. Hills has over 7 years of experience within the financial services industry. Most recently, Caroline was with Russell Investments where she was responsible for the management of office operations and support staff. Additionally, she was tasked with serving as the primary liaison for human resource activities to the firm. Caroline’s tenure prior to Russell included time at both Bridgewater Associates and Citigroup Investments with responsibilities that mirror those performed at Russell.
BA in Psychology at Eastern Connecticut State University
|
|
Bob Joannou, Vice President, Assistant Controller
Prior to joining Gramercy in February 2007, Mr. Joannou was a Capital Project Director for the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, located in NY, NY where he managed over $800MM worth of infrastructure projects. As Project Director, he was responsible for creating and tracking multiple budgets, organizing cross-functional working groups, analyzing project risk, and awarding contracts after design review. Mr. Joannou’s management style increased efficiency and productivity and resulted in higher operating capacity.
MBA in Management at Centenary College
BBA in Banking and Finance at Hofstra University
|
|
Rodd Kauffman, Senior Vice President, Head of Emerging Market Finance
Prior to joining Gramercy in July 2001, Mr. Kauffman traded and managed US$4billion Emerging Market Repo portfolio at Deutsche Bank from 1998 – 2000 positioning Deutsche as premier player in EM repo. He took a leadership role in trading repo of Latin America and Eastern European bonds in New York and London. From 1996 to 1998 Mr. Kauffman was an Associate at Lehman Brothers on the Emerging Markets Sales/Trading desk. From 1994-1996 Rodd was a senior analyst in Emerging Market Corporate Actions where he was a Loan Closer and responsible for the Brady Plan Restructuring and reconciliation of principal and interest for Panama, Peru, and Ecuador.
Pursued post-graduated work in International Studies at Oxford University (Merit Medal Award)
BA in Finance/Economics at Alfred University
|
|
Robert Lanava, Managing Director, Operations
Prior to joining Gramercy in March 1999, Mr. Lanava was Operations Manager for Van Eck Capital, Inc., a broker dealer focused on Emerging Markets, from 1998-1999. He was responsible for daily operational duties including the settlement of trades and net capitalization computations. He was also responsible for opening new accounts and setting up lines of credit. From 1997-1998, Mr. Lanava was the Settlements Officer for NCH Capital Inc., a family of hedge funds focused on Russia and the former Soviet Union, where he was responsible for the settlement of trades and custody of positions. From 1995-1997, he was Operations Specialist for First Cambridge Securities Corp., were he performed back office operational duties including margin and trade correction.
BA in Economics at Saint Anselm College
Registered representative of the NASD (7, 24, and 63)
|
|
Harry Markowitz, Consultant - Portfolio Optimization
Dr. Markowitz is the 1990 Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences. He conducted pioneering work in Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT), studying the impacts of asset risk, correlation and diversification on expected investment portfolio returns. A Markowitz Efficient Portfolio is one where no added diversification can lower the portfolio’s risk for a given return expected (alternatively, no additional expected return can be gained without increasing the risk of the portfolio). The Markowitz Efficient Frontier is the set of all portfolios that will give you the highest expected return for each given level of risk. MPT proposes how rational investors will use diversification to optimize their portfolios, and how an asset should be priced given its risk relative to the market as a whole.
Dr. Markowitz has held many distinguished positions in industry, including
- Director of Research, Daiwa Securities Trust Company
- Research Staff Member, T.J. Watson Research Lab, IBM
- President, Arbitrage Management Company
- Technical Director, CACI
- Research Associate, RAND Corporation
Dr. Markowitz has taught at Baruch College of the City University of New York since 1982, as the Speiser Distinguished Professor of Finance and Economics. In addition, Dr. Markowitz has published many works related to portfolio construction and optimization, including Portfolio Selection: Efficient Diversification of Investments and Mean-Variance Analysis in Portfolio Choice and Capital Markets.
Ph.D. University of Chicago
|
|
David Metzman, Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer
Prior to joining Gramercy in 2002, Mr. Metzman was a Vice President in the Office of the General Counsel of Lehman Brothers, Inc. from 1998-2002, where he provided legal advice to various desks on Lehman’s fixed income trading floor including emerging markets, repo, derivatives and tax. From 1993-1998, Mr. Metzman was an associate at the law firm of Sullivan & Cromwell, where he first practiced in the tax department and later in the corporate department.
JD at University of Pennsylvania Law School, Order of the Coif (top 10% of the class), Cum Laude
BA in Economics and History at University of Miami, Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa
Member of the New York Bar
|
|
Brian Nunes, Associate, Investment Research Analyst
Mr. Nunes is responsible for providing general research and analysis for the Funds and special situations. Prior to joining Gramercy in April 2008, Mr. Nunes spent 7 years with PricewaterhouseCoopers and held various positions in both the US and South Africa, with the most recent being Manager in the Financial Due Diligence Practice where he focused on merger and acquisition transactions.
A Certificate in Theory of Accounting 1999, University of Pretoria, South Africa
Bachelor of Commerce with Honors in Accounting Sciences in 1999. University of Pretoria, South Africa
Registered Chartered Accountant South Africa
|
|
Bill Palumbo, Associate, Fund Administration
Prior to joining Gramercy in September 2007, Mr. Palumbo was a fund accountant for Och-Ziff Capital Management Group where he was responsible for the analysis of overall cash exposure, margin and reconciliation and daily P&L of a $400 million fund. From 2005 to 2007, he worked as a fund accountant at GlobeOp Financial Services a hedge fund administrator .
MBA at New York Institute of Technology
BS at New York Institute of Technology |
|
Jami Parisi, Associate, Fund Administration
Prior to joining Gramercy in October 2002, Ms. Parisi worked at FrontPoint Partners, Danone Waters of North America, Xerox Engineering Systems and Oxford Health Plans. She is highly skilled in all relevant technologies and has functional skills in many areas including project and event management, presentation development, marketing support, funds administration, operations and benefits administration.
BA in Spanish at Manhattanville College |
|
David Smith, Vice President, Fund Administration
Prior to joining Gramercy in May of 2007, Mr. Smith was an Audit Supervisor at Rothstein, Kass & Co, P.C. under their investment partnership practice. He was responsible for managing engagement teams including supervising, training, and coaching staff associates in the standards and guidelines applicable to the completion of audit engagements. In addition, he prepared K-1’s, 1065’s and tax estimates for numerous clients. While at Rothstein, Kass & Co, P.C., Mr. Smith also had the opportunity to prepare and present tax seminars to lower level staff.
BS in Accounting at Binghamton University
Member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Member of the New York State Society of CPA’s (NYSSCPA)
|
|
Tony Tessitore, Managing Director, Portfolio Manager
Mr. Tessitore is the Portfolio Manager for the Gramercy Global Optimization Fund, a global equity fund that invests in closed-end funds and stock indices using mean-variance methodology. Prior to joining Gramercy in July 2005, he was a fund manager at City of London (2000 – 2005), Associate Director of Research at Daiwa Securities Trust (1996 – 2000), and Graduate Faculty Member in Finance at Rutgers GSM (1989 – 1996). Mr. Tessitore has given numerous international conference presentations on theory and practice of portfolio selection. His publications on closed-end funds have appeared in journals such as Financial Analysts Journal, Journal of Investing and Global Finance Journal.
Ph.D. in Finance, Baruch College and Graduate Center, City University of New York
MBA in Finance, Hofstra University
BS in Physics, Stony Brook, State University of New York
|
|
Jon Vinson, Consultant - Database Management
Dr. Vinson was Assistant Fund Manager at City of London (2000 – 2005) and Associate at Daiwa Securities Trust Company (1996 – 2000)
|
|
J. Robert Young, Managing Director, Accounting
Prior to joining Gramercy in mid-1998, Mr. Young was the Controller/CFO for Tivoli Partners, L.P., a startup hedge fund, from 1997-1998. He was responsible for all of the accounting and operational functions of the Partnerships, including Net Asset Value calculations and the issuance of performance reports for the Fund. He was also responsible for instituting and maintaining compliance with a system of internal controls. From 1996-1997, Mr. Young was Assistant Controller at Refco Capital Markets where he supervised the daily P&L calculations for several groups including the Emerging Markets Group. Prior to Refco, he consulted at Seneca Capital, L.P. where he served as Controller and Fund Administrator for their domestic and offshore funds. From 1992-1996 he served as a manager at Golub, Kessler & Company, CPAs where he specialized in performing audits of investment partnerships.
BS in Public Accounting at Rutgers University
CPA
|
|
Printer Friendly Version