Pekin Singer Strauss | Asset Management

Our full-time professionals have deep and broad investment and operating experience, all of which helps to support our investment process.

The investment team includes eight investment professionals.
Seven of our investment professionals are CFA charterholders.
We believe it is invaluable for our financial professionals to have a deep financial background as well as experience outside of the securities industry.

	RONALD STRAUSS, CFA Ron began his career in the securities industry over 40 years ago in 1969, when he joined Mesirow and Co. as a registered representative and subsequently as a security analyst. In 1974, Ron became Director of Research and General Partner at Mesirow. In 1978, Ron joined William Blair & Company as a Securities Analyst and in 1980 was made a General Partner. In 1996, he formed Ardmore Partners, an investment advisory firm, and jointly managed Sirius Partners, an investment partnership with $300 million under management. He received a BS in history from the University of Wisconsin in 1961 and an MBA from New York University in 1965.
	RICK SINGER, CFA Rick began his career in the securities industry in the investment departments of first The Northern Trust Company and subsequently the Chicago Title and Trust in 1968. Prior to co-founding the adviser, Rick was Vice President-Investments of Mesirow and Co., where he also served as research analyst and investment executive, since 1972. He received a B.S. in Economics from the University of Illinois in 1966 and an MBA from the University of California at Los Angeles in 1968.
	ADAM STRAUSS, CFA Prior to joining the adviser in 2004, Adam served in several operating roles, as Sr. Vice President of Corporate Development at EquipNet, Inc. (2000-2004) and as VP of Business Development at Frontier Natural Brands (1997-2000). Adam began his career as a management consultant, working for Gemini Consulting (1992-1994) and, prior to that, for Andersen Consulting (1991-1992). Adam earned a BA from Stanford University in 1991 and an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business in 1997.
	BILL PEKIN, CFA Prior to joining the adviser in 2001, Bill worked in the investment banking division of Credit Suisse First Boston in Chicago. Prior to that, he was an investment banker and high yield/high grade research analyst at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette in New York. Bill began his investment career at MetLife Investment Management Corp. in 1993. He earned a BA from Haverford College and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 2000.
	JOSHUA STRAUSS, CFA Previous to joining the adviser in 2004, Josh served in an operational role as Director of Business Development at Color Kinetics Incorporated (2000-2004). He began his career as an Analyst at Markowitz & McNaughton (1994-1995) and, subsequent to that, at Shearman & Sterling (1995-1998). Joshua earned a B.A. in Foreign Affairs from the University of Virginia in 1994 and an MBA from the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan in 2000.
	BRANDON HARDY Brandon Hardy received a B.S. in Finance at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in 1996. He started his career as a trust associate for the Northern Trust. He joined the advisor in 1997 as Senior Portfolio Administrator, and he was subsequently promoted to portfolio manager.

BILL SCHMIDLE, CFA CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER & CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER
Bill received a B.S. in Business Management at Quincy University in 1981 and an MBA from DePaul University in 1991. Bill joined the advisor in 2006. Previously, Bill was a vice president in marketing with J.M. Lafferty Associates from 2002-2006. Prior to this position, he served as an investor relations consultant with The Financial Relations Board from 1993-2002. Bill spent the previous ten years (1983-1993) of his career as a financial advisor in the investment industry. Bill began his career as an underwriter trainee with American International Group (1982-1983).

NEERAJ BAHL, CFA RESEARCH ANALYST
Neeraj Bahl joined the advisor in 2008, prior to which, he spent 17 years working in various operating capacities in the Energy Sector. Neeraj started his career with Amoco Oil Company in 1991 as a Design Engineer, and advanced his career at Amoco and then BP through various assignments in Project Engineering, Operations, Production Planning, Supply and Trading. Just prior to joining the firm, Neeraj worked in BP’s Integrated Supply and Trading Organization as an Oil Asset Trader. Neeraj received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois in December 1990 and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Chicago, Booth School of Business, in June, 2007.

RONALD CHAN, CPA RESEARCH ANALYST
Prior to joining the advisor in 2010, Ron Chan spent 5 years working in accounting and finance roles. Ron started his career with Ernst & Young in New York working on audit, tax, and internal control engagements for Fortune 500 clients. He later joined KPMG in Mergers & Acquisitions where he advised private equity and strategic buyers on financial transactions. Ron received a B.A. in Business Administration (2002) from the University of Washington, a Master of Accounting (2003) from the University of Washington, and a Master of Business Administration (2010) from the University of Chicago, Booth School of Business. Ron is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

COLIN RENNICH, CPA DIRECTOR OF SALES, APPLESEED FUND AND INSTITUTIONAL SERVICES
Colin joined the firm as Director of Sales in 2012. Prior to joining the firm, he worked in institutional sales at Principal Financial Group. Colin began his career in the securities industry at Ameriprise Financial employed as an investment advisor. He earned his B.S. in Business Management from Purdue University, and he holds a FINRA Series 7 certificate.

SUPPORT & TRADING :

ANNIE RIJKS TRADER
JENNIFER BALTAZAR PORTFOLIO ADMINISTRATOR
KAREN PRATT ACCOUNT OPENING & MANAGEMENT
SHARON BOWLER CASH MANAGEMENT
EILEEN SCHMIDT TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT
NAOMI SOBLE RETIREMENT PLAN SPECIALIST

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