Dan Pickett, CFA

Managing Director/Chief Investment Officer

Mr. Pickett has been a portfolio manager for the firm since the end of 2002 and has been in the investment industry for 20 years.  He holds a BBA (honors) and MS in Finance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Mr. Pickett is responsible for management of the firm's investment portfolios and oversees the day to day operations of the firm.  From 1997 to 2002, Mr. Pickett was Director of Research at Southridge Capital Management, a Connecticut-based hedge fund specializing in private placements.  While at Southridge, Mr. Pickett managed a long/short equity fund with Mark Fedenia.  From 1988 to 1997, Mr. Pickett was a portfolio manager and Director of Research at Columbus Circle Investors, an institutional equity manager in Connecticut.  Mr. Pickett began his career at American Family Insurance group in Madison, Wisconsin.

Mark Fedenia, Ph.D.

Managing Director/Portfolio Manager

Mr. Fedenia has been a portfolio manager for the firm since the end of 2002 and has been in the investment industry for 30 years.  He holds a BS, MS and Ph.D. in Finance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  Mr. Fedenia served as the Director of the Applied Security Analysis Program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison from 1986 to 2007.

Mr. Fedenia is responsible for developing risk management tools at the firm and participates in the management of the firm's investment portfolios.  From 2000 to 2002, Mr. Fedenia collaborated with Mr. Pickett in the management of a long/short equity fund.  Previously, Mr. Fedenia designed portfolio management systems for Shaw Data Services in New York and co-founded Almark Enterprises, a financial consulting and software development firm.

Irwin Smith, CFA

Managing Director

Mr. Smith has been a managing director for the firm since 2000 and has been in the investment industry for 40 years.  He holds a BS and MS in Finance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. 

Mr. Smith participates in the management of the firm's investment portfolios.  From 1975 to 1999, Mr. Smith was Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer at Columbus Circle Investors, an institutional equity manager in Connecticut.  From 1972 to 1975, Mr. Smith was the Deputy Treasurer and Chief Investment Officer of the State of Connecticut.  From 1965 to 1972, Mr. Smith was a portfolio manager for Bank of America.

Robyn K. Rannow

Managing Director/Chief Compliance Officer

Ms. Rannow joined the firm in 2004 as Vice President of Operations and Compliance. She holds a BA with honors in Public Policy from the University of Minnesota and a JD from the Columbus School of Law (Catholic University) in Washington, DC. 

As the firm's Chief Compliance Officer, Ms. Rannow is responsible for implementing and administering the firm's SEC-mandated compliance policies and procedures.  She also oversees the day-to-day operations. From 1995 to 2006, Ms. Rannow was on the staff of the American Red Cross-Badger Chapter and responsible for ensuring that organization's compliance with applicable state and federal fundraising laws, IRS regulations, and other related policies.  From 1990 to 1995, Ms. Rannow was a staff consultant with the Tennessee-based consulting firm of McMahon Vaughan.  From 1983 to 1989, Ms. Rannow maintained a consulting practice in Washington, DC.  While attending law school, Ms. Rannow served as a legislative researcher for a member of the U.S. Senate.

John Mueller

Client Service and Marketing

Mr. Mueller joined Nakoma Capital in February 2009. He holds a BBA in Finance and Marketing from Marquette University.

Mr. Mueller participates in the daily management of the firm's marketing efforts and the strategic management of client accounts.  From 2007 to 2008, he was an external wholesaler with AIG SunAmerica Mutual Funds. In 2007, Mr. Mueller was a financial adviser for AXA Advisors LLC. From 2002 to 2007, he held marketing and and sales positions with several Midwest companies.