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
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 portfolio manager 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.
Joel Kurth, CFA
Managing Director
Mr. Kurth is a portfolio manager who joined the firm in January 2008. He began his career in the investment industry in 1995. Mr. Kurth holds a BBA (with honors) and an MS in Finance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he also participated in the University's Applied Security Analysis Program.
Mr. Kurth participates in the management of the firm's investment portfolios. From 1998 to 2007, he was a portfolio manager at Ark Asset Management, an institutional equity manager in New York City. From 1995 to 1998, Mr. Kurth was a Securities Analyst at Columbus Circle Investors, an institutional equity manager in Stamford, Connecticut.
Robyn K. Rannow
Vice President, Operations and Compliance/Chief Compliance Officer
Ms. Rannow has been Vice President of Operations and Compliance for the firm since 2004. 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.
Ms. Rannow is the firm's Chief Compliance Officer and is responsible for implementing and administering the firm's SEC-mandated compliance policies and procedures. 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.
Chas Janisch
Director, Client Service and Marketing
Mr. Janisch joined Nakoma Capital in May 2008 as Director of Client Service and Marketing. He holds a BBA in Finance, Investments and Banking, and an MS in Finance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he also participated in the University's Applied Security Analysis Program.
Mr. Janisch participates in the daily management of the firm's marketing efforts and the strategic management of client accounts. From 2001 to 2007, he was a Portfolio Manager and Securities Analyst with Thompson Investment Management in Madison, Wisconsin. Prior to completing his Master's Degree in 2000, Mr. Janisch held several management positions in the automotive and construction industries, and was a small business owner.