ETP Forum – New York City
May 19, 2022 | New York Athletic Club
This comprehensive 1 day program has been built upon the premise of allowing Advisors & Institutions the opportunity to take a deep dive into the most relevant investment themes this year. Our 5-star speaking faculty will be at your disposal to address cutting edge topics and answer questions.
Our Speakers
Bill Ahmuty, Head of SPDR Fixed Income Group | State Street Global Advisors
Harley Bassman, Managing Partner | Simplify
In 1994, Mr. Bassman assumed responsibility for OTC bond options.
Within a year, Merrill was the leader in this product sector. A wide variety of products were offered including vanilla and complex options on MBS spreads and the Treasury yield curve.
To help clients more fully appreciate Volatility as a primary risk vector, he created the MOVE Index. Similar in form to the VIX Index, it is now the recognized standard measure of Interest Rate Volatility.
From 1995 to 2000 he focused on creating hedge strategies for MBS servicers and portfolio optimization techniques for Total Return and Index investors.
Mr. Bassman became the manager of North American MBS and Structured Finance trading in 2001. During his tenure, he created SURF, (Specialty Underwriting and Residential Finance), a self contained Sub-Prime mortgage conduit. He supervised the issuance of Merrill’s first Sub-Prime securities. He also transitioned the structuring business to a new technology platform.
In 2006 he built the RateLab, a full spectrum US Rates Trading Desk Strategy Group. Here he worked with investors to advise and optimize their risk exposure. As a key member of the client trading business, he facilitated activity by providing liquidity to both the firm’s clients and market makers.
After a (too) brief sabbatical, in 2011 Mr. Bassman joined Credit Suisse’s Global Rates business where he identified and integrated investment and hedging opportunities for sophisticated investors.
From 2014 to 2017 Mr. Bassman was an Executive Vice President and Portfolio Manager at PIMCO – a leading global investment management firm. Here he managed investments for the Liquid Alternative products group as well as advised on portfolio strategy across asset classes for the firm’s franchise businesses.
Presently, Mr. Bassman is a Managing Partner at Simplify Asset Management, a designer and manager of ETFs that offer better portfolio solutions for Financial Advisors and Independent Investors. He will continue to pen an episodic macro-economic Commentary as well as manage a “hedge fund of one”.
Mr. Bassman splits his time between Laguna Beach, California and New York City. He has a B.A. in management science from the University of California, San Diego and an MBA in finance and marketing from the University of Chicago.
Andrew Beer, Founder, Managing Member and Co-Portfolio Manager | DynamicBeta
Andrew has been in the hedge fund business since 1994, when he joined the Baupost Group, Inc., one of the world’s premier hedge fund firms. In 2003, Andrew was a co-founder of and, through a family investment company, the lead initial investor in Pinnacle Asset Management and related entities, a leading commodity investment firm and recipient of numerous industry awards. Andrew was also a founder of Apex Capital Management, one of the earliest hedge funds focused on the Greater China. crisis. Earlier in his career, Andrew was a mergers and acquisitions investment banker at James D. Wolfensohn Inc.
Andrew is a frequent speaker on hedge fund investment strategies and industry dynamics and is an active contributor to various industry publications. Additionally, he is the co-founder and former lead trustee of the Pierrepont School, an innovative co-educational private school in Westport, Connecticut. Mr. Beer formerly was a member of the Board of Directors of the US Fund for UNICEF. He received his Master of Business Administration degree, as a Baker Scholar, from Harvard Business School and his Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, from Harvard College.
Jason Bloom, Head of Fixed Income and Alternatives ETF Product Strategy | Invesco
Mr. Bloom joined Invesco in 2015. Prior to joining the firm, he served as an ETF strategist for six years with Guggenheim Investments and then River Oak ETF Solutions, where he helped launch several funds focused on both energy and volatility-related strategies. Previously, he spent eight years as a professional commodities and interest rate trader specializing in arbitrage strategies in both global energy and bond markets.
Mr. Bloom earned a BA degree from Gustavus Adolphus College, distinguishing himself as the top graduate in the economics department, and a JD from the University of Iowa College of Law. He holds the Series 7, 24, and 63 registrations.
Bill Cannon, Head of ETF Portfolio Management | Valkyrie
Nicholas Colas, Co-Founder | DataTrek Research
From 1991 to 1999 he was the senior equity auto analyst at First Boston (now Credit Suisse). In addition to his duties advising clients on investments in the sector, he was also active in a range of equity offerings and M&A assignments. These included several equity underwritings for Chrysler, as well as its eventual sale to Daimler Benz, along with IPOs in the auto parts, rental car, and Chinese auto industry sectors.
From 1999 – 2001, Nick was an analyst and portfolio manager at SAC Capital reporting directly to company founder Steve Cohen.
From 2003 – 2017 he was Director of Research and Chief Market Strategist for first Rochdale Securities and then Convergex Group. In the latter role he authored the firm’s Morning Markets Briefing, which became a daily must-read for thousands of Wall Street professionals.
Nick is regularly on CNBC and Bloomberg TV/Radio and is widely quoted in the financial press.
Nick received his MBA from the University of Chicago in 1991 and his undergrad degree from Haverford College in 1986, majoring in Near Eastern Archaeology. He is a lifelong New Yorker, born and raised in Manhattan.
Philip Cichlar, Institutional Sales & Trading, Fixed Income Specialist | Jane Street
During his 12-year tenure at Jane Street, Phil has helped build the firm’s bond trading desk and grow its institutional client-facing ETF business. Prior to joining Jane Street, Phil spent over 4 years at BlueMountain Capital where he was a trader and head of capital management. In addition, he spent several years as a credit and rates middle office manager at Deutsche Bank and BNP Paribas.
Phil holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Fordham Gabelli School of Business in New York.
William O. Creedon, Director of ETF Capital Markets | John Hancock Investment Management
William O. Creedon, Director of ETF Capital Markets | John Hancock Investment Management
Naomi DePina, Vice President of ETF Sales | GTS Execution Services
Michael A. Giuliano Manager, Strategic Initiatives | Putnam Investments
Previously at Putnam, Mr. Giuliano served as a Strategic Relationship Manager and a Global Distribution Associate. He has been in the investment industry since he joined Putnam in 2015. Mr. Giuliano holds his Series 7 and 66 licenses with FINRA.
Bruce, Portfolio Manager | Pacer ETFs
Bruce holds the FINRA Series 6, 7, 24, 63, and 65 licenses.
Krishna Kumar, CIO | Goose Hollow Capital Management
Tommy Mancuso, President | The BAD Investment Company
However, this time period was also a turning point as we saw the evolution of Robinhood and Fintech unfold before us throughout my early years. This allowed me to develop a unique perspective as an advisor seeing a convergence between what would be considered a more traditional, old school industry and new wave of hungry investors seeking aggressive and sustainable returns. I realized the game was changing; the barrier to enter the markets was your savings account and the access to financial information was at your fingertips. As a consumer, I fully understand and embraced all the benefits and positives that have stemmed from this evolution. As a financial professional, it also brought me concern given the complexities of the markets and sources of information in which it is presented.
In my 7 years working in financial services, I can say with confidence that I have learned the most from the individuals and businesses I have worked with as we have navigated through complex financial situations and transactions. As President of The BAD Investment Company, I want to bring clarity to a complex financial system to the everyday consumer, and financial products that are clear in their objective to best set up long term, sustainable financial success.”
Stephen Miran, Co-founder and Lead Portfolio Manager | Amberwave
Before Amberwave, Steve was senior advisor for economic policy at the United States Department of the Treasury, which he entered in April 2020 to assist with fiscal support to the economy. He contributed to the implementation and evaluation of several CARES Act programs, in particular the Paycheck Protection Program, which provided over $800 billion of job-preserving investments in American small businesses and supported over 50 million workers.
Steve holds a Ph.D. in economics from Harvard University. He received a B.A. summa cum laude from Boston University, where he studied economics, philosophy and mathematics. His academic work has focused on fiscal policy, and his writing has been published in the American Economic Journal, the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg and RealClearMarkets.
Chris Murphy, CIMA® Director, Senior ETF Specialist | T. Rowe Price
Chris’s investment experience began in 2010, and he has been with T. Rowe Price since 2021, beginning in the Exchange Traded Funds Group. Prior to this, Chris was employed by State Street Global Advisors as a regional consultant for SPDR exchange-traded funds (ETFs), where he supported financial advisors on ETF education, portfolio construction, and keeping up on emerging trends in the ETF industry.
Chris earned a B.S. from the University of Tennessee. He also has earned the Certified Investment Management Analyst® certification.
David Perlman, ETF Strategist | UBS
David Perlman holds an undergraduate degree in chemistry from Colgate University, and he has an MBA with specializations in finance & strategy from New York University’s Stern School of Business.
David Sharp Senior ETF Capital Markets Specialist | Vanguard ETF Capital Markets
David has over 15 years of experience in the financial industry, and prior to joining the ETF Capital Markets Team in 2015, he worked as a Block and Option Desk Trader, Block Desk Team Leader, and Foreign Equity Product Specialist for Vanguard Brokerage Services. David is a General Securities and Registered Option Principal, with vast experience trading domestic and foreign equities, as well as, equity and index options for the Vanguard’s High Net Worth retail and institutional clients.
Patrick Shaddow, President | Syntax Indices
Prior to joining Syntax, Patrick worked for S-Network Global Indexes Inc. starting in 2007, where he worked his way up to Head of Index Operations. In this capacity, Patrick oversaw the development and daily production of over 350 indexes, including 100 indexes licensed as the basis for financial products holding more than $16 billion. Patrick was responsible for every facet of the index business and the management of all personnel involved with the creation, production, and maintenance of the firm’s indices. Patrick oversaw and developed hundreds of indices which span multiple asset classes including thematic, ESG, energy, income and smart beta and serve as the underlying indices for UITs, ETFs, 40-act mutual funds, SMAs, and structured products. Patrick currently serves on the index committee for Syntax Indices, and for the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB). Prior to joining S-Network, Patrick worked as a Research Analyst for Dow Jones Indexes, where he was a member of the custom index quarterly review.
Patrick earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance with a concentration in Management Information Systems from Rutgers University School of Business.
Shana Orczyk Sissel, CAIA, Director of Investments | Cope Corrales
Shana has over two decades of experience in the investment management industry. In her prior role as President of Banríon Capital Management, she assisted in the launch of Armada ETF Advisors, and served as a key advisor in the firm’s recent launch of its first ETF product, the Home Appreciation U.S. REIT ETF (HAUS). Shana served as Chief Investment Officer at Spotlight Asset Group, managing the firm’s $450 Million portfolio, including leading the Spotlight Investment Committee, assisting in the management of the firm’s proprietary Buy-Write portfolio, and developing a comprehensive Alternative Investment solution for firm clients. Shana also brings a vast background in market research and analysis through various roles held at Orion Advisor Solutions, Ariel Investments, Fidelity Investments, Mercer Investments, Peak Financial Management, and Russell Investments.
Shana is a sought-after speaker & media contributor, appearing frequently at industry events and on major financial news outlets like CNBC, Bloomberg, Fox Business Network and the TD Ameritrade Network.
Shana earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sport Management from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst before receiving her Master of Business Administration Degree from Bentley University’s McCallum School of Business. She is a proud holder of the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designation.
Mo Sparks Director- Exchange Traded Products | New York Stock Exchange
Nico Stable, Director of Sustainable Finance | ICE
Nico has been with ICE for 11 years and has been involved in multiple different parts of the business. At the NYSE, he led the Strategic and Analytics team where he helped develop and implement key strategic business initiatives for the NYSE’s Listings and Capital Market group and develop strategic partnerships. Nico also led product strategy for the NYSE proprietary data services by introducing innovative product upgrades, licensing and pricing policies. More broadly, Nico has been deeply involved in a number of ICE’s acquisitions, working on strategic and technical integrations. He is deeply passionate about the growth of sustainability and outside of ICE has focused on wildlife preservation and is a US ambassador for Bye Bye Plastic. Nico is a graduate of the University of Virginia, with a concentration on International Economics and Finance.
Scott Szever, Senior Vice President and Head of ETF | Capital Markets
Daniel Tremblay, CFA ESG | Strategist Fidelity Investments
In this role, Mr. Tremblay focuses on sharing ESG investment perspectives, including industry dynamics, investment implications, product development and capital market insights with institutional clients. He also represents Fidelity’s sustainable product suite in the marketplace across multi-asset classes.
Previously, he was an LDI Strategist, helping plan sponsors develop de-risking strategies as a member of the Liability Driven Investment (LDI) Solutions team and prior to that was an institutional portfolio manager on the Core Plus Investment Team. He has been in the financial industry since he joined Fidelity in 1995.
Mr. Tremblay earned his master of arts degree in economics from Northeastern University. He is a CFA® charterholder and earned the CFA Institute Certificate in ESG Investing. He is also a member of the CFA Society Boston. He also holds the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Series 7, 24 and 63 licenses.
Matthew Tuttle, CEO and CIO | Tuttle Capital Management
Peggy (Smith) Vena, Director Head of ETF Services | Citi
Peggy was named one of the “Rising Stars of Mutual Funds” in 2011 by Institutional Investor News. She holds a B.S. from SUNY Cortland and an M.B.A. from Fordham University.
Ben Woloshin, Head of SPDR Insurance | State Street Global Advisors
Jason Yule, Director - Strategy and Sales - North America | WTax
Prior to joining WTax, Jason was a management consultant at EY Financial Accounting Advisory Services (FAAS) department in London, having transferred from EY Netherlands where he worked in their assurance practice. During his time at EY, Jason provided transaction advisory services to FTSE 100 and Fortune 500 entities.
Outside of his permanent role, Jason is a voluntary member on the SAICA UK Committee, and Trustee and Treasurer of Transform Justice.
Other Featured Speakers
Jay Baker, Director of Capital Markets | Exchange Traded Concepts
Prior to his partnership with ETC, Jay spent 12 years at Goldman Sachs, where he was a Vice President of ETF Business Development for their Electronic ETF Trading Group. Jay previously worked at the American Stock Exchange in the ETF and Options department and was involved with marketing of the SPDR, the first ETF launched in the United States. The SPDR trades 200 million shares a day and has approximately $200 billion in AUM.
Jay graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA and received an MBA in Finance from Pace University.
MIKE CASTINO, SVP, Exchange Traded Products | U.S. Bank Global Fund Services
Prior to joining U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, Mike worked for Zacks Investment Management as managing director of the Index Services division. He also held the position of vice president of institutional sales for Claymore ETFs (now Guggenheim Funds) and was senior floor trader at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange for a major Wall Street trading firm. He also serves as chairman and trustee of ETF Series Solutions, U.S. Bank’s multiple series ETF trust.
Mike received his Bachelor of Arts degree in business management from Illinois State University and holds FINRA series 7 and 66 licenses.
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