Investment Team

Caywood-Scholl uses a disciplined, team-oriented approach to portfolio management which assures our clients consistency in the management of their portfolio(s). The team is highly interactive between research analysts, traders, and portfolio managers. Every member has input and “ownership” of client portfolios.

Our ability to attract and retain investment professionals has contributed to our low turnover.  Our eight-member investment team averages about 8 years with the firm and around 16 years investment experience.*

Eric Scholl

Chairman, CEO, Co-CIO
Managing Director, Portfolio Manager
Joined Firm: 1992
Investment Career Began: 1978

Biography

joined Caywood-Scholl in 1992. Eric is the CEO and a Managing Director of Caywood-Scholl. He is a member of the portfolio management team and is also responsible for the development and oversight of structured products. Prior to joining the firm, Eric was a Senior Vice President in the high yield department of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette where, in 1991, he received a special achievement award for his performance. Prior to DLJ, he was the Managing Director of high yield securities at PaineWebber where he managed the department's capital risk positions, sales, and research functions while also serving on the board. His career began on the corporate bond trading desk at Merrill Lynch and subsequently he was the Managing Director for high yield securities at L.F. Rothschild & Co. Eric began his investment career in 1978 and has worked in the high yield bond market since 1980 with experience on both the buy and sell sides including underwriting, sales, trading, research, and portfolio management. He received his AB degree from Princeton University in 1978.

 

Thomas Saake

President, Co-CIO
Managing Director, Portfolio Manager/Head Trader
Joined Firm: 1990
Investment Career Began: 1990

Biography

joined Caywood-Scholl in 1990. Tom is the President and a Managing Director of Caywood-Scholl. He is a member of the portfolio management team and oversees trading activities. Prior to acquisition by RCM in 1998, Tom was a principal and is now involved with the firm's business management and structured products. While at Caywood-Scholl, he was the administrator of the industry’s first ever CBO: Long Run Bond Corporation. Prior to joining the firm, Tom was an auditor at Imperial Credit Corporation and Treasury Supervisor at Prudential Insurance of America. Tom received his MBA from Loyola Marymount University and his bachelors degree in Business/Economics from California Lutheran University.

 

James Pott, CFA

Director of Research
Joined Firm: 2001
Investment Career Began: 1994

Biography

joined Caywood-Scholl in 2001. James serves as Director of Research coordinating analyst responsibilities and research processes. Prior to joining Caywood-Scholl, James was in the equity research department for several years at Jefferies & Company. James began his investment career in 1994 with Baring Securities in Taiwan and subsequently served as an analyst with Wilshire Associates. James received an MBA in Finance from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and an MA in International Relations with a concentration on East Asia from the Lauder Institute at the University of Pennsylvania. He received his undergraduate degrees in Genetics and Chinese Language from the University of California at Berkeley. James received the Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 1998.

 

David Bird, CFA

Vice President, Analyst
Joined Firm: 2007
Investment Career Began: 2000

Biography

joined Caywood-Scholl in 2007. Dave is an Analyst and is part of the fixed income research team. Prior to joining Caywood-Scholl, Dave served as a corporate credit analyst with Standard & Poor's. He began his investment career in 2000 as a Portfolio Manager and Equity Analyst with Wells Fargo Private Client Services. Dave received his MBA from the Johnson School of Management at Cornell University and his bachelors degree from California State University, Long Beach. He received his Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 2006 and is a member of the CFA Society of Los Angeles.

 

James Dudnick, CFA

Vice President, Trader/Analyst
Joined Firm: 2005
Investment Career Began: 2000

Biography

joined Caywood-Scholl in 2005. Jim is responsible for trading, conducting credit research, and working on our synthetic credit default swap structures. Prior to joining the firm, he was a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch working with both individual and institutional clients. Jim began his investment career in 2000 with Goldman Sachs as a financial analyst in the Investment Management Division where he conducted research and executed trades. Jim received his bachelors degree with High Distinction in Business Administration from the University of Michigan Business School. Jim received the Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 2004 and he is a member of the Orange County Society of Investment Managers.

 

Steven Gish, CFA

Vice President, Analyst
Joined Firm: 2005
Investment Career Began: 1995

Biography

joined Caywood-Scholl in 2005. Steve is an Analyst and is part of the fixed income research team. Prior to joining Caywood-Scholl, Steve served as an equity research analyst for over five years with Roth Capital Partners, LLC. In 2003, he was promoted to Senior Research Analyst. He began his investment career in 1995 as a field examiner and a division operations analyst for a subsidiary of Deutsche Bank Group. Steve received his MBA from the University of Colorado and his bachelors degree from the University of New Mexico. Steve received the Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 2002 and he is a member of the CFA Society of San Diego and the Orange County Society of Investment Managers.

 

Tad Kesy

Vice President, Analyst
Joined Firm: 2005
Investment Career Began: 1999

Biography

joined Caywood-Scholl in 2005. Tad is an Analyst and is part of the fixed income research team. Prior to joining the firm, he served as a fixed income credit analyst at Columbia Management Advisors for five years. Tad began his investment career in 1994 at M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank and subsequently worked at Banca di Roma. He received an MBA and a Master of Science in Accounting from Marquette University and his bachelors in business administration from the University of Wisconsin. Tad is a member of the CFA Society of San Diego.

 

Robin Wittenberg

Vice President, Analyst
Joined Firm: 1999
Investment Career Began: 1993

Biography

joined Caywood-Scholl in 1999. Robin is a versatile member of the investment team starting on the trading floor for the first four years, and is now a research analyst. She began her investment career in 1993 as a Private Banker for Northern Trust Bank in Los Angeles. She received her MBA from the University of Southern California and her bachelors degree in economics from the University of California at San Diego. Robin is a member of the CFA Society of San Diego.

 

* Caywood-Scholl’s investment team and averages are as of 11/24/09, and represent eight members.