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 seven-member investment team averages about 11 years with the firm and around 18 years investment experience.*

Eric Scholl

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. 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 Incorporated 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

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. 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 bachelor's degree in Business/Economics from California Lutheran University.

 

Steven Gish, CFA

Director of Research
Joined Firm: 2005
Investment Career Began: 1995

Biography

joined Caywood-Scholl in 2005. Steve serves as Director of Research coordinating analyst responsibilities and the research process. Prior to joining Caywood-Scholl as a Vice President, Steve was a senior research analyst with Roth Capital Partners, LLC covering U.S. equities. His career in credit began as a field examiner in 1995 and later as a division operations analyst for a Deutsche Bank subsidiary later acquired by GE Capital. Steve received an MBA from the University of Colorado and a BA from the University of New Mexico. He received the Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 2002 and he is a member of the CFA Society of San Diego.

 

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 and conducting credit research. 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 CFA Society of San Diego.

 

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 – Milwaukee. Tad is a member of the CFA Society of San Diego.

 

Adam Peterson

Vice President, Analyst
Rejoined Firm: 2011
Investment Career Began: 1996

Biography

Prior to re-joining Caywood-Scholl in 2011, Adam was a Partner with Endurance Capital Partners SA, a São Paulo-based private equity firm focused on the middle market. At Endurance, he concentrated on investments in private companies in the consumer, agribusiness and real estate industries. Before that, Adam was a Vice President with Caywood-Scholl from 2007 to 2009 where he covered technology, media, and telecommunications. Adam began his investment career in 1996 at Tucker Anthony Sutro and subsequently worked at Montgomery & Co. LLC. He also has operations experience with Leap Wireless and with Americanas.com in Brazil. Adam has an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management where he was a member of the Dean´s List and graduated with honors in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley.

 

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.

 

* Caywood-Scholl’s investment team and averages are as of 07/31/11, and represent seven members.