Guardians of Finance Podcast

Guardians of Finance Episode 21

Russell Moenich – Executive Chairman & Investment Analyst at North Beach Holdings, LLC

In this episode, we talk with Russell Moenich, Executive Chairman & Investment Analyst at North Beach Holdings, LLC.  Russell is a lifelong Clevelander, a Buffet/Munger disciple, and an extreme sports enthusiast.  We dive into all of those interests and more in this conversation that starts with a lawn care business and ends with mentions of the 1995 Cleveland Grand Prix.  Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoy this episode with Russell Moenich. Connect with Russell here: 

Russell Moenich LinkedIn

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Guardians of Finance Episode 20

Matt Rodak – CEO and Founder of Upright, formerly Fund that Flip

In this episode, we talk with Matt Rodak, CEO and Founder of Upright.  Upright, formerly Fund that Flip, is a technology platform used to invest in and obtain loans for renovating residential real estate.  Matt was born and raised in Northeast Ohio and it's where he discovered his passion for real estate investing.  Despite living somewhere else now, we talk about his still strong connection to Cleveland, leaving his career path to start a business, and why sleep is classified as a hobby.  Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoy this episode with Matt Rodak. Connect with Matt here: 

Matt Rodak LinkedIn

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Guardians of Finance Episode 19

Lauren Rich Fine, CFA – Senior Managing Director at Gries Financial

In this episode, we talk with Lauren Rich Fine, CFA and Senior Managing Director at Greis Financial.  Lauren has a long a disguised career in financial services that took her to Wall Street for a time before she returned to her roots here in Cleveland.  Lauren is also a woman of many passions outside of the workplace.  We talk about challenges early in her career and why she moved back to Cleveland as well as her passion for the arts, service on numerous non-profit boards, and much more in this wide-ranging conversation.  Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoy this episode with Lauren Rich Fine. Connect with Lauren here: 

Lauren Rich Fine LinkedIn

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Guardians of Finance Episode 18

Meet the Board Series with Cara Wood, CFA, CAIA & Suzana Vujasin, CFA, CAIA

We continue our Meet the Board Series with Cara Wood, CFA, CAIA and Suzana Vujasin, CFA, CAIA.  Cara currently serves as Committee Chair for the Women's Committee while Suzana serves a Treasurer for the Board.  We talk with both of them about their backgrounds and roles on the Board.  Have you ever wondered which CFA Cleveland Board member was once on Oprah and which one is the likely winner of a spelling bee?  Listen in and find out on this episode with Cara Wood and Suzana Vujasin. 

Connect with Cara & Suzana here: 

Cara Wood LinkedIn

Suzana Vujasin LinkedIn

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Guardians of Finance Episode 17

Michael McKeown, CFA, CPA - Chief Investment Officer at Marcum Wealth

In this episode, we talk with Michael McKeown, CFA, CPA and Chief Investment Officer at Marcum Wealth.  If you've been involved in the CFA Society Cleveland over the past few years, you probably know Mike as he was formerly Society President and has always been very active in the community.  What you may not know is Mike's story.  How he got started in the businesses and how he became Chief Investment Officer of one of Cleveland's most prominent registered investment advisers.  We talk with Mike about his professional background, other organizations he's involved with, and a couple of his personal passions.  Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoy this episode with Mike McKeown. Connect with Mike here: 

Michael McKeown LinkedIn

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Guardians of Finance Episode 16

Ezra Stark, CEO of Stark Enterprises

In this episode, we talk with Ezra Stark, CEO of Stark Enterprises.  Stark and Ezra have been and continue to be involved in many well-known real estate properties in NE Ohio and have also been expanding outside of Ohio.  After growing up on the east side, Ezra went to college and lived in Boston and New York before coming back to Cleveland.  We talk with Ezra about his background, Stark's involvement in properties around Cleveland, and his passion for Cleveland sports.  Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoy this episode with Ezra Stark.  Connect with Ezra here: 

Ezra Stark LinkedIn

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Guardians of Finance Episode 15

Dave Fulton, CFA, Co-Chair and CEO of Clearstead

In this episode, we talk with Dave Fulton, CFA, Co-Chair and CEO of Clearstead.  Dave has a long and distinguished career in Northeast Ohio.  We talk about his career progression and work at both big and small firms around Cleveland, we go into detail about Clearstead's past, present and future, and also dive into Dave's personal life passions where he stays active on multiple fronts.  Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoy this episode with Dave Fulton.  Connect with Dave here: 

Dave Fulton LinkedIn

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Guardians of Finance Episode 14

Brad Wheeler, President of Shaker Investments

In this episode, we talk with Brad Wheeler, President of Shaker Investments.  Brad has had a long and distinguished career on both the sell-side and buy-side with some notable firms in Northeast Ohio.  We talk with Brad about his experiences in both segments of the investment management business, how he transitioned from analytical roles early in his career to more client-facing positions and we even talk about explaining American football to his former clients in the UK.  Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoy this episode with Brad Wheeler. Connect with Brad here: 

Brad Wheeler LinkedIn

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Guardians of Finance Episode 13

Meet the Board Series with Sam Wass & Colby Krahe

This is the second episode in a series where we talk with the leadership of CFA Cleveland.  We talk today with Sam Wass, Career Services Chair, and Colby Krahe, Membership Chair.  In their professional life outside of CFA Cleveland Sam is an Investment Analyst at RIK Enterprises and Colby is and Institutional Investment Advisor with PNC Institutional Asset Management.  We talk with Sam & Colby about their backgrounds and current responsibilities for CFA Cleveland and also stumble upon an interesting parallel in their backgrounds that the listeners should reach out and thank them for.  Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoy this episode with Sam Wass and Colby Krahe. Connect with Sam & Colby here: 

Sam Wass LinkedIn

Colby Krahe LinkedIn

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Guardians of Finance Episode 12

Meet the Board Series with Cindy Nace & Jon Dominy

This is the first episode in a series where we talk with the leadership of CFA Cleveland.  We start by talking to CFA Cleveland's full-time Executive Director Cindy Nace as well as CFA Cleveland's current President, Jon Dominy.  In his professional life outside of CFA Cleveland Jon is a Vice President with Alliance Bernstein.  We talk with Cindy & Jon about their backgrounds and current responsibilities for CFA Cleveland.  Also, we get their thoughts on what is going on at the CFA Institute and what challenges our society faces over the next 12-18 months.  Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoy this episode with Cindy Nace and Jon Dominy. Connect with Cindy & Jon here: 

Cindy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindy-nace-5843b4a3/ 

Jon - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-dominy-cfa/ 

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Guardians of Finance Episode 11

Matt Schlarb, CFA, Senior Director of Investor Relations at RPM International

In this episode, we talk with Matt Schlarb, CFA, Senior Director of Investor Relations at RPM International.  Matt has lived and worked all over the world before coming back to Ohio where he grew up and settling in Cleveland.  We talk with Matt about his experiences living abroad as well as his career path to Investor Relations, and about his involvement in a local organization that promotes French culture in Northeast Ohio. Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoy this episode with Matt Schlarb. Connect with Matt here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewschlarb/ 

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Guardians of Finance Episode 10

Yoel Mayerfeld, Co-CEO of Chase Properties Ltd.

In this episode, we talk with Yoel Mayerfeld, Co-CEO of Chase Properties Ltd.  Yoel has a fascinating career path that started with him working through a temp agency to get his first job on Wall Street in New York City.  He then worked his way up a derivatives trading desk before he and his family relocated to Cleveland work in a private real estate investment firm.    We talk with Yoel about his journey, some of his mentors, and about what has been happening in real estate over the past couple of years. Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoy this episode with Yoel Mayerfeld. Connect with Yoel here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yoelmay/ 

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Guardians of Finance Podcast Episode 9

Rich Veres, CFA, Co-founder; President of Highland Consulting Associates

In this episode, we talk with Rich Veres, CFA, Co-founder & President of Highland Consulting Associates. Rich has a long and distinguished career in institutional investment consulting and has been a well-known figure in the NE Ohio investment community for quite some time. We talk to Rich about his journey from Akron to founding Highland, we dive into some of the changes he's seen in investment consulting, and how balancing business and family life is important to Rich. Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoy this episode with Rich Veres. Connect with Rich here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-veres-32a09713/

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Guardians of Finance Podcast Episode 8

Brent Zimmerman, CEO & Co-founder of Saucy Brew Works

In this episode, we talk with Brent Zimmerman, CEO & Co-founder Saucy Brew Works. While on the surface CEO of Saucy Brew Works might not seem like a title of someone with a background in financial services, Brent tells us his story of how he began his business endeavors a provider of liquidity starting at age 8 and then he takes us through his career in buy-side investing, running a hedge fund, and eventually starting Saucy Brew Works while also using his financial analysis skills to do actively participate in NE Ohio’s real estate market. Connect with Brent here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brentzimmerman11/

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Guardians of Finance Podcast Episode 7

Danielle Williams, CFA, Managing Director and Equity Portfolio Manager at Wellington Management

In this episode, we talk with Danielle Williams, CFA, Managing Director and Equity Portfolio Manager at Wellington Management.  Danielle grew up in Cleveland before college and her career took her to the east coast where she now lives.  In this conversation, Danielle talks about how her work in credit underwriting and passion for deep research prepared her well for a career in buy-side investing as well as her passion for travel and how her kids became interested financial markets. Connect with Danielle here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-williams-cfa-0a9835/ 

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Guardians of Finance Podcast Episode 6
Fred Cummings, President & Founder of Elizabeth Park Capital Management
In this episode, we talk with Fred Cummings, President & Founder of Elizabeth Park Capital Management. Fred is a passionate supporter of everything NE Ohio. He grew up in Akron, went to Oberlin College where he played football, started his career at some well-known Cleveland firms and even named his current firm after a place close his childhood home. In this conversation, we touch on many topics in Fred's background and, given his expertise as a bank analyst, we get his thoughts on the recent turmoil in regional banks. Connect with Fred here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fredcummings-epcm/
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Guardians of Finance Podcast Episode 5
Ryan Ruggaard talks investing in investing from childhood, navigating the Chicago investment scene, and taking over the family business
In this episode, we talk with Ryan Ruggaard, Director of Research at Ruggaard & Associates. Ryan has a fascinating background that has taken him from Hudson, to SW Ohio, and to Chicago with many trips and stops along the way. While Ryan is lives in Chicago, he maintains strong personal and professional connections to Cleveland. He has a wide range of hobbies and experiences and he shares some of the best ones in today's conversation. Connect with Ryan here:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanruggaard/
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Guardians of Finance Podcast Episode 4
Dan Bandi, CFA and Chief Investment Officer at Integrity Asset Management
In this episode, we talk to Dan Bandi, CFA and Chief Investment Officer at Integrity Asset Management.  Dan’s story begins in Pittsburgh and takes him across the country before he settled here in Cleveland and helped build a successful buy-side investment firm.  We discuss Dan’s journey as well as many other topics such as the investment decision Dan’s son still holds against him.  Connect with Dan here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-bandi-1b162311/
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Guardians of Finance Podcast Episode 3
Richard Barone talks Washington DC in the 1960s, his views on inflation, and stories from decades of investing
In this episode, we talk to Richard Barone, Chairman of Arch Eagle Family Office. We discuss Richard growing up in South Euclid, his experiences in Washington D.C. in the 1960s, his views on inflation, and the many investment firms he's been involved with in Cleveland. Richard has had personal interactions with many well-known investors and he shares stories of those interactions. We also talk about his personal passions including his famous red sauce and his collection of porcelain art.
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Guardians of Finance Podcast Episode 2

Corrie Menary talks leaving banking for private equity, starting a family while advancing her career, and her passion for public education

Guardians of Finance Podcast Episode 1

Ben Mackovak talks starting multiple investment firms, investors who shaped his philosophy, and joking with Jim Cramer