As President and Chief Investment Officer, Mr. Ross is responsible for the overall strategic direction, business positioning, and investment performance of the firm. Don has 16 years of investment experience including responsibilities in the National City Corporation Bank Investment Division, where he did extensive work in financial derivatives. He has been with the firm since its inception in 1995 and has been with the parent corporation for 16 years. A Chartered Financial Analyst, Mr. Ross received a BS and BA from the University of Colorado and an MA from the University of Chicago.
Walid Abdul-Karim
Equity Securities Trader
Mr. Abdul-Karim is a member of the equity team with responsibility for equity security trading. Walid has 7 years of investment experience in portfolio management support. Prior to joining the National City Investment Management Company, he was a portfolio management assistant with National City Corporation. Walid joined the firm in 1999. Mr. Abdul-Karim received a BA from Baldwin Wallace College and an MBA from Case Western Reserve University.
Brian T. Cavalier
Equity Securities Trader
Mr. Cavalier is a member of the equity team with responsibility for equity security trading. Brian joined the National City Investment Management Company in 2004. Previously he had served as a senior loan officer with Novastar Home Mortgage, Inc. and Aegis Lending Corporation. Brian also interned with McDonald Investments in mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Cavalier received a BSBA degree from John Carroll University.
Michael J. Chren, CFA
Senior Director for Value Investment
Mr. Chren is a member of the equity management team with responsibility for the value equity management styles. Michael joins us from INVESCO Capital Management, where he served as Partner/Senior Portfolio Manager for the firm’s $1.0 billion large cap value equity offering. Michael addressed his INVESCO responsibilities as leader of a five-member large capitalization value equity investment team, based in Atlanta, Georgia. Prior to his INVESCO responsibilities, Michael served as Senior Portfolio Manager with DePrince, Race and Zollo, where he managed large cap value equity assets in excess of $1.2 billion. A Chartered Financial Analyst, Michael holds an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University, a Master of Architecture from Yale University, and a BA from Yale University.
David F. Cooley, CFA, CPA
Senior Director of International Equity Investment
Mr. Cooley is a member of the equity management team with leadership responsibility for the international equity investment style. With over 15 years of investment experience, Dave has most recently been Managing Director for Global Equity at J&W Seligman, where he had responsibility for international equity investment. A familiar face within the firm, Dave had served as portfolio manager on the Armada International Fund from its inception through early 2000. A Chartered Financial Analyst and a Certified Public Accountant, Dave holds an MBA from Case Western Reserve University and a BA from Bowling Green State University.
Lawrence E. Eakin, Jr.
Senior Director of Large Cap Growth Equity
Lawrence E. Eakin, Jr. is senior director of large capitalization growth equity. Eakin was formerly co-portfolio manager of Strong’s Large Company Core Fund and Large Company Growth Fund. He has nine years of investment experience, with a background in technology and finance. He has held research positions at Strong, Rockhaven Asset Management, Federated Investors, Inc., and Westinghouse Financial Services, Inc., with most recent responsibilities for the health care, technology and telecom sectors. Eakin earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in business administration from Duquesne University.
Joe Famoso
Analyst
Mr. Famoso is a member of the large cap core/growth equity team, responsible for the finance, industrial, and basic materials sectors. Joe brings seven years of investment experience to the team, reuniting in 2004 with National City Investment Management Company large cap growth and core equity team leaders Chris Wiles and Larry Eakin, with whom he had previously worked for the period November 2000 through February 2004. Most recently, he served as an analyst with Mellon Equity Associates. Joe received an MBA from the University of Connecticut and a BS from the University of Pittsburgh.
Richard A. Giesen, Jr.
Senior Director of Small Cap Value Equity Investment
Mr. Giesen is a member of the equity management team with leadership responsibilities for the value equity style offerings. Rick comes to us with over 17 years of investment experience. Rick has most recently been Senior Portfolio Manager for Munder Capital Management, where he had responsibility for the small cap value discipline. While at Munder, Rick was instrumental in applying an investment philosophy focused on relative value with a performance catalyst, the same strategy that has long characterized our “good value and good news” value equity investment discipline. Prior to his Munder position, Rick was with Banc One Investments, where he was the Senior Equity Analyst on a three member team responsible for management of institutional small and mid cap mutual funds. Rick holds an MBA from the J. L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University and a BA from Grinnell College.
Michael J. Halloran, CFA
Large Cap Growth Equity Analyst
Michael J. Halloran, CFA, is large capitalization growth equity analyst. Michael was formerly an equity analyst for the team at Strong Capital Management, Inc. He has five years of investment experience, and an additional background in engineering and finance. Prior to his tenure at Strong, Halloran worked for Rockhaven Asset Management, PNC Financial Services, Inc., and United Technologies. He has research experience with the consumer discretionary, staples, energy and utilities sectors. Halloran earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh, a master’s degree in science from the University of Florida and a master’s degree in business administration from Carnegie Mellon University.
Holly Harrison
Product Specialist
Holly Harrison is Product Specialist for the Growth Equity team, working primarily with relationship management and investment communications. Most recently, she served in the same role with the team as part of Strong Capital Management, Inc., and with Rockhaven Asset Management as well. Prior to that, she worked with Legg Mason Capital Management in Baltimore, MD. She has seven years of investment experience and five years with the growth equity team led by Chris Wiles. Holly earned a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Economics from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.
Marilou Hitt
Director of Equity Trading
Ms. Hitt is responsible for domestic and international equity trading activities. Marilou has 21 years of investment experience including positions in securities trading and portfolio management. Prior to joining the National City Investment Management Company, she was a security trader with National City Corporation. Marilou has been with the firm since its inception in 1995 and has been with the corporate parent for 25 years. Ms. Hitt received a BA degree from Bloomsburg University.
Edward A. Johnson
Equity Analyst
Mr. Johnson is an equity analyst and member of the firm's large cap value team. He was formerly a founding member of Volaris Advisors, a derivatives advisory firm in New York, specializing in risk and volatility management that was acquired by Credit Suisse First Boston. Prior to Volaris, Ed worked for UBS AG in San Francisco, as well as Ernst & Young LLP and SAFECO Mutual Funds in Seattle. He has 8 years of investment and analytic experience. Ed holds a BA from Miami University, an MBA from Case Western Reserve University, and is a Level II candidate of the Chartered Financial Analyst program.
Mark Koenig, CFA
Director of Quantitative Analysis
As Director of Quantitative Analysis, Mr. Koenig, has leadership responsibility for the firm’s economic, equity, and fixed income modeling activities. Additionally, Mark has leadership responsibility for the firm’s equity index management style. Mark has 8 years of analytical experience. Prior to joining the National City Investment Management Company, he was an analyst with National City Corporation. Mark joined the firm in 1998. Mr. Koenig received a BS from the University of Cincinnati and a MS from Carnegie Mellon University.
John P. Micklitsch
Senior Portfolio Manager of Small Cap Value Equity Investment
Mr. Micklitsch is Senior Portfolio Manager for the firm's Small Cap Value equity investment style. John joined the firm in 2004, coming from Fifth Third Asset Management where he served as co-manager of their micro cap value fund and senior research analyst for the small cap value discipline. Previously, he functioned as research analyst and head equity trader for Robert E. Torray & Co. Inc., a $5 billion value-oriented investment firm. John has 11 years of investment experience and holds a BA from Duke University and an MBA from Johns Hopkins University.
Rita Ontko
Quantitative Analyst
Ms. Ontko is a member of the quantitative group with responsibility for analytical support of the firm’s modeling activities. Rita has 10 years of investment experience including positions in mutual fund operations and portfolio management support. Rita has been with the firm since 1996 and with the parent corporation for 10 years. Ms. Ontko received a BSBA from the University of Akron.
Michael Santelli, CFA, CPA
Senior Director for Value Equity Investment
Mr. Santelli is a member of the equity management team with responsibility for the value equity management styles. Michael has 13 years of investment experience including positions in research and portfolio management. Prior to joining the National City Investment Management Company, he was with Donaldson, Lufkin, and Jenrette's mortgage research department. Michael has been with the firm 9 years, serving as portfolio manager and most recently as Director of the firm’s value oriented Core Equity management discipline. A Chartered Financial Analyst and a Certified Public Accountant, Mr. Santelli received a BS degree from George Washington University and an MBA from the University of Chicago.
Jon Scharlau, CFA
Senior Portfolio Manager
Mr. Scharlau is a member of the equity team with responsibility for the growth equity management style. He has 10 years of investment experience in equity analysis and portfolio management. Prior to joining the National City Investment Management Company, he was Co-Portfolio Manager and Senior Research Analyst with US Bancorp, and a senior research analyst for Peregrine Capital Management. Mr. Scharlau joined our company in 2003. A Chartered Financial Analyst, he is competent in Mandarin Chinese, having studied economics at the University of International Trade and Finance in Beijing, China. Jon also holds a BA from Carleton College.
Martin Schulz
Director of International Equity Investment
Mr. Schulz is a member of the equity management team for the international equity investment style. Martin has 9 years of investment experience including positions in equity research and portfolio management. Prior to joining the National City Investment Management Company, he was a portfolio manager with National City Corporation. Martin has been with the firm for 6 years. Mr. Schulz received a BA in international relations from Cornell University, Magna cum Laude, and an MBA in international business and a JD from George Washington University. Martin speaks fluent German and French.
Charles D. Shepherd, CFA
Product Specialist
Mr. Shepherd is the equities product expert for IMC, and responsible for serving as liaison between the firm’s equity portfolio managers and IAM Sales Executives and Consultant Relationship Managers. Charles comes to us from INVESCO, where he was Product Manager of the core and growth investment approaches. Prior to 2000, Mr. Shepherd served in various portfolio management positions at First Union, North Carolina Trust Company, and SunTrust. He has over 16 years of investment experience and joined IMC in 2004. A Chartered Financial Analyst, Charles received a BBA from Millsaps College.
Matthew Sherman
Head Equity Trader
Mr. Sherman is a member of the equity team with responsibility for equity security trading. Matthew has 9 years of investment experience including positions in equity security trading. Prior to joining the National City Investment Management Company, he was a securities trader with the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio. He joined the firm in 2001. Mr. Sherman received an MBA degree from Otterbein College and a BA degree from Ohio State University.
Chris Staneluis
Portfolio Manager
Mr. Staneluis is a member of the equity team with responsibility for the growth equity styles. Chris has 5 years of investment experience including positions in equity research and institutional sales. Prior to joining the firm, he was a research associate for Midwest Research Corporation. Chris joined the firm in 2002. Mr. Staneluis received a BS degree from the University of Cincinnati and an MBA from Syracuse University.
Alex L. Vallecillo, CFA
Senior Portfolio Manager
Mr. Vallecillo is a member of the equity team with responsibility for the value equity styles. Alex has 9 years of investment experience including positions in equity research and portfolio management. Alex joined the firm in 1996. A Chartered Financial Analyst, Mr. Vallecillo received a BS degree from George Mason University and an MBA from the University of Michigan.
Michael Wayton
Quantitative Analyst
Mr. Wayton is a member of the quantitative group with responsibility for analytical support of the firm’s modeling activities. Michael has 6 years of investment experience including positions in portfolio management support. Prior to joining the National City Investment Management Company, he was a senior portfolio management assistant with National City Corporation. Michael joined the firm in 2000. Mr. Wayton received a BS from Ohio State University.
Christopher A. Wiles, CFA
Managing Senior Director for Core & Growth Equity
Christopher A. Wiles, CFA, is managing senior director for core and growth equity management. Most recently he was senior portfolio manager at Strong Capital Management, Inc. Wiles founded Rockhaven Asset Management in 1997, which was later acquired by Strong in 2002. He has 19 years of investment experience, including positions at Rockhaven, Federated Investors and Mellon Financial Corporation. Christopher has managed the Strong Funds since their inception, and was named top Equity Income Manager by Barron’s in 1996. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Youngstown State University and a master’s degree in business administration from Cleveland State University.
Vincent Zhou, CFA
Quantitative Analyst
Mr. Zhou is a member of the quantitative group with responsibility for analytical support of the firm’s modeling activities. Vincent has 3 years of investment experience in fundamental and quantitative equity research, as well as portfolio management support. Prior to joining the National City Investment Management Company in 2003, he was with 1838 Investment Advisors, where he was an investment analyst on a three-member team responsible for managing the international fund and portfolios. A Chartered Financial Analyst, Mr. Zhou received a BS from Tsinghua University in Beijing, China, a Master of Economics from University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, and a Master of Science in Finance from Boston College.
Rebecca Berridge
Money Market Portfolio Manager
Ms. Berridge is a member of the fixed income team with responsibility for fixed income securities trading. Rebecca has 6 years of investment experience including positions in account management. Prior to joining the National City Investment Management Company, she was an account manager with Gratry and Company. Rebecca joined the firm in 1999. Ms. Berridge received a BS from Kent State University and an MBA from Cleveland State University.
Stephen Carpenter
Senior Portfolio Manager
Mr. Carpenter is a member of the fixed income team with responsibility for municipal fixed income investment. Steve has 30 years of investment experience including positions in brokerage, research, and portfolio management. Prior to joining the National City Investment Management Company, he was a Vice President with McDonald & Company. Steve has been with the firm since its inception in 1995. Mr. Carpenter received a BA from Colgate University.
Cynthia Cole
Director of Corporate Bond Investment
Ms. Cole is a member of the fixed income team with responsibility for corporate sector investments. She has 20 years of investment experience including positions in insurance company portfolio management, research, and portfolio strategy. Prior to joining the National City Investment Management Company, she was a portfolio manager with Ohio Casualty Group. Cynthia joined the firm in 1999. Ms. Cole received a BS from Tri-State University and an MBA from Xavier University.
Timothy Compan, Jr., CFA
Senior Debt Securities Analyst
Mr. Compan is a member of the fixed income team with responsibility for corporate bond trading. He has 7 years of investment experience, during which he has focused on corporate bonds and risk and performance analytic modeling. Prior to joining National City Investment Management Company, Mr. Compan was a fixed income trader at Goldman Sachs Asset Management. He joined the firm in 2003. Mr. Compan's educational background includes an MBA from the University of Chicago and a BS from Case Western Reserve University.
Matthew Downing
Fixed Income Analyst
Mr. Downing is a member of the fixed income team with responsibility for fixed income security and portfolio research. Matthew has 3 years of investment experience. Prior to joining the National City Investment Management Company, he was a consultant with FutureNext Consulting. Matthew joined the firm in 2001. Mr. Downing received a BA from the University of Richmond and an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University.
Keith Erwin
Money Market Portfolio Manager
Mr. Erwin is a member of the fixed income team with responsibility for money market and liquidity investment management. Keith has 7 years of investment experience including positions in commercial credit and fixed income research. Prior to joining the National City Investment Management Company, he was a credit analyst with First of America Bank. Keith has been with the firm for 6 years. Mr. Erwin received a BA from Alma College and an MA from Western Michigan University.
Melvin Fernandes
Fixed Income Analyst
Mr. Fernandes is a member of the fixed income team with responsibility for fixed income security and portfolio research. Mel has 6 years of investment experience including positions in fixed income analysis. Prior to joining the National City Investment Management Company, he was a derivatives securities analyst with National City Corporation. Mel joined the firm in 2001. Mr. Fernandes received a BS from Cleveland State University.
Andrew Harding
Senior Director for Taxable Fixed Income Investment
Mr. Harding is Director of Taxable Fixed Income Investment, with primary responsibility for the firm’s taxable fixed income strategy and performance. Andy, with 23 years of investment experience, including positions in MBS trading and research, will also serve as the fixed income team’s mortgage security specialist. Prior to joining the National City Investment Management Company, he was a portfolio manager with McDonald Investments. He joined the firm in 2000. Mr. Harding has a BS in engineering from Princeton University, and an MBA from Baldwin-Wallace College.
Mark Lozina, CFA
Fixed Income Analyst
Mr. Lozina is a member of the taxable fixed income team with responsibility for fixed income security and portfolio research. Mark has 8 years of financial analysis experience. Prior to joining the National City Investment Management Company, he was with National City Corporation's Equity Sponsor Group, where he was involved with senior debt lending for equity buy-outs. Mark joined the firm in 2002. Mr. Lozina received a BS from the State University of New York at Geneseo and an MBA from the University of Rochester.
Richard P. Mears
Fixed Income Analyst
Mr. Mears is a member of the fixed income team with responsibility for fixed income risk management and portfolio construction. Richard has seven years of investment experience. Prior to joining the National City Investment Management Company he was a senior finance analyst with National City’s Institutional Asset Management Group. Rich joined the firm in 2004. Mr. Mears received a BS from Miami University and an MBA from Case Western Reserve University.
Joseph Robison
Director & Chief Credit Officer
Mr. Robison is the firm’s Chief Credit Officer, supporting all credit analysis efforts. Joe has 15 years of credit experience including positions in credit analysis, structured finance, and strategic analysis. Prior to joining the National City Investment Management Company, he was Senior Vice President in National City’s Structured Finance Group. Joe joined the firm in 2000. Mr. Robison received a BS degree from Hillsdale College and an MBA from the University of Notre Dame.
Akin V. Rojugbokan
Senior Credit Analyst
Mr. Rojugbokan is a member of the fixed income team with responsibility for fixed income security credit analysis. Akin has two years of investment experience. Prior to joining the National City Investment Management Company he was an associate with National City’s Merger and Acquisitions Group. Akin joined the firm in 2004. Mr. Rojugbokan received a degree in Chemical Engineering from Texas A&M University and an MBA from the University of Michigan.
Richard Stevenson
Money Market Portfolio Manager
Mr. Stevenson is a member of the fixed income team with responsibility for money market and liquidity investment management. Previously with Productive Portfolios, where he focused on short duration/liquidity portfolio management for Ohio public sector clients, Rick has 8 years of money market investment management experience. Additionally, he has two years experience as a corporate lending representative with Fifth Third Bank in Cleveland. Rick joined the firm in 2002 and holds both an MBA and a BA from Baldwin-Wallace College.
Brian Stine, CFA
Director, Fixed Income Product Management
Mr. Stine is the fixed income product expert for IMC, responsible for serving as liaison between the firm's fixed income portfolio managers and IAM Sales Executives and Consultant Relationship Managers. Brian comes to us from Smith Graham & Company, an institutional money management firm with almost $3 billion under management, where he served as Senior Portfolio Manager and Director of Portfolio Structuring. Brian has over 20 years of investment experience and joined IMC in 2004. A Chartered Financial Analyst, Mr. Stine received a B.S. and MBA from Brigham Young University, and also holds an M.A. in Applied Mathematics from California State University, Fullerton.
Christian Swantek
Director of Tax-Exempt Fixed Income Investment
Mr. Swantek is a member of the fixed income team with leadership responsibility for the municipal fixed income investment style. Christian has 21 years of investment experience including positions in portfolio management and fixed income research. Prior to joining the National City Investment Management Company, he was Senior Tax-Exempt Portfolio Manager with First of America Investment Corporation. Chris joined the firm with the March 1998 merger of National City and First of America Corporations. Mr. Swantek received a BS from Drexel University.
Gordon A. Johnson
President and Chief Investment Officer
Gordon is a member of AIC’s Board of Directors. Mr. Johnson has overall responsibility for AIC’s investment and corporate operations. He joined the firm in 1985 and was named a member of the firm’s Investment Committee in 1986. Mr. Johnson was promoted to Senior Vice President and Director of Research in 1989 and started AIC’s Small Cap Equity product in 1993. Mr. Johnson was named President and CIO in 1997. He continues to manage portfolios in all product areas and has the lead client service role. He holds a BSBA and MBA with specialization in Finance from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.
James E. Mineman
Director of Equity Research
James is a member of AIC’s Investment Committee, and been with the firm since 1994. Mr. Mineman is responsible for coordinating the equity research process and has the lead role in the corporate investment community. Other duties include coordination of all research tools and continued development and refinement of AIC’s investment process. He holds a BSBA degree with specialization in Finance from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and a Masters of Finance degree from Saint Louis University. Mr. Mineman has completed the CFA Level I.
Peter A. Roy
Vice President, Portfolio Manager
Peter joined AIC in 2003. He is responsible for implementing and managing a group of portfolios under AIC's investment philosophy, acting as a client service contact and individual security research. Prior to joining AIC, he was a portfolio manager for Allegiant Trust Company. Mr. Roy brings several years of private and public equity analysis along with financial services relationship management. Mr. Roy is a graduate of University of Dayton with a B.A. in English and a MBA from Washington University’s Olin School of Business.
Charles D. Shepherd, CFA
Product Specialist
Mr. Shepherd is the equities product expert for IMC, and responsible for serving as liaison between the firm’s equity portfolio managers and IAM Sales Executives and Consultant Relationship Managers. Charles comes to us from INVESCO, where he was Product Manager of the core and growth investment approaches. Prior to 2000, Mr. Shepherd served in various portfolio management positions at First Union, North Carolina Trust Company, and SunTrust. He has over 16 years of investment experience and joined IMC in 2004. A Chartered Financial Analyst, Charles received a BBA from Millsaps College.
Lisa A. Teter
Vice President, Portfolio Manager
Lisa is a member of the AIC’s Investment Committee, and has been with the firm since 1994. The majority of her clients are religious organizations and individuals. She is responsible for portfolio management and trading across all of AIC’s products, as well as client service. Ms. Teter is also the AIMR compliance monitor for the firm. Ms. Teter holds a BS degree in Finance and Management from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. She has also completed the Series 2 and 63 NASD certifications.
NOT FDIC INSURED · NO BANK GUARANTEE · MAY LOSE VALUE
You should consider the investment objectives, risks,
charges and expenses of the Armada Funds carefully before investing. A prospectus may be downloaded and viewed with
this and other information about the Funds or may be obtained by contacting an
investment professional or by calling 1-800-622-FUND (3863.) Please read it
carefully before you invest or send money.
National City Investment
Management Company (IMC) serves as investment adviser to Armada Funds for which
it receives an investment advisory fee. Shares of Armada Funds are distributed
by Professional Funds Distributor, LLC (PFD), 760 Moore Road, King of Prussia,
PA 19406. PFD is not affiliated with IMC and is not a bank.
