Where are they now?
It is a goal of SMIF members to not only excel in their scholastic endeavors but to be among the
best in their industries. Below is a brief showcase of what some of the most recent SMIF alumni
are accomplishing. Clicking on the alumni will take you to their public LinkedIn profiles.
SMIF Alumni
Travis Scarbrough
Travis works as a financial advisor for The Scarbrough Group at
Morgan Stanley. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, he was an investment
banking analyst in the leveraged finance group at SunTrust Robison
Humphrey originating and executing leveraged loans and high yield
bonds for corporate and private equity clients. Travis graduated from
Kennesaw State University in 2011, Summa Cum Laude with highest
honors, with a BBA in finance.
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/travis-scarbrough/39/86b/65
Cutler Knupp
Cutler is currently working for an Atlanta based software and IT services
shop; Software Paradigms International. Current line of work is in the
field of Corporate Development. He was a member of SMIF for 3 years,
analyst, sector manager and CEO. Graduated in Fall of 2012.
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/cutler-knupp/23/555/2b1
Blake Goddard
Time in SMIF: January 2011 - December 2012 (Spring 2011 - Fall 2012)
Blake graduated in the fall of 2012 with a degree in finance and is
currently an analyst at ING Capital LLC in their acquisitions finance
group. He held various positions in SMIF, Financial Analyst, Sector
Manager, COO and his final position being CEO. He is a husband and
father and enjoys spending his free time running and being with family.
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/blake-goddard/31/812/89b
Teruo Arai
Teruo joined SMIF in September 2011 and he became director of
investment in his last semester. Before that, he had been a financial
analyst for three semesters. He graduated in May 2013 with the degree
of Accounting. As an associate for long time in SMIF, he has seen SMIF
growing each year. He is hoping that SMIF will have millions-of-dollar
portfolio someday, and he is very proud of being a SMIF associate.
www.linkedin.com/pub/teruo-arai/39/25a/96a
Taylor Phillips
Finance major
Kevin Tanujaya
Finance major
Michelle Wolff
Finance major
Will Blejwas
Bobby Hinsdale
Economics major
Anderson Nelson
Finance major
Matt Connors
Accounting major
Andrew Davis
David Moye
Fredrick Pearse
Brett Dahlin
BBA Finance and Management-Kennesaw State University
He is currently in the Fellowship program with the Georgia's Office of
the Governor, Sonny Perdue, working in the Chief Financial Officer. He
began with the Student Managed Investment Fund, LLC in August
2009. In that time he has held the positions in the Healthcare Sector,
Financial Sector, and now Chief Executive Officer. His goal as Chief
Executive Officer is to help the SMIF expand to more members, grow
the funds we manage, and move into the international side of equities.
Justinas Bartkevicius
BBA Finance - Kennesaw State University
Bloomberg Certified
Justinas has completed his studies at KSU and received a degree in
Finance. During his time at SMIF, he held a position as a financial
analyst for consumer goods and finance sectors. During his last
semester at KSU, he took on a position as a healthcare sector manager.
His future plans are to pursue a master’s degree and complete a CFA
certification.
Brent Chapman
BBA Finance - Kennesaw State University
Brent is 23 years old and from Gainesville, GA. He has a BBA in
Finance and will graduate in the Fall with a BBA in Management. From
there he plans to attend graduate school at Georgia State University.
This is currently his fifth semester in the SMIF and his current role is
CFO. Extracurricular activities include anything involving the lake,
traveling, and recreational shooting.
Samuel R. Seibert
BBA Finance & Economics - Kennesaw State University
Master of Science in Applied Statistics - Kennesaw State University
Enrolled in the Master of Science in Applied Statistics program at
Kennesaw State University, and working as an Analyst in the Strategy &
Analysis group at the marketing conulting firm Digitas.
Samuel R.S. is a visionary scientist sharpening his voracious intellect in
the Master of Science in Applied Statistics program at KSU. He enjoys a
crisp cup of tea paired with a polymath text. Work began for the KSU
SMIF, LLC during his undergraduate studies in the fall of 2008, and was
entrusted with the role of Operations Manager at the conclusion of the
spring 2009 semester as he entered the MSAS program. A statement
frequently repeated by Samuel concerning his role is, "We are not just
picking stocks, we are refining a stock selection methodology." The
centrality of his life though is the Fame of God.
LaTisha D Styles
BA Modern Languages & Culture: Spanish - Kennesaw State University
BBA Finance - Kennesaw State University
LaTisha D Styles joined SMIF in January of 2009. She held the
positions of Technology Sector Analyst, Technology Sector Manager
and Investment Manager. She leveraged her knowledge acquired in the
Student Managed Investment Fund into her current position. She is
working on making Finance and easy to learn for young adults who
want to successfully manage their money. Her articles focusing on
Financial Success for Young Adults can be found
at www.FSYAonline.com
Wei Huang
BBA International Business - Kennesaw State University
Enrolled in the BBA International Business program at Kennesaw State
University, and participating in a student exchange program with Soka
University in Japan.
Chang Liu
BBA Finance - Kennesaw State University
Master of Science in Finance - Johns Hopkins University
Enrolled in the Master of Science in Finance program at Johns Hopkins
Univerity, and working as a research assistent at the Carey Business
School.
Wes Tignor
BBA Finance & Accounting - Kennesaw State University
After leaving KSU in May 2009, I started working for Turner
Broadcasting System, INC almost immediately. I started out at Turner in
the Finance and Accounting Intern program, and then received a full
time position as a financial analyst in the fall. While different than the
investment driven analysis used in SMIF, corporate finance requires
many similar and related skills. I believe the finance and accounting
education that I received from KSU as well as my experiences in SMIF
(most notably managing a team and analyzing the market) has
contributed greatly to my career success so far. In addition to my KSU
education, I just completed the CPA exam, which should prove helpful
in many ways throughout my career. I look forward to leveraging my
past experiences and educational background to help further my career.
Justin Darr
Justin Darr is a junior majoring in finance and economics, graduating in
the fall of 2012 from Kennesaw State University’s Coles College of
Business. He began his involvement with KSU SMIF, LLC in the spring
of 2009 and is currently the Energy Sector Manager. In his previous
semesters with SMIF, LLC he has held the positions of energy and
consumer sector analyst. He has always had a fascination within equity
analysis and financial markets. His goal for this semester is to help
expand the energy sector’s horizon within the alternative energies
industry.
Patrick Konat
Kyle Teasdale
Kyle is a senior preparing to graduate in May with a degree in
International Business with a concentration in Finance. He joined
SMIF in Spring 2013 as a Junior Analyst before transitioning to
Managing Director of the Energy Sector last semester. This year he
takes on the role of CEO. Kyle also is currently interning at The
Canadian Consulate General of Canada’s office in Atlanta. Kyle hopes
to continue the tremendous growth that the SMIF has experienced
over the last few semesters and pass on SMIF to a new group of SMIF
members.
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/kyle-teasdale/46/54/859/
Michael Noland
Michael is a senior finance student graduating in May 2014. He has
experience in Operations Research and Mergers and Acquisitions
investment banking. He aims to create a culture in SMIF that
promotes learning and continual improvement. His goal is to maintain
an intelligence portfolio strategy that drives investment decisions.
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/michael-noland/5b/98b/70
Nobuko Saito
BBA Economics - Kennesaw State University
Nobuko is a senior in Finance. She is expecting to graduate Spring
2014. She joined Student Managed Investment Fund LLC in Fall 2011
when she was an exchange student from Soka University in Japan.
She found interest and passion in Finance and transferred to
Kennesaw State University and has been in this organization for the
longest. She started as financial analysts, then as VP of global
initiatives, sector manager and promoted to CEO after Spring 2013.
She now takes the role of Executive Vice President of Global
initiatives this semester to develop and build strong relationships with
universities overseas. Her goal is to create a strong foundation of
international relationships for SMIF.
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/nobuko-saito/43/14a/3bb
Nusaiba Abdulgader
Nusaiba Abdulgader is a senior Finance major expecting to graduate
in the Spring of 2014 from Kennesaw State University's Coles College
of Business. She began her involvement with KSU SMIF, LLC in the
Spring of 2013 and is currently VP of Marketing and Public
Relations in the organization. Nusaiba works at the Finance Budget
and Planning Department at Kennesaw State University as an
Administrative Assistant.
Taylor Sketch
BBA Economics - Kennesaw State University
Taylor is a Finance Major with a Minor in Marketing. He has a strong
interest in investing as well as management, developing the younger
analyst into leaders for the future of SMIF and beyond . He currently
works as an intern with a team at Morgan Stanley, focusing on Values
Based private wealth management.
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/taylor-sketch/54/aa7/a30
Rob Knapp
Rob is a Senior graduating in May of 2014. He joined the fund in 2013
as an analyst, and currently manages the Consumer Discretionary
sector. He is also member of the SMIF Alternative Investments, and
Portfolio teams. He is a Financial Analyst Intern at Henssler Financial,
and hopes to start his own fund with other SMIF members in the
future.
http://www.linkedin.com/in/rknapp5
Cory Woods
Cory is a Finance major who will graduate in the Spring of 2014 from
the Coles College at Kennesaw State University. He joined SMIF in
the Fall of 2013 as an analyst and now holds a role as sector
manager. He hopes to attain a broader knowledge of financial analysis
in addition to developing his leadership skills during his time in SMIF.
He one day hopes to see the fund reach the 1 million dollar mark.
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/cory-woods/7a/526/a11
Landon Hoffman
Landon is a Finance major who will graduate in May of 2014 from the
Coles College of Business at Kennesaw State University. He started
with KSU SMIF during the Fall semester of 2013 and is currently a
sector associate. Additionally Landon is a finance intern with Make a
Wish foundation. He is looking forward to working with fellow analysts
in growing the fund this following semester.
http://www.linkedin.com/in/jlandonhoffman
Colby Benefield
Colby is a finance major and is in his senior year at Kennesaw State
University. Colby joined the Student Managed Investment Fund as an
analyst in August of 2013. He currently works as an Executive
Assistant for a consulting firm. Colby has a passion for financial
analysis and investments. His goal as an associate analyst is to help
junior analysts learn and grow within the fund.
Javier Elizalde
Javier is a Senior majoring in Finance who will graduate Summer
2014. He joined SMIF in the fall of 2013 as a financial analyst. He
currently holds the position of associate for the financials sector as
well as being involved with the portfolio management team. Javier
recently finished an internship with Scottrade and will begin a new
internship with Capital Management Advisors, Inc. early this year. He
looks forward to helping make this the best SMIF semester yet.
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/javier-elizalde/67/b95/442