Michael J. Greer
Chief Executive Officer
Waveland Capital Partners LLC
Since entering the financial sector in 1981, Michael Greer has significant experience as an investment banker, financial advisor, corporate executive and entrepreneur. As Waveland’s CEO, he specializes in sourcing and structuring energy and private equity transactions, identifying sources of capital, and advising clients through all stages of corporate growth. Since co-founding Waveland Capital Partners in 2000, he has established the firm as a highly regarded boutique investment bank that has consistently performed for its clients in both good and difficult market conditions. During his career, Mike has also been actively involved in the oil and gas exploration industry. Mike founded Energy Partners, Inc. to co-venture natural gas exploration and production projects in California’s Sacramento Basin. Energy Partners was later acquired by Benton Oil and Gas Company, a NASDAQ-traded exploration and production company. Through Mike’s efforts, Benton Oil expanded its operations to include major projects in the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast. The company was also active in Russia and Venezuela. Mr. Greer is a licensed General Securities Principal with FINRA.
Steven Sunstein
President
Waveland Capital Partners LLC
Steven Sunstein, entered the financial services marketplace in the mid-70’s. Prior to joining Waveland, Steve served as a financial planner with Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (later known as CIGNA). While with CIGNA, he specialized in business and pension planning for small business firms. He left CIGNA in 1980 to form Wesco Asset Management, an investment advisory and money management firm, serving both high-net worth clients and their advisors. Before becoming an independent advisor, Steve had a substantial experience in computer programming and was actively involved in the development and testing of investment strategies utilizing state-of-the-art portfolio enhancement tools such as artificial intelligence software, neural networks, and “Modified Monte Carlo” simulation. Using these techniques, Steve developed and managed successful option strategy portfolios through 2002 when he joined Waveland. During this period, he was also one of the leading retail registered representatives at Value Equities and subsequently at United Pacific Securities, both FINRA broker-dealers. He is a Registered Investment Advisor with the California Department of Corporations. He is also licensed as a General Securities and Option Principal with FINRA. In addition to his duties as President of Waveland Capital Partners LLC he also serves as its Chief Compliance Officer.
John Naslund, CFP®, CLU
Senior Vice President, Regional Sales Director – Western Division
Waveland Capital Group LLC
John Naslund began his career in the financial services industry in 1975. During his career, John has been retained by several major world-wide financial institutions as a variable product and planning specialist, providing expertise and assistance to national securities firms and representatives servicing highly accredited clientele. John was conferred the designation of CFP® by the College of Financial Planning in Denver. He is a licensed General Securities and Municipal Securities Principal with FINRA. He has been conferred the Chartered Life Underwriter designation by the American College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, and is a member of FPA®, the National Financial Planning Association.
Russell W. Young, CFP®
Senior Vice President
Waveland Capital Group LLC
Russell Young has over 22 years of experience in financial, estate and tax planning, and real estate and securities transaction structuring. Prior to joining Waveland, Russ was an independent financial advisor focused on asset management for high-net worth individuals. Before establishing his career in financial services, he served as the Director of Transfusion Services at the Maryland Institute of Emergency Medicine before entering the private sector as a specialist in medical equipment sales. He was conferred the CFP® designation by the College of Financial Planning in Denver, and is a licensed General Securities Principal with the NASD. Russ holds an MBA from Johns Hopkins University, a MS in Immunohematology from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and a BA in Biochemistry from the University of Maryland. Russ is a member of the International Board of Standards and Practices for the College of Financial Planning.
Matthew J. Kessler, CIMA
Institutional Sales Director
Waveland Capital Group LLC
Since entering the financial services industry sector in 1984, Matthew Kessler has significant experience as a marketing executive at a variety of top-level global wealth management investment companies. Matthew managed distribution channels for Alternative Investments such as Private Equity, Fund of Funds, Hedge Funds, and Exchange Funds exclusively for Family Offices, Accredited Investors and Institutions. Matthew has been responsible for leading distribution efforts across the full spectrum of Wealth Management services and capabilities to include Structured Products, Managed Accounts, Financial Planning, Mutual Funds, Equities and Fixed Income.
Matthew joined BlackRock in August of 2003 as Vice President of Marketing. Prior to joining BlackRock, Mr. Kessler held a number of senior positions in the financial services industry, including Vice President of UBS Alternative Investment Group and Vice President of Alliance Capital. Matthew’s work experience includes 4 years of experience in the oil and gas industry in Oklahoma and Kansas with Damson Oil as a Roughneck and Engineering Technician. His oil and gas background also includes the sales and marketing of taxed advantaged Oil and Gas Limited Partnerships. Matthew has 4 years experience in the real estate industry with The Krupp Companies. Matthew holds a CIMA from the Investment Management Consultants Association and graduated from The American University, Washington, D.C., with a BSBA from The Kogod School of Business. FINRA Series 7, 22, 62, 63, 65, 66, and 67 licensed.
Steve J. Katcher
Regional Sales Director – Eastern Division
Waveland Capital Partners LLC
Steve Katcher brings 25 years of experience in all facets of financial services, including marketing, wholesaling, retail sales and broker/dealer management. Prior to joining Waveland, Steve was Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Vestax Securities Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the ING Group. While at Vestax, Steve managed all marketing, product support, advisor recruiting and insurance agency activities.
Before joining Vestax, Steve was Vice President, National Account Sales at The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company where he recruited, trained, and managed a team of eleven Regional Sales Directors. He developed and managed selling relationships for mutual funds, variable annuities and variable universal life with over 100 broker/dealers throughout the United States. Before joining Penn Mutual, Steve was branch manager for Lincoln Investment Planning, Inc. in State College, PA where he founded the central Pennsylvania branch office.
Steve began his career with First Radnor Equities, Inc., where as President and Chief Operating Officer he managed the wholesale broker/dealer and raised $260 million in investment capital for the Fidelity Leasing Income Fund limited partnerships. Steve is a graduate of The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA and is series 7 & 24 licensed.
Daniel S. Kohanzo
Regional Sales Director – Central Division
Waveland Capital Group LLC
Dan Kohanzo began his career in the financial services industry in 1997. Prior to joining Waveland, Dan was Vice President of Intermediary Sales at Man Investments, a world leading independent asset manager dedicated solely to alternative investing. While at Man Investments, Dan worked closely with financial advisors and private banks in providing alternative investment solutions for high-net worth clients within managed futures, fund of hedge funds and structured products.
Before joining Man Investments, he represented Ibbotson Associates as a Regional Manager where he focused on investment consulting and asset allocation services to medium and large corporate clients, which included broker dealers, insurance companies, investment consultants and hedge funds.
Mr. Kohanzo is a graduate of the University of Kansas and FINRA series 7, 63, 31 licensed.