Gary Brode is a 30-year hedge fund veteran and the head of Deep Knowledge Investing. Prior to his current position, he was Managing Partner and Senior Portfolio Manager for Silver Arrow Investment Management, a concentrated long-only hedge fund with options-based hedging where the long return on invested capital beat the S&P 500 by almost 100% over eight years. Deep Knowledge Investing works with hedge fund managers, portfolio managers, family offices and high net worth individuals to earn higher returns in the equity portion of their portfolios. DKI provides conflict- free, well-researched stock ideas, and timely market commentary and has produced more stock picks that have appreciated by 100% or more than it has losing positions.

Robert Akeson is managing director at Riverside Management Group (“RMG”), a boutique investment bank. At RMG, he focuses on advising asset managers, broker-dealers, fintech companies, and their supporting ecosystems on financial transactions. In addition, he is Managing Member of Solidus Advisors, LLC (“Solidus”), which advises asset managers and broker-dealers on start-up, operational, business, and succession planning matters.

Previously, he was Chief Operating Officer and Co-Head of Prime Brokerage at Mirae Asset Securities (USA) and was on the firm’s Management Committee. Also, Mr. Akeson ran Neuberger Berman’s prime brokerage, correspondent clearing, and related agency execution business. While at the firm, Mr. Akeson, served on the firm’s Operating Committee and on the SIA’s Clearing and Membership Committees. Additionally, Mr. Akeson has held management positions at Morgan Stanley, ICBC, and Broadridge’s predecessor, ADP BISG. He also has General Partner and Advisory Board level experience with small money management firms.

Mr. Akeson’s experience includes P&L management, corporate strategy, business development, operations, IT, compliance, risk management, due diligence, balance sheet and liquidity management. He also has extensive experience with FINRA New Member and Continuing Membership Applications for businesses including prime brokerage and portfolio margin. In addition, Mr. Akeson has led successful efforts to become self-clearing working with FINRA and clearinghouses, including DTCC, FICC, and OCC.

Mr. Akeson has been a member of the DTCC Systemic Risk Task Force and Chairman of the Business Management Interest Group of the CFA Society New York. He currently serves on the Management Committee of the New York Alternative Investment Roundtable, where he hosts a podcast. In addition, he is a member of the Economic Club of New York. Mr. Akeson earned an MBA from New York University and a BA from Washington College. He holds the following licenses/ registrations, SIE, 7, 9, 10, 24, 63, 79, and 99.