2009-2010 LaPorte Torch Fund Manager Profiles
Brandon Belcher
Brandon Belcher enters Torch Fund with seven years experience in the healthcare industry. He has served as a researcher with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute at the Rockefeller University, an investor relations consultant for micro to mid-cap biotechnology companies, and most recently, an Equity Research Associate Analyst for Brean Murray, Carret & Co. in New York covering the biotechnology and pharmaceuticals sectors. Brandon’s career objective is to become a C-level executive within the biotechnology industry, and views Torch fund as an opportunity to learn fund management. Brandon received his BS in Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of Tennessee in 2001 and is currently pursuing an MBA in Finance, and Marketing from the University of Tennessee.
Michael Greene
Michael earned a B.S. in Finance in 2001 and a B.A. in Classical Philosophy in 2002; both from UT, Knoxville, where he also served as a Portfolio Manager for the TVA Investment Challenge Fund. From 2005 to 2007, he served as the Credit Analyst for the Real Estate Finance Group of SunTrust Bank, East Tennessee, focusing on the development and construction of commercial, income, and residential projects. His subsequent position, prior to returning to the University of Tennessee, was as the Assistant Vice President of the Residential Construction Lending Group of Regions Financial, East Tennessee.
Michael is currently a full-time MBA student, working towards concentrations in both Finance and Entrepreneurship & Innovation. His career goal is to establish his own Real Estate Development Company, and he thinks that serving as a LaPorte Torch Fund Manager is an excellent opportunity to use his unique critical thinking and communication skills to drive value for The Fund. Michael and his wife of six years, Elizabeth, are the proud parents of a beautiful three year old daughter named Caitlin.
Brian Hedge
Brian received a BS in Zoology from the University of Florida and a MS in Management from the Warrington College of Business. He worked for Allied Cash Holdings in Miami, FL for 3 years as a marketing analyst, manager of collections and analytics, and a new product analyst. In addition, he has traveled internationally in Asia, Europe, the South Pacific, and South America. Brian plans to use the experience from working on the LaPorte Torch Fund to learn more about emerging markets and investment management. He is currently a first year MBA student at the University of Tennessee with a concentration in Logistics.
M. Gray Sain
Gray Sain graduated from the University of Tennessee in December of 2007 with a B.S. in Journalism and Electronic Media. He then moved to Washington DC to accept a position as an Account Executive for United Business Technologies in February of 2008. During his time at United Business Technologies Gray was a 2x salesman of the month award recipient, and completed over $120,000 in sales within a year.
Gray returned to University of Tennessee in August to pursue a Masters in Business Administration. He is currently working towards a dual degree in Finance and Marketing. Gray’s career goals are to become a financial market participant in Capital Markets, or to work in Investment Management. Gray views the Torch Fund as being a great opportunity to learn necessary skills to assist in reaching his career goals, and learn as much as possible about Fund Management during his time in the MBA program.
Jason M. Tomassi
Jason Tomassi is currently attaining an MBA from the University of Tennessee with concentrations in Logistics and Finance. He is an active member of TOMBA (Tennessee Organization of MBA’s) and the Financial Managers Association at UT. Jason is also a LaPorte Torch Fund Manager in charge of securities and equities investments. He spent four years with Dell Inc. in various roles including materials, production control, and operations. During his tenure with Dell he was instrumental in developing the Retail fulfillment team as Dell grew their customer business model to include Retail distribution. He designed and lead efforts for Dell’s West Coast Fulfillment Center operations with specialization in material delivery, cycle time reduction, and optimizing flow for product through the facility. Jason also received Green Belt Certification through Dell Business Process Improvement training. In 2005, Jason received his dual undergraduate degree in Logistics and Marketing--during which time he was a member of Phi Beta Lambda Business Honorary, Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity, and Council of Logistics and Supply Chain Management.