OPTIMA - Key Persons


Alex Sandhaus

Job Titles:
  • Managing Director, Business Development
Mr. Sandhaus joined Optima in 2012, as Managing Director of US & Europe Sales and Business Development. He is responsible for marketing Optima's multi-manager, single manager and custom hedge fund options to US and European institutions and Private Wealth Clients. Mr. Sandhaus has over 25 years of financial services industry experience, with deep relationships in Europe, notably Switzerland, Luxembourg, France, Belgium and Monaco. Prior to Optima, Mr. Sandhaus was Director, Deutsche Bank Asset Management (NY) responsible for raising capital for the firm's alternative investment products as well as a variety of structured and cash products; prior to that, he held the position of Senior Vice President at Lehman Brothers International (UK) where he established the Institutional Client Group for sales and client acquisition. Mr. Sandhaus also held positions at Salomon Smith Barney (NY) and Union Bancaire Privee (Geneva). Mr. Sandhaus has an M.B.A. from the Université de Lausanne (Switzerland).

Andrew Mehalko

Job Titles:
  • Director of Investments
  • Head of Investments
With more than 30 years working in investment management, Andrew is currently the Director of Investments for Optima Asset Management and Co-Chief Investment Officer of FFT Wealth Management. Most recently, Andrew was the Founder and Chief Investment Officer of AM Global Family Investment Office. Prior to founding AM Global, Andrew served as Chief Investment Officer, Chairman of the Investment Committee, and a member of the Operating Committee for GenSpring Family Offices during his 12-year career with the company. Under his investment leadership, GenSpring grew from $450 million of assets under advisement to over $20 billion. Andrew was responsible, as a firm owner and member of the management team, for the development and management of the discretionary investment management philosophy and process that helped GenSpring accomplish their impressive growth. Andrew received a bachelor's degree in Finance from the University of North Carolina Greensboro and completed course work in the Behavioral Finance seminar at Harvard University and the Investment Management Workshop at Harvard University Business School. He holds the FINRA Series 65 security registration. Andrew is a former member of the Investment Committee Board for the University of North Carolina Greensboro Endowment Investment Fund and is a member of the Economic Club of New York. He also holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.

Arnold Rozenvasser

Job Titles:
  • Head of Systems Development
Arnold Rozenvasser is the Head of Systems Development and has over 30 years' experience in the financial and information technology industry, joining Optima in 2004. Arnold is responsible for the development and support of Optima's information technology platform called OPERAS. Previously Arnold was with Royal Bank of Canada, where he was Director with RBC Capital Markets and Equity Derivatives Group. At RBC, he managed the team of software and database engineers to develop proprietary computational systems for structured products, risk, accounting, and hedge fund groups. Prior to RBC, Arnold was the founder and president of RNET Corporation, which provided information technology consulting for Lehman Brothers, Dai-ichi Kangyo Bank, and Exxon Company International. He began his career in 1987 working as systems consultant for Citibank. Arnold holds bachelors degree in Computer and Information Science from City University of New York at Brooklyn College and is a Certified Microsoft Professional (CMP), also holding FINRA's Series 7 and 63 licenses.

Cecile Feeley

Job Titles:
  • in 2007 As the Management Company Accountant
  • Management Company Accountant
Cecile Feeley joined Optima in 2007 as the Management Company Accountant. Prior to joining Optima, she worked for 10 years as the Accounting Manager for AEA Investors LLC, a global private equity firm. Primarily focused on examining, reconciling and reporting on the financials of numerous management companies within Optima, she also works extensively on tax filings and audits. Cecile supports the CFO in assisting to drive the business's overall management and strategy of financial related matters including budgeting and forecasting. Cecile has a BA in Accounting from Queens College as well as a BA in Journalism from Baruch College.

Christopher Carroll

Job Titles:
  • Managing Director, Marketing
Christopher Carroll joined Optima in 2022 and is responsible for the firm's marketing efforts in addition to assisting the build out of Optima's US institutional business. Chris was previously at Intech Investment Management, where he held multiple roles over a 17+ year tenure, including in Institutional Business Development, Marketing, Product Management, Business Intelligence and Client Service. Chris began his career at Scottrade, Inc. and brings over 20 years of financial services experience to Optima. His areas of expertise include implementation of marketing automation, development and implementation of a robust inbound/outbound sales strategy and lead development of advanced custom solutions. He holds the Series 7 and 66 securities licenses and has a dual BA degree in Marketing and Business Management from Florida Atlantic University.

D. Dixon Boardman - CEO

Job Titles:
  • Chief Executive Officer
  • Member of the Executive Leadership Team
Mr. Boardman founded Optima in July 1988 and is the CEO of Optima Asset Management LLC. He has a background in advising high net worth individuals first as a Senior Vice President at Kidder, Peabody where he was an "Associate," a distinguished group of the 20 leading stockbrokers in the firm, and then at UBS PaineWebber where he was a member of the Chairman's Council. Mr. Boardman is often quoted in the Financial Times and The Wall Street Journal, as well as in other financial publications. He appears frequently on CNBC to give his overview on the hedge fund industry. Mr. Boardman has served as Chairman of the Special Projects Committee of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and is currently a member of the President's Council of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Additionally, he is an Executive Committee member of the NewYork Weill Cornell Council. He is a Director of Florida Crystals Corporation and an Advisory Board Director, J.C. Bamford Excavators (U.K.). He has over 40 years' investment experience and has been allocating to hedge fund managers for 28 years. Mr. Boardman attended McGill University.

Faigie Schwartz

Job Titles:
  • Supervisor of Fund Accounting
Faigie Schwartz joined Optima in 2001 and is a Supervisor of Fund Accounting. Prior to working at Optima, Faigie worked at Eisner Amper in the audit division where she supervised audit engagements in many different divisions. Faigie brings over 20 years of experience to Optima, and her areas of expertise include fund accounting and operations. Faigie is a Certified Public Accountant in the state of New York and has an accounting degree from Brooklyn College.

Frank Rocchio

Job Titles:
  • Controller
Frank Rocchio joined Optima in 1993 and is responsible for the finance and operations for the firm. Before joining Optima, Frank was an Audit Supervisor at Ernst & Young (New York) where he was responsible for all aspects of hedge fund and broker-dealer audit engagements. Prior to Ernst & Young, Frank was an Audit Supervisor at Spicer & Oppenheim (New York) where he specialized in broker-dealer audits. Frank is also the Treasurer of The Optima Charitable Foundation. Frank earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from Bryant College.

Geoffrey M. Lewis - CFO

Job Titles:
  • Chief Financial Officer
  • Member of the Executive Leadership Team
  • CA ( SA
Mr. Lewis joined Optima in 1989. As Chief Financial Officer, he is responsible for all aspects of operations, finance, taxation, and performance calculation for the firm. Previous to joining Optima, Mr. Lewis was Senior Audit Manager at Spicer & Oppenheimer (New York). There he was responsible for supervising audit engagements for hedge fund clients and other commercial entities. Prior to Spicer & Oppenheimer, Mr. Lewis was a Partner at Fisher Hoffman Stride (South Africa) where he specialized in head office audits. Mr. Lewis earned a Bachelor of Accounting, with distinction, from the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. Mr. Lewis became Chief Financial Officer of FWM Holdings Inc. in 2019 when they acquired the business of Optima.

Jennifer Young

Job Titles:
  • Chief of Staff
Jennifer Young joined Optima in 2019 and is the Chief of Staff. Jenn spent the majority of her career at Intech Investment Management, a multi-billion dollar global investment management firm headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida, where she was Chairman and CEO. Prior to that, Jenn worked primarily in new business development and marketing for Manning & Napier Advisors, HSBC Asset Management Americas, and the former Marine Midland Bank. Jenn brings over 30 years of experience to Optima, and her areas of expertise include new business development, sales and marketing, operations, trading and executive management across broad asset classes in both the global and domestic arena. Jenn holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation, has an MBA in Finance from Clarkson University, and a BA in Economics from St. Lawrence University.

Keith M. Bloomfield - Chairman

Job Titles:
  • CHAIRMAN
  • Member of the Executive Leadership Team
Keith is Chairman of Optima and a founding partner of FFT Wealth Management. Previously, he worked as a Senior Managing Director and Corporate Counsel for Third Avenue Management LLC. Before joining Third Avenue, Keith was a Senior Associate for over eight years at Simpson, Thacher & Bartlett LLP, representing principals and financial advisors on domestic and international mergers and acquisitions, and private equity investment, as well as advising boards and directors on corporate governance. Prior to joining Simpson Thacher, he was an associate at Lehman Brothers in the real estate investment banking group. In 2010, Keith and his co-authors published a book "The Family Office, Advising the Financial Elite." Keith received an LL.M. in Taxation from New York University School of Law in 1997 and a J.D. from Hofstra University School of Law in 1996, where he was Managing Editor of Business for the Hofstra Labor Law Journal. He graduated cum laude with a B.A. from Tulane University in 1993. Keith is a member of the President's Council for Tulane University, as well as a member of the Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment Advisory Board for the Barclays Center and Nassau Coliseum. Keith also served on the Board of Directors of Home Products International from 2007-2009.

Marshall Hendler

Job Titles:
  • Vice President, Research
Mr. Hendler is a Vice President in the Research Department having joined Optima In 2013. He is currently responsible for covering the firm's US equity allocations, and formerly had coverage of discretionary and systematic managers in the global macro space. Earlier in his career with Optima, he was an Analyst with the firm's Investor Relations Department, covering all of Optima's commingled funds, single manager funds, and advisory products. Prior to joining Optima, Mr. Hendler worked as a Senior Litigation Paralegal at Wigdor LLP, a leading employment, entertainment, and civil rights law firm, where he assisted the firm's partners with several federal litigations and court trials. Mr. Hendler graduated from Tufts University where he received a B.A. in History and a Minor in Economics.

Michael Rhea

Job Titles:
  • in 2022 As a Senior Analyst
  • Senior Analyst, Research
Mr. Rhea joined Optima in 2022 as a Senior Analyst in the Research Department, with a focus on long/short equity, systematic, and relative value managers. Prior to joining Optima, Mr. Rhea worked as an Alternative Investments Director at Morgan Stanley for over five years. His primary responsibilities included portfolio management and alternative investment analysis. Additionally, Mr. Rhea conducted research and due diligence on potential alternative investments as well as monitored the team's existing exposures to Hedge Funds, Private Equity and Credit, and Real Estate. Prior to Morgan Stanley, Michael was an Associate at Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. Mr. Rhea is a graduate of the University of Lynchburg where he received a B.A. in Economics with an emphasis in Finance and a Minor in Business; he was a member of the men's varsity lacrosse team.

Neil Datta

Job Titles:
  • Managing Director, Due Diligence
  • Member of the Investment Committee and Head of Risk
Neil Datta is a voting member of the Investment Committee and Head of Risk at Optima. He joined Optima in 2011 from Arden Asset Management, an institutional fund of hedge funds group. Neil spent four years at Arden where he was responsible for managing risk for a global multi-strategy hedge fund portfolio. Prior to Arden, Neil spent five years in government uncovering financial crimes, money laundering and tax evasion as an Investigator for New York State. Neil started his career at Salomon Smith Barney, working in trade settlement and operations for one of the most active investment banks at the time. Neil received a B.S. in Business Administration from the State University of New York and is National Founding Father of Sigma Beta Rho Multi-Cultural Fraternity, Inc.

Payton Lill

Job Titles:
  • Analyst, Research
  • in 2022 As a Junior Analyst
Ms. Lill joined Optima in 2022 as a Junior Analyst in the Research Department, responsible for supporting the research team on the public and private investment side as well as assisting with risk analytics. Payton joined Optima as a full-time analyst after completing an Optima summer internship program in 2021. Ms. Lill is a graduate of Columbia University where she received a B.A. in Political Science and was a member of the woman's Division I Varsity Lacrosse team.

Polina Kiseleva

Job Titles:
  • Analyst, Research
  • Business Development
  • in 2023 As an Analyst
Ms. Kiseleva joined Optima in 2023 as an Analyst in the Research Department, responsible for supporting the research team on the public and private investment side. Prior to joining Optima, Ms. Kiseleva worked as an Analyst on the Research Team at Forester Capital, LLC. Her primary responsibilities included analysis, due diligence, and monitoring of Forester's existing alternative investments in Hedge Funds and Private Equity. Additionally, Ms. Kiseleva was involved in sourcing and conducting research on potential alternative investments. Ms. Kiseleva is a graduate of Wesleyan University where she received a B.A. in Economics, a Minor in Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies, and was a member of the women's Division III Varsity Tennis team.

Ragnar Gearhart - Chief Compliance Officer

Job Titles:
  • Chief Compliance Officer
Ragnar joined Optima in March 2022 and is Chief Compliance Officer for Optima Asset Management and Forbes Family Trust. Ragnar has over a decade of experience in financial services compliance and was most recently CCO and AML Officer at Boenning & Scattergood Inc.; his past experience also includes a position as a Regulatory Analyst with FINRA. Ragnar has extensive knowledge of compliance and regulatory requirements and his experience encompasses investment banking, brokerage and advisory compliance, operations, audit, complaint settlement and FINRA filings. Ragnar graduated from Hamilton College in 2004 with a BA in Biology.

Susan Kapuscinski

Job Titles:
  • Manager of Fund Accounting
Susan Kapuscinski joined Optima in 1994 and is the Manager of Fund Accounting. She is responsible for overseeing all of the valuation preparation and review, performance calculations, audit, tax and financial statements review and various special projects for all of the Funds. Prior to joining Optima, she worked as an Accountant in The Related Companies in NYC and prior to that she was an auditor and tax preparer with the CPA firm of Seymour Schneidman & Associates. Susan graduated from Binghamton University where she received her Bachelor of Science in Accounting.

Thomas S.T. Gimbel - CEO

Job Titles:
  • Executive Managing Director
Mr. Gimbel joined Optima in 2004 and is responsible for portfolio risk management at Optima, as well as new business development for the Middle East region. Mr. Gimbel also served as chief executive officer of American Farmland Company, a publicly traded real estate investment trust that was sponsored by an affiliate of Optima prior to its IPO. Prior to joining Optima, Tom was with Credit Suisse Asset Management, where he was a Managing Director for Hedge Fund Investments in charge of originating hedge fund investments and structured fund-of-funds offerings. Mr. Gimbel was previously head of the Hedge Fund Department at DLJ and prior to that, he was Managing Director in Investment Banking at PaineWebber and Chairman of PaineWebber Futures Management Corporation. Earlier in his career, he was Vice President and Treasurer of Smith Barney's real estate acquisition and syndication subsidiary, having begun his career in investment banking in 1978. Mr. Gimbel has a B.A. in economics from Bowdoin College and an MBA in finance from Columbia Business School. He is a member of the Board of Overseers of Children's Hospital in Boston, Director of Lighthouse Guild and a Director of Prime Energy Corporation. He has had a number of articles published in industry publications and has presented at numerous conferences and institutional investor forums.

Tracy Lynch

Job Titles:
  • Vice President, Investor Relations
  • Compliance / Operations
Tracy Lynch joined Optima in 2003. At Optima, Ms. Lynch is responsible for investor relations covering all of the firm's products including multi-manager funds (commingled and advisory) as well as single manager hedge funds. This includes working closely with both the Research and Risk teams as well as the Business Development team. Additionally, she is a member of the firm's Product Development Committee. Prior to joining Optima, Ms. Lynch was at Blackfin Capital LLC, a merger arbitrage fund, handling business development and investor relations. Prior to that, she spent two years at Lord Abbett & Co. in the institutional marketing department. As a product specialist on the small cap growth team, she was responsible for separate account clients as well as institutional mutual fund clients. Ms. Lynch graduated from Tufts University where she received a B.S. in Biology.

Yehuda Y. Spindler - Chief Investment Officer

Job Titles:
  • Chief Investment Officer
Mr. Spindler joined Optima in 2006 and is responsible for managing Optima's hedge fund strategies across long-only, hedged equity, global trading, and multi-strategy managers. Additionally, he serves as the Portfolio Manager of several co-mingled and separate-account Optima products and is a member of the Portfolio Management Committee which is responsible for approving managers across all strategies within the Firm. Prior to joining Optima, Mr. Spindler was a Senior Analyst at Sage Investors L.P., a multi-family office serving ultra-high net worth clients where he was responsible for performing due diligence on investment opportunities ranging from public-equity investments to private real estate transactions. Prior to that, he spent three years at Deloitte & Touche in New York as a Senior Auditor within the Assurance & Advisory division where he planned and executed audit engagement procedures for a number of Fortune 500 companies. Mr. Spindler also assisted with financial statement analytical testing, financial reporting, trade processing, and internal control recommendations. Mr. Spindler is currently a member of the Orthodox Union Investment Committee (a not-for-profit educational, outreach and social service organization). He graduated cum laude from the Sy Syms School of Business, Yeshiva University, New York.