Our Team
Principal Officers|Consultants|Analysts|Staff
Principal Officers
E. Lee Giovannetti
Chief Executive Officer,
Founding Partner
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Lee is co-founder of Consulting Services Group, LLC (CSG) and the chief executive officer of CSG Holdings, LLC (CSG Holdings). Lee oversees the growth strategies of the CSG Holdings’ family of companies. Lee's specialization and expertise include manager evaluation and research development of alternative investment strategies for both institutional and private clients.
Lee began his career in the investment business in 1978 with Merrill Lynch & Company. Prior to the formation of CSG in 1988, Lee worked for E.F. Hutton as a vice president in its consulting division. During his tenure with E.F. Hutton, Lee and several colleagues recognized the unfulfilled needs of tax advantaged funds, a growing sector of the financial community. In April, 1983, a special group of EFH, Memphis, known as Consulting Services Division (CSD) was formed and served as a model division for EFH’s efforts to service this growing sector of the market.
In January 1988, Lee and other CSD employees departed EFH to form CSG, a wholly owned subsidiary of Furman-Selz Inc. and a member of the Xerox Financial Services Family. Consulting Services Group, LLC, a full-service consulting firm, was formed in June 1990 as part of a transaction that allowed the CSG employees to acquire the firm from Furman.
Lee received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee and holds Series 7 and 63 licenses through Commerce Square Trading (CST). Lee currently serves on the Bridges Philanthropy Advisory Council, the board of directors for Bridges, Inc., Emanuel Episcopal Center, the Shelby County Drug Court Foundation of Memphis and Trivantis Corporation. Lee is a past president of both the Memphis Touchdown Club and Christian Brothers Hall of Fame. Lee is also a past board member for the Promise Academy Charter School, St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School, the Liberty Bowl Festival Association and Memphis Oral School of the Deaf. Lee is employed by Commerce Advisors, CSG and CST.
Brian Jones
President, Senior Consultant
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Brian Jones, president, manages the consulting practice of Consulting Services Group, LLC (CSG). Brian serves as the managing director of CSG's institutional client group and is responsible for the oversight and development of the firm's institutional client relationships. Brian is the lead consultant on several foundation/endowment, private family, and pension client relationships. In 1990, he joined CSG as a financial analyst, and in 1995 he transitioned into the financial consulting role. In 1999 Brian accepted an ownership position in the firm and was promoted to the level of senior consultant. Brian became the president of CSG in 2003. Before joining CSG, Brian was a part-time faculty member for the Department of Economics at the University of Memphis. In addition, Brian worked for the State of Tennessee Senate Finance Committee and for the U.S. House of Representatives for the Ways and Means Committee. He graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in economics and holds a master of business administration degree from the University of Memphis. Brian is also employed by Commerce Square Trading (CST) and holds Series 7 and 63 licenses. He is an active member of the University of Memphis Alumni Association and recently served on the board of the Center for Economic Education at the University of Memphis. Currently, Brian serves on the board of the Southern College of Optometry.
Miles S. Fortas, CPA
Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer,
Chief Operating Officer,
Chief Compliance Officer
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Miles Fortas serves as the chief financial officer and chief operating officer. Miles is responsible for CSG's financial reporting process, administration oversight, compensation and management operations. He also serves as the president of AIM Charity, the benevolent arm of CSG. Miles began his career at CSG in 1998 as the chief financial officer and later added the role of chief operating officer. In 2002 he accepted an ownership position in the firm. Prior to joining CSG, Miles was a senior audit engagement supervisor for Ernst & Young in its Assurance and Advisory Business Services Division. He graduated with honors from Rhodes College with a bachelor's degree in business administration. He also received a master's of accountancy degree from Rhodes College. Miles is also employed by Commerce Square Trading (CST) and holds a Series 28 license. Miles is also employed by Commerce Advisors, LLC. He serves as the chapter CPA advisor for the Kappa Delta sorority at Rhodes. Miles serves on the Board of Directors for Home Therapy Specialists (HTS) in Austin, Texas. HTS is a Medicare-certified rehabilitation provider. Miles is also employed by Commerce Advisors, LLC, CST and CSG Holdings, LLC.
Joe D. Meals
Executive Vice President,
Senior Consultant
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Joe Meals, executive vice president and senior consultant, is a founding member of the Consulting Services Group, LLC (CSG). Joe currently serves on CSG's Research Advisory Board and is a senior consultant on several major institutional client accounts. Since joining the firm in 1988 as a fixed income specialist, Joe has been involved in all facets of the company's operations. Previously, he has served as CSG's chief financial officer, chief compliance officer, and the president of Trading Services Group, LLC (TSG), now, Commerce Square Trading (CST). Joe also supervised the early development of the firm's performance measurement software program (replaced by Advent). Prior to joining CSG, Joe was a fixed income salesman with E.F. Hutton & Co. where he served on the Director's Advisory Committee two years consecutively. He previously worked for eight years as the asset liability management officer for two major local banks. Joe earned a bachelor's degree in business administration and economics from Rhodes College in Memphis where he graduated with distinction. From 1993 through 1995, he served as Chairman of the Board of Alert Centre Inc., a home security-monitoring firm that merged with ADT in 1995. Joe most recently served as a member of the Editorial Advisory Board for The Institutional Real Estate Letter.
Robert A. Longfield, Jr., CFA
Executive Vice President,
Senior Consultant
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Robert Longfield, executive vice president and senior consultant, chairs the Consulting Services Group, LLC (CSG) Research Advisory Board. This board directs the firm’s research efforts and Robert brings expertise in infrastructure investing as well as twenty years of experience with the firm. Robert also brings specific expertise to not-for-profit hospital operating assets, foundations, insurance reserves, public defined benefit plans, corporate defined contribution plans, 457 and OPEB Trusts.
In 1989 Robert began his career with CSG as a financial analyst. He transitioned into the consulting role in 1992 and became a senior consultant and owner in 1997. Robert lectures throughout the year on topics ranging from alternative investing to investment policy construction at various conferences. Robert graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in finance and a minor in economics from the University of Memphis. He has earned the right to use the CFA designation and holds both the Series 7 and 63 licenses through Commerce Square Trading (CST). Robert’s community involvement includes service on the finance committee for Hope Presbyterian Church and the West Tennessee Development Council for Campus Crusade for Christ.
Kurt A. Voldeng, CAIA®
Executive Vice President,
Senior Consultant
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Kurt Voldeng, executive vice president and senior consultant, specializes in alternative investment strategies. Together with senior consultant, Frank Stone, Kurt's responsibilities include structuring, evaluating, monitoring, and servicing non-traditional investment assets for institutional and individual clients. Kurt began his career at Consulting Services Group, LLC (CSG) in 1990 as a financial analyst and accepted an ownership position in the firm in 1999. Prior to joining CSG, Kurt worked in the corporate finance department at Union Planters National Bank. Kurt graduated with honors with a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Memphis. He also holds a master of business administration degree from the University of Memphis. Kurt maintains the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst designation, is employed by Commerce Square Trading (CST) and holds Series 7 and 63 licenses. Kurt is an active member of the University of Memphis Alumni Association and currently serves as treasurer of the Epsilon Kappa chapter of Sigma Chi House Corporation for the Epsilon Kappa chapter of Sigma Chi Fraternity.
Consultants
Scott A. Arnwine
Consultant
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Scott Arnwine joined CSG in 2004 and recently transitioned into his current role as investment consultant. Prior to his consultant role, Scott managed the CSG analyst teams for both the institutional and wealth management groups. As an analyst, his client work was dedicated to the institutional group, primarily with foundations/endowments and pension clients in the areas of manager selection and performance evaluation. Scott's focus as a consultant continues to be dedicated to the institutional client group. Before joining CSG in 2004, Scott worked as a financial advisor in the private client group for Morgan Stanley. His twenty years of experience also includes both corporate finance and account management. Scott received a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Memphis. He is also employed by Commerce Square Trading (CST) and holds the Series 7, 24 and 66 licenses. Scott currently serves as a board member for the Blue Streak Scholarship Fund and as a member of the Evangelical Christian School Board of Trustees. He is an elder of First Evangelical Church.
Jonathan D. Breth, CFP®
Senior Consultant
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Jonathan Breth, consultant, began his career with Consulting Services Group (CSG) as a financial analyst in 2000. After five years as an analyst, he transitioned to an investment consulting role. Jonathan manages a client base including endowments and foundations, public pension accounts as well as family offices. In addition to his client relationships, Jonathan serves as a member of the Research Advisory Board that directs the firm's research efforts. Jon is also employed by Commerce Square Trading (CST) and holds Series 7, 63 and 65 licenses. Jonathan graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree in business administration from Rhodes College. Jon additionally received his CFP® designation in 2009.
Jay Fik
Consultant | Wealth Transfer Specialist
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Jay Fik joined Consulting Services Group, LLC (CSG) in 2006 and is the wealth transfer specialist for the private clients of CSG's Wealth Management Group. Jay leverages CSG's intuitional investment research to provide the firm's existing corporate executive, multi-generational family, and family office clients a holistic approach to investment consulting and financial planning. He regularly works with single family office executive directors in coordinating each family's overall goals and objectives relating to existing cash flow needs and both current and future philanthropic desires. Prior to joining CSG, Jay worked as a Senior Financial Planner and Vice President for Morgan Keegan and Company’s Wealth Management Services Group, where he consulted exclusively with the firm's high net worth individuals on tax, financial and estate planning matters. Prior to Morgan Keegan, Jay worked as a private client advisor for a Memphis-based planning firm, where he focused on using life insurance as a liquidity tool for large illiquid estates as well business succession plans. Jay graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor in Business Administration from the University of Memphis. He also received his Masters of Business Administration from the University of Memphis' Fogelman College. Jay is a Certified Financial Planner(R) practitioner. He is employed by Commerce Advisors, LLC and Commerce Square Trading (CST). Jay holds Series 7, 63 and 65 licenses.
Ian M. Janecek
Consultant
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Ian Janecek joined Consulting Services Group, LLC (CSG) in 2000 as a financial analyst until 2004. From 2004 to 2006, Ian worked with Laffer Investments as an executive vice president responsible for the daily operations and management of two institutional funds and a long/short hedge fund. In 2006 Ian rejoined CSG as a senior research analyst. Ian focuses primarily on institutional accounts and private equity research. He graduated cum laude from the University of Memphis with a bachelor's degree in finance. Ian is also employed by Commerce Square Trading (CST) and holds the Series 7 and 66 licenses.
William Scott Nailen, CFP®
Consultant
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Scott Nailen joined CSG in 1998 as a financial analyst with responsibilities including asset allocation, manager research, and performance reporting. In 2003, he transitioned into the role of investment consultant. Scott is a member of the firm's Wealth Management Group (WMG) and works closely with private clients, family foundations and trusts, endowments, and retirement plans. Scott's specialization and expertise includes income planning for taxable clients, trust management, generational wealth transfer, asset allocation, and sustainable investment research. He also serves on the firm’s 401(k) committee, which oversees CSG's defined contribution plan. Before joining CSG, Scott was a senior administrator in the global securities division of Bankers Trust. Scott graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He is also employed by Commerce Advisors, LLC and Commerce Square Trading (CST). Scott holds Series 7 and 66 licenses. Scott currently serves on both the Men’s Board for Grace Evangelical Church and the Football Board of Directors for the Germantown Football League (GFL). Scott is also employed by Commerce Advisors, LLC (Commerce Advisors).
Ronald D. Partain
Senior Consultant
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Ron Partain joined Consulting Services Group (CSG) as a financial analyst in 1994. Ron became a consultant in 2000 and currently leads the analytical, manager research and special project effort for his client service team. In addition to being the firm's lead timber research specialist, he also specializes in real estate. Prior to CSG, Ron worked as a financial consultant at Merrill Lynch where he gained experience in income focused objectives. He began his career in the financial industry at Union Planters Bank and graduated from the University of Memphis with a bachelor's degree in finance. Ron has fifteen years of investment consulting experience with thirteen years dedicated to public plans. He holds a certified financial manager (CFM) designation from the Donald T. Regan School of Advanced Financial Management at Princeton University. Ron is also an employee of Commerce Square Trading (CST) and holds Series 7, 63 and 65 licenses. Ron is an active member of the University of Memphis Alumni Association and currently serves as the president of the Greenleaf Condominium Association.
Michael E. Perdzock
Senior Consultant
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Mike Perdzock serves as a senior consultant to several of the firm's largest clients. He is also a special projects research analyst and oversees projects relating to asset allocation, investment manager research and selection, as well as new client development. Mike began his career at Consulting Services Group, LLC (CSG) as a financial analyst and has worked in various capacities, including senior supervising analyst and director of manager research. Before joining CSG in 1990, Mike was employed by First Tennessee Investment Management as an equity trader, investment analyst, and portfolio manager. Mike holds a bachelor's degree in finance from Arkansas State University. Mike is also an employee of Commerce Advisors, LLC and Commerce Square Trading (CST). He holds Series 7, 63 and 65 licenses. Mike is actively involved in his sons’ sports activities and coaches in various leagues. Mike is also employed by Commerce Advisors, LLC (Commerce Advisors).
Jennifer O. Trottman
Consultant
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Jennifer Trottman joined Consulting Services Group, LLC (CSG) in 2001 as a financial analyst and was promoted to a consultant in the wealth management group in January 2007. In this role, Jennifer is primarily responsible for client servicing. She graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in banking and finance from the University of Mississippi. Jennifer is also employed by Commerce Advisors, LLC and Commerce Square Trading (CST). She holds the Series 7 license. Jennifer is a volunteer to the Jubilee schools, Memphis and currently serves as a board member for the Blue Streak Scholarship Fund. Jennifer is also employed by Commerce Advisors, LLC.
Curtis Williams
Consultant
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Curtis Williams joined Consulting Services Group, LLC (CSG) in August 2003. He started his career with CSG as a financial analyst. Prior to joining CSG, Curtis worked for the National Bank of Commerce and First Mercantile Trust Company in their respective employee benefits trust departments. Curtis additionally spent four years with Towers Perrin as a senior benefits administrator on defined benefit plans. Curtis holds a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Memphis and a master of business administration degree from Christian Brothers University.
Analysts
Dawn Biggs
Senior Financial Analyst
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Dawn Biggs joined Consulting Services Group, LLC (CSG) in January 2005 as an analyst for CSG's Performance Measurement Group. Dawn has fifteen years analytical experience as a systems administrator and performance measurement analyst with Highland Capital Management. She graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Memphis.
Gina Capizzani, CAIA®
Research Director Real Assets
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Gina Capizzani joined Consulting Services Group, LLC (CSG) in July 1997 as a research assistant in the alternative investment and economic research areas for four years. Gina returned in 2006 as a research analyst with responsibilities including manager research and due diligence. Before her first tenure at CSG, Gina worked with McVean Trading Company as a trading assistant, executing commodity trades. Gina graduated with honors with a bachelor's degree in economics/business administration and a minor in French from Rhodes College. Gina is a current member and past chair of the Children's Ministry Committee at Calvary Episcopal Church, Memphis.
William George
Research Analyst
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William George joined Consulting Services Group, LLC (CSG) in August 2010 as an analyst for CSG's Performance Measurement Group. Before joining CSG, William interned with The Blues Foundation, combining his talent and passion for blues music with an introduction to the inner-workings of a non-profit organization. As an undergraduate student at Rhodes College, William served as Environmental Coordinator of the Student Associate Program and spearheaded the campus-wide recycling program. William graduated from Rhodes in May 2010 with a B.A. in Business Administration.
Kevin Freehardt
Research Analyst
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Kevin Freehardt joined Consulting Services Group, LLC (CSG) in 2006 as an analyst for the firm's Performance Measurement Group. Before joining CSG, Kevin worked for First Tennessee Bank in the corporate finance department with responsibilities including financial reporting for the wealth management division. Kevin graduated from the University of Memphis with both a bachelor's degree in finance and a master of science in finance. Kevin is a registered representative of Commerce Square Trading, LLC (CST) and holds the series 27 license.
Yoon Lee
Senior Financial Analyst
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Yoon Lee joined Consulting Services Group, LLC (CSG) in June 2005 as an analyst for the firm's Performance Measurement Group, the department responsible for the performance evaluation for all CSG clients. Yoon works with both large institutional clients, including public pension plans, as well as private clientele. Before joining CSG, Yoon interned for Merrill Lynch in the private client group where she gained insight and experience in the investment industry. Yoon spent twelve years living in Argentina where she completed her high school education before moving to the United States. Yoon is fluent in both Spanish and Korean. She graduated summa cum laude in May 2005 from The University of Memphis with a bachelor's degree in finance.
Jenna Lowry
Senior Research Analyst
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Jenna Lowry joined Consulting Services Group, LLC (CSG) in February 2004 and is responsible for investment manager research, performance evaluation and asset allocation. Before joining CSG, she worked as a tax analyst with Dunavant Enterprises, Inc. for its privately held corporations and the Dunavant Family. Jenna graduated cum laude from Mississippi State University with a BBA in marketing and in 2001 earned a masters in business administration.
Amy Daniel Mann
Research Analyst | Manager Relations Coordinator
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Amy Daniel Mann joined Consulting Services Group LLC (CSG) in April 2006. She is a member of CSG's Research Advisory Board (RAB) and serves dual roles as both research analyst and manager relations coordinator. Amy's primary responsibilities include traditional and fixed income manager research. These duties include communication with managers regarding their individual strategies throughout the advisory board’s extensive, formal approval process. Amy graduated with a bachelor's degree from Vanderbilt University. Prior to joining CSG, she worked as the director of career services for the Memphis College of Art.
Lisa Meginley
Senior Advent Financial Analyst
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Lisa Meginley joined Consulting Services Group, LLC (CSG) in 2000. Lisa is responsible for maintaining CSG's performance system and managing the Advent department. Before joining CSG, she worked as an investment-tracking administrator at Capital Analysts. Lisa is an active member of the Junior League of Memphis and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Villanova University.
Jim Mooney
Director of Research Institutional
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Jim Mooney joined Consulting Services Group, LLC (CSG) in September 2005. Jim graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration from The University of Memphis. He is a member of CSG's Research Advisory Board and is primarily responsible for traditional manager research. Jim's effort is primarily directed toward identifying new managers and products. Before joining CSG, Jim worked for ten years in the fixed income industry most recently as an investment officer overseeing the daily management of a $1billion corporate cash portfolio. Prior to his buy-side experience Jim was a financial analyst with both First Tennessee Capital Markets and Morgan Keegan.
Brandon Patterson
Research Analyst
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Brandon Patterson began his tenure with Consulting Services Group, LLC (CSG) in May 2008 as an intern with the research group. Brandon formally joined CSG in April 2009 upon completion of his MS in Finance from the University of Memphis. Brandon is responsible for asset class coverage and manager research of hedge funds. He also assists clients with risk monitoring and performance measurement. Prior to joining CSG, Brandon also interned with FEDEX Corporation. Brandon graduated magna cum laude with a BBA in Finance from the University of Memphis where he also received a MS in Finance. Brandon was a Three-Year Starter Defensive Back, Varsity Football Scholarship Athlete and served as a Football Representative to the NCAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. He was a two-time recipient of the ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America Team and three-time recipient of both the Conference USA All-Academic Team and Arthur Ashe Sports Scholars. Brandon's activities include counseling and tutoring local football youth.
David A. Ray
Manager of Institutional Operations
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David Ray manages the Consulting Services Group, LLC (CSG) Performance Measurement Group (PMG), a team of professionals dedicated to industry-leading performance evaluation for all CSG clients. David joined CSG in 2001 as a financial analyst working on both institutional and private accounts. As a senior financial analyst, he became manager of the newly formed PMG division in 2004. Before working with CSG, David spent three years as an accountant for Harrah's Entertainment's Corporate Services Center. David graduated from Delta State University with a bachelor's degree in accounting. David is currently enrolled in the Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement program through the CFA Institute.
Alicia Ross
Senior Financial Analyst
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Alicia Ross joined Consulting Services Group, LLC (CSG) in May 2005 as an analyst for the firm's Performance Measurement Group. Alicia previously worked as an analyst for the Department of Defense. She graduated from Auburn University with a bachelor's degree in finance and is an active member of the Parent Association at St. Mary's Episcopal School, Memphis.
Matthew Ross, CFA
Senior Research Analyst
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Matt Ross joined Consulting Services Group, LLC (CSG) in June 2004 as an analyst for the CSG Performance Measurement Group a team of professionals dedicated to providing performance evaluations for CSG clients. Matt was promoted to research analyst in 2007 and is responsible for conducting financial analysis for 14 institutional clients. Matt graduated cum laude from the University of Texas with a bachelor's degree in finance and electrical engineering.
Brooks Royer
Research Analyst
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Brooks Royer joined Consulting Services Group, LLC (CSG) in August 2010 as an analyst for CSG's Performance Measurement Group. A four-year varsity baseball player and a Kappa Sigma fraternity brother at Rhodes College, Brooks graduated in May 2010 with a degree in International Business. Brooks currently serves on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and the Management Council for Division III Athletics.
Keith White
Research Analyst
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Keith White joined CSG as a financial analyst with the Performance Measurement Group in May 2007. Keith's current responsibilities as a research analyst include private equity research and reporting. Prior to his tenure with CSG, Keith worked with the accounting staff for Harrah's Entertainment. Keith holds a bachelor's degree in Managerial Finance, Insurance and Risk Management from the University of Mississippi and an MBA from Union University.
Staff
Eddie Baker
Chief Technology Officer
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Eddie Baker joined Consulting Services Group LLC (CSG) in 2007. He is responsible for the creation, implementation and maintenance of the proprietary alternative manager database. Eddie has an extensive background in information technology. Prior to joining CSG, Eddie was a senior programmer analyst at FedEx. Eddie earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Memphis.
Zoe Borden
Executive Administrative Assistant, Research
Jennifer Brown
Investor Relations, Database Specialist
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Jennifer Brown joined Consulting Services Group LLC (CSG) in 1998. Jennifer manages the daily communication and servicing for numerous client relationships. She monitors the status of analysts' due diligence responsibilities to ensure manager visits and conference calls are current. Jennifer graduated from the University of Memphis in 1999 with a bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing.
Becky Cook
Executive Administrative Assistant,
Financial Operations, Legal Compliance
Audrey Hager
Executive Administrative Assistant,
Wealth Management
Jeremy Korthauer
Database Administrator
Dorothy Lewis
Advent Analyst
Dwayne Lofton
Network Administrator
Lori Montgomery
Compliance Officer
Jennifer Sansing Murff
Director Marketing, Business Development
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Jennifer Sansing Murff joined CSG, LLC in 2008 and is responsible for all marketing and business development for CSG, LLC and all CSG Holdings, LLC related entities. In 2004, Jennifer joined CBRE Memphis as an affiliate broker and was responsible for the creation, organization and licensure of Bluff City Realty, LLC, the first full-service residential brokerage company dedicated to the downtown Memphis real estate market. From 2004 to 2008, Jennifer served as the project coordinator | director of sales of an adaptive reuse condominium development within the central business district of downtown Memphis. Jennifer graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Alabama. She holds a Tennessee Real Estate Commission Affiliate Broker's License and holds an Accredited Buyer's Representative certification through the National Association of Realtors.
Michelle Pearson
Financial Operations Analyst
Judy Weeks
Executive Receptionist
Deborah West
Executive Administrative Assistant, CEO
Christel Young
Executive Administrative Assistant, President
