Douglas Kidd Email & Phone Number

As the first investment professional on this public pension plan, I have worked to sharpen the focus of the Trustees on policy and big picture thinking, At the same time, I have improved the crispness and the timeliness of portfolio and performance reporting. It has been gratifying to contribute to the integration of Staff, Consultant, Trustees, and external managers.

“I achieved my goal to manage a private investment opportunity of my own, in launching and managing the fitness business previously known as DumbBells Fitness. This challenge was an important part of my life for many years and provided me with significantly expanded business perspective for my future career. The most satisfying part was starting from scratch in a completely new line of work and making a significant financial commitment. I researched and identified the business I wanted to acquire, negotiated commercial leases and the purchase, performed accounted, payroll and vendor management, and hired and managed employees. I also developed brand recognition, executed the marketing plan and various marketing campaigns and established community and customer relations. Further, I planned and built new facilities and managed all elements of operations. The learning process was exciting and fulfilling and my role expanded beyond the typical ‘small business owner’ role as I became absorbed in running and participating in the business of health and fitness.In the end, I determined it was time to come back to my favorite work and contribute once again in an investment company environment. I simply missed this work.”

“I was brought in to WRS as the Head of Equities and Risk Officer to bring calm as the CIO left abruptly, developed and implemented the long-term investment and risk management strategy and led asset management of the State of Wyoming’s public pension plan. The role was both challenging and fulfilling and I am proud to have achieved these goals. Ultimately, new leadership reorganized the management ranks, I exited the business and re-focused my efforts on my entrepreneurial business.”• Conducted detailed analysis of current investment structure and portfolio management practices, identifying several areas/processes/teams for further development• Liaised across organizational boundaries and re-established collaboration between internal and external key stakeholders• Designed action plan and led execution of various portfolio enhancements across asset classes• Developed and implemented a sophisticated, cutting edge private equity investment program, increasing portfolio coverage• Simplified the portfolio and increased risk-adjusted performance; Guided team in implementing innovative changes to factor-based tilts in equities and currency hedging• Drove immediate positive portfolio returns with lower volatility through development of an emerging equities management program including a manager evaluation process• Hired, evaluated and tracked performance of current and prospective portfolio investment managers• Implemented policies and processes for underwriting investment managers and removal of underperforming managers• Designed risk assessment and management plan and recommended commercial risk analytics tools • Managed team and external consultant performance and delivered performance appraisal feedback, coaching and mentoring for professional development• Influenced executive decision making and business growth, delivering compelling BOD presentations

“I was pleased with my ability to begin in a whole different system and capacity, learn new tools for my work and contribute my ideas and skills. While at Founders, I excelled in the work and the company had solid measurement practices for tracking and monitoring progress. I easily picked up new industries and added risk mitigation tools to my skillset. All in all, I felt that I revealed truth in this role and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity.”• Led analysis of large cap growth and balanced mutual fund portfolios• Targeted research and coverage on large cap equities, determining a significant investment process improvement piece• Spearheaded tracking error and position size limits for the first time in the organization, incorporating risk factors into the portfolio construction process• Positively impacted portfolio performance by identifying undervalued groups and stocks and incorporating them into the portfolio

“This represented career progression, learning and significant compensation increases. I demonstrated dedication to building my craft and was committed to developing my ‘practice’. I created a network of external experts and colleagues and effectively utilized the valuation model the firm pioneered. I also worked within the system to incorporate my ideas into the portfolio and assume more responsibility over time. Starting as an Associate, I steadily advanced in the organization and became a key member of a $6B aggressive fund at it’s peak.”• Consistent excelled in performance by conducting bottom-up research of the market, focusing on small and midcap equities with a growth bias• Utilized sophisticated portfolio construction tools and techniques and cultivated successful buy and sell disciplines• Applied rigorous valuation methods and established a defined investment thesis• Managed up to 50 holdings in the portfolio, developing a coverage list of 200+ names• Developed collaborative efforts with peers and supervisors, ensuring legitimate, smart buy/sell recommendations

Ma, Economics

Bsba, Business Administration And Management, General