An in-depth look at the 2022 Rising Stars
November 15, 2022 9:54 AM
David Amdor
Title: Director of Finance
Firm: Lee County Port Authority
Age: 37
David Amdor has been fascinated with aviation for as long as he can remember, something he attributes to his pilot father and the short jaunts they'd take together every now and then when David was a child.
It's no surprise to the 37-year-old that he works in the field as the director of finance for Lee County Port Authority where he oversees a team responsible for the financing of Southwest Florida International Airport's capital improvement program and operating budget.
Click here to read the full profile.
Firm: Lee County Port Authority
Age: 37
David Amdor has been fascinated with aviation for as long as he can remember, something he attributes to his pilot father and the short jaunts they'd take together every now and then when David was a child.
It's no surprise to the 37-year-old that he works in the field as the director of finance for Lee County Port Authority where he oversees a team responsible for the financing of Southwest Florida International Airport's capital improvement program and operating budget.
Melissa Bennett
Title: Partner
Firm: Barclay Damon
Age: 39
Melissa Bennett first experienced public finance as a student studying French at the State University of New York at Geneseo.
In her sophomore year, she began an internship with Albany-based law firm Girvin & Ferlazzo, where she helped with assembling transcripts and photocopying documents under the tutelage of Connie Cahill, now managing partner at Barclay Damon, who became instrumental in Melissa's career arc.
To read the full profile,click here .
Firm: Barclay Damon
Age: 39
Melissa Bennett first experienced public finance as a student studying French at the State University of New York at Geneseo.
In her sophomore year, she began an internship with Albany-based law firm Girvin & Ferlazzo, where she helped with assembling transcripts and photocopying documents under the tutelage of Connie Cahill, now managing partner at Barclay Damon, who became instrumental in Melissa's career arc.
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Kevin Boomhower
Title: Financial Analyst
Firm: NYS Environmental Facilities Corp.
Age: 37
Kevin Boomhower is a financial analyst who provides disclosure documents for all official statements and annual statements along with structuring of the New York State Environmental Facilities Corp.'s municipal bond offerings. In the six years he has been with EFC, he has been promoted twice.
Kevin believes water infrastructure is a basic necessity and the work EFC does is helping all communities in the state meet that need. He says that by structuring loans and helping communities realize their capacity, EFC becomes part of the solution for providing clean and available water.
To read the full profile,click here .
Firm: NYS Environmental Facilities Corp.
Age: 37
Kevin Boomhower is a financial analyst who provides disclosure documents for all official statements and annual statements along with structuring of the New York State Environmental Facilities Corp.'s municipal bond offerings. In the six years he has been with EFC, he has been promoted twice.
Kevin believes water infrastructure is a basic necessity and the work EFC does is helping all communities in the state meet that need. He says that by structuring loans and helping communities realize their capacity, EFC becomes part of the solution for providing clean and available water.
To read the full profile,
Cora Bruemmer
Title: Director
Firm: S&P Global Ratings
Age: 39
In her time at S&P, Cora has excelled in her analytical work, developing relationships with her clients, and mentoring others.
"Cora is an incredibly well-rounded, respected and talented member of the public finance staff at S&P, having built a reputation for reliability, analytic excellence and high emotional intelligence in her six-year career at S&P," said S&P Managing Director and Chief Analytical Officer Robin Prunty.
To read the full profile,click here .
Firm: S&P Global Ratings
Age: 39
In her time at S&P, Cora has excelled in her analytical work, developing relationships with her clients, and mentoring others.
"Cora is an incredibly well-rounded, respected and talented member of the public finance staff at S&P, having built a reputation for reliability, analytic excellence and high emotional intelligence in her six-year career at S&P," said S&P Managing Director and Chief Analytical Officer Robin Prunty.
To read the full profile,
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Tyler Cobb
Title: Of Counsel
Firm: Ballard Spahr LLP
Age: 36
Tyler has worked skillfully and volunteered extensively both in out of his job, offering legal services to the world of municipal finance, colleagues say.
In his role as Of Counsel at Ballard Spahr LLP he has served as bond counsel, underwriter's counsel, issuer's counsel, and borrower's counsel for a wide range of transactions totaling more than $10 billion.
To read the full profile,click here .
Firm: Ballard Spahr LLP
Age: 36
Tyler has worked skillfully and volunteered extensively both in out of his job, offering legal services to the world of municipal finance, colleagues say.
In his role as Of Counsel at Ballard Spahr LLP he has served as bond counsel, underwriter's counsel, issuer's counsel, and borrower's counsel for a wide range of transactions totaling more than $10 billion.
To read the full profile,
Sam Denton-Schneider
Title: Vice President on the Municipal Syndicate Desk
Firm: Goldman Sachs
Age: 35
Sam Denton-Schneider, vice president on the Municipal Syndicate Desk at Goldman Sachs, had long been interested in public policy but wasn't exactly sure how to parlay that into a career that suited his interests.
Before finishing his bachelor's degree in economics from Williams College, he interned for Marin County, California, Supervisor Susan Adams for a summer to learn more about the industry. When he graduated in 2009, financial markets were in the news. and this further piqued his interest.
To read the full profile,click here .
Firm: Goldman Sachs
Age: 35
Sam Denton-Schneider, vice president on the Municipal Syndicate Desk at Goldman Sachs, had long been interested in public policy but wasn't exactly sure how to parlay that into a career that suited his interests.
Before finishing his bachelor's degree in economics from Williams College, he interned for Marin County, California, Supervisor Susan Adams for a summer to learn more about the industry. When he graduated in 2009, financial markets were in the news. and this further piqued his interest.
To read the full profile,
Russell Feldman
Title: Chief Executive Officer
Firm: IMTC
Age: 32
Russell Feldman was "hungry and eager" to make an impact on Wall Street — and he did just that by becoming CEO of a fixed income investment management technology firm that he helped spearhead.
Having been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at the age of 17, he spent more than 100 days in the hospital. That's when Russell's interest in the financial industry was sparked by his role model and bond salesman dad, Andrew, who spoke of the inefficiencies on Wall Street during their visits.
To read the full profile,click here .
Firm: IMTC
Age: 32
Russell Feldman was "hungry and eager" to make an impact on Wall Street — and he did just that by becoming CEO of a fixed income investment management technology firm that he helped spearhead.
Having been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at the age of 17, he spent more than 100 days in the hospital. That's when Russell's interest in the financial industry was sparked by his role model and bond salesman dad, Andrew, who spoke of the inefficiencies on Wall Street during their visits.
To read the full profile,
Christopher Flosi
Title: Vice President of Capital Markets
Firm: Build America Mutual
Age: 38
Tangibility is what drew Christopher Flosi to municipal finance: he can directly see the projects being financed and how they progress.
"It was definitely an opportunity to get somewhere from the ground up and make an impact from day one," he said.
To read the full profile,click here .
Firm: Build America Mutual
Age: 38
Tangibility is what drew Christopher Flosi to municipal finance: he can directly see the projects being financed and how they progress.
"It was definitely an opportunity to get somewhere from the ground up and make an impact from day one," he said.
To read the full profile,
Douglas Goldmacher
Title: Vice President & Senior Analyst
Firm: Moody's Investors Service
Age: 37
Combined with his strong work ethic and a people-centric approach to colleagues and clients, Douglas Goldmacher's passion for learning has been a key ingredient in the 37-year-old's success during his nine-year career at Moody's Investors Service.
Douglas, now a lead analyst for the credit rater's local governments team, focuses on New York and New Jersey, most recently spending time researching pension problems.
To read the full profile,click here .
Firm: Moody's Investors Service
Age: 37
Combined with his strong work ethic and a people-centric approach to colleagues and clients, Douglas Goldmacher's passion for learning has been a key ingredient in the 37-year-old's success during his nine-year career at Moody's Investors Service.
Douglas, now a lead analyst for the credit rater's local governments team, focuses on New York and New Jersey, most recently spending time researching pension problems.
To read the full profile,
Adam Gordon
Title: Partner
Firm: Nixon Peabody LLP
Age: 38
Getting around Manhattan may never be easy, but it would be even tougher without the contributions of Adam Gordon, partner, Nixon Peabody LLP in New York. One of Gordon's specialties is transportation finance.
He started his career at the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority and now serves as bond counsel for MTA as well as for the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority. All those roads are leading him to a new project that cannot yet be revealed.
To read the full profile,click here .
Firm: Nixon Peabody LLP
Age: 38
Getting around Manhattan may never be easy, but it would be even tougher without the contributions of Adam Gordon, partner, Nixon Peabody LLP in New York. One of Gordon's specialties is transportation finance.
He started his career at the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority and now serves as bond counsel for MTA as well as for the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority. All those roads are leading him to a new project that cannot yet be revealed.
To read the full profile,
Brad Henkel
Title: Director, Health Care Group
Firm: Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
Age: 34
Figuring out new ways to fund healthcare initiatives in the U.S. is propelling Brad Henkel's rising star status.
Brad has worked at Citi's Health Care Group's Dallas office for over 10 years. In 2021 he came up with a plan to secure financing for a joint healthcare system formed between Ochsner Health and Louisiana State University, a deal Brad called a "transformative transaction for the system."
To read the full profile,click here .
Firm: Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
Age: 34
Figuring out new ways to fund healthcare initiatives in the U.S. is propelling Brad Henkel's rising star status.
Brad has worked at Citi's Health Care Group's Dallas office for over 10 years. In 2021 he came up with a plan to secure financing for a joint healthcare system formed between Ochsner Health and Louisiana State University, a deal Brad called a "transformative transaction for the system."
To read the full profile,
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Cooper Howard
Title: Director of Fixed Income Strategy
Firm: Charles Schwab Center for Financial Research
Age: 38
The ever-changing nature of the municipal market is what keeps Cooper Howard enthusiastic about his role as director of fixed income strategy at the Schwab Center for Financial Research.
Providing education and municipal commentary to investors and advisors and helping them to understand market dynamics fuels the 38-year-old in his current role.
To read the full profile,click here .
Firm: Charles Schwab Center for Financial Research
Age: 38
The ever-changing nature of the municipal market is what keeps Cooper Howard enthusiastic about his role as director of fixed income strategy at the Schwab Center for Financial Research.
Providing education and municipal commentary to investors and advisors and helping them to understand market dynamics fuels the 38-year-old in his current role.
To read the full profile,
Clint Brewer PHOTO
Mary Hinojosa Kelly
Title: Executive Vice President
Firm: Estrada Hinojosa & Co.
Age: 34
Mary Hinojosa Kelly was raised around the municipal bond business, but she took a slightly indirect route to joining it directly.
Upon her graduation from Pepperdine, she spent more than two and a half years in Washington, D.C., in the office of long-time Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar.
To read thefull profile,click here .
Firm: Estrada Hinojosa & Co.
Age: 34
Mary Hinojosa Kelly was raised around the municipal bond business, but she took a slightly indirect route to joining it directly.
Upon her graduation from Pepperdine, she spent more than two and a half years in Washington, D.C., in the office of long-time Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar.
To read thefull profile,
Vernon Lewis
Title: Deputy Director
Firm: Office of the Controller, City of Houston
Age: 30
For Vernon Lewis, his work in the Houston controller's office is a way to "pay it forward" in his hometown.
"The muni market was a calling for me," he said. "It was something where I can finally give my expertise and help my city as a whole, as well as the taxpayers."
To read the full profile,click here .
Firm: Office of the Controller, City of Houston
Age: 30
For Vernon Lewis, his work in the Houston controller's office is a way to "pay it forward" in his hometown.
"The muni market was a calling for me," he said. "It was something where I can finally give my expertise and help my city as a whole, as well as the taxpayers."
To read the full profile,
Heather Litzebauer
Title: Managing Director
Firm: NW Financial
Age: 38
Heather Litzebauer's top-down understanding of the municipal finance industry has been key to her success at municipal underwriting and advisory firm NW Financial Group over a seventeen-year career.
Now a managing director at the Hoboken, New Jersey-based firm, the 38-year-old Heather originally hoped to pursue a career in sports marketing after graduating from Susquehanna University in 2005.
To read the full profile,click here .
Firm: NW Financial
Age: 38
Heather Litzebauer's top-down understanding of the municipal finance industry has been key to her success at municipal underwriting and advisory firm NW Financial Group over a seventeen-year career.
Now a managing director at the Hoboken, New Jersey-based firm, the 38-year-old Heather originally hoped to pursue a career in sports marketing after graduating from Susquehanna University in 2005.
To read the full profile,
Abhishek Lodha
Title: Vice President in Public Finance
Firm: Assured Guaranty Corp.
Age: 33
While working on his master's degree, Abhishek Lodha started his first internship in munis where he noticed the inadequacy of data in the market.
This question of how to make information more accessible and research more efficient led him on a journey of working on data science, technology and software development to bring that to the hands of credit analysts in munis.
To read the full profile,click here .
Firm: Assured Guaranty Corp.
Age: 33
While working on his master's degree, Abhishek Lodha started his first internship in munis where he noticed the inadequacy of data in the market.
This question of how to make information more accessible and research more efficient led him on a journey of working on data science, technology and software development to bring that to the hands of credit analysts in munis.
To read the full profile,
Claire Merritt
Title: Vice President, Investment Banker
Firm: HilltopSecurities
Age: 27
Claire Merritt works for HilltopSecurities in the booming town of Austin, Texas, where she specializes in affordable housing — always a complicated topic.
Many of her clients finance affordable housing through private activity bonds coupled with federal 4% housing tax credits. Since states are limited in the amount of PABs that can be issued each year, Texas is typically oversubscribed. Luckily, Claire came up with a solution.
To read the full profile,click here .
Firm: HilltopSecurities
Age: 27
Claire Merritt works for HilltopSecurities in the booming town of Austin, Texas, where she specializes in affordable housing — always a complicated topic.
Many of her clients finance affordable housing through private activity bonds coupled with federal 4% housing tax credits. Since states are limited in the amount of PABs that can be issued each year, Texas is typically oversubscribed. Luckily, Claire came up with a solution.
To read the full profile,
Patrice Mitchell
Title: Director
Firm: Wells Fargo Bank
Age: 38
Making an impact is important to Patrice Mitchell.
At Wells Fargo, she has worked on affordable housing projects, including a Washington, D.C.-based housing project that had been abandoned for 10 years prior to the financing.
"We were able to attend the groundbreaking, so that was a great moment to see how people were able to come back," she said, adding those included residents who had left a decade ago.
To read the full profile,click here .
Firm: Wells Fargo Bank
Age: 38
Making an impact is important to Patrice Mitchell.
At Wells Fargo, she has worked on affordable housing projects, including a Washington, D.C.-based housing project that had been abandoned for 10 years prior to the financing.
"We were able to attend the groundbreaking, so that was a great moment to see how people were able to come back," she said, adding those included residents who had left a decade ago.
To read the full profile,
Akshai Patel
Title: Director
Firm: RBC Capital Markets
Age: 39
Akshai Patel never intended to become a public finance banker. In fact, he never intended to become a banker.
"I'm a millennial, I never imagined I would be working for a bank," said Akshai, an RBC Capital Markets director, who earned his undergraduate degree in economics and political science.
To read the full profile,click here .
Firm: RBC Capital Markets
Age: 39
Akshai Patel never intended to become a public finance banker. In fact, he never intended to become a banker.
"I'm a millennial, I never imagined I would be working for a bank," said Akshai, an RBC Capital Markets director, who earned his undergraduate degree in economics and political science.
To read the full profile,
Helen Pennock
Title: Senior Associate
Firm: Orrick
Age: 36
Helen Pennock, senior associate in public finance at Orrick, was first introduced to public finance when, fresh out of Georgetown University Law Center, she took a summer associate position at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.
She worked in their structured finance group and with almost no previous experience in finance, felt at odds with the subject matter. She left after a year and four months and began searching for opportunities more aligned with public interest, as well as her own values.
To read the full profile,click here .
Firm: Orrick
Age: 36
Helen Pennock, senior associate in public finance at Orrick, was first introduced to public finance when, fresh out of Georgetown University Law Center, she took a summer associate position at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.
She worked in their structured finance group and with almost no previous experience in finance, felt at odds with the subject matter. She left after a year and four months and began searching for opportunities more aligned with public interest, as well as her own values.
To read the full profile,
Nicole Pey
Title: Director, Credit Strategies
Firm: UBS Financial Services Inc.
Age: 29
Nicole Pey — a mandolin player, guitarist, and singer with an affinity for bluegrass — mixed her major in mathematics with a minor in music while at Colorado College, but it was the financial side of her studies that won out as she pursued a career.
Nicole first joined UBS in 2015 as an analyst in the firm's highly competitive graduate talent program rotating among six business areas under the wealth management division. She eventually settled on public finance and joined the team in 2017 as it relaunched its municipal business.
To read the full profile,click here .
Firm: UBS Financial Services Inc.
Age: 29
Nicole Pey — a mandolin player, guitarist, and singer with an affinity for bluegrass — mixed her major in mathematics with a minor in music while at Colorado College, but it was the financial side of her studies that won out as she pursued a career.
Nicole first joined UBS in 2015 as an analyst in the firm's highly competitive graduate talent program rotating among six business areas under the wealth management division. She eventually settled on public finance and joined the team in 2017 as it relaunched its municipal business.
To read the full profile,
Nicole Riggs
Title: Vice President in the Public Finance Group
Firm: Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group
Age: 39
Nicole Riggs made her way into public finance after discovering a passion for helping to build communities.
Nicole, 39, is a vice president in the Public Finance Group at Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), responsible for managing relationships with government and not-for-profit clients and prospects. Her firm credits her with having been "instrumental in developing the team's public pension plan strategy, and also with helping to lead the transition since U.S. Bank announced its agreement to acquire MUFG Union Bank's core banking franchise."
To read the full profile,click here.
Firm: Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group
Age: 39
Nicole Riggs made her way into public finance after discovering a passion for helping to build communities.
Nicole, 39, is a vice president in the Public Finance Group at Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), responsible for managing relationships with government and not-for-profit clients and prospects. Her firm credits her with having been "instrumental in developing the team's public pension plan strategy, and also with helping to lead the transition since U.S. Bank announced its agreement to acquire MUFG Union Bank's core banking franchise."
To read the full profile,
Peter Scherer
Title: Director
Firm: KBRA
Age: 34
In his rating agency work, Peter has tracked the developments affecting municipalities over economic cycles, been an intellectual leader on key credit sectors, and has successfully mentored many colleagues.
Peter, who has been with KBRA since 2017, also regularly produces research on retail sales and other important topics impacting the municipal market.
To read the full profile,click here .
Firm: KBRA
Age: 34
In his rating agency work, Peter has tracked the developments affecting municipalities over economic cycles, been an intellectual leader on key credit sectors, and has successfully mentored many colleagues.
Peter, who has been with KBRA since 2017, also regularly produces research on retail sales and other important topics impacting the municipal market.
To read the full profile,
Anne Tricerri
Title: Director
Firm: Fitch Ratings
Age: 38
New York-based Anne Tricerri took a circuitous route to becoming Fitch Ratings' director of global infrastructure and project finance.
As an undergraduate at Columbia University, Anne earned a degree in chemical engineering. After college, she realized she didn't want to go into engineering and instead joined a liquefied natural gas ship brokerage and consultancy firm.
To read the full profile,click here .
Firm: Fitch Ratings
Age: 38
New York-based Anne Tricerri took a circuitous route to becoming Fitch Ratings' director of global infrastructure and project finance.
As an undergraduate at Columbia University, Anne earned a degree in chemical engineering. After college, she realized she didn't want to go into engineering and instead joined a liquefied natural gas ship brokerage and consultancy firm.
To read the full profile,
