Alternative Investments and Manager Research - Hedge Funds, Private Credit and Cryptocurrency

David Ranno

~14 years of investment experience, specializing in allocator/manager selection across hedge funds, private credit, and other alternative asset classes.

•	Alternative investment analyst responsible for manager research with a focus on credit hedge funds, private credit and cryptocurrency strategies. 
•	Responsible for sourcing, due diligence / underwriting and monitoring of hedge fund and private strategies for institutional and UHNW mandates. 
•	Co-manage ~8b in AUM (~40 underlying managers) across three credit-focused mandates and various commingled hedge fund portfolios.   
•	Lead manager research process for digital asset and cryptocurrency hedge fund strategies consisting of ~100m invested. 
•	Source prospective investment ideas, funds / emerging managers and co-investments through industry relationships and primary market research. 
•	Strategies covered include structured credit, corporate, distressed, private credit (direct lending, niche lending, real estate) and cryptocurrency. 
•	Present prospective investments to the CIO / investment committee and provide investment recommendations on current holdings. 
•	Monitor current investments through regular manager meetings and calls as well as quantitative risk management and portfolio analytics.
•	Assist in product development and business development including constructing model portfolios, assisting in client pitches, and submitting RFIs.

Director, Investment Research and Manager Selection, UBS Hedge Fund Solutions

•	Product specialist for institutional client portfolios and commingled products ($200m to $1.5b) in the US, Europe and APAC regions. 
•	Work across the investment due diligence / manager research, operational due diligence and investor relations groups.  
•	Identify, design and execute corporate strategy initiatives, including efficiency projects and technology improvements. 
•	Prepare external manager research and operational due diligence for hedge funds and long only funds. 
•	Designed and coded excel program to generate qualitative performance commentary (language content automation) for client reports.
•	Write market research and investment content, create business development and marketing materials for institutional clients. 
•	Supervise and maintain manager research database used as a due diligence library and compliance audit trail for the firm's CCO.

Director, Portfolio Specialist Group, UBS Hedge Fund Solutions

• Supported senior personnel across the investment due diligence, operational due diligence and investor relations teams.  
• Prepare external manager research and operational due diligence for hedge funds and long only funds. 
• Authored a monthly hedge fund industry performance report used by business development and wealth management advisors.
• Designed and led implementation of a standardized, proprietary tear sheet for hedge fund products used by business development.

Associate Director, Portfolio Specialist Group, UBS Hedge Fund Solutions

• Prepared hedge fund manager research / investment due diligence as well as operational due diligence.   
• Prepared prospective client portfolio analysis and reviews, RFIs, RFPs and ad hoc client requests.  
• Carry out client portfolio analysis and reviews as well as answer RFIs, RFPs and ad hoc client requests.

Portfolio Analyst, Portfolio Specialist Group, UBS Hedge Fund Solutions

• Provided transaction coverage and support for middle-market private equity M&A, principal investments and buy-side acquisition services. 
• Sourced prospective sell-side clients through original business development initiative and led new business pitches.
• Built financial models for transaction structures, company valuations, cash flow projections and financial statements.
• Carried out due diligence on the firm's principal private equity investments in the consumer discretionary and technology sectors.  
• Negotiated favorable contracts with clients, reviewed / edited legal documents, NDAs, purchase agreements and letters of intent.
• Led analyst teams on various engagements, composed offering memorandums and pitch books to position clients for sale. 
• Provided client coverage for over 300 accounts and originated potential acquisition targets and sell-side advisory prospects. 
• Partnered with business owners and crafted strategy for sale positioning and managed life cycle of transaction process. 
• Conducted research on Capital IQ for company and industry analysis, peer valuations, comparable and previous transactions.