Chapter heads named in Dallas and Houston
for global leader in alternative investment education
DALLAS/HOUSTON, October 30, 2014 – The State of Texas is now home to the 18th and newest chapter of the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) Association, the global leader in alternative investment education, it was announced today. Initially, the CAIA Texas chapter will have leadership committees in Dallas and Houston, with plans to expand to Austin and San Antonio in the coming months.
“Interest in alternative investments is strong and growing, with nearly $2 trillion invested in hedge funds alone,” said Matt DenBleyker, who will head the Dallas chapter of CAIA. “In Dallas, we are home to a dynamic regional financial hub with industry professionals who could benefit greatly from the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst program as they look to meet the investment needs of their clients.”
The Texas launch kicked off with education and networking events in both Dallas and Houston on October 28th and 29th, respectively, and featured William (Bill) Kelly, chief executive officer at CAIA. The Dallas presentation was highlighted by a panel discussion on asset allocation and alternative investments. Participants included Lee Partridge, chief investment officer at Salient Partners; Dory Wiley, president and chief executive officer at Commerce Street Capital; Nowlin Randolph, managing director/head of research at Crestline Investors, and Keith Black, managing director for curriculum and exams at CAIA.
The Houston event focused on alternative investing in energy with a presentation on the “Current State of the MLP Marketplace” and featured panelists including Steve Bender, senior vice president and CFO at Westlake Chemical Corporation; E. Ramey Lane, an attorney with Vinson and Elkins, LLC; and Gregory A. Reid, managing director of Salient Partners and president and CEO of Salient’s MLP business.
“Study after study has found that education is critical for advisors working with alternative investment products,” said Keenan Carstens, head of CAIA’s Houston chapter. “CAIA is committed to excellence in education and the CAIA designation is recognized across the globe as the industry standard.”
The CAIA Association offers the only educational program uniquely designed for individuals specializing in institutional-quality alternative investments. The CAIA Charter, which is granted upon successful completion of two levels of qualifying exams combined with relevant professional experience, is the global benchmark for alternative investment education.
The CAIA Association has grown rapidly since its inception in 2002 and its membership now exceeds 6,900 in more than 80 countries. CAIA supports chapters in financial centers around the world and sponsors more than 120 educational and networking events each year.
There currently are more than 200 CAIA members in Texas. CAIA Texas will promote ongoing continuing education, professional development and networking opportunities for investment professionals across the state.
For more information about the CAIA Association or CAIA Texas, please contact Deborah McLean at dmclean@caia.org or (413) 549-3322.
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About the CAIA Association
The CAIA Association, a non-profit organization founded in 2002, is the world leader and authority in alternative investment education. The CAIA Association is best known for the CAIA Charter®, an internationally recognized credential granted upon successful completion of a rigorous two-level exam series, combined with relevant work experience. Earning the CAIA Charter is the gateway to becoming a member of the CAIA Association, a global network of 6,900 alternative investment leaders located in 80+ countries, who have demonstrated a deep and thorough understanding of alternative investing. Having grown rapidly, the CAIA Association now supports vibrant chapters located in financial centers around the world and sponsors more than 120 educational and networking events each year. For more information, please visit CAIA.org.
