In an investing world dominated by index-correlated strategies, CooksonPeirce offers an alternative approach. Driven by a powerful process, we construct concentrated, active portfolios designed to focus on winners and leave the rest behind.
We believe that an investor does not need to own the whole market to take advantage of the best aspects of the market.
We do not follow the herd, we create our own path.
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OUR PHILOSOPHY
BEYOND THE HERD
The CooksonPeirce process is driven by stock momentum. But what is momentum in stock investing?
momentum defined
Distinct from “growth” or “value” approaches, a momentum-based methodology is based on a few foundational ideas:
- Companies showing positive business momentum tend to have stock prices that reflect that positive direction.
- This stock price momentum tends to endure longer than most investors expect.
- Utilizing a defined, repeatable investment process allows for the measurement of momentum across a wide universe of stocks over time.
- These trends are discernible and form an investable thesis with unique characteristics.
momentum applied
The CooksonPeirce methodology capitalizes on momentum:
- We utilize a longstanding process to evaluate a broad investment universe across all capitalizations and style to build concentrated portfolios in only those stocks showing sustained positive momentum characteristics.
- Our defined buy and sell disciplines allow us to change positioning quickly to new areas as market leadership shifts.
- This flexibility allows us to leave stocks showing poor momentum characteristics behind.
Result: This leads to concentrated, active portfolios distinct from “buy and hold” index-driven approaches.
OUR PROCESS
Where discipline meets opportunity
Universe of Stocks
- More than 1,500 stocks
- Carefully reviewed based on sustainable market leadership
Proprietary Ranking
- Occurs each week
- Ranked using the firm’s time-tested, in-house investment management system
Industry
Analysis
- Industry groups ranked based on individual stock analysis
- Determines which stocks will be purchased
Security
Selection
- Qualitative analysis of business catalysts
- Strategic fit within portfolio
our people
Christian Brown, CFP®
Director of Institutional Group
Christian Brown is the Director of the Institutional Group at CooksonPeirce. He heads the firm’s sales and distribution efforts with large-scale corporate partnerships as well as the establishment of new relationships.
Christian is also Lead Advisor to a limited group of private client relationships.
Prior to joining CooksonPeirce in 2009, Christian worked as a Wealth Management Advisor at TIAA-CREF and has substantial prior experience in asset management with Federated Investors and Putnam Investments.
Christian earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and mathematics from the University of New Mexico and is a Certified Financial Planner® professional.
Christian is an avid practitioner of primitive back country trekking, orienteering, and is a dedicated mountain biker.
- Inspiring Quote: “You cannot swim to new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore.” – William Faulkner
Christian Brown, CFP®
Director of Institutional Group
Timothy D. Johns
Business Development Officer
Tim Johns is the Business Development Officer in the Institutional Investments Group at CooksonPeirce. He contributes to the firm’s efforts in establishing and growing new large-scale partnerships with corporate entities and financial distribution firms as well as key accounts management. He also assists the firm’s ongoing due diligence efforts across the national platform of externally distributed CooksonPeirce strategies and acts as an extension of the portfolio management team in communicating investment strategy to partner firms.
Prior to joining CooksonPeirce, Tim was the Executive Vice President & Managing Director at Symons Capital Management. He was primarily responsible for Symons Capital’s business development while contributing to the strategic vision of the business and operations.
Tim began his career in the financial services industry in 1996. Throughout his professional career, he has delivered value-added ideas and helped clients accomplish their financial goals, while concentrating on identifying and reducing risk. Tim is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business. He also earned a Master of Business Administration from Duquesne University and holds a Series 65 license. Tim currently serves on The Sonny Pugar Memorial Foundation’s Board of Directors, which is responsible for the Music Smiles program in various local hospitals. He is also a member of the Upper St. Clair- Bethel Park Rotary and the German Club of Pittsburgh (Teutonia Mannerchor).
Tim and his wife, Nicole, have lived in Pittsburgh for most of their lives and love raising their three children in the same community they grew up. Tim loves taking his kids camping, coaching them in sports, attending shows with his wife, and golfing.
- Inspiring Quote: “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”— Malala Yousafzai
- Inspiring Fictional Character Quote: “As the man once said, the harder you work, the luckier you get.”— Ted Lasso
Timothy D. Johns
Business Development Officer
Bruce W. Miller, CFA
Co-Chairman
The future lies in breaking ground and growing business.
Bruce W. Miller’s eye on the future is grounded in his 30-plus years of experience at CooksonPeirce and his formative years learning about stocks and investments in high school and college. He embraces the competition and challenges inherent in the markets and brings that passion to his role as chief investment officer of CooksonPeirce, where he researches the stock selection system, individual securities and model portfolios.
In his role managing stock and bond portfolios, Bruce says he truly enjoys making picks for the firm’s portfolios. He believes in owning and investing in growing businesses, especially those doing groundbreaking research and meeting the needs of a growing population.
Bruce joined CooksonPeirce in 1987 and has amassed more than 30 years of financial experience with the firm, including making improvements to the stock selection system and developing model portfolios.
Bruce received a B.S./B.A. in finance from Slippery Rock University and his M.B.A. from Kent State University. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst certification.
- Inspiring Quote: “What if I fall?” “Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?”
- On Bruce’s bucket list: To travel, including the pyramids of Egypt.
- Fun to know: Bruce is an accomplished silversmith.
Bruce W. Miller, CFA
Co-Chairman
Luke J. O’Neill, CFA
Chief Investment Officer
Average is not an option never the goal.
Luke J. O’Neill never wants to do anything average. As Director of Investments Chief Investment Officer and a portfolio manager at CooksonPeirce, Luke is committed to doing what’s best for the firm’s clients and setting a culture that seeks to consistently achieve the desired outcomes.
Luke oversees all aspects of the investment management activities at CooksonPeirce. the portfolio management staff in the day-to-day management of all CooksonPeirce investment strategies. He is also responsible for portfolio management of all investment strategies, ongoing investment research, both for existing strategies and new strategy development.
Luke joined CooksonPeirce in 2018 and has over 25 years of experience in the investment business. Most recently He previously served as a director on the investment strategy team and head of product development at Mellon Capital Management, a large institutional investment manager within BNY Mellon, he served as a director on its investment strategy team and head of product development and management. Before that, he served as executive director and head of manager research at Morgan Stanley Investment Management and as vice president and head of manager research at Wilshire Associates.
Luke received a B.S. in applied mathematics and an M.S. in organizational leadership from Geneva College and his M.B.A. in finance from Carnegie Mellon University. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.
Active in his community, Luke serves as an elder in the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North Hills. He is proud to coach youth basketball and cheer enjoys cheering on the Pittsburgh sports teams and his beloved Indiana Hoosiers and Indiana Pacers.
- Inspiring Quote: “Excellence is the gradual result of always striving to do better.” – Pat Riley
- On Luke’s bucket list: To take his wife to Hawaii.
- Hobby: Utilizing research nerd skills to plan family vacations
- Luke is 6’8” and once scored 47 points in a state playoff basketball game in front of 7,000 people.
Luke J. O’Neill, CFA
Chief Investment Officer
Sean Volk, CFA
Associate Portfolio Manager
Sean Volk has a passion for investment and financial markets. Ever since opening his first trading account as a teenager, he knew it was something he loved and wanted to spend his time pursuing. Influenced by his master’s degree in Financial Mathematics, Sean believes in a data-first approach to investing and frequently looks to numbers to tell a story.
As an Associate Portfolio Manager for CooksonPeirce, Sean is responsible for assisting the Investment Management staff with all duties related to the management of CooksonPeirce portfolios. This includes portfolio operations, trading, and rebalancing as well as investment research. Sean believes in giving strict attention to detail in order to perform at a high level and provide results for clients.
Prior to joining CooksonPeirce in 2021, Sean spent 4 years with Western Asset Management in Pasadena, California, where he dealt with mortgage-backed securities. Before that, he worked in fintech at TriOptima in New York City. These experiences inform Sean’s drive to put clients first by always striving for excellence in his work.
Sean earned a B.S. in Applied Economics and Management from Cornell University and later an M.S. in Financial Mathematics from Johns Hopkins University. He is also a CFA charterholder.
Growing up in the South Hills area of Pittsburgh and attending Thomas Jefferson High School, Sean is very excited to be returning home with his wife, along with being able to attend Steelers, Penguins, and Pirates games!
- Inspiring quote: “If you tell the truth you don’t have to remember anything.” – Mark Twain
- Bucket list: See the northern lights
- Fun to know: Sean enjoys the outdoors and is an avid skier and mountain biker
Sean Volk, CFA
Portfolio Manager
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