Biographies
Emerald Asset Management is made up of a team of dedicated employees working throughout the country. Founder and President, Joseph Besecker, has created an environment where employees are not only part of Team Emerald, but also a part of Joe's extended family. Our seasoned team of individuals make up multiple divisions within Emerald that function in a family-friendly environment. Each person brings with them a unique set of skills and abilities that are routinely recognized both in the office and out. Emerald employs close to 40 team members, with an average of 20+ years of experience. Team Emerald is a diverse team of men and women who work together to do their best and a little more each day.
- Emerald Executive Team
- Emerald Portfolio Management Team
- Emerald Marketing Team
- Emerald Research Analyst Team
- All Biographies
Emerald Portfolio Management Team
Kenneth G. Mertz II, C.F.A.
President
Emerald Advisers, Inc.
Mr. Mertz is Chief Investment Officer and President of Emerald Advisers, Inc.; past Trustee and Vice President of the Emerald Mutual Funds; Chief Investment Officer, PA State Employees' Retirement System (1985-1992); Member, Association of Investment Management Research (CFA Institute); past Trustee, PA State University Endowment Council (1998-2004); past Member, Pennsylvania State University Research Foundation; Trustee, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Board of Pensions (Present); and past Chair, President, & Director of Central Pennsylvania Investment Managers. Mr. Mertz has been quoted in The Wall Street Journal and in USA Today, and has served as speaker at various investment seminars and programs across the country. He has been a guest on CNBC's Mutual Fund Investor and has been interviewed several times on CNBC. Mr. Mertz graduated from Millersville University with a B.A. in Economics.
Stacey L. Sears
Senior Vice President and Portfolio Manager
Emerald Advisers, Inc.
Ms. Sears is Senior Vice President and Portfolio Manager of Emerald Advisers, Inc. She co-manages the Forward Emerald Growth Fund and is a member of the Portfolio Management team. Additionally, Ms. Sears maintains research coverage of retail, apparel, consumer goods and consumer technology companies. She has been quoted in Fortune, Money, the Dow Jones News Service and various regional newspapers. Ms. Sears received a B.S. in Business Administration from Millersville University and an M.B.A. from Villanova University.
David A. Volpe, CFA
Mr. Volpe is Managing Director and has over 15 years of investment experience. He is co-manager of the Emerald Mid-Cap Growth portfolio and a member of the Portfolio Management team. He also assists with institutional marketing and client service, research, and strategic planning. From 1990 to 2000 he served as First Deputy City Controller of the City of Philadelphia, where he was responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Controller's Office, and was a member of the Philadelphia Municipal Pension System Investment Committee. From 1996 to 2000, he was also Chief Investment Officer of the Philadelphia Gas Works Pension System, where he was responsible for all aspects of that entity's pension fund. Prior to working for the City of Philadelphia, Mr. Volpe was a senior budget analyst for the Pennsylvania State Senate Appropriations Committee, and served as an alternate member on the Pennsylvania State Employees' Retirement System and Pennsylvania School Employees' Retirement System. Mr. Volpe was Chairman of Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell's Finance transition team following his 1992 election to office. He is a board member of the Venture Investment Forum of Central Pennsylvania and a member of the Association of Investment Management Research (CFA Institute). Mr. Volpe earned a B.A. in Political Science from Potsdam College and a Masters in Public Administration from Penn State University. He was awarded the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation in 2002.
David P. Chu, CFA
Mr. Chu is a Portfolio Manager with Emerald Advisers, Inc., and has 15 years investment experience. He is Co-Manager of the Emerald Mid Cap Growth portfolio and a member of the Portfolio Management team. Additionally, Mr. Chu maintains research coverage of the Healthcare Services industry. Previous to Emerald, he was a portfolio manager with Invesco Fund Small Company Growth Fund, where he managed the Healthcare sector. Prior to Invesco, Mr. Chu was a portfolio manager with Morgan Stanley on both the Small Cap and Mid Cap funds. Prior to this, he was a portfolio manager and research analyst with Bank of America, and a research analyst with Wachovia Bank. Mr. Chu has served as a speaker at various investment and industry conferences across the country, and is a member of the Association of Investment Management Research (CFA Institute). Mr. Chu received a BS in Industrial & Operations Engineering from the University of Michigan and an MBA from the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania.
