Steven R. Samson founded Vista Research and Management, LLC (Vista) and serves as its President and Chief Investment Strategist. Vista is the nation's only registered investment advisor dedicated to managing mutual funds focused exclusively on securities of publicly listed private equity and related companies. Mr. Samson has served as a senior executive in the mutual fund and alternative investment management industry for over 20 years.
Prior to forming Vista, Mr. Samson served as Chief Operating Officer at Al Frank Asset Management, Inc. Before joining Al Frank, Mr. Samson served as President of Alternative Investment Partners, LLC (AIP), and as Chairman of AIP Mutual Funds, Inc. Previously Mr. Samson was President of Kinetics Asset Management, Inc. and Chairman of Kinetics Mutual Funds, Inc. Previously, Mr. Samson served as Managing Director, at Chase Global Asset Management and Mutual Funds, the investment adviser to the Bank's family of mutual funds and the Chase Manhattan Vista Funds (offshore). Previously, Mr. Samson was responsible for the Mutual Funds Management Group at The U.S. Trust Company of New York.
Mr. Samson began his career as Senior Economist in the Corporate Economist's Office of American Express Company, where he later became Director, Corporate Development and Planning where he worked on a number of high profile acquisitions, including Investors Diversified Services Corp. (now Ameriprise).
Mr. Samson earned a Graduate Fellowship in Economics from the City University of New York. He is a frequent contributor to leading financial publications, including Money Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Wealth Manager, Investment Advisor and American Banker.
Luke J. Aucoin -- Chief Operating Officer and Portfolio Manager
Mr. Aucoin is the co-founder of Vista Research and Management and serves as the firm's Chief Operating Officer. He also serves as a portfolio manager for the Listed Private Equity Plus Fund where he conducts fundamental and macroeconomic research and makes buy and sell decisions for the Fund.
Mr. Aucoin previously directed the marketing and distribution of mutual fund and separate account products through financial intermediaries for Al Frank Asset Management. His responsibilities included portfolio management, product enhancements and new product development. Before joining Al Frank Asset Management, Mr. Aucoin worked in client relationship management with the American Funds Group.
Mr. Aucoin earned a B.A. in Economics from the University of Southern California in 1997 and an MBA with an emphasis in finance and portfolio management from the University of California at Irvine in 2005.
George W. Denninghoff, CFP® -- Chief Financial and Compliance Officer
As one of the co-founders of Vista Research and Management, LLC (Vista), Mr. Denninghoff serves as Vista's Chief Financial and Compliance Officer. He is also responsible for the strategic development of the company's trading infrastructure, day-to-day financial operations, and represents the firm's strategic interests in Washington, D.C. as the Government Relations Specialist. Mr. Denninghoff sits on Vista's investment committee adding his more than 10 years of investment management and analytic experience to the committee's stock selection process.
Prior to joining Vista Research and Management, LLC, Mr. Denninghoff served as the Manager for the Managed Accounts Group at Al Frank Asset Management. He was responsible for interfacing with the Firm's HNW clients and prospects regarding investment management account services.
Mr. Denninghoff's experience is derived from his tenure at several prominent financial organizations including the Private Client Services Group at Bank of America, Pacific Life, and Mass Mutual Life Insurance. Mr. Denninghoff's responsibilities have focused on portfolio management and client education solutions for mass affluent investors. At Pacific Life, Mr. Denninghoff created investment management presentations while employing a consultative marketing approach utilized by the division's business development team. At MassMutual Life Insurance Company, he was responsible for employee development and constructed a variety of investment presentations and client development programs. He directed a team of professionals in developing client seminars and tradeshow presentations while managing the investment portfolios for high net worth clients.
As a graduate of San Diego State University in 1996, Mr. Denninghoff earned two Bachelors Degrees with honors for distinction in English and Philosophy. He is currently a CFP professional and continues to enhance his industry knowledge through experience and education.
Mr. Denninghoff has been heard on the local KPBS radio show "These Days" speaking about retirement and the needs of senior citizens in our community and in Investors Business Daily. He is also listed on the AAII list of approved speakers. Mr. Denninghoff is an active member of the community and often conducts pro bono seminars on the importance of investing and eldercare planning. He has been a spokesman for the March of Dimes, representing the organization within the local community at fundraising events.