An alternatives mutual fund shop has a new national sales chief.
Equinox Group Distributors has brought in Eric Downing to be its new national sales manager, the firm announced in a news release.
Downing will manage all sales, including working with internal and external consultants.
Prior to joining Equinox, Downing headed organizational development at Allianz Global Investors.
Check out the original news release below.
Company Press Release
Equinox Strengthens Its Distribution Leadership, Appoints Eric Downing as National Sales Manager
PRINCETON, N.J., Jan. 30, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Equinox Group
Distributors, LLC ("Equinox"), the distribution affiliate of Equinox
Fund Management, an innovator in alternative investment funds,
strengthens its commitment and capabilities in distribution with the
appointment of Eric Downing as National Sales Manager.
Mr. Downing is responsible for national sales management, including the
development of internal and external investment consultants who service
financial advisors and RIAs across the country. "Eric is a
performance-driven sales manager and distribution expert with a highly
successful track record in new business development, client
relationship management and sales process coaching," said Frank Codey,
President of Equinox Group Distributors. "We believe his expertise in
building world-class wholesaling teams will be invaluable as we seek to
align our fund distribution efforts with the advisor communities that
we serve," added Bob Enck, Chief Executive Officer of Equinox Fund
Management.
Prior to joining Equinox, Mr. Downing was Head of Organizational
Development at Allianz Global Investors, where he spearheaded a
comprehensive employee development program. During his long career at
Allianz, Mr. Downing also served as a Divisional Sales Manager and a
Senior External Investment Consultant. Before Allianz, Mr. Downing was
Managing Director of Investment Services and a Branch Manager at Stifel
Nicolaus, after enjoying eight years as a Financial Advisor at Paine
Webber and Merrill Lynch. An experienced pilot, Mr. Downing received a
Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics from Embry Riddle Aeronautical
University and served as an Attack Helicopter Pilot and Airborne
Pathfinder in the United States Army. He also earned a Masters of Arts
in Management and Leadership from Webster University, George Herbert
Walker School of Business and holds numerous industry licenses,
including Series 24, 65, 8, 63, 7, and an Insurance License (life &
health). Mr. Downing holds several certifications and designations,
including: Registered Corporate Coach(TM) (RCC(TM)), Certified
Professional Behavior Analyst(TM) (CPBA(TM)) and Certified Professional
Motivators Analyst(TM) (CPMA(TM)).
"I enthusiastically joined the Equinox family based on their leadership
in managed futures investing and dedication to growing their
alternative funds business. This expansion is evident in the rapidly
growing sales force, and I look forward to contributing to the effort,"
commented Mr. Downing. "Propelled by a competitive alternative product
line-up and best-in-class sales team, I believe Equinox is situated to
become the premier alternative investment fund provider in the
industry."
Equinox Fund Management has been an innovator in alternative investment
product development and distribution since its founding in 2003. In
December 2009, Equinox launched the MutualHedge Frontier Legends Fund
(ticker: MHFAX), the first actively managed mutual fund with exposure
to Commodity Trading Advisor programs. Equinox also sponsors the
Equinox Commodity Strategy Fund, the Equinox Alternative Strategy
Platform, a menu of single commodity trading advisor programs offered
in a mutual fund format, and The Frontier Fund, a managed futures
public commodity pool with daily liquidity.