Former Ramius Managing Director Mason Stark joins Wilshire Phoenix to lead its Alternative Investments Division

March 28, 2019

The appointment of Mason Stark follows the recent high-profile additions of Cai, Chang and Furo, and further strengthens Wilshire Phoenix’s leadership team, all of whom join Herrmann with key executive roles as the firm continues its rapid growth.

NEW YORK, NY – March 28, 2019 – Wilshire Phoenix, is thrilled to announce the addition of Mason Stark as a Partner and Head of the firm’s newly-formed Alternative Investments Division, Wilshire Phoenix Asset Management.

“Bringing Mason on to steward Wilshire Phoenix’s Alternative Investments Division was an easy decision. He sees the markets in a way that few others are able and has a rare mix of technical expertise and a client first mindset. Mason joins Wilshire Phoenix Asset Management with decades of experience as an equity analyst, trader and portfolio manager where he astutely managed hedged-equity and long/short portfolios with over a billion in gross assets, successfully navigating some of the most volatile markets throughout the last 20+ years. It’s a true pleasure to welcome Mason as a Partner and member of our Executive Leadership Team,” said Bill Herrmann, Founder and Managing Partner.

“I am delighted to join the extraordinary team at Wilshire Phoenix, and honored to lead the firm’s Alternative Investments Division,” said Mason Stark, Partner and Head of Wilshire Phoenix Asset Management. “Most of all I look forward to delivering alternative investment solutions that help our institutional and private clients achieve their performance goals.”

Mason Stark

Mr. Stark began his career at Granite Capital as an Equities Analyst and Trader, before leaving as the Head of Granite’s Trading in 2000 to join Ramius Capital Group (RCG), where he eventually became a Managing Director. At RCG, Mr. Stark managed more than a billion of gross invested capital using a low beta and bottoms-up fundamental approach. He started the Hedged Equity component of the firm’s flagship Multi-Strategy product in 2002. After the merger between The Cowen Group and Ramius Capital Group in 2010, Mr. Stark with two other members from RCG Hedged Equity went on to found Ballast Capital, LP, and was successfully seeded by Investcorp. From Ballast, he went on to numerous consulting appointments, including research roles at Ambi Advisors, and as an Independent Representative with The Healy Group. Mr. Stark is a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College with a B.A in Economics and International Relations. He has also held the Series 7, 56, 63 and 65 Licenses.

About Wilshire Phoenix

Wilshire Phoenix is a New York based investment management firm dedicated to helping its clients manage assets throughout the investment lifecycle. The fundamental premise upon which the firm is built is to fulfill the needs of a rapidly evolving client and investor base. Whether providing financial solutions for institutions, private clients or individual investors, Wilshire Phoenix delivers informed investment management services for both traditional and alternative assets. To learn more visit www.wilshirephoenix.com, follow us on Twitter @WilshirePhoenix or visit our newsroom at www.wilshirephoenix.com/news for the latest insights, market commentary and company news.

Forward Looking Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements (as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) concerning future events and the Company’s growth strategy and measures to implement such strategy. Words such as “will,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “hopes,” “estimates,” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.

Media Contact: Mitch Ackles, HFPR, 646.657.9230, media@wilshirephoenix.com