General Investing >> Money Manager Interviews >> July 26, 2019

Constructing the Best Possible Balanced Fund

Cohen, Brad
Brad Cohen is Chief Equity Strategist and Senior Portfolio Manager of North Star Investment Management Corp. Mr. Cohen has 25 years of financial industry experience. In addition to working with individual clients, Mr. Cohen acts as Portfolio Manager for the North Star Opportunity Fund and the North Star Bond Fund. Previously, he had 13 years of security experience as a member, specialist and trader on the Chicago Stock Exchange. Mr. Cohen graduated from the University of Maryland and received his J.D. from Marquette Law School. Mr. Cohen and his family live in Highland Park, Illinois. Profile
Tassoni, Jim
Jim Tassoni, CFA, is a Co-Portfolio Manager of the North Star Investment Management Corp.’s North Star Opportunity Fund as well as the Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Durand Capital Partners. As the Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Durand Capital Partners, Mr. Tassoni’s primary responsibilities are portfolio management and equity research for the Durand Capital Partners All-Cap Equity Strategies. Prior to founding Durand Capital Partners in 2012, his decade-plus of investment experience includes positions as an analyst, consultant and portfolio manager with WCM Investment Management, Morgan Stanley and UBS Financial Services, Inc. Mr. Tassoni earned his B.S. from Michigan State University and has earned his Chartered Financial Analyst — CFA — designation. Mr. Tassoni is also a member of the CFA Society of Detroit. Profile
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TWST: Tell us about the recent merger of your two firms North Star and Regal Investment Advisors. What was behind the merger? What were the goals and