Academy Securities Announces Five New Equity Team Hires

Academy Securities, a registered broker-dealer, certified Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE), and Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), today announced the addition of five new equity team hires: Suzanne Dugan in content distribution and Peter Cairney, Whipple Newell, Erin Williams, and Donny Konover as equity sales traders.

"We are excited to welcome aboard Suzanne, Peter, Whipple, Erin, and Donny," said Chance Mims, CEO and Founder of Academy Securities. "Academy is investing in our equity sales and trading products, and this group of Wall Street veterans and one military veteran will greatly enhance our capabilities in the equities space."

Suzanne Dugan brings a wealth of experience to the Academy Securities team, with over 35 years in the industry, further strengthening the firm’s commitment to delivering focused, differentiated geopolitical perspectives to our institutional clients. Ms. Dugan joins Academy from TIFF Investment Management. Prior to TIFF, Suzanne was a managing director at Citigroup and ran Mid Atlantic Institutional Equities. Ms. Dugan commented, “In a world of commoditized research, Academy’s product stands apart. Academy’s singular focus is on delivering differentiated geopolitical perspectives to our institutional clients.”

Peter Cairney joins Academy Securities as both a 25-year industry veteran and military veteran having served as a Captain in the United States Marine Corps. He brings rich experience and strong client relationships to our team, coming from Northern Trust Securities where he was the Senior Vice President of Institutional Equity Sales Trading. Mr. Cairney commented, "As a former Marine Grunt, I'm excited to join a company with such an incredible social mission. I look forward to not only leveraging my experience and client relationships to help grow the Institution Equities business, but to help mentor our young veterans and help them transition to a rewarding civilian career."

Whipple Newell comes to Academy with more than 28 years of experience as an institutional equity sales trader, most recently at Wells Fargo where he covered and delivered execution services for 20+ US and Global Mutual Funds, Hedge Funds, and Pension Funds. Prior to Wells Fargo, Mr. Newell worked at both Wachovia Securities and AG Edwards. Mr. Newell commented, “The decision to join Academy was easy for two reasons: unique geopolitical content and the mission to hire, mentor, and train military veterans for a career on Wall Street. I am excited to be part of a team aligned with principles I believe in.”

Erin Williams brings her expertise from a 20-year career as a sales trader at Stifel and spending over 10 years on the board of San Francisco Security Traders Association (SFSTA) including as the President in 2017.

Donny Konover joins Academy from BMO Capital Markets Corps. Prior to BMO, he worked for both Stifel Financial Corp, and State Street Global Markets for a combined 17 years of experience in equities sales and trading.

“This group of key equities hires is emblematic of our mission of combining industry veterans and military veterans to delivery unique perspectives and exceptional outcomes to our clients,” stated Academy’s President Phil McConkey.

About Academy Securities

Academy Securities is a preeminent disabled veteran owned investment bank with strength in capital markets, public finance, fixed income, and equity trading. Leadership and staff have had intensive military training prior to entering and gaining in-depth financial services experience in global capital markets. We are mission driven with a high ethical code, a solid sense of accountability and strive for excellence in the pursuit of our clients’ success. Academy is our nation’s first post-9/11 disabled veteran owned investment bank and is certified as a DVBE, SDVOB, and MBE. The firm has a strong top and middle tier client base served by a national platform with offices in New York, Chicago, San Diego, Chapel Hill, Louisville, Austin, Dallas, and Sacramento. Information about Academy Securities is available at www.academysecurities.com.

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