We provide several unique services to our institutional clients including direct money management of both fixed and equity dividend portfolios, high level consulting only services, and a hybrid approach which encompasses both disciplines. In each of these service offerings we believe the most important aspect is the rigorous pursuit of risk management. Institutions like public pensions, union benefit plans, municipalities and family offices are certainly much different than what is found in the 401(k) or private investing world. We believe this difference makes managing risks the key element of our service model. Obviously, risk can never really be eliminated in a portfolio but our strength is identifying and understanding those risks. We will create or recommend a portfolio which is optimized to reduce the identified risks while still providing above-benchmark returns.

Given the long-term investment horizon for most of our institutional clients, it is equally important to understand the duration component of that risk. An institutional plan with immediate liquidity or distribution needs would be less able to make significant investments in riskier assets since the need for capital is immediate. Conversely, longer term liquidity needs can accept a greater risk profile with a more diverse investment lineup. Ultimately, our purpose is to distribute the plan's assets to its beneficiaries over a long period of time. Thus our focus is on managing risk over the life of the plan.