Guide Book
Senior Financial Director:
Matthew Wood
Senior Managing Director:
Avrine Roy
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Guide Book
Table of Contents
Director’s Letter to the Committee .............................................................................................................. 3
Student Foundation Background .................................................................................................................. 4
The Mission of the Investments Committee................................................................................................. 5
Administrative Overview .............................................................................................................................. 6
Structure and Job Descriptions – (Expected Time Commitment outside of Regular Meetings) .............. 7
Senior Directors .................................................................................................................................... 7
Directors and IDG .................................................................................................................................. 8
Senior Analysts ...................................................................................................................................... 9
Analysts - (½ to 2 hours a week) ......................................................................................................... 10
New Members (Affiliates) - (½ to 2 hours per week).......................................................................... 10
Promotions within the Investments Committee .................................................................................... 11
Investments Committee Rules ................................................................................................................ 12
The Portfolio ............................................................................................................................................... 13
Structure ................................................................................................................................................. 13
Types of Investments .............................................................................................................................. 13
Equities ................................................................................................................................................ 13
Other Types of Investments ................................................................................................................ 13
Trading .................................................................................................................................................... 14
How we buy ......................................................................................................................................... 14
How we sell ......................................................................................................................................... 14
How we hold ....................................................................................................................................... 14
Allocations Committee................................................................................................................................ 15
Contact Information.................................................................................................................................... 16
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Guide Book
Director’s Letter to the Committee
Dear Investments Committee Members,
The 2008/2009 school year was one of the most difficult, interesting, and educational times for investors since the
Great Depression of the 1930’s. Across the globe, banks, insurers, manufacturers, retailers, and real estate
developers crumbled before our eyes. In the US, unemployment claims rose to double digit figures while the
manufacturing, real estate, and financial sectors, amongst others, contracted at violent rates that have not been
seen for decades. Entire countries including Iceland and the Ukraine struggled to survive the global mess due their
levels of leverage, and oil dependent nations such as Venezuela and Russia came to the brink of collapse due to the
rapid sell off in crude oil.
Another interesting situation that is now making its way into the global economy is the new scale of government
involvement in the markets. Trillions of dollars have been pumped into the United States economy alone, along
with trillions more internationally in hopes of propping up the markets with the goal of re-introducing liquidity into
the frozen global arena. Massive regulatory failures such as the $50 billion dollar Bernie Madoff Ponzi Scheme, and
the ability to allow a company the size of AIG to grow to such incredible sizes in the completely unregulated
derivative markets have prompted lawmakers to push for more government intervention in the financial markets of
the United States and abroad. To add to this all, 2009 brings a new democratic administration with their agenda to
Washington which is sure to have an impact on the economy in the immediate future.
The lesson learned by those on Wall Street and Main Street alike through the past year has been one of the
importance of risk management, and the cautions of investing without thorough knowledge and due diligence.
As far as the Investments Committee is concerned, we have fared better than most throughout this crisis. To
date, our portfolio is roughly 40% cash which has allowed us to post losses roughly half of what the average
stock market indices have seen. Throughout the summer, we will be conducting re-evaluations on our portfolio
holdings, and the IDG will be working to set formal outlooks and investment prospectus for the upcoming year.
We look forward to another year of continued success in the markets, in our meetings, and in our campus
involvement, and we are glad to have you as a part of it.
Sincerely,
Matt Wood Avrine Roy
Senior Financial Director Senior Managing Director
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Student Foundation Background
The Georgia Tech Student Foundation (GTSF) awards grants to student organizations and students
whose ideas or projects enhance Georgia Tech. Grants are funded from an endowment which is managed
by the Investments Committee. Members of the GTSF are responsible for raising funds to increase the
organization's endowment, overseeing a diverse portfolio in the financial markets, and allocating the
interest and dividends to worthy student projects. Officially founded on January 26, 1986, the GTSF was
created by a $100,000 contribution from the late J. Erskine Love Jr. ME '49. The GTSF is one of the few
collegiate foundations in the country that is solely operated by students, including the development,
investment, and allocation of funds.
Today, GTSF has contributed to approximately 270 student organizations, many of which were new
organizations on campus. The Georgia Tech Student Foundation is also under constant improvement. In
fact, originally the initial proposal for the student organization called for 5 committees: Allocations
Committee, Development Committee, Executive Committee, Investments Committee, and Nominations
Committee. Since this time, the Georgia Tech Student Foundation has undergone many changes from
restructuring proposals, which have allowed the organization to remain a versatile and dynamic
organization, helping it broaden its reach on campus. Today, the GTSF consists of a Development
Committee to raise funds, and Investments Committee to manage funds, an Allocations Committee to
allocate funds, and a Board of Trustees to oversee the smooth operation of this cycle. In 2007, a new
committee called the Freshman Foundation was added under the umbrella of the GTSF, and already the
Freshman Foundation ranks as one of the most prestigious freshman leadership organizations on campus.
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Through the years, we have had many successes
including being honored by national awards, winning many
campus awards, and being featured in the May 28, 1997
issue of Wall Street Journal. The GTSF was honored by
being named the best overall student foundation in the
country during the 2007 school year. In the coming years,
we hope to expand our impact, and reach all students on
campus. The Student Foundation is growing, not only in
monetary value, but also in the quality of its members. The
Student Foundation pledges continued success for the
future.
The Mission of the
Investments Committee
The mission of the Investments Committee is to prepare
the next generation of financial professionals by spreading
knowledge of the financial world through real life
application of portfolio management techniques and
philanthropic campus involvement.
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Administrative Overview
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Structure and Job Descriptions – (Expected Time Commitment outside of Regular Meetings)
Though the Investment Committee is a fully
voluntary extracurricular activity, those members
who hold positions they have been appointed to are
expected to completely meet all responsibilities that
come with the job to their full ability. Anything short
of expectations will be handled by the IDG and could
lead to a person being dismissed from their position
within the committee. The positions are discussed in
more detail below. A flowchart of the
Investment Committee structure can be
found on the previous page.
Senior Directors
The Investments Committee has two senior directors, the senior financial director (SFD), and the senior
managing director (SMD). The SFD and SMD act as co-chairs to the Investments Committee, they are
the lead members of the Investments Decision Group (IDG), and they each hold a seat on the Student
Foundation Board of Trustees. The specific roles for the SFD and SMD are listed below.
Senior Financial Director (SFD) – (4 to 6 hours a week)
The SFD is the official head of the portfolio and anything related to the general strategic vision
of the Investments Committee. He or she is responsible for chairing IDG meetings, executing all
trades, maintaining daily control of the portfolio, and making sure sound research and due
diligence have been completed before coming to any decisions. Together with the SMD, the
SFD sits on the Student Foundation Board of Trustees, and shall act as a liaison between the
board, other student foundation committees, and the Investments Committee. The SFD holds
the tie-breaking vote on all IDG decisions and is able to trade up to 10% of the portfolio’s value
at his or her discretion, though this is usually only done in emergency situations. All IC members
report to the SFD and SMD as co-chairs of the group.
Senior Managing Director (SMD) - (4 to 6 hours a week)
The SMD is the official head of personnel and operations for the Investments Committee. He or
she shall work together with the SFD to guide the general strategic vision of the committee. The
responsibilities of the SMD include scheduling and chairing all regular IC meetings, acting as a
head of human resources for committee members, planning recruitment and mentorship
training of new members, as well as overseeing all marketing activities, special events, and
information technology. Together with the SFD, the SMD sits on the Student Foundation Board
of Trustees, and shall act as a liaison between the board, other student foundation committees,
and the Investments Committee. The SMD holds a vote on all IDG decisions. All IC members
report to the SFD and SMD as co-chairs of the group.
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Directors and IDG
Along with the SFD and SMD, the Investments Decision Group (IDG) shall consist of three or more
directors each holding a vote on IDG decisions. There will be at least three director positions each
holding specific responsibilities, however more positions may be formed as necessary. All IDG members
are asked to attend all IC meetings, and they are required to attend bi-weekly closed door IDG meetings.
The three defined director positions are Director of Information Technology, Director of the Portfolio,
and the Director of Mentorship and Special Projects. Each position is explained in more detail below.
Director of Marketing and Information Technology – (2 to 4 hours a week)
This director will work directly for the SMD and will collaborate with the Board of Trustees IT
and Marketing Chairs. He or she is responsible for maintaining the committee’s e-mail lists as
well as overseeing the Web Programmer for issues pertaining to the website. He or she should
also make sure that there is an updated portfolio on the website on a bi-weekly basis, and that
all committee announcements and the online calendars are posted, accurate, and up to date.
This director will also aid the SMD and/or the Board of Trustees Marketing Chairperson in
carrying out any marketing activities required by the Investments Committee.
Director of the Portfolio – (2 to 5 hours a week)
Also called the “Portfolio Manager,” this director will
work directly for the SFD and is responsible for
updating and maintaining the Investment Committee
Portfolio. He or she is responsible for keeping track
of all committee trades and reasons for the
trades. On a bi-weekly basis, the Portfolio
Manager should collect news from the sector
analysts, organize it, and send it out to the
Investments Committee e-mail lists. The Director of the Portfolio should immediately contact
IDG about investments that may be in trouble, and will work closely with the SMD to schedule
necessary stock re-evaluations. At the end of each month and each year, the Director of the
Portfolio should produce an updated portfolio including charts and graphs, and then he or she
will send it out via e-mail to the entire IC and Board of Trustees. The e-mail should include any
trades that took place during the month, as well as a short summary about the portfolio’s
performance during the time span.
Director of Mentorship and Special Projects – (2 to 4 hours a week)
This director will report to the SMD. He or she is responsible for smooth planning and execution
of the mentorship program offered to new members at the beginning of each semester, as well
as oversight of any out of the ordinary projects taken on by the Investments Committee.
Examples of special projects include things such as the development of a new website,
coordination of guest speakers at meetings, social events with the Investments Committee, as
well as oversight of several other ad hoc committees that may be formed within the IC.
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Senior Analysts
Senior Analysts are members of the Investments Committee with intermediate knowledge of the
financial world. Senior Analysts will consist of six to nine sector analysts as well as a web programmer.
On top of the specific responsibilities listed below, Senior Analysts will also be asked to continue their
self-learning of finance by teaching and helping the analysts that work with them, always seeking to
achieve the goal of producing the next generation of leadership for the Investments Committee. The
senior analyst is a mentor to the analysts and associates below him or her.
Executive Assistant – (2 to 3 hours a week)
There will generally be one to two executive assistants. The executive assistants will be
responsible for keeping records of proposals and decisions made on them. They will be in-
charge of getting the presentations on time and keeping records for all presentations made for
future reference. They will also attend IDG meetings and keep record of all IDG decisions.
Sector Analysts – (1 to 2 hours a week)
There will be anywhere from six to nine sector analysts that are each responsible for the
oversight of a specific sector of the portfolio. The sector analysts will each take on a group of
analysts that will constantly watch the performance of stocks in their respective sector for news
or hints of trouble. Sector Analysts should also be on a constant lookout for new investment
opportunities arising in their sector. On a bi-weekly basis, each sector analyst should collect
news from the analysts assigned to each stock in their sector, and report it to the Director of the
Portfolio. Any news requiring immediate attention should also be sent to the SFD. Sector
Analysts are expected to attend all meetings, especially those that will have presentations
relevant to their sector.
Web Programmer - (1 to 2 hours a week)
The Web Programmer is the senior analyst that works directly for the Director of Information
Technology. The Web Programmer will serve as an assistant for website maintenance and
updates. Every presentation given at meetings as well as material to go along with the
presentations should be uploaded to the website in a timely manner. He or she will work closely
with the Director of the Portfolio to make sure there is a new portfolio on the website at least
once a month. The Web Programmer is not required to attend all meetings, however,
attendance is a major factor in further promotions within the committee.
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Guide Book
Analysts - (½ to 2 hours a week)
The only difference between an analyst and an associate is that an analyst will be assigned to
cover a particular holding in the portfolio, and an associate does not have any assigned
responsibilities other than to attend meetings. Each stock in the portfolio will have one analyst
assigned to it. An analyst may only be assigned to a stock if they have previously given a stock
report presentation to the entire group. This analyst is required to keep track of their
company’s progress, understand the company’s place in their market, and read the day to day
news for the company. A summary of the company’s news should be sent to the appropriate
sector analyst on a bi-weekly basis. The most important responsibility for both analysts and
associates is that they are expected to be in a constant state of learning about finance and
portfolio management. This responsibility includes reading finance books on their own time,
keeping constant track of world news and how it relates to the markets, and asking questions at
meetings. There will be one analyst that will be given the title of Marketing and Recruiting Lead.
This Analyst will be responsible for aiding the Director of Mentorship and Special Projects in any
marketing activities needed for the IC, as well as helping to recruit new members at the
beginning of each semester. This Analyst reports directly to the Director of Mentorship and
Special Projects, and all other analysts and associates report to their sector analysts.
New Members (Affiliates) - (½ to 2 hours per
week)
At the beginning of every semester, interested
new members are welcome to join the IC.
New members will go through a quick
“mentorship training course” that will set a
solid basis of knowledge to excel in the
Investments Committee and the financial
world. The “mentorship training course” will
generally start in the third or fourth week of
each semester, and will last a few weeks. Upon completion of the training course and passage
of a basic quiz, a new member will become an associate of the Investments Committee.
Questions or comments from new members should be directed to the Director of Mentorship
and Special Projects or to the Senior Managing Director.
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Promotions within the Investments Committee
Upon a new member’s completion of the
“mentorship training program” and taking our
investment quiz called “the shaft”, a new member will
become an associate of the Investments Committee.
To become an analyst, an associate must give a
presentation at a regular Investments Committee
meeting. At one of the first meetings of each
semester, a list of available stocks in need of
an analyst will be put out, and analysts will be
assigned on a first come first serve basis. Anyone
that presents on a stock that is bought by the IC will be assigned to follow that stock for at least the
remainder of that semester. After the position of analyst, no further promotion will ever be automatic.
The easiest way to describe how to move up in the ranks is to say the more you put in, the more you will
get out of the Investments Committee. The most important factor of promotions is knowledge of
finance closely followed by the member’s competence at their work. Attendance at meetings is also a
major factor when deciding who gets promoted. The more knowledgeable you become, the better you
get to know other IC members, and the harder you work, the better your chances of climbing in the
ranks will be.
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Guide Book
Investments Committee Rules
The IC will be run by the following rules which pertain to everyone and are expected to be followed at all
times.
1.) Schoolwork always comes first, and the Investments Committee is second. Do not ever let the
Investments Committee interfere with your grades.
2.) The Investments Committee is a professional organization and all members are expected to act
in a professional manner during all meetings, forums, and events that are in any way related to
the Investment Committee. Failure to do so could result in removal from the committee.
3.) During regular Investments Committee meetings, there are no ranks. Everyone is considered on
an equal level and should feel free to voice their opinions about any topic we may be discussing
without fear of consequences. It should be known, however, that any argument should have a
solid factual backing, and the people involved in the argument should have significant
knowledge about the topic they are discussing, otherwise an argument would be a waste of
time. Meetings should also always be run in accordance with rule number 2.
4.) During a discussion, do not speak while someone else is speaking. Always let someone finish
their point before interjecting with yours. Be Respectful.
5.) There are no (well…very few) stupid questions. If you don’t understand something, ask. That is
how you learn.
6.) When you accept a position within the committee, you are committing to fulfill all of the
requirements for that position. Any shortcomings in this area will be handled on a case by case
basis by the IDG, and could lead to removal from
your position.
7.) E-mail lists are for Investments Committee related
material only. No spam.
8.) If you do not enjoy it or you are not seriously
interested in learning about finance, please do not
participate in the Investments Committee.
Attending meetings just to put a line on your résumé
is a waste of time for everyone involved.
9.) You will be amazed at what the Investments
Committee will offer you if you do well in school,
enjoy your time in the Investments
Committee, ask as many good
questions as you can think of, and
constantly learn as much as you can.
Anyone that has been an Investments
Committee member in the past will tell you that the
more effort you give, the more rewards you will see.
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Guide Book
The Portfolio
Structure
The structure of the Investments Committee portfolio is somewhat basic. We do not trade on margin, so
leverage is not a consideration for the Investments Committee. Historically, the portfolio has been
about 65% stocks, 25% fixed income, and about 10% cash. The IDG will meet once every semester to
announce an IDG outlook for the concerned semester in order to keep our vision in line with economic
conditions.
IDG will then decide what percentage of the money allocated to equities will be divided amongst the
nine sectors of the stock markets; financials, technology, healthcare, consumer discretionary, consumer
staples, industrials, energy, services, real estate investment trusts (REITS) and exchange traded
funds(ETFs). Generally the money is spread fairly even over the nine sectors. The below paragraphs will
explain more specifically what types of investments the Investments Committee seeks.
Types of Investments
Equities
The Investments Committee is allowed to buy stock of any company that has shares traded on
an American exchange. We cannot buy directly into foreign companies unless they have an
American Depository Receipt (ADR) trading on an American exchange. The IC is allowed to buy
both common stock and preferred shares. Typically, the portfolio will hold anywhere from 20 to
30 stocks diversified over the nine sectors at any one time.
Other Types of Investments
As well as stocks, the Investments Committee seeks to diversify the portfolio by holding several
fixed income securities as well as a sizeable percentage of cash to be exercised when the
opportunities arise. When looking at fixed income, historically the Investments Committee has
bought into bond mutual funds that operate a diversified mix of government and corporate
bonds. More recently, however, the Investments Committee has begun discussing moving out
of bond funds and into picking our own bonds.
The Investments Committee is not allowed to invest in anything requiring a margin account.
This means no derivatives (options, futures, forwards, swaps…), no foreign exchange, and no
commodities. We do not invest in illiquid assets such as Credit Default Swaps (CDS’s),
Collateralized Debt Obligations (CDO’s), or any other exotic, illiquid asset. We also do not invest
in hedge funds, private equities, or any other managed funds except for fixed income mutual
funds, and a periodic exchange traded fund (ETF). The Investments Committee will continuously
follow the ethics guidelines established in the Georgia Tech Student Foundation by-laws.
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Guide Book
Trading
How we buy
Researching and purchasing a stock for the Investments Committee is a precisely defined
process. A member (or group of members) from the Investments Committee will either pick a
stock on their own to research, or they will take a stock given to them by a member of the IDG.
If a group member picks a stock on their own, it must be approved by a member of the IDG
before a presentation is possible. Upon obtaining a stock to research, the group member(s)
should schedule a presentation time with the SMD. In the time between obtaining a stock and
presenting on it, the group member(s) should conduct their own fundamental analysis of the
company and prepare a PowerPoint presentation and handout to be given on the date that they
signed up for. The presentation and handout should be completed and e-mailed to all IDG
members at least by noon of the day before the presentation. Note that templates and
instructions for how to do the handout and presentation can be obtained from the IC website
under the section called guides.
How we sell
Selling a stock is not as formal of a process as buying. If it is not an emergency, a re-evaluation
of the stock should be conducted and presented to the group in the same way as new stocks are
presented for buying. Requests for re-evaluations will be generated after Investments
Committee discussions or private IDG meetings, and will come from a member of the IDG. Upon
volunteering to do a re-evaluation, generally you will be given one week to prepare a
presentation. After the presentation, there will be an IDG vote to hold or sell, and the
appropriate action will be taken care of by the SFD. Should an emergency arise, IDG has the
possibility of discussing a sale via an e-mail discussion, and upon obtaining a vote, a stock could
be sold without ever being brought up at a meeting. In extreme emergencies, the SFD also has
the ability to trade a value equal to 10% of the portfolio at his or her own discretion.
How we hold
After the Investments Committee has made a purchase, the time horizon is to generally hold it
from three to five years. Starting in the 2009/20010 school year, we will do a discounted cash
flow analysis on each holding in the portfolio as part of an analyst’s initial presentation that will
take into account three scenarios: a flat or declining market, an average growth market, and a
high growth market. This will allow us to set a more specific time horizon and price target for
each security. Upon purchase, security will be assigned to an analyst within the Investments
Committee whose sole responsibility is to follow the day to day news coming out of that
company. At any time, if the security is not performing as we had hoped or if anything seems
wrong it is the analyst’s responsibility to inform their sector analyst or any member of IDG, and
the company is subject to a re-evaluation via a request from an IDG member. Starting in 2009,
there will be a semi-annual rebalance of the portfolio back to the original target allocations for
each position. This will be done around the 4th of July as well as around New Years Day every
year.
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Allocations Committee
Once every semester, an Allocations Committee scores higher than the threshold move on to the
will be formed consisting of members from the next round.
Board of Trustees and a few selected members
of both the Investments Committee and the All people or organizations that have had
Development Committee. All coordination of their application move on to the second round
the Allocations Committee will be done by the are notified that they will need to come before
Allocation Committee chairperson that sits on the Allocations Committee and give a brief
the Board of Trustees. The maximum amount of presentation on how they plan to use the
money to allocate is determined by a formula, money. The presentations usually take place on
however the Allocations Committee generally a Sunday, thirteen days after the applications are
gives anywhere from $12,000.00 to $18,000.00 graded. As the organizations present throughout
back to the Georgia Tech community every the day, the Allocations Committee members are
semester. The money is allowed to ask
taken from the questions as they
Investments Committee grade the
portfolio. presentations. At the
end of presentations,
A few weeks into each there is a closed door
semester, all campus Allocations
organizations will Committee meeting,
receive an e-mail and the top scoring
informing them of the presentations are
ability to seek Student awarded either all of
Foundation funding. All the money, some of
interested people or the money, or none
organizations are then of the money they
asked to fill out an were seeking. It is
application explaining how much money they are done on a case by case basis at the agreement of
seeking, and for what purposes. The allocations the Allocations Committee.
application are given a due date to be returned
to the Allocations Committee chairperson at Though the Allocations Committee has funded
which point they are put before the Allocations longstanding campus organizations in the past,
Committee at a Board of Trustees meeting. Each the main goal is to act as a venture capitalist
member of the Allocations Committee reads organization giving a prime focus to start-up
every application and grades it on a number of organizations and initiatives on campus. Many
of the largest organizations at Georgia Tech
factors. At the end of the meeting, a score
threshold his decided, and all applications with today were started thanks to Allocations
Committee donations.
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Contact Information
Name Position Phone E-mail
Matt Wood SFD, BoT Treasurer (678) 524-3349 mwood@gatech.edu
Avrine Roy SMD, BoT IT Chair (404) 372-4243 aroy7@gatech.edu
Eddie Hahn Director of the Portfolio (214) 704-8265 e.hahn@gatech.edu
Brian Meier Dir. of Ment./ Spec. Proj. (770) 312-9146 bmeier6@gatech.edu
Matthew Oatts Director of IT and Marketing (205)960-0574 mmoatts@gatech.edu
Raahi Kapadia Nonvoting Director (404) 512 5227 rahi@gatech.edu
Jessica Kanter BoT President (404) 323-1734 jkanter3@gatech.edu
Patrick Sugar BoT Vice President (404) 514-3361 psugar3@gatech.edu
Cami Dettmer Student Foundation Advisor (404) 385-7343 cami.dettmer@alumni.gatech.edu
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