Orser Speakers Forum Hosts Panel of Four Investment Experts
A panel of four investment experts presented “The Iditarod of Investing: Following the Trail of the ‘Big Dogs’” for the Montana State University (MSU) College of Business’ (CoB) David Orser Executive Speakers Forum. Held on Thursday, April 16 in MSU’s Procrastinator Theater, more than 190 people attended the free event, resulting in a packed auditorium.
After introductions, each panelist gave a brief description of their background in the financial industry, providing the audience with a frame of reference for their viewpoints.
Panelists were:
Frank Kerins, CFA–CoB finance professor
Michael Monaghan–Director at UBS (Institutional Equity Group) and CoB alumnus
Cory Pulfrey, CFA–Managing Director, Alternative Investment Partners of Morgan Stanley and CoE alumnus
The audience brought up concerns about the Bernie Madoff investment scandal and other recent Ponzi schemes. The panelists emphasized that Ponzi schemes work because fraudulent investment brokers are “buying fear and selling greed.” The panelists warned the audience against thinking that all types of investing would be unwise, pointing out that diligent investors working with reputable brokers can mitigate the potential for fraud.
Over the last several decades, the move from defined-benefit to defined-contribution pension plans have required almost everyone who works to also become a manager of their own investments. This is problematic because most people do not have any training in portfolio management. Panelists said it is important for investors to become educated about investment choices.
The David Orser Executive Speaker’s Forum, named for David B. Orser, a 1966 CoB graduate, is meant to inspire CoB students to pursue careers as innovative, responsible and ethical business leaders. Orser began funding the program in 1988.
For more information about this and future David Orser Executive Speaker’s Forum events, please contact Audrey Lee at 994-7026 or audrey.lee@montana.edu.