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About Us

OakBrook is a research oriented firm driven by a group of professionals with advanced degrees in economics. We have managed money since 1981, and previously worked as a team for one of the pioneers in index fund management and quantitative techniques.

History

OakBrook Investments was launched in February 1998 by Janna Sampson, Peter Jankovskis, and Neil Wright. They were joined in March 1998 by Giri Cherukuri. The four had previously served together for several years managing portfolios at Northern Trust Quantitative Advisors and its predecessor, ANB Investment Management & Trust Company. OakBrook's registration as an Investment Adviser became effective March 27, 1998, and the firm began managing tax-exempt assets as of June 8, 1998.

From its initial launch with the Select Equity Strategy and a single Enhanced Index strategy benchmarked to the S&P 500, OakBrook has greatly expanded its product line-up. Janna and Peter led efforts to add additional benchmarks to the Enhanced Index family and to develop a market neutral strategy utilizing enhanced index techniques. They became the co-Chief Investment Officers of OakBrook following the retirement of Neil Wright in September, 2007.

OakBrook Investments, LLC is 100% owned by employees.

Meet Our People

Portfolio Management, Research, and Trading
Janna Sampson, CFA
Co-Chief Investment Officer

Janna Sampson In conjunction with Co-CIO, Peter Jankovskis, Janna is responsible for research, stock selection and portfolio construction related to the firm's investment strategies. She is a founding principal of OakBrook, is a significant shareholder, and is a member of the firm's Management Committee.

Prior to launching OakBrook, Janna was VP & Senior Portfolio Manager for ANB Investment Management & Trust Company, a $35B investment manager (now part of Northern Trust). In addition to her active involvement in managing assets for both the Select Equity and Enhanced Index styles, she was responsible for ANB's Balance Plus product line and an actively managed international equity mutual fund. Prior to joining ANB, she was a Research Analyst at Waldner & Co., a research boutique, and taught economics at College of DuPage.

Janna holds a BA in Economics and Political Science from University of Denver and an MA in Economics from Georgia State University. Janna is a CFA charterholder.

Peter Jankovskis, PhD, CFA
Co-Chief Investment Officer

Peter Jankovskis In conjunction with Co-CIO, Janna Sampson, Peter is responsible for research, stock selection and portfolio construction related to the firm's investment strategies. He is a founding principal of OakBrook, is a significant shareholder, and is a member of the firm's Management Committee

Prior to launching OakBrook, Peter was Head of Research for ANB Investment Management & Trust Company, a $35B investment manager (now part of Northern Trust). At ANB, Peter was actively involved in the management of the Select Equity style and an actively managed international equity mutual fund, the development of the quantitative model used for enhanced indexing and research in support of other investment strategies. Before joining ANB, Peter taught courses in finance, macroeconomics, microeconomics and industrial organization at University of California, Santa Barbara.

Peter received BS degrees, sum cum laude, in Computer Science and Mathematics, as well as his MA and PhD in Economics from University of California, Santa Barbara. Peter is a CFA charterholder.

Giri Cherukuri, CFA
Head Trader and Portfolio Manager

Giri Cherukuri Giri is Head Trader and Portfolio Manager. He is responsible for the execution of trades for all of OakBrook's strategies and is a member of the management team for all strategies. He joined OakBrook shortly after its launch and has worked with OakBrook's principals since 1994.

Prior to joining OakBrook in 1998, Giri was Investment Strategist at ANB Investment Management & Trust Company, a $35B investment manager (now part of Northern Trust). At ANB, he helped develop new investment strategies and manage index portfolios. Before joining ANB in 1992, Giri was a Data Analyst at Morningstar.

Giri received a BA in Economics, with Honors, as well as his MBA, from the University of Chicago. Giri is a CFA charterholder.

Tyler Nichols
Research Analyst and Trader

Tyler Nichols Mr. Tyler Nichols is a Research Analyst and Trader at OakBrook Investments, LLC. Tyler provides support for OakBrook’s quantitative research program, trading, and client service efforts. Tyler received a B.S. in Economics and Business Management from North Central College and his MBA from Northern Illinois University.

Paula Mikrut
Quantitative Investment Analyst

Paula Mikrut Paula Mikrut is a Quantitative Investment Analyst at OakBrook Investments, LLC. Paula is responsible for quantitative analysis and software development for research projects on current and new investment strategies. She also contributes to the fundamental research effort for Select Equity.

Paula has an MBA from the University of Chicago, an MS in Computational Finance from DePaul University, and an MS in Computer Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has passed the CFA Level 3 exam.

Marketing and Client Service
David Vandergriff
Director of Marketing

David Vandergriff David Vandergriff is Director of Marketing at OakBrook Investments, LLC. Prior to joining OakBrook in February 2008, David was a Director of Institutional Sales at Allegiant Asset Management Company (AAMC), calling on corporate plan sponsors and nonprofit organizations. David held a similar position with Banc One Investment Advisors, Inc. before joining AAMC. At Banc One his sales responsibilities also included calling on public funds and Taft-Hartley plans. David sold commercial investment grade real estate prior to joining the institutional investment management industry. He earned a B.A. from Wabash College.

Annette Pfoser
Marketing Associate

Annette Pfoser Ms Annette Pfoser is a Marketing Associate at OakBrook Investments, LLC. Prior to joining OakBrook, Annette was an Administrative Assistant at AmSouth Bank in Jacksonville, Florida. Annette began her financial career in 1991 and has since held various banking positions throughout the Chicagoland area and Jacksonville, Florida. Annette majored in Business Administration and Marketing at Lewis University.

Debbie Burak
Client Administration Manager

Debbie Burak Ms. Debbie Burak is a Client Administration Manager at OakBrook Investments, LLC. Prior to joining OakBrook in 2005, Debbie was a Portfolio Administrator at Holland Capital Management, LP. Before joining Holland Capital, LP in 2002, Debbie was an Investment Analyst at Mercer Investment Consulting. Debbie received a B.B.A. in Finance from Benedictine University.

Rebecca Carter
Client Administrator

Rebecca Carter Ms. Rebecca Carter is a Client Administrator at OakBrook Investments, LLC. Rebecca holds a B.S. in Economics and Finance from North Central College.

Compliance
Shirley Fisher
Chief Compliance Officer

Shirley Fisher Ms. Shirley Fisher is the Chief Compliance Officer at OakBrook Investments, LLC. Shirley joined OakBrook in 2007. Prior to joining OakBrook, Shirley was the Assistant Treasurer/Controller at Northern Trust Investments, Inc. and was an Investment Officer in charge of Project Coordination at ANB Investment Management and Trust Company (“ANB”). Prior to joining ANB, Shirley held various Banking, Trust, and Investment positions with American National Bank and Trust Company in Chicago. Shirley received a B.S. in mathematics with minor in computer science from Benedictine University and a master’s degree, summa cum laude, in education from National-Louis University.

Administrative
Wendi Svitak
Office Manager

Wendi Svitak Wendi Svitak is the Office Manager at OakBrook Investments, LLC. She is responsible for organizing and coordinating office operations as well as assisting in the completion of RFPs. Wendi holds a B.S. in Business Management from Eastern Illinois University. Currently, she is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Business Administration at Elmhurst College and expects to graduate in May 2013.

 

 

Company News

2011
September 2011: OakBrook is ranked 39th largest manager of passive and enhanced index assets by Pensions & Investments in its September 19, 2011 issue (ranked by total worldwide assets managed internally as of June 30, 2011).
2010

May 2010: Firm assets under management exceed $2 billion.

May 2010: OakBrook is named Equity Manager of the Year at the Opal Financial Group's 2010 Emerging Managers' Summit.

Emerging Manager Award In May 2010, Opal Financial Group held its Emerging Managers Summit and Awards Luncheon. OakBrook was a general sponsor of the event and participated in the award program.

The Emerging Managers Summit and Awards (EMSA) were open to companies or investment teams based in the US/Canada and Europe. All EMSA participants were required to complete an EMSA questionnaire. The judging panel was comprised of representatives from Emerging Manager Magazine, Opal Financial Group, and leading institutional and private investors.

EMSAs were offered in 18 categories. The number of participants in each category was not disclosed. OakBrook submitted a questionnaire for consideration in two categories, Emerging Manager and Equity Manager, and won for Equity Manager.

2009

December 2009: OakBrook gains State of Illinois certification as Female Business Enterprise.

December 2009: OakBrook moves to new offices at 2300 Cabot Drive in Lisle, IL.

2008

December 2008: OakBrook launches Quantitative Small Cap product.

February 2008: OakBrook celebrates 10 year anniversary.

OakBrook Tenth Anniversary

January 2008: Janna Sampson becomes majority owner. Giri Cherukuri becomes an owner and joins the investment committee.

2007

December 2007: OakBrook acquires 49% ownership interest of Regions Bank and becomes 100% employee-owned.

September 2007: Neil Wright retires as CIO, Fundamental Products; Janna Sampson and Peter Jankovskis become Co-CIOs of OakBrook Investments.

2003
November 2003: Firm assets under management exceed $1 billion.
2002

August 2002: Firm assets under management exceed $500 million.

June 2002: OakBrook Market Neutral Fund, LP launched. OakBrook Enhanced Mid-Cap launched.

2000
September 2000: First expansion of Enhanced Index benchmarks - Enhanced Large Cap Value launched. The launch of an additional benchmark begins the process of adding benchmarks that has continued over time.
1998
OakBrook Investments founded by Janna Sampson, Peter Jankovskis, and Neil Wright with two products: Enhanced Index and Select Equity.