WHO: Martha Ortiz, 36
WHAT: Partner and quantitative manager
WHERE: Aronson + Partners, Philadelphia
WHEN: Joined Aronson in 1987. Began career in 1983 at Continental Grain Co., where she traded cash commodities.
WHY: Developed a software system to measure costs of trading, built data programs for her firm's trade cost model and is involved in valuation, portfolio building and trading. Also in charge of general technology.
"They have an incredible trading system that she built, maintained and manages," said Mike Olson, vice president at Wilshire Associates Inc. "She really knows a lot about every single aspect of the business."
"She has a ferocious appetite for getting things correct," said Jonathan Smith, co-owner of Chesapeake Asset Management. Mr. Smith has known Ms. Ortiz for more than 10 years. He said Aronson + Partners is a "technology-driven (firm) and Martha is the spearhead there."
Work in trade cost analysis makes her a "great person" in investment management technology, said Hal Reynolds, vice president and principal at Wilshire.
