Michael Simmons was named director of investments at the $8.4 billion Maine State Retirement System, Augusta, according to Gail Wright, executive director. It is a new position. Mr. Simmons was an investment analyst for the system. He effectively replaces Rex Holsapple, who resigned as the system's CIO in June. Ms. Wright said she took the opportunity to review the system's personnel structure after Mr. Holsapple's resignation. "We have decided to go forward with our investment program with a director of investments," she said in an interview.
San Francisco City & County Employees Retirement System is searching for a security analyst focused on quantitative models and risk management. The position has been vacant for several years, said David Kushner, deputy director for investments at the $13.4 billion fund. The analyst will report directly to Mr. Kushner. More information is available at http://www.sfgov.org/site/jobs_page.asp?id=35575.
Ian Alcock was appointed head of institutional business for Vanguard Investment Australia, said Brian Mattes, principal at Vanguard. Mr. Alcock was managing director of Vanguard Investments Europe in Brussels, where he helped boost assets under management in the region to $17 billion from $2 billion in 2002, according to a news release. Mr. Alcock replaced Eric Smith, who was both head of institutional business and CIO; he will now focus on the latter role, which involves product development. In Brussels, Shellie Unger, a principal responsible for international operations in the Americas and Europe, will take over for Mr. Alcock while a search for his replacement continues, Mr. Mattes said.
Ralph J. Acampora was hired as director of technical research at Knight Capital Group, where he will run the firm's new Knight Technical Research unit to provide market analysis, confirmed spokeswoman Margaret Wyrwas. "With Knight Technical Research, the company will tie technical analysis with trading for the first time in a series of products for clients," Thomas M. Joyce, Knight Capital chairman and CEO, said in a news release. The company expects to offer clients access to Knight Technical Research before the end of the year. Mr. Acampora was director of technical research at Prudential Equity Group, which closed its technical research group in October. Joining Mr. Acampora as technical analysts are Peter J. Martin, Phil N. Choremi and Peter W. Austin; all had been technical analysts at Prudential Equity Group.
