First New York Announces Key Management and Operations Appointments

NEW YORK, March 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- First New York Securities, a global multi-strategy trading firm, today announced several key management and operations appointments. As the firm continues to expand and evolve across virtually all asset classes, these senior appointments further strengthen its infrastructure and operations.

Among the appointments, Steven D. Heinemann, a 15-year veteran of the firm, has been named Vice Chairman.  In addition, Brian Tierney joins the firm as Chief Administrative Officer; Seth Platt has joined as Managing Director of Corporate Strategy and Business Development and Attorneys Lauren Friedman and Matt Menewal have joined the firm's legal team.

First New York also announced the formation of a Trader Management Committee designed to oversee trading operations and manage the firm's risk.  The committee is comprised of leaders of the firm's business lines including: Tom Donino and Seth Setrakian, Co-Heads of Domestic Equities; Kevin Gerety, Head of the International Equities Desk; Samuel Ginzburg, Head of Capital Markets/Syndicate; Ross Jackman, Head of Credit Trading; Charles Katz, Head of Commodities Trading; Michael Schreiber, Head of Macro Rates/FX Trading.

"As we bring on more talented producers and expand each of our business lines, it is imperative that we have best-in-class infrastructure in place," commented Joseph Schenk, CEO of First New York Securities.  "These senior appointments and the formation of the Trader Management Committee will serve integral roles in the natural evolution of the firm."

New Appointments

Steven D. Heinemann:  Mr. Heinemann joined First New York in 1996 and is a Partner. Upon joining the firm he was instrumental in growing the trading platform and attracting top talent to enhance the performance of the firm. Previously, he spent nine years at SAC Capital and Gruntal & Co.  Mr. Heinemann is a graduate of the University of Maryland.

Brian Tierney:  Prior to joining First New York, Mr. Tierney spent nearly a decade with Millennium Partners, L.P. where he was a managing director and head of counterparty risk. Earlier in his career, he worked at Lehman Brothers and Ernst & Young LLP. Mr. Tierney is a graduate of Villanova University and received an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.

Seth Platt:  Prior to First New York, Mr. Platt served as founder, COO/CFO and co-managing member of Explorer Alternative Management. He brings extensive experience from the alternative investments industry and previously held positions at Circle T Partners, Ramius Capital Group and Montgomery Securities. Mr. Platt is a graduate of Emory University.

Lauren Friedman:  Prior to joining First New York, Ms. Friedman served as corporate counsel at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation where she was responsible for derivatives transactions. Previously, she was an associate at Troutman Sanders LLP in New York. Ms. Friedman is a graduate of Columbia University and received a J.D. from Cornell Law School.

Matt Manewal:  Mr. Manewal joins First New York from Clarium Capital Management, where he served as associate general counsel for the SEC-registered investment adviser. Previously, he was a corporate associate in the mergers & acquisitions practice at Latham & Watkins LLP.  Mr. Manewal is a graduate of Yale University and received a J.D. from UCLA School of Law.

Trader Management Committee

Tom Donino:  Mr. Donino joined the firm in 1994. He is a Partner and Co-Head of U.S. Equities at First New York. Previously he worked at Gruntal & Co. Mr. Donino is a graduate of Fairfield University.

Seth Setrakian:  Mr. Setrakian is a Partner and Co-Head of U.S. Equities at First New York.  Prior to joining the firm, he was a partner of Seneca Capital for four years where he specialized in event-driven investing. Mr. Setrakian is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University.

Kevin Gerety:  Mr. Gerety is a Partner and the Head of the International Equities Desk at First New York. He joined the firm in 1998. Previously, he was the head of the international equity desk at Smith Barney. Mr. Gerety is a graduate of Fordham University.

Samuel Ginzburg:  Mr. Ginzburg is a Partner and Head of Capital Markets and Syndicate at First New York Securities, where he runs a long/short event and catalyst driven portfolio. Previously, he was senior managing director and head of global sales and trading at Gruntal & Co. Mr. Ginzburg is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts.

Ross Jackman:  Mr. Jackman is a Partner and the Head of Credit Trading for First New York. Previously, he was head of municipal trading and sales at UBS securities. Mr. Jackman also served as a member of UBS' fixed income global risk committee. He joined UBS from JP Morgan where he was head of municipal proprietary trading and began his career at Prudential Securities. Mr. Jackman is a graduate of the University of Maryland.

Charles Katz: Mr. Katz is a Partner and Head of Commodities Trading at First New York.  He joined the firm in 2004. Previously, he traded energy derivatives at TXU Energy Trading in Dallas, Texas.  Mr. Katz is a graduate of Harvey Mudd College and received an M.B.A. and MChE from Rice University.

Michael Schreiber:  Mr. Schreiber is a Partner and the Head of Macro Rates and FX Trading at First New York. He joined the firm in 2008 after three years at SAC Capital where he was a Macro Rates and FX portfolio manager. Earlier in his career he traded US Treasuries at JP Morgan. Mr. Schreiber is a graduate of Yeshiva University and received an M.B.A. from the Stern School of Business at NYU.

About First New York

First New York Securities is a global multi-strategy trading firm and registered broker-dealer. The firm's diverse trading business spans virtually all asset classes, including domestic and international equities, fixed income, commodities, interest rates, foreign exchange, derivatives, options, energy and tax exempt bonds. Founded in 1986, First New York is one of the few remaining classic partnerships on Wall Street. A leading technology platform and robust operating infrastructure combined with risk management and diversification strategies serve as the cornerstones of the firm's continued success. Headquartered in New York City, with European operations based in London, the firm has more than 400 employees globally. To learn more about First New York Securities visit www.FirstNY.com.

SOURCE First New York Securities