Conestoga Capital Advisors has added Derek Johnston, CFA, and Larry Carlin, CFA, to the firm. Both will serve as Equity Research Analysts and support Conestoga's research of small- and mid-capitalisation stocks.
Johnston is joining Conestoga from 300 North Capital, a growth-equity investment manager based in Pasadena, CA. At 300 North Capital, he served as a Co-Portfolio Manager for the firm's SMid Cap Growth and Small Cap Growth strategies. Prior to 300 North Capital, Johnston worked at Engemann Asset Management and Banc of America Securities. Johnston brings a total of nineteen years of investment experience to Conestoga. He has a Bachelor of Science degree from Boston College and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California. Johnston earned the right to use the Chartered Financial Analyst ® designation in 2003. He will be relocating to Philadelphia with his family.
Carlin's experience spans sixteen years in the investment management industry, with a focus on small- and mid-capitalisation companies. Prior to joining Conestoga, Carlin worked with Columbia Partners in suburban Philadelphia for six years, providing fundamental research for long-only portfolios and a hedge fund. Earlier in his career, he served as an Equity Analyst at Redstone Investment Management, and as a Portfolio Manager/Equity Analyst at Kalmar Investments, Inc. Larry earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Georgetown University, as well as a Master of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Maryland, and a Bachelor of Science degree from Villanova University. Carlin is also a CFA charterholder.
"We're excited to have Derek and Larry become part of the investment team at Conestoga," says Bob Mitchell, Co-Founder and Managing Partner/Portfolio Manager. Derek and Larry will serve as generalist analysts, covering a variety of sectors across the small- and mid-capitalisation range. Bob Mitchell added, "Both Derek and Larry have over 15 years of investment experience, with a focus on the fundamental research of companies, using similar investment philosophies as those of us at Conestoga. We are looking forward to their contributions to our research efforts."
Conestoga is also announcing the retirement of Dave Lawson, expected in the first quarter of 2016. Dave is a Managing Partner and Co-Portfolio Manager of the firm's SMid Cap strategy, with research responsibilities across the small- and mid-capitalisation sectors. Dave joined Conestoga in 2008 and became a Managing Partner in 2009. His investment career spans more than 30 years, and he played an important role in launching Conestoga's SMid Cap investment strategy. "Dave has been a great partner to all of us at Conestoga," added Joe Monahan, Managing Partner/Portfolio Manager. "I have worked with Dave for over twenty years, and we wish him all the best in his retirement."
Conestoga's primary investment strategy, Small Cap Growth, has grown to over USD1.6 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2015. In 2014, the firm launched a SMid Cap Growth strategy, a natural extension and complementary diversification of the firm's Small Cap Growth strategy. The firm serves as advisor to two mutual funds as well: the Conestoga S
