Take us back to your early days – what drew you into the futures industry, and what memories stand out from your time as a clerk in the bond futures pits?
“There weren’t many employers clamoring for philosophy majors coming out of college. But a conversation with a family friend in Chicago changed my trajectory. He asked me three simple questions: Did I like to compete? Could I do math in my head? Did I want to be done with work at 3 PM every day? When I answered yes to all three, he pointed me toward the Board of Trade, saying you’ll find a spot down there, they could care less if you went to college, much less where or what major; but rather your ability to think quickly and compete effectively.
Listen to the podcast here for some of the stories on how the trading pit experiences were unlike anything else in the professional world. From full-blown fights erupting on the trading floor to the less glamorous moments of having cups of tobacco dip accidentally spilled on you. It was a raw, intense environment where you had to prove yourself every single day.”
Looking back at your 25+ year journey in futures trading, which moments or achievements make you most proud?
“While there have been numerous milestones along the way – founding Attain Capital, being elected to the NFA Board of Directors, running a CTA – one moment stands out as particularly meaningful. It was when we had our first client cross the million-dollar profit threshold. You can talk about annual rates of return, risk ratios, and all the technical metrics we use in this industry, but there’s something profoundly different about seeing a client who trusted you with their capital actually make over a million dollars in real money. That moment transcended all the technical aspects of trading – it was a tangible validation of the trust our clients placed in us, and it felt incredibly rewarding.”
The Derivative podcast has become a go-to industry resource. What sparked the idea, and how has it grown beyond your initial vision?
“The podcast grew organically from our day-to-day work. We were having weekly meetings with this incredible range of people – successful investors, brilliant quants, hog farmers, former Oil traders – and we realized these conversations were too valuable to keep to ourselves. We’d already built a strong foundation of educational content through our newsletters, blog, and Twitter presence, so a podcast felt like a natural evolution.
What’s been amazing is how it’s grown beyond our initial concept. We’ve had the opportunity to interview hurricane hunters, speak with industry legends like Salem Abraham and Jerry Parker, and host icons like Jim Rogers. We’ve even brought some friends onto the show. It’s become this incredible platform for sharing not just trading knowledge, but the diverse experiences and insights of people who interact with markets in really cool ways.”
Every firm has its unique strengths. How does RCM Alternatives create value for clients in ways that set it apart?
“In our early days, our differentiation came from simply outworking everyone else and providing exceptional customer service – we had a strict one-ring rule for answering phones, for instance. While those fundamentals haven’t changed, what really sets us apart today is our comprehensive expertise across the entire futures and derivatives landscape.
We can help with everything from designing complex fund structures to assisting family offices in building diversified CTA portfolios. We’re equally comfortable helping clients access Chinese markets or implementing automated execution systems. One day we might be sitting with a farmer in South Dakota planning their hedge strategy, and the next day we’re helping commercial groups utilize swaps as risk management tools. This breadth and depth of experience across every aspect of futures markets means that regardless of how you want to access these markets, RCM has the expertise to support your goals.
It’s this combination of traditional values – hard work and superior service – with deep, multifaceted expertise that creates unique value for our clients.”
If you had a personal theme song that played when you enter meetings, what would it be?
“My walk up song? It’d depend on the mood, but likely something by Gordon Lightfoot, U2, or some 80s one hit wonder”
Lightning Round:
Coffee or tea? Tea, London Fog
Early bird or night owl? Night Owl
Phone call or email? No thanks
City life or countryside? Mountains
Physical books or e-reader? Podcasts
Favorite Thanksgiving food? Stuffing, crunchier the better
