Our Team

Midsummer Capital, the investment manager of the Midsummer Group of Funds, is managed by a small team of professionals, each of which brings a unique skill set to bear in the investment process. The team has been built in such a manner as to provide redundancy in each position and sufficient coverage in each of the areas of our business.

Michel Amsalem · Joshua Thomas · Alan Benaim · Tobin Kim
Alisa Butchkowski · Logan Sugarman · Annie Lai · Catherine DeVoe

MICHEL AMSALEM, Founder & Managing Partner

(35 years industry experience, founded Midsummer Capital in May 2002)

Over 30 years of experience in the origination, structuring, negotiation and management of investments in complex environments including 15 years of investment banking experience as founder and head of Citibank Structured Finance Department, Banque Indosuez Investment Banks for Latin America and Eastern Europe and Patricof Emerging markets
Previously co-managing partner of Omicron Capital, a fund also operating in the small cap space
Associate Professor (1979-1985), now Adjunct Professor Columbia University Graduate School of Business
Doctoral Degree, Harvard Business School; MBA, Columbia University; Diplome HEC and DEJG (law degree), France

JOSHUA THOMAS, Co-Portfolio Manager, Partner

(11+ years industry experience, joined Midsummer in July 2004)

Primary responsibility for the due-diligence and structuring of direct investments as well as overall portfolio management; developed Midsummer's idea and deal sourcing network
Over 11 years of financial markets experience including principal investing, capital raising for both public and private companies and fundamental analysis
Previously with Sanford Bernstein (Equity Research), ABN Amro and Merrill Lynch (Investment Banking)
Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Vanderbilt University

ALAN BENAIM, Co-Portfolio Manager, Partner

(11+ years industry experience, joined Midsummer in July 2006)

Primary responsibility for the due-diligence and structuring of direct investments as well as portfolio management; leads investments for the Midsummer Ventures fund
Over 11 years of experience in capital markets and principal investing in markets and industries requiring advanced risk management skills; principal investing experience in both early stage venture capital and middle market private equity in a wide range of industries; seven years of investment banking experience at JPMorgan Chase covering M&A advisory, fund raising and structured finance across more than 20 countries
MBA, Columbia University; Bachelor of Science in Economics, London School of Economics

TOBIN KIM, Co-Portfolio Manager, Partner

(12+ years industry experience, joined Midsummer in November 2007)

Primary responsibility in the identification, due-diligence and monitoring of market transactions, both longs and shorts; monitors Midsummer option strategies
Over 12 years of experience in principal investing and investment banking in middle market companies; At the Clinton Group, Silver Capital and Midtown Capital helped manage small cap investment strategies using a value oriented, event driven approach; previously at Apax Partners, a private equity group (formerly Patricof & Co. Ventures) and an Analyst at Legg Mason Wood Walker
MBA, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania; Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Johns Hopkins University

ALISA BUTCHKOWSKI, CFO, CCO & Partner

(10+ years industry experience, joined Midsummer in April 2007)

Senior responsibility for all back office operations including systems and primary liaison with our administrator and accountants/auditors to maintain the integrity of our accounts and keep our investors informed on performance
Over 10 years of experience in the hedge fund and mutual fund industry in both the public and the private environment
Previously Controller, Portfolio Accounting, Paloma Partners Management; Controller, D.B. Zwirn; started her career in the Investment Management Group of Pricewaterhouse Coopers performing audit services for mutual funds and hedge funds
MBA and Bachelor of Science, Fordham University; Certified Public Accountant

LOGAN SUGARMAN, Head Trader & Analyst

(8+ years industry experience, joined Midsummer in November 2009)

Primary responsibility for the implementation of Midsummer's trading strategies, including volatility extraction and portfolio hedging, stock borrow and relationships with prime brokers
Over 8 years of experience in principal investing in long/short equity strategies; At Exis Capital, Kinyan Capital, Swiss Re Alternative Asset Management helped manage financials focused investment strategies using a fundamental value, catalyst driven approach; Previously at Accenture consulting in their strategy division with a focus in financials
Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Psychology, Johns Hopkins University
Chartered Financial Analyst

ANNIE LAI, Analyst

(7+ years industry experience, joined Midsummer in April 2008)

Primarily responsible for evaluating potential investment opportunities, assisting in the due diligence and sourcing of additional research ideas, and preparing financial models and valuation analyses
Previously at Oppenheimer & Co. (formerly CIBC World Markets) covering small-mid cap securities in the specialty retail sector; Senior Investment Analyst, Ortelius Capital Partners, an alternative investment firm; Started her career at Columbia Management, Bank of America's investment management division, as a generalist in equity research investing in large cap securities
Bachelor of Arts in Economics, University of Pennsylvania Magna Cum Laude; Chartered Financial Analyst and member of New York Society of Security Analysts

CATHERINE DEVOE, Investor Relations

(4+ years industry experience, joined Midsummer in June 2009)

Primarily responsible for all the administrative functions of the management company which serves as the investment advisor for the Midsummer group of funds
Previously an Administrative Assistant at Tontine Associates, LLC; started her career in Investor Relations at Forest Investment Management and was responsible for tracking investor documentation and communicating all fund information to investors
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Franklin & Marshall College