WEST PALM BEACH, FL (HEDGECO.NET) – Lisa O. Rapuno has departed Legg Mason Funds Management Inc, to join Matador Capital Management Corp, according to a news release; she would be joining Matador ina capacity as a senior partner, and a co-chief investment officer. While at Mason Funds, Rapuno was responsible for overseeing the company�s Special Investment Trust Fund, an investment portfoliowhich gained an incredible 46% during 2003. Ms. Rapuno was also senior vice president as well as director of research for Legg Mason Funds Management.
Legg Mason authorities released a statement acknowledging Ms. Rapuno�s departure, Mr. Bill Miller was named as the new manager of the portfolio formerly managed by Rapuno. Miller co-managed the Investment Trust fund in 1985 with Rapuno, and after two years Miller handed the management obligations of the portfolio over to Rapuno who ran the fund until Jan, 2004.
Miller reacting over Ms. Rapuno�s departure said in a statement, �While we are sad she will be leaving us, we understand and respect her decision; we are grateful for all she has done and wish her all the best�. Miller referred to Ms. Rapuno as �an excellent investor and a very good friend�. Reacting in a statement Ms. Rapuno said she would miss Mr. Miller and Legg Mason.
In his statement, the founder and Chairman of Matador, Jeff Berg said �I have been searching for a true investment partner for quite some time to take a leadership role at Matador, and we have found that person in Lisa Rapuano� Mr. Berg added that Ms. Rapuno�s investment approach is quite suitable to Matador, and that such investment approach would help Matador grow in the years to come.
Matador has three funds under its management umbrella as at January, 2003; Everglades Partners LP, Contrarian Opportunities Fund LP and Matador Micro cap Fund LP�with assets of about US$650 million, according to the news release.
Paul Oranika
Editor-in-Chief
HedgeCo.Net
Email: [email protected]
HedgeCo.Net is a premier hedge fund database and community for qualified and accredited investors only. Membership on www.hedgeco.net is FREE and EASY!
