Richard W. Shea, Jr.'s experience spans 20 plus years in investment banking and capital markets. He began his career at Equitable Life Assurance in 1984. In 1985 he joined Merrill Lynch & Company's public finance investment banking group, rising to the position of Vice President. From 1992 to 1997, during his tenures with Moriarty Capital and Midwood Securities, Mr. Shea began his in-depth coverage of companies within the consumer sector and started to develop his highly disciplined approach to analyzing this sector. His unique approach incorporates primary research, proprietary modeling and fundamental analysis.

In 1997, Mr. Shea began work at Tudor Investment Corp. as its consumer analyst. He joined First New York Securities, L.L.C. in April 1999 as an analyst and portfolio manager. He left FNYS in 2004 to manage the business of Vardon Capital Management, L.L.C., and acted as its sole Principal and Senior Portfolio Manager throughout the life of the fund.

Mr. Shea remains an active investor in the public markets and private markets through Vardon Capital, LLC. He also advises companies looking to grow their market presence. He currently resides in New Jersey and is enjoying the additional time with his wife and three daughters.

Mr. Shea earned a B.A. from College of the Holy Cross in 1984 and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School in 1989.