Fordham University

Executive Leadership • Business Development • Alternative & Traditional Investments

iCapital

Managing Director, Head of Alternatives Distribution 

*Morgan Stanley Investment Management

I currently design, build and market a suite of model portfolio offerings (equity/fixed income mutual funds, separately managed accounts (SMAs), and exchange-traded funds) managed by MSIM’s asset management affiliates to US Intermediary Distribution channels. Additionally, I leverage the firm’s multi-asset class expertise across liquid and illiquid asset classes to develop thought leadership, investment guidance, and analytical capabilities in support of a more consultative sales process, and partner with sales, marketing, and product teams to create and execute a fully integrated support model from pre-sale to post-sale.

Morgan Stanley

Managing Director • Head of Model Portfolios

I was recruited to Morgan Stanley Investment Management in 2017 to help rebuild MSIM’s US Intermediary business. I progressed from National Sales Manager to Co-Head of US Intermediary Distribution in less than 36 months.  While in this role my responsibilities ranged from overseeing our wire-house, independent financial intermediary, registered investment advisor and sub-advisory sales teams to our national accounts / home office client coverage efforts.  Some notable accomplishments included gross sales increases of 3 X ($10 to $34.5 billion), launching 2 sets of model portfolios in partnership with E-Trade and Morgan Stanley Wealth Management and serving as a senior member of MSIM’s integration team for the Eaton Vance acquisition.

Managing Director • Co-Head of US Intermediary Distribution 

As Managing Director and Head of Portfolio Solutions Group & Investment Experience, I centralized product management efforts across 125+ single-asset/multi-asset centrally managed portfolios. In addition, I worked firm-wide to design/launch/promote and provide after-sales support, facilitated growth in multi-asset model portfolio assets, and launched low-cost model portfolios for ML Edge self-direct channel. I was also a voting member of the Managed Solutions Group Product Management Investment Committee with oversight for our separately managed account (SMA) business.

Bank of America Merrill Lynch

Managing Director • Head of Portfolio Solutions Group & Investment Experience 

In this position, I directed a team of over 40 AI sales professionals charged with driving the growth/distribution of hedge funds, private equity, real assets, managed futures, and non-traditional mutual funds to financial advisors and bankers at Merrill Lynch and US Trust. 

On a day-today basis my efforts were spent on developing, leading and managing our internal/external sales, technical sales, and support teams.  As part of my duties, I was responsible for leading our advisor facing educational and capital raising efforts through a combination of internal/external marketing efforts in partnership with our asset manager partners and internal thought leaders.  

Our marketing efforts incorporated face-to-face, e-mail, digital, and traditional print tactics to best connect with our clients.  My team was responsible for launching HF portfolio construction services in partnership with ML's CIO to help advisors build diversified portfolios for their clients.  

As Head of AI Distribution, I served as a voting member of the Alternative Investment Product Management Investment Committee which was responsible for all platform product approvals.

Managing Director • Head of Alternative Investments Distribution (2007 – 2015) 

I rapidly progressed during my 10-year tenure (5 promotions) to the role of Managing Director, Co-Head of Smith Barney Alternative Investments (AI) Distribution (2003 -2007). Hence, my accountabilities expanded to include overseeing a team of 20+ sales professionals in distributing proprietary/non-proprietary alternative investments across credit structures, exchange funds, hedge funds, managed funds, private equity, and real estate. 

Additionally, I headed up educational efforts on hedge fund/private equity and real estate through national, regional, and branch-level training efforts. Finally, I was invited to serve as a voting member of Citigroup’s US 401k Investment Committee.

James Costabile, CAIA