Stephen Hester

Stephen’s capital markets career began in the hedge fund industry and evolved toward complex and alternative investment analysis for large financial institutions. His latest roles were Director of Due Diligence at two $200 billion+ independent broker/dealer networks, Ladenburg Thalmann and Advisor Group, involving all aspects of investment and operational due diligence. He has presented institutional quality investment and risk analysis on opportunities in commercial and residential real estate, tax-driven special situations, private equity, private debt, and energy in over 100 investment committees in the past decade. He is experienced in the compliance requirements and characteristics of a wide range of investment vehicles including private placements, interval funds, and tax-advantaged structures such as Real Estate Investment Trusts and Business Development Companies. He’s performed full cycle due diligence on offerings from The Blackstone Group, L.P., Bain Capital, Warburg Pincus, Brookfield Asset Management, KKR & Co., Apollo Global Management, The Carlyle Group, L.P., and Neuberger Berman, among others. Stephen has authored publications on subjects ranging from SEC and FINRA regulation to investment strategy and advanced engineering applications. He obtained his BA in Economics and MS in Energy & Earth Resources from the University of Texas at Austin. Stephen maintains Series 7 & 63 securities licenses, is a CFA charterholder, long-time participant in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, and member of the Institute for Portfolio Alternative’s Rising Leaders Council.