MICHAEL JAMES

Title: Managing Director, Equity Trading
Years at Wedbush Securities: 12

“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.”
- John Wooden

Why did you choose to work at Wedbush, and what you enjoy the most about working for Wedbush?
I chose to work for Wedbush 12 years ago because I wanted to return to Los Angeles, and the firm was expanding their institutional equities department at the time. I enjoy the camaraderie of my fellow traders and the genuinely good people I am fortunate to come to work beside each day.

What has been your best Wedbush experience?
Attending the Wedbush Service Awards luncheon for my 10-yr anniversary and listening to the stories of the people that have worked at the firm for 20, 25, 30 years (and longer). It was very moving to hear the pride in the voices of the people that have worked their whole lives at one firm.

What is your career background?
My first job out of college was as an institutional equity trading assistant at Salomon Brothers in New York. I then worked as an equity sales trader covering accounts for Raymond James in Florida and Bear Stearns in New York. I moved to the buyside to head the trading desk for hedge fund Regal Asset Management in Dallas, and on the trading desk for mutual fund Pilgrim Baxter outside Philadelphia. I knew I wanted to return to Los Angeles, where I had grown up, and joined Wedbush in 1998 to help grow the equity trading desk as an institutional sales trader.

What drove you into the financial industry?
I was drawn to the constant change on a daily basis in the financial markets, and was looking for a career that would tap into my competitive drive. 24 yrs later, the markets are still changing on a daily basis and I find my competitive drive still being tapped into.

Where is your hometown?
Woodland Hills, CA

What is your education background?
Crespi Carmelite High School (Encino)
University of Notre Dame, Class of 1986

What are your personal interests?
Cycling, spending time with my 2 young sons (Ryan age 5, Owen age 1), traveling at least once per year with my wife Julie, and Notre Dame football.

What are your personal accomplishments?
• Million Dollar Challenge Ride/Challenged Athletes Foundation donor
• Triathlon for Herbalife
• Crespi Carmelite High School donor/past Board of Directors member
• Notre Dame Monogram Club member/donor
• Holy Family Catholic Church (South Pasadena) member/donor
• Kidspace Museum (Pasadena) member/donor
• The Armory Center for the Arts (Pasadena) member/donor