Our Institutions & Financial Advisors Team
Dan McNichol joined Suncoast Equity Management LLC in 2020. He has over 30 years of executive experience in the investment management industry.
Prior to joining SEM, he was an equity partner and Managing Director at Snow Capital Management LP for 19 years. At its peak Snow managed in excess of $7 billion for institutional clients in the Wealth Management, Banking, Insurance, Pension, Endowment and Foundation marketplaces. Dan was responsible for sourcing and maintaining much of that business. Most recently he served as the firm’s National Sales Manager. In this capacity he handled the firm’s institutional wealth management relationships with companies such as Morgan Stanley, UBS, Merrill Lynch, Raymond James, Janney Montgomery Scott, Royal Bank of Canada, Citibank, PNC Bank and New York Life, among others. He also managed the firm’s institutional sales team.
Dan is a 1986 graduate of Fairfield University and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the School of Business.
Cole Wasson joined Suncoast Equity Management in October 2021. He is a former 2020 graduate at the University of Tampa, earning both a Bachelor and Master of Science in Finance (MSF) with summa cum laude honors in each program. He was fortunate to graduate with two degrees in 4 years, having skipped his freshman year and enrolling as a sophomore in college. Prior to joining SEM, Cole began his professional career at Henderson Brothers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: a privately owned retirement plan consultant and wealth management shop. Cole intends on using his MSF to become a Chartered Financial Analyst with the CFA Institute, with the goal to broaden SEM’s institutional wealth management relationships. He is currently a Level 3 candidate in the CFA program and is registered for the August 2022 exam.
Portfolio Management
Prior to founding Suncoast Equity Management, LLC in 1997, Donald Jowdy was a Portfolio Manager with Polen Capital Management. During his tenure, Polen Capital consistently performed in the top 10% of its peer group for three, five and ten year periods, as measured by several industry consultants including Effron/PSN and Nelson’s Investment Manager Database. Mr. Jowdy played a key role in the company’s growth from $20 million in assets to approximately $250 million. Don then served in an advisory capacity to Polen Capital Management during its growth to over $1 billion in client assets. Previously, Mr. Jowdy was an equity analyst with 13D Research, Inc., advising institutional clients through an independent investment research organization. He provided an in-depth analysis of domestic as well as global investment opportunities in areas such as Latin America, Southeast Asia and the People’s Republic of China. Mr. Jowdy was also a Senior Associate with Price Waterhouse Coopers (formerly Coopers & Lybrand).
Mr. Jowdy is a graduate of Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. He is on the board of Quantum Leap Farm, a nonprofit Therapeutic & Recreational Horseback Riding Program Serving Veterans, Civilian Adults, and Kids.
Amy Lord joined Suncoast Equity Management “SEM” in September 2008. She was previously Vice President/Portfolio Manager with Intrepid Capital where she was sole manager of the company’s Large Cap Equity and Investment Grade Fixed Income portfolios. Prior to joining Intrepid in 2001, Ms. Lord was Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager of The Investment Counsel Company. During her nine years with the firm, her responsibilities included equity and fixed income portfolio management and analysis; marketing and client servicing; and overseeing GIPS performance compliance.
Ms. Lord earned a Bachelor of Science in Advertising, with a minor in Mathematics, from the University of Florida. She is a CFA charterholder and past President of the CFA Society of Orlando, as well as a member of the CFA Institute. Ms. Lord is also active in her church as well as Circles USA, a non-profit organization which inspires and equips individuals and families to permanently move out of poverty and thrive.
Cheeroke Townsend is a graduate from the University of South Florida, with a bachelor’s degree in Finance. She is involved with the Women in Leadership & Philanthropy program at USF. Prior to joining SEM, Ms. Townsend completed a summer internship at Franklin Templeton Investments. She is also a candidate in the CFA program.
Administration & Operations Team
Elliott joined Suncoast Equity Management (“SEM”) in March 2014. He is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the firm. He also assesses and oversees the research, planning, and implementation of the firm’s critical systems.
Prior to joining SEM, Elliott began his finance career in 2008 at Private Capital Management; a registered investment advisor located in Naples, FL.
Before he began his career in finance, Elliott graduated magna cum laude from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2007 with a B.S. in Finance and a minor in Economics. Elliott holds the Certified Securities Compliance Professional (“CSCP”) certification as well as his Series 65 license.
Nick joined Suncoast Equity Management (SEM) in the Operations and Client Services department in January 2019. Prior to joining SEM, he began his professional career in commercial real estate at SkyView Advisors where he served as a Research Analyst. He is a graduate from the University of South Florida where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer, tennis, and golf.
Zane joined the Operations/Trading/Client Services department at Suncoast Equity Management (SEM) in October 2021. He is a graduate from the University of South Florida where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Analytics and Information Systems. Prior to joining SEM, he began his professional career as a Sales Advisor working in the automotive industry.
