We are thrilled to have Fred Semmer as a valued member of the CAISSA team. He is the Director of Investments and oversees the investment diligence program, develops and implements the investment strategy, and helps to address client questions on markets and their portfolios.

We had him answer a few questions to get to know him better:

• Why Financial Services?
  • I have always enjoyed business history, studying market dynamics, and decision making within the context of markets, but those pursuits are made even more enjoyable when done in the pursuit of serving clients.

• How do you stay updated with industry trends and news?
  • Decades ago, investment success was largely determined by finding sufficient information.  Now, there is an abundance of information, and effective filtering is the name of the game. I try to stay updated through a curated selection of authors, blogs, podcasts, and objective data sources.

• What is your personal Motto?
  • My dad introduced me to Teddy Roosevelt’s “Man in the Arena Speech,” when encouraging me to focus on giving something my best shot and letting the results fall where they may.  I’ve adopted it and abbreviated it to “Be in the Arena.”

• What do you love about Minnesota?
  • There are many things, but being a transplant here, one thing I love above all else is that first spring day where Minnesotan’s come out of hibernation.  There is a collective euphoria that captures the struggle of the long Minnesota winter and the anticipation of a summer out on the lakes.  There are joyful smiles of people in shorts for the first time in 5 months despite it still being 50 degrees and sunny while ice continues to thaw off the lakes.  It is one of my favorite Minnesota days of the year.

• What is one food you can’t resist?
  • If a menu has Churros in the desserts section, it is an automatic yes.  What’s not to like about deep fried dough rolled in cinnamon sugar?  Perhaps somewhat of an obvious statement, but they taste even better after being paired with Mexican Street Tacos.