Lord Abbett Names New Partners

“We are proud to recognize the significant contributions of these individuals,” said Daria L. Foster, managing partner. “We are confident that they will provide the leadership and guidance that will enable us to build on our momentum and continue our growth.”

The partner appointments include:

• Frank Paone, director of Institutional Investor Services;
• Alexander I. Crawford, chief risk officer, Domestic Equity Investments;
• Joseph Gulli, director of Municipal Bond Research;
• Todd D. Jacobson, portfolio manager of International Small Cap Equity; and
• John K. Forst, deputy general counsel.

Paone joined Lord Abbett in 1998, and has more than 15 years of experience in the financial services industry. As director of Institutional Investor Services, he is responsible for managing Lord Abbett’s Institutional Investor Services team, which serves clients in the defined benefit, defined contribution, endowment, and foundation market segments. He also oversees the firm’s DCIO (Defined Contribution Investments Only) Specialist team, which is focused on the adviser-led retirement plan market.

Crawford joined Lord Abbett in 2012, and has more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. As chief risk officer for Domestic Equity Investments, he is responsible for working with Lord Abbett’s equity teams to develop risk parameters, for providing perspectives on overall portfolio risk, and for elevating the role risk plays in the firm’s equity investment processes.

Gulli joined Lord Abbett in 2007, and has more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. As director of Municipal Bond Research, he is responsible for the management and training of the Tax-Free Fixed Income Research team, regarding credit evaluation and deal structuring.

Jacobson joined Lord Abbett in 2003, and has nearly two decades of experience in the financial services industry. As portfolio manager of International Small Cap Equity, he is responsible for managing the Lord Abbett International Opportunities Fund, which invests in small and mid cap international growth stocks.

Forst joined Lord Abbett in 2004, and has nearly 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. As deputy general counsel, he is responsible for representing the firm in matters of distressed securities, restructuring and related securities and creditors’ rights/bankruptcy claims, and other litigation.

Lord Abbett manages equity and fixed-income products and currently manages approximately $136 billion (as of September 30, 2013) across a full range of mutual funds, institutional and individually managed accounts.