"Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other." John F. Kennedy
In a recent Forbes survey, 92% of employers hiring college graduates state that “leadership experience” is one of their top five skills sought. Shockingly, these same employers state that nearly 60% of recent graduates interviewed lack actual leadership experience.
As always, we are looking for qualified individuals to become the next UTIG Officers. To apply for an officer's position, please email Dr. Cole.
As always, we are looking for qualified individuals to become the next UTIG Officers. To apply for an officer's position, please email Dr. Cole.
Founding Members
Greg Curtin + Dilshod Jumaniyazov
Greg Curtin and Dilshod Jumaniyazov founded the UT Investment Group (UTIG) in Fall 2010 as seniors at the University of Tennessee. They devised the mission, name, monthly meeting format, and even led break-out sessions on non-speaker meeting dates. Greg and Dilshod would meet with students every two weeks and lead discussions on topics such as currency trading, swaps, options and futures trading. The founders would also meet with students studying to take the CFA Level I exam, forming study groups to assist with the difficult material. Since their first semester, which began with approximately 20 students, UTIG has grown to 300+ students annually, and now is an officially recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit in the state of Tennessee. UTIG hosts a renowned trading competition that garners press coverage from the Knoxville News Sentinel.
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Faculty Advisor
Dr. Laura Seery Cole
Sharon Pryse/The Trust Company Director of MILC Dr. Cole earned multiple degrees from Auburn University before pursuing her Ph.D. in finance from the University of Tennessee. Dr. Cole joined the faculty of the UT Department of Finance in 2009 as director of the Masters Investment Learning Center. Currently, she teaches courses in introductory finance, Bloomberg software, investments, and derivatives in the undergraduate program, the honors Global Leadership Scholars (GLS) program, and the Physicians Executive MBA (PEMBA) program. Her research interests include corporate finance and governance and has been cited in the Wall Street Journal and on Bloomberg. She has been a contributor for wsj.com, Bloomberg, CSPAN, and CNN, as well as local television and news programs. Dr. Cole has served as a panelist for the East Tennessee Women’s Leadership Summit, and been a featured guest on WUOT Radio (NPR Affiliate) for “Women in Business and Leadership Roles,” amongst other segments. Additionally, she lectures to professional investment organizations, clubs, and groups across the Southeast on topics including ethical investing, fundamental valuation techniques, statistical backtesting for portfolios, and options valuation strategies. She serves as the internship coordinator for the Knoxville chapter of Finance Executives International, is on the Board of the Women's Fund of East Tennessee, and speaks pro bono to women's investment groups across the country. In 2014, Dr. Cole was selected as one of the Greater Knoxville Business Journal’s "40 under Forty: The Regions Rising Stars," 2017 was the recipient of the ATA's "Humanitarian of the Year" award, and is in the Leadership Knoxville 2021 class. |
2022 - 2023 Officers

Isabella Shaw, President
Isabella is a senior from Memphis, TN majoring in Finance. At UT, she is also Vice President of the Financial Management Association, a Bloomberg Analyst in the Masters Investment Learning Center, and in her second semester on the LaPorte Torch Fund. She is extremely passionate about her school and serves as a Haslam Ambassador, giving tours to prospective business students. Isabella is looking forward to serving as UTIG's President this year to support Finance students the way that she has been supported by older students and peers. This summer, she interned at AllianceBernstein in their Equities Portfolio Management Group, and after graduation in May 2023, she plans to pursue a career in either Asset or Wealth Management.
Isabella is a senior from Memphis, TN majoring in Finance. At UT, she is also Vice President of the Financial Management Association, a Bloomberg Analyst in the Masters Investment Learning Center, and in her second semester on the LaPorte Torch Fund. She is extremely passionate about her school and serves as a Haslam Ambassador, giving tours to prospective business students. Isabella is looking forward to serving as UTIG's President this year to support Finance students the way that she has been supported by older students and peers. This summer, she interned at AllianceBernstein in their Equities Portfolio Management Group, and after graduation in May 2023, she plans to pursue a career in either Asset or Wealth Management.

Tristan Damron, VP
Tristan is a senior from Knoxville, TN majoring in Finance with a collateral in Supply Chain Management. Outside of UTIG, he is the External Coordinator for the Financial Management Association, in the Delta Sigma Pi business fraternity, and in his first semester as a Carroll Torch Fund manager. This summer he interned with Pilot Company as a part of the Business Integrations department working in Energy. Upon graduation, Tristan plans on pursuing a career in wealth or asset management. He graduates in Spring 2023.
Tristan is a senior from Knoxville, TN majoring in Finance with a collateral in Supply Chain Management. Outside of UTIG, he is the External Coordinator for the Financial Management Association, in the Delta Sigma Pi business fraternity, and in his first semester as a Carroll Torch Fund manager. This summer he interned with Pilot Company as a part of the Business Integrations department working in Energy. Upon graduation, Tristan plans on pursuing a career in wealth or asset management. He graduates in Spring 2023.

Alexander Holmes, VP
Alex is a junior from Chattanooga, TN in the Haslam College of Business. He is currently pursuing a business analytics degree with a collateral in finance. After college, Alex plans to work for a consulting firm that provides analytical financial services. He views the UT Investment Group as an excellent method for getting involved on-campus and expanding your personal skill set. In his free time, you can find him hiking, being involved in campus life, or spending time with friends. Alex is excited for the in-person UT Investment Group meetings this semester and looks forward to meeting new members.
Alex is a junior from Chattanooga, TN in the Haslam College of Business. He is currently pursuing a business analytics degree with a collateral in finance. After college, Alex plans to work for a consulting firm that provides analytical financial services. He views the UT Investment Group as an excellent method for getting involved on-campus and expanding your personal skill set. In his free time, you can find him hiking, being involved in campus life, or spending time with friends. Alex is excited for the in-person UT Investment Group meetings this semester and looks forward to meeting new members.

Jeremy Meanwell, VP
Jeremy is a junior from Memphis, TN majoring in Finance with a concentration in Integrated Business & Engineering. In addition to the UTIG, he is a member of both the Heath Integrated Business & Engineering Program and the Financial Management Association, and works as a Bloomberg Analyst in the Masters Investment Learning Center and as a Haslam Peer Mentor. Jeremy's main passion is pouring into the UTK community, and he wants to be able to support the Haslam College of Business for the duration of his professional career. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, photography, and playing poker with friends. He is currently pursuing a career as a financial analyst once he graduates in 2023.
Jeremy is a junior from Memphis, TN majoring in Finance with a concentration in Integrated Business & Engineering. In addition to the UTIG, he is a member of both the Heath Integrated Business & Engineering Program and the Financial Management Association, and works as a Bloomberg Analyst in the Masters Investment Learning Center and as a Haslam Peer Mentor. Jeremy's main passion is pouring into the UTK community, and he wants to be able to support the Haslam College of Business for the duration of his professional career. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, photography, and playing poker with friends. He is currently pursuing a career as a financial analyst once he graduates in 2023.

Evan Olds, VP
Evan Olds is a senior from Chattanooga, TN majoring in Finance with a collateral in Business Analytics. He is currently serving his second semester as a portfolio manager on the McClain Torch Fund and helps lead UT Investment Group’s team portfolio in an effort to engage and mentor underclassmen interested in a career in investments. Evan previously worked in sales and management in the telecommunications industry and recently interned with Capital One’s Finance Risk Management department. He hopes to pursue a career in corporate finance, investment research, or wealth management after his graduation in Spring 2023.
Evan Olds is a senior from Chattanooga, TN majoring in Finance with a collateral in Business Analytics. He is currently serving his second semester as a portfolio manager on the McClain Torch Fund and helps lead UT Investment Group’s team portfolio in an effort to engage and mentor underclassmen interested in a career in investments. Evan previously worked in sales and management in the telecommunications industry and recently interned with Capital One’s Finance Risk Management department. He hopes to pursue a career in corporate finance, investment research, or wealth management after his graduation in Spring 2023.

Parker Wiseman, Director of Trading
Parker is a sophomore from Palatine, IL in the Haslam College of Business pursuing a degree in Finance. After college, Parker plans to work in the financial services industry as an investment banker and intends to start a hedge fund thereafter. With noteworthy industry experience completing multiple internships, Parker loves to stay involved and gain relevant career exposure by holding various leadership positions in many finance-related clubs and organizations at UTK. Researching trading strategies and connecting with colleagues are some of his favorite activities. He is also the founder and president of Smokey's Cleanup Crew, which aims to help UTK and the surrounding areas through litter removal and beautification service outings. Parker is always excited to meet new members and help teach others the importance finance can play in their own lives.
Parker is a sophomore from Palatine, IL in the Haslam College of Business pursuing a degree in Finance. After college, Parker plans to work in the financial services industry as an investment banker and intends to start a hedge fund thereafter. With noteworthy industry experience completing multiple internships, Parker loves to stay involved and gain relevant career exposure by holding various leadership positions in many finance-related clubs and organizations at UTK. Researching trading strategies and connecting with colleagues are some of his favorite activities. He is also the founder and president of Smokey's Cleanup Crew, which aims to help UTK and the surrounding areas through litter removal and beautification service outings. Parker is always excited to meet new members and help teach others the importance finance can play in their own lives.