PAOLO FONTANA

BIOGRAPHY
Paolo Fontana is the Managing Partner and co-founder of Fountain Rock Capital, a
New York City and Boca Raton based proprietary trading firm that is recognized
for its world class trading and training programs, and Stock Pro University, an
online equity education company that assists traders in market direction and sel
f improvements based on the Psychology of Trading. Mr. Fontana's firm was one of
the most successful firms within the direct access marketplace for seven consec
utive years.
Paolo Fontana's focus is on expanding Fountain Rock Capital's trading desk and i
nvesting the firms' multimillion dollar annual capital. In addition, Mr. Fontana
works with new and developing traders, sharing ideas on how to both keep abreas
t of changing market trends, as well as improving their individual trading techn
iques. Mr. Fontana has become a foremost expert in current market tape reading,
Technical analysis and extremely proficient in teaching and educating traders ho
w to overcome and profit high frequency trading.
In addition to building successful trading offices in multiple states, Mr. Fonta
na has spent countless hours educating and guiding traders in their careers. Dur
ing his career, Mr. Fontana has coached and educated over 500 traders across the
United States, some of whom become the most successful proprietary traders in t
he business today. Mr. Fontana goes beyond his corporate doors to share his less
ons learned in the market through virtual weekly and monthly forums dedicated to
continuous knowledge sharing and the ethical standards necessary for successful
trading. Mr. Fontana believes that providing traders with the right tools and k
nowledge will ensure individual success.
Paolo Fontana has developed an impressive track record of achievements over his
decade long experience in the financial sector. He has developed a wealth of kno
wledge having, not only owned, but worked in top-tier financial organizations su
ch as Solomon Smith Barney and TD Waterhouse.
Mr. Fontana holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from St. John's University, N
ew York. He currently resides in two locations; the first in Boca Raton, Florida
and the second in the ever-changing and growing community of downtown Brooklyn,
where he was born and raised.
2
Paolo Fontana 7284 West Palmetto Park Road, Suite 110
Boca Raton, FL 33433
(917) 548-4492
paolo.fontana@yahoo.com
SUMMARY_________________________________________________________________________
_______________
Financial Management Executive with nearly ten years of experience in equities,
education, recruitment, finance, investments and corporate policy. Innovative in
growing customer base, promoting company business model and marketing software
to multibillion dollar hedge funds and money managers. A proven producer and pro
moted firm partner while expanding its trading desk and national operations. Exe
cuted trading models and managed risk while also growing and retaining customer
loyalty within the firm. A skilled negotiator with strong management, sales and
marketing background that grew the firm by over 100 percent a year for four year
s in revenues and market presence.
RECENT EXPERIENCE
Fountain Rock Capital LTD, Boca Raton, FL 2006-Present
Managing Partner
Management
*
Manage and invest the firm's $27 million dollar trading capital with a multi str
ategy trading approach
*
Built and manage structured environment wherein highly experienced traders share
their successful strategies
*
Focus on expanding the company's trading through strategic sourcing, recruitment
and training and market presence
*
Invest in the areas of new technology, state-of-the-art trading software, screen
ing tools and execution products
*
Develop and direct the implementation of strategic business and/or operational p
lans, projects, programs, and systems
*
Monitor financial performance by measuring and analyzing results; develop improv
ements while minimizing the impact of variances
Institutional
*
Structure and negotiate clearing rate schedules for Multibillion dollar, Multi-S
trategy hedge funds and trading institutions for execution purposes
*
Provide broker-dealers and institutional, proprietary and professional traders w
ith technology to help access fragmented liquidity across asset classes
*
Implement solutions to reduce overall latency in reaching trading venues, helpin
g to improve fill rates, increase execution speed, improve execution price and r
educe trading costs
*
Negotiate commission costs and provided anonymity to help protect customer posit
ions and strategies
*
Assist in liquidity services which provides customers with customizable executio
n solutions to help optimize execution, maximize fill rates, yield price improve
ments and reduce execution costs
*
Knowledge of algorithms, ATS order flow, clearing, dark pool aggregators and sma
rt order routing for Multibillion dollar institutional customers
Trading
*
Execute trades and manage risk over multiple active trading markets
*
Utilize statistical and quantitative methods coupled with foundational informati
on to execute on trading decisions and manage risk
*
Follow macro economic trends and maintain constant research to determine leading
sectors and current market trends
*
Identify and initiate short-term, high yield equity trades for the company on da
ily basis
*
Identify and communicate list of equities that provide greatest potential for tr
ading opportunities on a daily basis
*
Regularly scan SEC filings to enhance trading metrics and competitive positions
Training
*
Design and teach a wide range of asset classes including, but not limited to, Eq
uities, Fixed Income, Currencies, Derivatives, and Commodities
*
Work with new and developing traders, sharing ideas on how to both keep abreast
of changing market trend, as well as improve their individual trading techniques
PAST EXPERIENCE
Sound Securities LLC, Ft. Lauderdale FL-New York, NY 2003-2006
Registered Representative
*
Supervised 300 traders and their daily activities, assisted them education, ment
orship, and trading strategies
*
Established and implemented short- and long-range departmental goals, objectives
, policies, and operating procedures
*
Monitored accounts for trading irregularities, commissions and execution costs
*
Reviewed supervisory and compliance manuals and made necessary changes to office
procedure and implementation
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PAST EXPERIENCE (cont'd)
*
Reviewed daily trading activity to assist traders in achieving greater percentag
e profitable trading
*
Implemented and executed a proprietary continuing education program for all new
traders
*
Participated in weekly management meetings and implemented new trading materials
*
Worked with managers and prime brokers to resolve breaks
*
Reviewed cash management process and reconciliation
*
Prepared and reviewed wires for all entities
TD Waterhouse, New York, NY. 2000-2003
Broker
*
Communicated portfolio strategy both internally and externally through written a
nd oral presentations
*
Reviewed monthly NAV from the administrator which includes checking bond interes
t accruals, dividend accruals, cash and market value breaks
*
Supervised and monitored the execution and processing of all NYSE and OTC and tr
ading within the firm on a daily basis
*
Implemented portfolio hedges or tactical trades that may be undertaken by the in
vestment staff
*
Refined and developed the framework for making strategic asset class investment
decisions
*
Executed on supervisory duties within trading and operations departments, which
consisted of trading tickets, activity runs, trade blotters, and all firm except
ion reports
*
Maintained trader relationships and implemented firms policies and procedures
*
Analyzed and reviewed on-line processes, and through conclusions suggested impro
vements and opportunities for systems enhancement
*
Demonstrated consistent work ethic in both written and verbal communication skil
ls as well as negotiation tactics
Smith Barney, New York. 1999-2000
Mutual Fund Trader
*
Facilitated Equity transactions within the Smith Barney Branch system and field
inquires from the Financial Advisors
*
Collaborated with other members of the trading team to plan engagements and deve
lop project plans and work programs, timelines, risk assessments, and other plan
ning documents
*
Applied quantitative skills, experience, and informed market judgment to enhance
the investment decision-making of trading team
*
Ensured compliance with local, state, and federal budgetary reporting requiremen
ts as well as with banking and loan covenants, government and taxing authorities
*
Recapped, consolidated and commented on internal and external equity analysts' c
alls/reports and report opinions to
the field
*
Produced and presented business valuations surrounding new initiatives, current
business procedures, and financials
*
Conducted analysis of components of the Capital Markets business versus competit
ors Coordinated and executed uniform monthly/quarterly reviews for firm-level ma
nagement and all sales divisions
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Finance, St. John's University, N.Y.
CERTIFICATIONS
Series 7, 55, 63
SKILLS__________________________________________________________________________
__________________
Skilled in equities trading, order management, algorithmic trading tools, instit
utional and retail relationships, SQL and back office operations. Proficient in
Eze Castle Traders Console Radical, Liquidnet, Redi, Bloomberg, Thomson Financia
l, Reuters, Advanced skills in Excel, PowerPoint, Access and other Microsoft Off
ice products
Proficient in Italian and Spanish I
References available upon request