Five ’peating is tough. But Business Titans are up to the challenge.
Students from Titan Capital Management, the applied investment program at Cal State Fullerton’s College of Business and Economics giving finance students a real-world stock and bond portfolio to manage, have won the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) – Los Angeles competition each year.
Leading the 2024 team of five students to victory at the regional event was Ken Sherb ’24 (finance and accounting).
The competition involves producing a equity research report, in this case Air Lease Corporation, which is then presented to a group of seven industry judges.
It was both a challenge and an exhilarating experience, says Sherb.
“The pressure was immense, because no one wants to be the team that breaks the winning streak. And since it is a judged event, winning is somewhat out of our control, so we focused on whether we improved upon the foundation and work of last year’s team,” recalls Sherb.
“The most significant lesson I gained is that even as students, we can create work product that rivals or surpasses industry analysts if we put in the effort. The experience boosted our confidence and analytic skills. Managing the team was challenging, akin to a group project on steroids. But it honed my leadership skills and we all developed deeper friendships along the way.”
In April, Titan Capital Management (TCM) celebrated the grand opening of new investment space that gives students access to the same resources and equipment that elite Wall Street traders have.
These immersive and trendsetting experiences are only possible through the generous philanthropy of our alumni and supporters.
“The TCM program excels in teaching students critical thinking and logical reasoning while fostering curiosity,” explains Sherb. “Our instructors, Kelly Ko and Kim Shane, share their experiences and encourage students to explore their own investment philosophies. The skill and logic learned are applicable to any process, and we are trained to voice our opinions to ensure the best decision making.”
Looking Back and Looking Ahead
As part of the class of 2024, Sherb looks back with fond memories to his Business Titan experience, while also anticipating new chapters and horizons in his career.
In addition to serving with Titan Capital Management, Sherb was part of the Business Honors Program, Finance Association and Accounting Society.
Besides TCM, Sherb points to Business Honors as his most impactful experience.
“This program provided me access to exceptional faculty, including Professors Hung-Yuan Lu and Atul Teckchandani. And it was through Business Honors that I was introduced to Kelly Ko and TCM,” says Sherb. “I owe a great deal to both Kelly and Lorenzo Bizzi, head of Business Honors. Dr. Bizzi significantly shaped the program, preparing students for successful careers post-graduation.”
Since June 2023, Sherb has been an associate consultant intern with Bain & Company in the Los Angeles area.
In the short-term, Sherb plans to continue to work for the Boston-based management consultancy, with aspirations to leverage his TCM experience in their private equity group over the next three to five years.
After that, Sherb sees himself transitioning to their management and strategic consulting arm, with a final goal of an operations role in manufacturing or health care.
For More on TCM
Titan Capital Management exemplifies the Business Titan commitment to excellence, high-impact practices, applied learning, and mutually beneficial outcomes for students and the community.
For more on the program or to consider becoming a philanthropic partner, reach out to tcm@fullerton.edu.
