Full Press Release Details
SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwire - April 7, 2009) - Grail Advisors LLC, an innovator in the
creation and distribution of actively-managed Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs),
today announced a number of key executive appointments to lead and manage
the company's sales and distribution efforts.
San Francisco-based Grail Advisors recently registered the industry's first
actively-managed ETFs in the equity space using traditional active
management. Once effective, the funds will be distributed through
Registered Investment Advisors, Bank Trusts, Independent Broker Dealers,
and major Financial Services firms around the country.
Chet Chappell will lead the firm's overall sales efforts as Head of
Distribution. Mr. Chappell, who came to Grail Advisors from Charles Schwab
Investment Management, will oversee the intermediary sales and distribution
efforts. He will also be responsible for developing the product and
marketing plan for Grail Advisor's entire lineup of offerings.
Richard Hendl has accepted the position of Vice President of Distribution,
Eastern Region. Mr. Hendl comes to Grail Advisors from Putnam Investments
where he was Senior Vice President, Account Manager. Previously, he worked
at Scudder Kemper Investments, where he was Vice President, International
Sales Manager, Canada and National Sales Manager.
Brian McGinty will oversee the firm's efforts in the other half of the
country as Vice President of Distribution, Western Region. Before joining
Grail Advisors, Mr. McGinty was Midwest Regional Director of Intermediary
and Institutional Sales for Charles Schwab Investment Management. He
previously held senior positions with AXA Rosenberg and Safeco Asset
Mitch Zielezinski will serve as Vice President, Institutional Distribution
for Grail Advisors. In that role, he will be responsible for distribution
of the firm's actively-managed ETFs to institutional investors, including
market makers, proprietary trading firms, and other large platforms. Mr.
Zielezinski came to Grail Advisors from Charles Schwab & Co. where he was a
Director of Institutional Sales. Previously, he served as Managing Director
of Trinity Distributors LLC.
"I believe that Chet and his team represent some of the industry's best
sales professionals," said William M. Thomas, CEO of Grail Advisors LLC.
"Grail Advisors intends to get out in front of the investment industry with
truly innovative product, and I think we've put the right people in the
right place at the right time to do just that."
The two new funds -- the Grail American Beacon Large Cap Value ETF and the
Grail American Beacon International Equity ETF -- will be the first in the
industry to deliver active portfolio management from a leading asset
management firm. Grail Advisors is currently in discussions with a number
of leading financial institutions and asset managers about launching
actively-managed ETFs and intends to make the benefits of ETFs available to
investors who currently select traditional mutual funds or other vehicles
to access active portfolio management. Thomas says the firm plans to work
with banks and other financial institutions to create and market other
All members of the Grail Advisors sales team are registered representatives
of ALPS Distributors, Inc.
About Grail Advisors LLC
Grail Advisors LLC was created to deliver ETFs using fully disclosed active
portfolio management to the global investment community. The San
Francisco-based firm partners with established asset managers,
distributors, and related financial institutions to design and deliver
actively-managed ETFs. For more information on Grail Advisors, please
contact William Thomas, Chief Executive Officer, at 415-677-5860.
There are risks involved with investing including possible loss of
principal. The ETFs will be actively managed and the Shares may trade above
or below their net asset value. The trading price of Shares may deviate
significantly from net asset value during periods of market volatility.
Shares will not be FDIC insured, may lose value, and will have no bank
In addition to the normal risks of investing, foreign investing involves
special risks, such as risk of loss from currency fluctuation or political
or economic uncertainty. The International Equity ETF may also invest in
certain derivatives, which will subject the fund to the risks associated
with derivatives. The value of derivatives may rise or fall more rapidly
than other investments.
An investor should consider investment objectives, risks, charges and
expenses carefully before investing. The Prospectus contains this and other
information. For more complete information about the Grail American Beacon
ETFs or to obtain a Prospectus, call 415-677-5870. Please read the
Prospectus carefully before investing.
The information in the Prospectus is not complete and may be changed. The
ETFs may not sell their Shares until the registration statement filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. The Prospectus is not
an offer to sell the ETFs' Shares, and the ETFs are not soliciting an offer
to buy their Shares in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not
Grail American Beacon Large Cap Value ETF and Grail American Beacon
International Equity ETF are distributed by ALPS Distributors, Inc.
Contact Information: Contact: