Board of Directors & Firm Governance

Directors

Ward D. Armstrong
Armstrong has been a Director since February 2008. He has extensive experience in developing, evaluating, and monitoring asset management portfolios. He has a strong background and knowledge base in selling, marketing, and distributing mutual fund shares, and he previously served as a director on the boards of two other asset management firms.

Experience:

• NorthRock Partners, Managing Partner, 2010-2015
• Ameriprise Trust Company, Chairman, 1996-2007
• Ameriprise Financial, Senior Vice President, 1984-2007
• American Express Asset Management Group, President, 2002-2004

Dianna Gonzales-Burdin 
Gonzalez-Burdin has been a Director since April 2022. She has significant investment industry, investment strategy assessment, portfolio management and business experience, as well as a strong knowledge of capital markets, operations and risk assessment in the mutual fund industry.

Experience:

• Strategic Investment Group, Managing Director and Head of Global Equities, 1991-2021
• Barclays Global Investors, various roles prior to 1991
   

Dale J. Kent
Kent has been a Director since August 2003, and he is Chair of the Audit Committee. He has strong knowledge of accounting, compliance, and risk assessment in the mutual fund industry. He has supervised numerous audits of mutual funds and hedge funds, as well as provided audit and related services to asset managers and securities firms.

Experience:

• West Bend Mutual Insurance of Wisconsin, Executive Vice President and CFO, 2002-2017
• Arthur Andersen, Partner, 1986-2002
• Arthur Andersen, various capacities, 1974-1985

Robert A. Rudell
Rudell has been a Director since February 2005, and is Chair of the Board. His experience in the asset management industry includes responsibility for systems, operations, and financial reporting. He brings a strong knowledge of operations, compliance, and risk assessment in the mutual fund industry.

Experience:

• Optimum Funds, Board Director, 2003-present
• Medtox Scientific, Board Director, 2002-2012
• Vantagepoint Funds, 2007-2011
• Zurich Scudder Investments, COO, 1998-2002
• Scudder Retirement Services, President, 1996-1998
• IDS/American Express, President of Institutional Retirement Services and other capacities, 1973-1996

Dina Tantra
Tantra has been a Director since April 2022. She has an extensive background in financial services business strategy, legal and compliance. Through her experience and senior leadership roles, she possesses a strong knowledge of operations, compliance and risk assessment in the mutual fund industry.

Experience:

• Global Rhino, LLC, Co-Chief Executive Officer, 2018-Present
• CCO Technology, LLC, Chief Strategy Officer, 2019-Present
• Ultimus Fund Solutions, Executive Vice President, 2017-2018
• Foreside Financial Services, LLC, Managing Director, 2016-2017
• Beacon Hill Fund Services, Director and General Counsel, 2008-2016
   

Firm Officers

Officers manage the daily business operations of the Funds under the Board’s direction and supervision.