Team

Our multinational staff has over 100 years of combined First Wilshire research experience. We are dedicated to the value investing proposition and to providing like-minded investors with an opportunity for above market returns. First Wilshire has attracted, trained and retained talented individuals with diverse experience and education. The common thread is a passion for value investing and a commitment to providing exceptional client service. First Wilshire’s durability and success has resulted from our shared purpose, emphasis on continuing education and long tenures.

All Departments

Research and Portfolio Management

Client Services and Operations

Scott Hood, CFA

Chairman, Portfolio Manager

Scott Hood, CFA

Chairman, Portfolio Manager

Mr. Hood serves as the chairman and portfolio manager of First Wilshire. He joined First Wilshire as an analyst in 1993, became the CEO in 2001 and the chairman in 2019. He is a board member of The Mount Wilson Observatory and The Sierra Madre Mountain Conservancy as well as a frequent contributor to news and conferences on small cap investing. Previously Mr. Hood worked as a supervisory analyst with Merrill Lynch in Hong Kong. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst and member of the CFA Institute. Mr. Hood holds a Bachelor of Science from The Stern School of Business at New York University.

Phone:+1 (626) 796-6622
Email:info@firstwilshire.com

Howard Lu, CFA

CEO, Portfolio Manager

Howard Lu, CFA

CEO, Portfolio Manager

Mr. Lu is the president, CEO, and portfolio manager of First Wilshire. He joined First Wilshire in 2004 as a research analyst, was promoted to portfolio manager in 2013, and to president and CEO in 2019. Prior to joining First Wilshire, Mr. Lu worked as an engineer for Intel Corporation and two startups. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst and member of the CFA Institute. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from University of California at Berkeley and an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Lu is fluent in Mandarin.

Phone:+1 (626) 796-6622
Email:info@firstwilshire.com

Bill Caton, CFA

Portfolio Manager, Head of Trading

Bill Caton, CFA

Portfolio Manager, Head of Trading

Mr. Caton is a portfolio manager and head of trading. He joined First Wilshire’s internship program in July, 1997 and became a research analyst the following year and the trader in 2004. Mr. Caton is a Chartered Financial Analyst and member of the CFA Institute. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree with a specialization in Business Administration from the University of California at Los Angeles.

Phone:+1 (626) 796-6622
Email:info@firstwilshire.com

Nicole Green

Chief Operating Officer, Chief Compliance Officer

Nicole Green

Chief Operating Officer, Chief Compliance Officer

Ms. Green joined First Wilshire as our Vice President of Administration in 2017, was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2018, and was designated as the Chief Compliance Officer in 2020. Prior to joining First Wilshire, Ms. Green was a principal and head of investment operations at a large publicly traded investment management company. She is skilled in building and leading global operations teams, continuously improving productivity and efficiency and mitigating risk to maximize corporate profitability. Ms. Green holds a Bachelor of Arts from The George Washington University.

Phone:+1 (626) 796-6622
Email:info@firstwilshire.com

Tom Hanson

Senior Vice President

Tom Hanson

Senior Vice President

Mr. Hanson provides investment management to a select group of clients. He joined First Wilshire in 2010, coming to us from Pacific Global Investment Management where he was a senior officer and portfolio manager. He founded TriVest Capital Management, an investment advisory firm serving institutional clients. Mr. Hanson received his Bachelors degree from Marshall University and an MBA from The George Washington University.

Phone:+1 (626) 796-6622
Email:info@firstwilshire.com

Esther Johnson

Client Services Director

Esther Johnson

Client Services Director

Ms. Johnson joined First Wilshire in April of 2006 as a Client Service Associate and was promoted to Client Services Director in 2015. Esther is a 25-year industry veteran who came to us from a large Pasadena investment manager where she worked as senior wrap trader and supervised the settlement department. She received a Bachelor of Arts from Cal State University of Los Angeles. Ms. Johnson is fluent in Spanish.

Phone:+1 (626) 796-6622
Email:info@firstwilshire.com

Feliks Zlochistyy, CFA

Portfolio Manager

Feliks Zlochistyy, CFA

Portfolio Manager

Mr. Zlochistyy joined First Wilshire in 2006 as a financial officer and research analyst. He was promoted to Portfolio Manager in 2023. He received a 5-year degree in Russian Literature and Language from Samara State University in Russia and a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Accounting from the University of Southern California. He is a CPA, a Chartered Financial Analyst® and a member of the CFA Institute. He is also a CFP® professional. Mr. Zlochistyy is fluent in Russian.

Phone:+1 (626) 796-6622
Email:info@firstwilshire.com

Nancy Mckenzie

Accounting Manager

Nancy Mckenzie

Accounting Manager

Ms. McKenzie joined First Wilshire in 1996. She is a 40 year industry veteran who has extensive experience in all aspects of the investment business including client relations, trading, portfolio management, accounting and office management. Ms. McKenzie became a registered agent with the IRS in 2005.

Phone:+1 (626) 796-6622
Email:info@firstwilshire.com

Karen Wu

Research Analyst

Karen Wu

Research Analyst

Ms. Wu is a research analyst with additional responsibilities in trading. She started her career at First Wilshire as an Intern in 2007. She worked as an economics analyst doing research for China’s central government’s economics agency prior to starting at First Wilshire. She holds two Master’s Degrees, one in Finance from Peking University and the other in Economics from the University of British Columbia. She is currently a Level II CFA candidate. Ms. Wu is fluent in Mandarin.

Phone:+1 (626) 796-6622
Email:info@firstwilshire.com

Cristian Pedroza

Trader

Cristian Pedroza

Trader

Mr. Pedroza joined First Wilshire in March of 2017 as an associate trader. Cristian’s prior experience includes over a decade in trading and operations in the investment industry. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a Finance Concentration from California State University, Fullerton. Mr. Pedroza is fluent in Spanish.

Phone:+1 (626) 796-6622
Email:info@firstwilshire.com

Katya Shaposhnik

Operations Assistant

Katya Shaposhnik

Operations Assistant

Ms. Shaposhnik joined First Wilshire in 2013. She has over 20 years of office management, administrative and organizational experience in both the public and private sector. In addition she is the co-founder of a local non-profit art center. Ms. Shaposhnik holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from New York University. Ms. Shaposhnik is conversant in Russian, Hungarian and Hebrew.