The CIS
Custodio Asset Management
9510 Rommel Drive
Columbia, MD 21046
410-988-2417
Almond Custodio, Chief Investment Officer and Co-Founder
Almond has over 10 years of experience trading a wide variety of investment vehicles. He is responsible for Custodio Asset Management’s proprietary investment models and conducting research to improve those models. He received his undergraduate degree in Economics in December of 2004 from Penn State University.
After graduating, Almond was employed at Rydex Investments as an Operations Specialist. At Rydex, Almond learned the back-office side of the investment business and the inner workings of the Index Funds offered through Rydex Investments.
After realizing the potential of the long/short leveraged Index Funds, Almond focused on implementing a strategy based on Index Funds trading without the boundaries and limitations of a “buy and hold” model. Almond left Rydex Investments in December of 2006 to work exclusively for CAM.
Almond has a passion for working with clients and helping them achieve their financial dreams. He resides in Maryland and enjoys reading about market-related events, playing chess and other strategy games.
An Interview with Almond Custodio
Chief Investment Strategist
What is your significant background in Finance and Management?
My older brothers introduced me to the financial markets in the summer of 1999. I have been active in various investment markets ever since.
I attended Penn State University from 2000 – 2004 and graduated with a B.S. in Economics. I was a member of Phi Eta Sigma Honors Society, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Economics Association, and the Penn State Investment Association.
In addition to my studies and activities, I was also an active money manager through a brokerage account. Using funds from part-time jobs and summer jobs, I applied what I learned from my studies in my own portfolio management.
In the summer of 2005, I began work at Rydex Investments as an Operations Specialist. My responsibilities included various back-office duties. Shortly, I created an account with Rydex to implement a new strategy focusing mainly on growth and wealth preservation.
In December of 2006, I co-founded CAM with my brother, using the same focus and discipline that I had developed through the years at Rydex.
What made you decide to take up this career?
I found early on that I truly enjoy money management. Learning about the economy and knowing how the economy works is very compelling. I enjoy applying this information to benefit those around me.
After years of scrutinizing the markets, I realized the lack of knowledge and expertise the general public has when investing. I knew there was a need to educate and to serve.
What was the point in your career when you knew you would succeed?
When our CAM strategy was applied with the proper discipline, our clients saw the long-term potential as their investments continually outperformed the markets. Client reaction to our strategy has been very gratifying and makes the countless hours invested in CAM well worthwhile.
Where do you see CAM in the next five years?
My goal for CAM is to be a premier investment firm, providing financial services not only for the very wealthy, but also for those who can tolerate the risks and want their money to grow with CAM. I am committed to accomplishing that goal.
Tell me something about your family?
We are first generation immigrants from the Philippines. Our parents were rice farmers from Cabiao, Nueva Ecija. I was 7 when we moved to the U.S. I have three brothers and sisters.
Give me three of your most positive qualities.
I am self-motivated with a driving work ethic. Integrity and honesty are ingrained family traits.
How do you define the measure of success?
There are no shortcuts to success. The road to success is as important as the goal itself. I like financial independence and the security it yields. My goal is to provide CAM’s clients with that independence and the accompanying security.
What makes CAM different from all the rest?
At CAM, we are determined to apply a disciplined, systematic approach to our proactive investment strategy to accomplish each investor’s specific goals. CAM has designed a seamless and transparent, easy-to-access account portfolio for each client. We want our clients to know right where they are at any given moment. The success of the CAM program is unbelievably gratifying.
What is the CAM mission?
Our mission is to provide superior service to our clients by focusing on growth and wealth preservation by implementing our disciplined and proactive approach to investment management.
