Denis Amato, CFA

Denis J. Amato, CFA, joined Ancora in 2006.  In addition to overseeing Ancora’s investment policies, Denis manages individual portfolios as well as the firm's microcap equity strategy which includes the Ancora Microcap Mutual Fund.

Denis’ investment career began in 1969 at Central National Bank as a Portfolio Manager in the Trust Department managing both pension and profit sharing portfolios.  Later, he became the bank's Research Director and Chief Investment Officer.

Denis joined Gelfand Partners Asset Management in 1991 as the firm's Chief Investment Officer. He remained the company's lead equity portfolio strategist and Chief Investment Officer through the firm's merger with Maxus in 1997. While at Maxus he managed institutional and individual high net worth client portfolios.  Denis also managed the Maxus Ohio Heartland Fund which focused primarily on the buying and selling of securities in Ohio based companies.

After the sale of Maxus Asset Management to Fifth Third Bank in 2001, Denis served as the Chief Investment Officer for the bank's Northeast Ohio region.  In addition, he continued to manage both individual and institutional portfolios as well as two of Fifth Third's Value Mutual Funds.

Denis has a Bachelor of Business Administration Magna Cum Laude degree and a Master of Business Administration degree from Case Western Reserve University.  He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and is a former President of the Cleveland Society of Security Analysts.

 In July, 2011, Denis was elected to serve on the Mace Security International Board of Directors.  Mace Security International, Inc. is a manufacturer of personal defense and electronic surveillance products marketed under the famous brand name Mace®.