Woodstock Corporation, a private wealth management and financial services firm based in Boston, MA, welcomes Benjamin G. Dawson as a senior vice president and portfolio manager. Dawson is rejoining Woodstock after 22 years as a co-founder and managing director of the registered investment advisory firm Alpha Windward LLC, where he led the Blue Chip Growth investment strategy, which focused on building portfolios of growth-oriented companies with sustainable growth rates, strategic competitive advantages, and leadership positions. “Ben’s approach very much echoes the Woodstock philosophy. We’re looking forward to comparing notes and working together for the benefit of all our clients,” says Adrian G. Davies, President, Woodstock Corporation.
“When it comes to private wealth management, I am a fundamentalist; I do not believe in market timing – I believe in time in the market,” says Dawson. “I also believe that 80 to 85% of a portfolio’s return comes from proper asset allocation and diversification. Strong analytics drive my investment decisions, with a keen focus on establishing the proper asset allocation to satisfy my clients’ investment objectives and long-term financial goals. Clients want to be listened to and taken care of – they do not want to be worrying about their investment portfolios. My goal is simple: To construct investment portfolios that will weather the test of time, creating financial security for my clients and their families for generations to come. They trust me with their investment assets, and that trust means everything to me.”
William H. Darling, Chairman and CEO of Woodstock, adds: “In addition to bringing an approach that solidly attaches itself to Woodstock’s deep-rooted investment philosophy, Ben excels at the three things we ask of our portfolio managers: do the research, build portfolios, and have client contact. Ben’s chosen to come back to Woodstock, which is a nice vote of confidence in what Woodstock brings to the investing public.”
Dawson brings to Woodstock more than 30 years of experience in portfolio construction, investment advising, and private wealth management. Before co-founding Alpha Windward, he worked at Woodstock from 1989 to 1998 as a director, vice president, and portfolio manager. He had previously worked in investment banking and venture capital after receiving his MBA from the Amos Tuck School of Business Administration at Dartmouth College, and a BA from Princeton University. He is a member of the CFA Society Boston.
About Woodstock: Since its founding by William A. Paine more than ninety years ago, Woodstock has remained a family-run firm focused on fostering long-term relationships with its clients and providing highly personalized portfolio management services, financial counseling, personal trust and fiduciary services, and investment services to high net-worth individuals and their families, trustees, corporations, and philanthropic institutions. With more than $731 million in assets under management (as of June 2020), Woodstock remains steadfast in its commitment to meet or exceed clients’ expectations in achieving their goals and securing their financial future.