Joe Trentacosta

CEO, Co-Founder

Oversees strategic initiatives, client relationships, and company growth
Ensures the adequate resources and systems for outsourced operational activities firm-wide

25 years: leadership, portfolio management, and risk

Joe is the CEO of Windstream, leveraging 25+ years of multi-faceted industry experience to improve operational scale and controls for asset managers. Before founding Windstream, Joe was a Managing Director at AQR Capital, where he was responsible for the firm's global investment operations. During his tenure, Joe contributed to scaling AQR's growth from $15b to $225b. He was also an active member of several operating committees, including Counterparty Risk, Operational Risk, Best Execution, and New Product. Additionally, he served as a director of the board for AQR's UCITs funds.

Before joining AQR in 2006, Joe spent several years working for Goldman Sachs Asset Management (GSAM), where he ran a variety of groups, including Vendor Management, Client Onboarding, and Operations for its hedge fund-of-fund business.

Joe began his career at Chase Manhattan Bank
and received his degree in accounting from
St. Francis University.

Phil Benincasa

President, Co-Founder

Expands managed service relationships, contract negotiations, and service design
Oversees the service delivery, operations and expansion of all operational support services

20 years: finance industry

As founder and COO at Windstream, Phil provides a wide range of back and middle-office integrations to asset managers from compliance to human resources and legal. Before founding Windstream, Phil spent 15 years as the head of shared services at AQR Capital Management. In this role, he helped foster innovation by initiating AQR's international expansion into Asia, living in Manila, Philippines, where he took charge of a team of over 200 working professionals. In addition to these corporate milestones, Phil is dedicated to fostering lasting relationships across the investment community through a strategic network of prime brokers, custodians, attorneys, administrators, and more.

Phil began his career at Investors Bank and Trust and received his degree Magna Cum Laude from Pace University with a major in finance and minor
in accounting.

Debra Penan, CPA

CFO, Accounting & Finance

Performs management companies' financial reporting, accounting, and payroll
Oversees internal controls, accounting policies, and financial procedures across clients and the firm

20 years: finance and accounting industry

Debra is the CFO of Windstream, drawing on 20+ years of driving down the cost of financial operations through multi-dimensional finance expertise. Before joining Windstream, Debra was an accountant at AQR Capital Management for 18 years. She oversaw all aspects of the NAV reconciliation process, provided audit and financial statement support, and assisted with the management company’s books and records. During her tenure at AQR, she was responsible for various aspects of the firm’s accounting value chain, including fund setups, budgeting, expense management, management and performance fee calculations, and fund liquidations.

Debra is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New York State Society of CPAs. Debra began her career at Goldstein Golub Kessler LLP. She graduated from Binghamton University.

Lou Sala

Senior Advisor, Business Development

Oversees and supports the development of business initiatives
Works with marketing leadership to build relationships and drive growth

35 years: C-level financial advisory services

Lou brings vast experience across all operational areas throughout the financial arena encompassing hedge funds, private equity, mutual funds, and traditional banking. Lou founded and managed
the boutique consulting firm Sala Associates, later Avalon Lake Partners, delivering outsourced solutions and strategic consulting to asset managers. Sala’s prior roles include: Head of Finance & Accounting for Stone Ridge Asset Management, Head of Trading for Paloma Partners, managing the seeding/incubation platform, VP at Goldman Sachs, working on strategic initiatives including the firm’s IPO, and as director of operations at Salomon Brothers, working in US, Hong Kong, London, and Tokyo, supporting revenue-producing businesses.

Lou began his career at Arthur Andersen & Co. and, subsequently, spent 8 years in international banking at Bank Julius Baer and Credit Commercial de France. Lou earned his MBA from Fordham University and his B.S. in Accounting from St. John’s University.

Nick Thompson

Director, Compliance & Legal

Implements effective, control-focused compliance programs for financial firms
Provides solutions for complex regulatory issues, engaging outside counsel and leadership teams

18 years: finance industry

Nick brings seasoned capabilities to help financial institutions comply with the ever-changing regulatory environment. He combines depth of experience with leadership from his work at trading firms, institutional asset managers, and hedge funds. Before joining Windstream, Nick served as Chief Compliance Officer and Counsel to HC Technologies, where he architected a surveillance solution to help the firm comply with the regulations governing algorithmic trading. Further, Nick created a competitive edge for the organization by implementing a control-based framework to manage regulatory exposure to the SEC, CFTC/NFA, and FCA, in addition to US and European futures exchanges.

Nick began his career as a proprietary trader of fixed income and derivatives at TransMarket Group, followed by critical roles at Neuberger Berman. As a consultant and Assistant VP of Security Control, Nick focused on leading data quality initiatives and managing the relationship between the front office and vendor BlackRock Solutions. Nick holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law.

Isaac Jimenez

Vice President, Accounting & Finance

Oversees internal operations, helping to build strong customer relationships
Develops fund accounting controls and oversees financial reporting

10 years: accounting and financial services industry

Isaac is in charge of the daily operations, creating strong client bonds, and designing financial controls for fund accounting. Additionally, he oversees financial reporting.

Jimenez boasts more than a decade of expert-level accounting and financial services experience. Prior to joining Windstream Partners, he honed his skills during a successful 8-year tenure at SS&C Technologies. As a Senior Manager in SS&C's fund service group, Isaac expertly managed the accounting and operations for some of the company's most high-profile and complex clients. He was responsible for overseeing all aspects of the NAV reconciliation process ,financial statement preparation, audit and tax support, and preparation of Form PF and 13F filings. Isaac holds a bachelor's degree in accounting and a minor in economics from the University of Massachusetts.

Harris Bogner

Director, Compliance & Legal

Oversees and supports the development of compliance programs
Develops compliance manuals and related regulatory requirements

25 years: Legal & Compliance

Harris Bogner is a compliance specialist with more than two decades of experience successfully developing, implementing, and maintaining compliance programs for investment advisers registered with the SEC, as well as startup and early-stage investment managers.

After starting his career with UBS Asset Management serving as counsel, he worked in various compliance roles with Morgan Stanley, Bessemer Trust and APG Asset Management. In 2007 he joined Cadogan Management, a long-short equity hedge fund-of-fund manager, as Chief Compliance Officer. Since leaving Cadogan in 2011, Harris has held senior compliance consultant positions with several firms including Insight Investment North America. He also served as the Chief Compliance Officer for Cantor Fitzgerald’s asset and wealth management business units.

Harris holds a BA from the University at Albany (SUNY) and a JD from New York Law School.

Robert Wagner

Vice President, Operations & Strategy

Develops operational infrastructure and related control framework
Project management

20 years: finance industry

Rob oversees operations and develops efficient and effective strategic solutions to optimize operational infrastructure.

Wagner has been in the finance industry for over 20 years. For the past 9 years, Rob was the Head of Operations for Hitchwood Capital Management. At Hitchwood, Rob was brought on pre-launch to develop and institute the fund's operational infrastructure. He was responsible for day-to-day operations and served on the fund's Best Execution, Risk and Valuation committees. Wagner's career began as a consultant at Arthur Andersen & Co. in their finance division. Subsequently, Rob worked at Woodbine Capital Partners, Morgan Stanley and Bear Stearns in business optimization roles as a senior analyst focused on enhancing operational processes and management reporting.

Rob graduated from Villanova University with a degree in finance in 1999.

Kristen Caccavo

Legal Counsel & Advisory

Advises managers on the set-up and establishment of investment funds
Prepares, revises, and reviews offering and conditional documents

20 years: finance industry

Kristen provides outsourced general counsel services to asset managers, offering a variety of legal assistance, such as producing, revising or reviewing private fund documentation, preparing or amending various corporate legal documents, commenting on non-disclosure agreements and vendor contracts, and negotiating and advising on side letters. Prior to working with Windstream clients, Kristen spent 9 years as Vice President and private funds counsel at AQR Capital Management where she was responsible for the formation and daily ongoing legal matters involved with hundreds of private funds.

Kristen began her career at Sidley Austin in New York City as a private funds associate in the Pooled Investment Entities group. She is admitted to practice law in New York and is a member of the New York Bar Association. Kristen graduated valedictorian and magna cum laude from Southern University Law Center where she was an editor of the law review and a teaching assistant, and she holds a bachelors degree from Louisiana State University.

Lee Ehly, CPA

Director, Accounting & Finance

Performs fund and management accounting services
Manages comprehensive financial operations and reporting

25 years: Financial Services Industry

Lee is an experienced financial professional, who has been a CFO/controller of billion dollar-plus hedge funds, fund of funds and PE fund of funds for over 20 years. Lee possesses deep experience in all areas of accounting, audit, tax and regulatory filings for funds and management companies.
‍
Lee earned his bachelor's degree from Rutgers School of Business before starting his career in the audit and tax group at Rothstein Kass and the audit group at PwC. Lee is a CPA.

Ryan Visniski, CFA

Vice President, Compliance & Legal

Regulatory reporting and compliance framework
Operational due diligence

10 years: Financial Services Industry

Ryan is a compliance specialist with over 10 years of experience successfully developing, implementing, and maintaining compliance programs for investment advisers.
‍
Ryan started his compliance career at BlackRock, where he helped build an Aladdin based dashboard for tracking firmwide material non-public information ("MNPI"). Subsequently, Ryan joined Raging Capital Management, a long-short equity hedge fund manager, as Compliance Manager guiding the firm through SEC exams, institutional due diligence, and cybersecurity enhancements.
‍
Ryan holds a BA from the University of Arizona and is a CFA Charterholder.

Susan Proctor

Documentation Specialist, Compliance & Legal

Manages trading documentation processes
Liaises with law firms and regulatory bodies

30 years: Financial Services Industry

Susan is an experienced documentation and contracts specialist spanning multiple facets of the financial industry, both sell side and buy side. Susan spent over a decade at AQR Capital Management, and previous to AQR nearly 20 years in commercial banking and markets at Fuji (Mizuho), Citibank, ABN AMRO, and Bank of America. Susan’s expertise covers trading documentation across capital market areas, focusing on swaps and futures, margin and triparty collateral agreements, records management and Dodd-Frank Protocols.

Susan graduated magna cum laude from Mount Holyoke College and holds an MA from NYU.

Laura Latella

Vice President, Accounting & Finance

Fund and management accounting services
Manage implementation of change management directives for products and services

25 Years: Asset Management and Financial Services

Laura has extensive experience in financial management, regulatory compliance, and client success strategies across diverse investment vehicles, with a particular emphasis on alternative investments. Throughout her career, Laura has effectively collaborated with key service providers, portfolio managers, and investors to address client needs and cultivate enduring relationships.

She has held significant roles, including Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer for two 40 Act Series Trusts. Laura has also contributed her expertise as a member of Due Diligence, Valuation, and Compliance Committees, and has served on the Board of Directors of Offshore Entities in Bermuda and the BVI.

Laura earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting with a Minor in Psychology from The College of New Jersey and holds an MBA from Rutgers University.

Jim Scellato

Vice President, Operations & Strategy

Daily operations management
Project management; business process re-engineering

20 years: Financial Services Industry

Jim is an accomplished professional with extensive experience managing day-to-day operations across diverse organizations. Jim is skilled in organizing, planning, directing, and coordinating operations departments, supporting the full complement of financial products, such as fixed income, equities and derivatives. Prior to joining Windstream, Jim spent 10 years at Nomura Securities, primarily managing the Middle Office supporting the sales and trading desks for rates products, such as derivatives, repurchase agreements and certificates of deposit.

Jim began his career at Lehman Brothers and received his bachelor's degree in business management from Hofstra University.

Meet the team

Skilled leadership, unwavering discipline, and unmatched expertise

Joe Trentacosta

CEO, Co-Founder

Read Bio

Phil Benincasa

President, Co-Founder

Read Bio

Lou Sala

Senior Advisor, Business Development

Read Bio

Debra Penan, CPA

CFO, Accounting & Finance

Read Bio

Lee Ehly, CPA

CFO, Accounting & Finance

Read Bio

Isaac Jimenez

CFO, Accounting & Finance

Read Bio

Laura Latella

CFO, Accounting & Finance

Read Bio

Nick Thompson

Director, Compliance & Legal

Read Bio

Harris Bogner

Director, Compliance & Legal

Read Bio

Ryan Visniski, CFA

Vice President, Compliance & Legal

Read Bio

Robert Wagner

Vice President, Operations & Strategy

Read Bio

Jim Scellato

Vice President, Operations & Strategy

Read Bio

Susan Proctor

Documentation Specialist, Compliance & Legal

Read Bio

Kristen Caccavo

Legal Counsel & Advisory

Read Bio

Windstream is supported by the following strategic partners:

One team, two shores

Unlocking Efficiency

Windstream's senior team is backed by a skilled offshore team in Manila, with a collaborative history spanning 15 years. This team, comprising qualified professionals with bachelor's degrees and certifications, is experienced in fund accounting and consistently delivers cost-effective and efficient solutions to clients.

EXPERIENCE

Partnering for Success

Our edge is illustrated by our leadership team comprised of C-level senior executives with extensive industry knowledge. Our deep understanding of the asset management industry squarely positions us as the leading managed services provider in the market, by partnering with:

Third-party Administrators

IT Firms

Prime Brokers

Law Firms

Accounting Firms

Banks

“Windstream are active participating members of AIMA”

WHY CHOOSE WINDSTREAM?

Windstream can make scalability a reality with a complete end-to-end portfolio of industry-leading solutions.

Access to specialized operations and technology skills

The experience to identify architectural gaps, implement tactical and strategic improvements, and uncover cost-savings opportunities

Premium technology without investing in a new platform

A scalable technology platform without the associated costs of upgrading and maintaining it

Processes and people that utilize technology most cost-effectively

Longstanding vital relationships that allow us to offer on-demand services and full-service models where all you need to bring is an OMS

More overall flexibility, scalability, and adaptability

Processes and workflows that best meet manager needs and are agnostic to existing in-house capabilities

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Joe Trentacosta

Phil Benincasa

Debra Penan, CPA

Lou Sala

Nick Thompson

Isaac Jimenez

Harris Bogner

Robert Wagner

Kristen Caccavo

Lee Ehly, CPA

Ryan Visniski, CFA

Susan Proctor

Laura Latella

Jim Scellato

Skilled leadership, unwavering discipline, and unmatched expertise

Windstream is a disciplined team with leadership skillsand expertise to help managers succeed

Partnering for Success

Joe Trentacosta

Phil Benincasa

Lou Sala

Debra Penan, CPA

Lee Ehly, CPA

Isaac Jimenez

Laura Latella

Nick Thompson

Harris Bogner

Ryan Visniski, CFA

Robert Wagner

Jim Scellato

Susan Proctor

Kristen Caccavo

Windstream is supported by the following strategic partners:

Unlocking Efficiency

Partnering for Success

Third-party Administrators

IT Firms

Prime Brokers

Law Firms

Accounting Firms

Banks

Leaders in the industry

Joe Trentacosta

Phil Benincasa

Debra Penan, CPA

Providing expert advice

Lou Sala

Kristen Caccavo

Windstream can make scalability a reality with a complete end-to-end portfolio of industry-leading solutions.

Windstream can make scalability a reality with a complete end-to-end portfolio of industry-leading solutions.

Access to specialized operations and technology skills

Premium technology without investing in a new platform

Processes and people that utilize technology most cost-effectively

More overall flexibility, scalability, and adaptability

Want to learn more? Get in touch with us.

Phone

Email

Headquarters

Windstream is a disciplined team with leadership skills
and expertise to help managers succeed