Our Team

Meet the Prodigy team.

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Phil
Ruden

Managing Partner
Bio
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Mike
Eglseder

Managing Partner
Bio
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Todd
Trautman

Partner
Bio
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Arnie
Ovalles

Partner
Bio
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Melissa
Reiner

Partner
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Phil Ruden

CFA, Managing Partner

Phil Ruden
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In 1982, Phil launched his professional career in the investment industry by joining the Investment Department of Boys Town, a non-profit organization dedicated to caring for children and families for over 100 years. Phil stepped into the role of managing Boys Town’s investment program in 1986, prior to co-founding Prodigy Asset Management in 1993 alongside his partner Mike Eglseder. In his role, Phil oversaw a restructuring of Boys Town’s portfolio to broadly diversify the asset allocation and retain managers for each asset class. Phil has helped develop investment programs that serve the unique needs of various clients and continues to guide Prodigy’s overall investment strategy today. He leads research in hedge funds and private equity.

Phil earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Creighton University and is a CFA charter holder. He has served on the boards and key committees for several not-for-profit organizations, and as an adjunct professor teaching investments courses at Creighton University. Phil is also a guest speaker at industry conferences discussing various topics relevant to investors of all types.

Mike Eglseder

CFA, Managing Partner

Mike Eglseder
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Mike co-founded Prodigy Asset Management in 1993 after working alongside Phil at Boys Town, a non-profit organization dedicated to caring for children and families. Mike plays a key role in the research, development, and evolution of investment strategies on behalf of Prodigy’s clients. He was an early advocate of the benefits of introducing alternative asset classes into portfolios, and he continues to lead the investment research in global equities and real assets, which includes real estate and natural resources.

 

Mike earned his Master’s degree at Creighton University and is a CFA charter holder. He has taught Investment and Financial Analysis courses at his alma mater and has served on several boards and committees throughout his career.

Todd Trautman

CFA, Partner

Todd Trautman
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Todd first joined the Prodigy team in 1996 as an intern while completing his undergraduate studies. Upon earning his Bachelor’s degree, Todd spent the next 10 years as a portfolio manager and analyst focused on publicly traded U.S. equities. He was drawn back to Prodigy in 2007 to manage assets and client relationships for not-for-profit institutions and Prodigy’s high net worth clients. Todd continues to lead research over various asset classes and currently oversees Prodigy’s private equity and venture capital program.

 

Todd is a CFA charter holder and earned his Master’s degree at Creighton University. He has been a guest speaker in classroom settings and at industry conferences, and he taught the alternative investments section of a master’s level CFA review course. When he’s not helping clients, Todd enjoys spending time with his wife and six children. He loves the outdoors, coaching/attending his children’s sports and extracurricular activities, and is actively involved in his parish and local community.

Arnie Ovalles

CFA, Partner

Arnie ovalles
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As a Partner at Prodigy, Arnie brings over 14 years of institutional investment and portfolio management experience to the team. Arnie co-leads Prodigy’s effort in global equities and hedge funds, conducting research in global equity, alternative investments, and fixed income, and enhancing Prodigy’s investment due diligence process.

 

Originally from Venezuela, Arnie holds the CFA designation and earned a Master’s degree from the University of Nebraska Omaha. Today he serves as a trustee of a college foundation and is an advisory board member of the University of Nebraska Omaha College of Business (UNO). He has also previously served as an adjunct professor in the MBA program at UNO where he taught Investment Management. Arnie has been recognized by Trusted Insight as a Top 30 Rising Star among Foundations. He has been invited to speak at nationally recognized industry conferences such as Institutional Investor’s Endowment & Foundations Roundtable.

 

Arnie and his wife have four young and bilingual children. While he is not working, he enjoys spending time with his family, being involved in the community, coaching baseball, and exercising outdoors.

Melissa Reiner

Partner

Melissa Reiner
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Melissa launched into her financial career after graduating from Doane University in 2003 with a BSBA in Accounting and Finance. Prior to joining Prodigy in 2011, she served as a senior audit manager for 7 years at KPMG LLP. Today, Melissa is a Partner with the firm and acts as our Chief Compliance Officer & Chief Operating Officer, creating streamlined and efficient processes and introducing the firm to new technology. Melissa was instrumental in the formation of the Prodigy Absolute Return Fund, LLC, and plays a key part in continuing to oversee the fund’s operations today.

 

Melissa is an inactive Certified Public Accountant. She has also served as an active member of several boards, most recently as President of the Parent-Teacher Organization where her children attend school. While she is not busy at work, Melissa enjoys spending time with her two daughters and husband, attending her daughters’ sporting events, playing golf, and exercising.