Nickels named director of private markets

June 7, 2007 -- Craig J. Nickels, co-founder of Alignment Capital Group, joined the Washington University Investment Management Company as director of private markets effective June 1.

"Craig is a tremendous addition to our professional staff, which we will continue to add to over time," said Kimberly G. Walker, chief investment officer for the Investment Management Company.

As director of private markets, Nickels will work with the chief investment officer and Investment Management Company staff to develop and recommend private market strategies and portfolio construction, principally in the areas of private equity, real estate and other private market alternative investments.

"I am very pleased to be associated with the University and I look forward to being involved with the Investment Management Company staff and their drive toward excellence in the endowment," Nickels said.

Nickels co-founded Alignment Capital Group, an alternative asset consulting firm with over $8 billion under advisement, in 2001. Prior to that, he worked as portfolio manager of private markets for the University of Texas Investment Management Co. where he managed a private investment portfolio of more than $2.2 billion.

Nickels earned a B.B.A degree in finance from The University of Texas at Austin in 1981, and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.