MutualFundWire.com: Pyxis Continues Hiring Spree with National Sales Head
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Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Pyxis Continues Hiring Spree with National Sales Head


The hiring Spree at Pyxis Capital [profile] continues, this time with a new managing director and head of national sales, Keith Watts.

As head of national sales, Watts will "lead a growing sales and client service team that is focused on the firm’s growing offerings in alternative mutual fund strategies," according to a company press release.

  Watts joins Pyxis from Destra Capital Investments, where he was the National Sales Manager for RIA and Institutional distribution throughout the US.  Prior to Destra, he spent 16 years within a variety of traditional and alternative asset management businesses including sales leadership and business development roles at Goldman Sachs Asset Management and Janus Capital Group.

This is only the latest hiring at the investment firm. Last month, Pyxis hired Stephen Dedyo as head of national accounts.


Company Press Release

PYXIS CAPITAL NAMES KEITH WATTS MANAGING DIRECTOR AND HEAD OF NATIONAL SALES

Industry veteran to bolster business development and sales capabilities at leading alternative mutual fund firm; Adds wholesalers to enhance distribution capabilities; more hires expected.



DALLAS, TX – October 2, 2012 – Pyxis Capital, a registered investment adviser serving financial advisers, institutions, and individual investors seeking registered alternative investment solutions, today announced that Keith Watts has been hired as Head of National Sales for the Pyxis distribution team. 

Mr. Watts joins Pyxis from Destra Capital Investments, where he was the National Sales Manager for RIA and Institutional distribution throughout the US.  Prior to Destra, he spent 16 years within a variety of traditional and alternative asset management businesses including sales leadership and business development roles at Goldman Sachs Asset Management and Janus Capital Group.  Mr. Watts has extensive product and distribution experience across the alternative landscape including the development and distribution of one of the first 1940 Act registered Fund of Hedge Funds.  He has been instrumental in helping to establish the role of liquid alternatives in intermediary distribution throughout his career. Mr. Watts has a Bachelor’s of Science in Technology degree from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas and was also a Captain in the United States Marine Corps.

“We are delighted to have Keith join Pyxis,” said Brad Ross, president of Pyxis Capital.  “He brings a wealth of industry knowledge and skill to our team, and a record of successfully building great sales teams at leading asset management firms.”

As Head of National Sales, Mr. Watts will lead a growing sales and client service team that is focused on the firm’s growing offerings in alternative mutual fund strategies.  An increased appetite for alternative strategies among financial advisers is driving the firm’s sales force expansion which is expected to grow to over 20 sales professionals by year end. "Pyxis is in a great position to take a leadership role in the alternative space, and I am excited to be part of that growth,” said Mr. Watts. "Markets are likely to continue their volatile run and with strategic marketing, education, and a close partnership with the adviser community, we feel we will be able to help diversify client portfolios with our proven alternative strategies.”

Pyxis Funds include 21 funds comprising a diverse set of investment strategies—from broad-based equity and fixed income investments to a recognized expertise in alternative strategies. The Funds are distributed and serviced through a team of 17 wholesale professionals that work with more than 1,200 distribution platforms.

  About Pyxis Funds Based in Dallas, Texas, Pyxis Capital is one of the premier providers of diverse and alternative fund strategies distributed through financial intermediaries. The Pyxis fund complex consists of a number of distinct registered investment companies including open-end "mutual" funds, with a total of approximately $2.4 billion in retail assets under management. 

Pyxis Funds may be distributed through NexBank Securities, Inc., an affiliate of Pyxis Capital, L.P. NexBank Securities, Inc. is a FINRA member firm.  Mr. Watts is a registered representative of NexBank Securities, Inc.


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