1. Please tell us the name of your firm, title, and describe your role in one sentence. Barclays Capital, Distressed Trading, Vice President. My responsibilities include trading and analyzing stressed and distressed securities across the entire capital structure.

2. What are your fundraising and athletic goals for The Decathlon, and what led you to choose them? My fundraising goal for the decathlon this year is to reach the 10K club. In four years of competing I have moved closer to this goal but have not been able to surpass the 10k threshold, it’s my expectation that with my current support network as well as the addition of new donors that I will reach that goal this year. My athletic goals in the Decathlon tend to be in events that I need to improve the most and/or any event that I have calculated that if I dedicate increased time toward, I will see the greatest overall point return. Every year that I participate my overall goal is to better my prior years score and achieve at least 5 personal bests.

3. On average, a Decathlete receives donations from 34 supporters. What fundraising technique(s) have worked best for you that you would recommend to first-time participants? I find that updates on your donation status, personal projections on each event, and training updates work best to help keep those who have donated or wish to donate involved. To those who donate prior to or during the event I send an individual thank you email as well as a post event recap including the individual event results.

4. Most Decathletes have participated in mud runs, 5k’s, and triathlons. What differentiates The Wall Street Decathlon experience from those other events? Although I am active in team sports and general fitness I have not directly participated in any of the adventure or endurance events. The Decathlon taxes your entire body it combines strength, speed, and endurance in a way that I do not think any other races or events do. Being a top performer in any of the three disciplines might win you an individual event but it takes a balanced competitor to be able to have a chance to win the title.  Also, from competing in multiple decathlons I have experienced overwhelming camaraderie amongst the field. Despite the competition and high concentration of type-A personalities there remains a very supportive and positive atmosphere. I have forged lasting friendships and business relationships at the event.

5. What’s the one piece of advice about The Decathlon that you’d share with first-time participants? Try to relax and enjoy the event. Every year new competitors show up to the competition and seem to be focused strictly on performance. Not only does this nearsightedness tend to impede athletic performance if often times keeps athletes from fully experiencing the event and connecting with the other competitors. We are all out there to compete and do well but I think it’s possible to score well and also interact with the other competitors.