UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State Smeal College of Business alumnus Charles J. “Charlie” Petredis is the most recent addition to the college’s Finance Advisory Board.
The board comprises alumni in the finance and investment communities who advise faculty and administration on matters related to the strategic direction of the department, work with students in the classroom and through mentoring roles, facilitate internship opportunities and encourage research and collaboration between faculty and students.
Board members meet twice each year — one time on the University Park campus and one time in the New York City region. They also make a financial commitment to the college in support of innovative programs and services that benefit students and faculty in Smeal’s Department of Finance.
Petredis, founding principal of a registered investment adviser, said he was blessed to receive so many opportunities for growth to complement the strong, broad business education he received at Penn State.
“Smeal gave me the tools I needed to serve clients throughout my nearly four-decade career,” Petredis said. “I consider it an honor to join the Finance Advisory Board and to be able to give back to Smeal.”
Petredis graduated with a degree in finance in 1980 and began his career as a financial associate with GTE Corporation. He formed his current investment practice while employed with the investment firm Parker/Hunter in 1983. He is currently the founding principal at Petredis Investment Advisors, an independently registered investment advisory firm with $881 million in assets under management and $71 million in assets under advisement as of December 2022.
Petredis said that as a financial adviser and a Penn State parent, it is wonderful to see how today’s Smeal students have access to cocurricular programs, such as the Nittany Lion Fund, that can transform their college experience.
“My sons, Charles and Christian, both benefited greatly from their experience as portfolio managers in the Nittany Lion Fund, which is a terrific opportunity for students with an interest in investment management,” he said.
The Nittany Lion Fund is a student-managed investment fund with 75 first- to fourth-year students participating in a variety of roles with the fund. At year’s end, there were more than $12 million of assets under management.
Both Craig Chobor and David Marcinek, co-chairs and founding members of the board, said they have enjoyed working with Petredis.
“It’s clear that Charlie is committed to promoting and growing Smeal’s reputation for excellence in the academic, extracurricular, networking and job placement opportunities that are available for students as they pursue careers in finance,” Chobor said. “He’s been a great addition to the board.”
Marcinek echoed Chobor’s endorsement of Petredis as a board member.
“With Charlie’s experience in financial services, he is a powerful advocate for Smeal students and for furthering our goal of providing excellence and opportunity for Smeal students,” he said.
The board’s next meeting is scheduled to take place July 18 in New York City.