Research
Analyst Biographies - Consumer
| Laura Champine Managing Director (646) 562-1321 laura.champine@cowen.com Prior to joining Cowen and Company in August 2008, Laura Champine was a senior equity research analyst at Morgan Keegan, where she covered home products retailers and manufacturers for seven years. Prior to that, she spent roughly two years at the same firm following tech/telecom as an associate analyst. Ms. Champine was previously employed by Cadence Capital Management in Boston and Chase Asset Management in New York in marketing roles. Ms. Champine has a music degree from the Boston Conservatory, and was awarded the CFA designation in 2001. Consumer |
| Paul Westra Managing Director (646) 562-1352 paul.westra@cowen.com Paul Westra is a Senior Research Analyst covering the restaurant industry. He has more than ten years experience as an equity research analyst. Prior to joining Cowen, Mr. Westra was the senior analyst covering restaurants with Robertson Stephens, Credit Suisse First Boston, and Salomon Brothers. He developed the RIPE model, a proprietary tool to assist with restaurant company valuations as well as a unique demand-based strategic mapping of the industry. As a part owner of a New York City restaurant, Mr. Westra has hands-on familiarity with the industry. He received an M.B.A. from Duke University's Fuqua School and a B.B.A. from the University of Massachusetts. Mr. Westra is a CFA charterholder. Consumer |
| Colin Guheen Vice President (646) 562-1325 colin.guheen@cowen.com Colin Guheen is a research analyst covering the restaurant and food industries. Prior to joining Cowen, he worked at MFS Investment Management. Before MFS, Mr. Guheen worked on projects related to utility privatization at Perez Alati, an International law firm in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Mr. Guheen received a B.A. in international political economy from the University of Puget Sound and is a CFA charterholder. Consumer |
| John Kernan Vice President (646) 562-1324 john.kernan@cowen.com Prior to joining Cowen and Company in August 2008, John Kernan was an equity research associate at Morgan Keegan covering a mix of large-, medium-, and small-cap consumer products companies spread across the hardline retail sector and the supply chain. Prior to Morgan Keegan, Mr. Kernan spent four years as an equity trader at Trillium Trading specializing in trading OTC NASDAQ and listed stocks. Mr. Kernan has a B.A. in political science from the University of Pennsylvania and an M.B.A from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina. Mr. Kernan is a Level III CFA candidate. Consumer |
