Sam Pittman
About Sam Pittman
Sam Pittman is the Managing Director and Head of Asset Allocation and Investment Solutions at Russell Investments, where he has worked since 2019. With a strong background in quantitative research and financial strategy, he has published extensively and coauthored recognized articles in the field of retirement income.
Work at Russell Investments
Sam Pittman has been with Russell Investments since 2014, currently serving as Managing Director, Head of Asset Allocation and Investment Solutions. He has held various roles within the organization, including Head of Asset Allocation for Private Client Services and Head of Retail Solutions, Global Client Strategy and Research. His tenure at Russell Investments spans over nine years, during which he has contributed to the development of investment strategies and asset allocation frameworks.
Education and Expertise
Sam Pittman possesses a robust educational background, having earned a PhD in Operations Research, an MS in Applied Mathematics, and a BS in Mathematics from the University of Washington. His studies in applied mathematics and operations research provide a strong foundation for his work in asset allocation and investment solutions. He also has technical expertise in programming languages such as C#, Matlab, VBA, and Python, along with proficiency in optimization modeling tools.
Background
Before joining Russell Investments, Sam Pittman co-founded a web-based financial advice company. He has also held positions at Parametric as Quantitative Research Manager, where he developed tax-managed and emerging market equity strategies. His earlier experience includes founding Portfolio Research, LLC, and working as an Operations Research Analyst at Weyerhaeuser, where he led research projects focused on optimizing timber investment flows.
Achievements
Sam Pittman has published research in several notable journals, including the Journal of Financial Planning and The Journal of Retirement. He coauthored the article 'Optimizing retirement income: an adaptive approach based on assets and liabilities,' recognized as one of the top 10 must-read articles for 2013 by The Retirement Income Journal. He regularly presents at industry conferences, sharing insights on asset allocation and investment strategies.
Military Service
Sam Pittman served four years in the Marine Corps, which adds a unique dimension to his professional profile. This military background contributes to his diverse experience and perspective in the financial industry.