Optima Fund Management ("Optima"), an SEC-registered Investment Adviser, was founded by D. Dixon Boardman in 1988 in response to the 1987 market crash. As a high net worth financial advisor, Mr. Boardman sought investment solutions for his clients that would provide substantial downside protection as well as significant upside participation in all market environments. As a result, the firm's first product, The Optima Fund, a long/short equity fund of funds, was launched in July 1988. Since then, the firm has steadily added staff, products and assets. Optima currently manages approximately $6 billion and employs over 50 full-time professionals.
In June 2000, the firm formed a strategic alliance with Mellon Private Wealth Management ("Mellon") whereby Mellon became a distributor, alongside Optima itself, of Optima investment products to US-based high net worth investors.
