Our principal

Robert J. Centrella

Founder & Principal, Forza Investment Advisory, LLC

Robert J. Centrella is the founder and principal of Forza Investment Advisory, LLC. He brings over 30 years of private client and institutional investment management experience to his clients, having managed assets for individuals, endowments, foundations, pension plans, mutual funds, and unions.

From 1996 to 2009, Bob worked at MacKay Shields (a subsidiary of NY Life) as an institutional equity portfolio manager. Primary responsibilities included providing proprietary stock research and managing Growth Equity portfolios including separate institutional accounts and the MainStay Mutual Funds (Mid-Cap Growth, All-Cap Growth, and Capital Appreciation Funds). During his tenure, each of these three funds achieved Morningstar 4-star or 5-star status.

MacKay Shields was a $38 billion multi-product investment management firm with Growth Equity assets ranging from $3 billion to $15 billion during his time at the firm. In 2006, Bob was promoted to Managing Director and Co-manager of all Growth Equity portfolios, which totaled over $5 billion and included the MainStay Mid-Cap Growth, MainStay All-Cap Growth, and MainStay Capital Appreciation Mutual Funds.

Bob also managed the Smid-Cap growth portfolios from 1999 to 2009 and was a member of the Asset Allocation Committee for the MainStay Total Return Fund, determining the allocation of the fund across a mixture of assets including domestic and foreign equities, fixed income, high yield bonds, and convertibles.

He holds a CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) designation and an MBA in Finance. He is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of New York. Bob also authored Chapter 6 of 'Wall Street Potholes,' published by Wiley — a guide for investors navigating the pitfalls and conflicts of interest in the financial services industry. (Note: CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are registered trademarks owned by CFA Institute.)

Education & Credentials

CFA Designation

Chartered Financial Analyst — CFA Institute

MBA, Finance

Graduate degree with concentration in Finance - George Mason University

CFA Institute Member

Member in good standing

CFA Society of New York

Active member

Professional Experience

President & Managing Partner

Forza Investment Advisory, LLC

2010 – Present

Founded and manages an independent, fee-only registered investment advisory firm providing institutional-quality portfolio management to private clients, investment advisors, and select institutions.

Managing Director — Co-Manager, All Growth Equity Assets

MacKay Shields, NY — Division of NY Life (Total Firm Assets: $38 Billion)

April 2006 – July 2009

Promoted to Managing Director and Co-manager of all Growth Equity portfolios, which totaled over $5 billion and included the MainStay Mid-Cap Growth, MainStay All-Cap Growth, and MainStay Capital Appreciation Mutual Funds.

Director, Portfolio Manager

MacKay Shields, NY — Division of NY Life

January 2001 – April 2006

Provided proprietary stock research and managed Growth Equity portfolios including separate institutional accounts and the MainStay Mutual Funds (Mid-Cap Growth, All-Cap Growth, and Capital Appreciation Funds). During his tenure each of these three funds achieved Morningstar 4-star or 5-star status. Bob also managed the Smid-Cap growth portfolios from 1999 to 2009 and was a member of the Asset Allocation Committee for the MainStay Total Return Fund, determining allocation across domestic and foreign equities, fixed income, high yield bonds, and convertibles.

Associate Director, Portfolio Manager

MacKay Shields, NY — Division of NY Life

July 1996 – January 2001

Joined MacKay Shields as an institutional equity portfolio manager. MacKay Shields was a $38 billion multi-product investment management firm with Growth Equity assets ranging from $3 billion to $15 billion during his tenure.

Vice President, Portfolio Manager — Growth Equities

Gibraltar Advisors, NY — Division of Prudential Securities (formerly Foxhall Investment Mgmt) (Firm Assets: ~$2 Billion)

April 1994 – June 1996

After Foxhall Investment Management was acquired by Prudential and merged with Gibraltar Advisors, Bob moved to New York City as Portfolio Manager and head of Growth Equities. Gibraltar managed approximately $2 billion in assets including equities and fixed income.

Assistant Vice President, Portfolio Manager

Foxhall Investment Management, Washington, DC (Firm Assets: $400 Million)

October 1992 – April 1994

Bob first became a Portfolio Manager at Foxhall Investment Management, providing stock and bond research and helping to manage over $400 million in equity and balanced portfolios for high-net-worth individuals and small institutions. Also served as a fixed income and equity research analyst.

Senior Financial Analyst

Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA)

May 1991 – September 1992

Planning Officer

First American Bankshares

August 1987 – May 1991

Financial Analyst & Internal Auditor

Sovran Bank/Maryland

November 1985 – August 1987

Internal Auditor

Bankers Finance Investment Mgmt Corp

July 1985 – November 1985

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