"When I see memos from Howard Marks in my mail, they're the first thing I open and read. I always learn something, and that goes double for his book." - Warren Buffett, chairman and CEO, Berkshire Hathaway

On Tuesday, April 17 at 8 p.m., the 2012 Charles F. Dolan Lecture at Fairfield University will feature a conversation with Howard Marks, chairman of Oaktree Capital Management, who top investors like Warren Buffett look to for insight and wisdom on market opportunities and risk.

The free, public event will center on Mr. Marks' recent book, "The Most Important Thing: Uncommon Sense for the Thoughtful Investor" (Columbia University Press, 2011). It will take place in the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts, on the Fairfield campus. Tickets are complimentary, but must be reserved by contacting the Quick Center Box Office at (203) 254-4010 or toll free at 1-877-ARTS-396.

"We are pleased to have Mr. Marks join the ranks of highly accomplished, visionary and internationally recognized business leaders who have delivered this prestigious lecture," said Donald E. Gibson, Ph.D., dean of Fairfield's Dolan School of Business. "His expertise and perspectives will make for a most memorable evening."

In its review of Marks' book , The Wall Street Journal observed: "Everyone knows about the anticipation leading up to Warren Buffett's annual shareholder letters. But for a certain Wall Street set, there are equally high expectations for the writings of Howard Marks." Fortune magazine noted that Marks is admired for the charm and astute commentary of his letters to investors.

John McDermott, Ph.D., associate professor of finance who will interview Mr. Marks, said the conversation will touch upon Marks' assessments on market opportunities, risk, and world events garnered from his successful four decade long career as an investment manager. "Oaktree manages nearly $75 billion in assets, primarily high yield and distressed debt securities, and employs over 650 people in 13 cities worldwide," Dr. McDermott noted.

Headquartered in Los Angeles, Oaktree has offices in New York, Stamford, Connecticut, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Luxembourg, Paris, Beijing, Hong Kong, Seoul, Singapore and Tokyo. Since the formation of Oaktree in 1995, Mr. Marks has been responsible for ensuring the firm's adherence to its core investment philosophy, communicating closely with clients concerning products and strategies, and managing the firm. From 1985 until 1995, Mr. Marks led the groups at The TCW Group, Inc. that were responsible for investments in distressed debt, high yield bonds, and convertible securities. He was also Chief Investment Officer for Domestic Fixed Income at TCW.

Previously, Mr. Marks was with Citicorp Investment Management for 16 years, where from 1978 to 1985 he was Vice President and senior portfolio manager in charge of convertible and high yield securities. Between 1969 and 1978, he was an equity research analyst and, subsequently, Citicorp's Director of Research.

Mr. Marks holds a B.S.Ec. degree cum laude from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania with a major in Finance and an MBA in Accounting and Marketing from the Graduate School of Business of the University of Chicago, where he received the George Hay Brown Prize. He is a CFA ^® charterholder and a Chartered Investment Counselor.

The Charles F. Dolan Lecture Series was inaugurated in 2001. Dolan is the founder and chairman of Cablevision Systems Corporation. The Dolan School of Business was named in recognition of Charles and Helen Dolan's service and philanthropic contributions to Fairfield University. The school's top-notch faculty has created a seamless learning environment, while building on their real-world business experience and their accomplishments.

To learn more about the Charles F. Dolan School, and the Charles F. Dolan Lecture Series, as well as the many other programs of Fairfield University, please visit www.fairfield.edu .

Posted On: 04-12-2012 11:04 AM

Volume: 44 Number: 268