Investment Professionals

Michael D. Axel, CFA*, President and Founder – Prior to founding AMI in 1995, Mr. Axel served as investment manager for the Dekko Foundation and Group Dekko International and was a member of the Dekko Foundation Board of Directors. Mr. Axel established initial investment policies for Group Dekko, the Dekko Foundation and several related accounts.

Mr. Axel graduated from Wabash College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics. He received his MBA from Vanderbilt University with a concentration in finance and investments. Mr. Axel was awarded the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)* designation in 1994 and is a member of the CFA Institute. He has nineteen years of experience in the investment industry.

Mike is a member of the Dekko Foundation Grants Review committee, the Parkview Health Board of Directors, the Oak Farm School Board of Directors and the Strength Capital Partners Advisory Board. He is married and has four children.

Jacob D. Benedict, CFA*, Associate – Prior to joining AMI, Mr. Benedict worked for CRA International, Inc., a global economic consulting firm. At CRA, Mr. Benedict worked on business valuation projects. Jacob previously worked for the Mergers and Acquisitions division of J.P. Morgan, where he assisted in valuation and acquisition analysis.

Mr. Benedict graduated summa cum laude from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and mathematics. He was a Lilly Scholar and is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society. Jacob was awarded the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)* designation in 2011 and is a member of the CFA Institute. He is president of the Notre Dame Club of Fort Wayne and sits on the Noble County Thrive steering committee. He is married.

David J. Manger, Analyst – Prior to joining AMI, Mr. Manger worked as an equity analyst for Morningstar, Inc., an independent investment research provider. At Morningstar, David provided research opinions on individual stocks. Mr. Manger previously worked in the accounting department of Four Seasons Housing, Inc.

Mr. Manger graduated cum laude from Albion College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and management. He has completed the CFA curriculum.* David is a member of the Kendallville Library Foundation Board of Directors. He is engaged.

*Click here for information on the CFA designation.