Wayne Penello has over 40 years of experience trading long-short strategies, hedging risk, and investing across global markets, Wayne is dedicated to helping investors access sophisticated strategies traditionally reserved for institutions.

He is the inventor of the Performance Risk Management System (U.S. Patent 7,822,670 B2), a disciplined framework developed to help corporate clients hedge commodity price risk effectively. Through the consultancy he founded, Risked Revenue Energy Associates, Wayne’s clients earned over $13 billion from their hedge activities. He details these strategies in the book he co-authored, Risk is an Asset, published by ForbesBooks.

Wayne began his career after earning a master’s degree in Marine Environmental Sciences from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. He withdrew from their Ph.D. program—needing only the language requirement to complete—to become a floor trader on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX). Over nearly a decade as an independent trader, he served as Ring Chairman for Options Trading, and chaired both the Settlement Committee and the Floor Committee.

After leaving NYMEX, Wayne advised, traded, and managed commodity price risk for major firms throughout the United States and Europe.

Wayne holds a Series 65 License and today leads NextGen EMP, Inc., where he applies his extensive experience to deliver sophisticated risk-managed investment strategies to a broader range of investors.

He actively supports numerous community charities, including:

In his free time, Wayne enjoys golfing with his wife Leslie, hunting, fishing, and managing cattle on their ranch in Texas.

Bob Coakley is the Chief Operations Officer of NextGen EMP, Inc., bringing more than 35 years of experience in long-short trading strategies to the firm.

Bob was a member of the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) for over two decades, where he founded and operated Win Futures Inc., a commodity trading firm that grew to 100 employees. He was elected twice to the NYMEX Board of Directors, serving for a total of six years. During that time, he played a pivotal role in reopening the Exchange following the 9/11 attacks. He held numerous leadership positions, including Chairman of both the Floor Committee and the Settlement Committee, and contributed to dozens of other committees shaping the Exchange’s operations.

Outside the Exchange, Bob served as Chairman and CEO of COED Media Group, where he was the original angel investor before taking over daily management of the company.

Bob earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from Fordham University, where he was a four-year letterman and an All-American in both swimming and water polo.

A passionate advocate for cancer research, Bob served on the national board of Swim Across America for 35 years. He founded the organization’s Hudson River and Florida Keys events and acted as Treasurer for 32 years. His leadership helped Swim Across America raise more than $100 million for cancer research.

Bob holds a Series 65 License. He and his wife, Lisa, reside in Florida.

An accomplished mariner and diver, Bob has earned his 100-ton Master Captain’s License and is a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer Instructor. In his free time, he enjoys fishing, diving, and underwater photography.

John DiPlacido brings decades of experience spread trading and client-focused investment solutions.

For 25 years, John owned and managed one of the largest independent energy brokerage companies operating on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX). His trading and investment expertise were primarily dedicated to helping clients successfully navigate the complexities of the commodities markets.

Respected for his deep market insight, John has been interviewed and quoted by numerous major media outlets, including:

In recognition of his achievements, John was named Best Small Business Owner in New York by the Republican National Congressional Committee in 2001. That same year, he received a special award from the Committee in Washington, D.C.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, John is highly active in his community. He volunteers his time to teach and mentor children and teenagers in sports and personal finance, combining his passion for education with his commitment to service.

John holds a Series 65 License.