Mr. Rhea joined Optima in 2022 as a Senior Analyst in the Research Department, with a focus on long/short equity, systematic, and relative value managers. Prior to joining Optima, Mr. Rhea worked as an Alternative Investments Director at Morgan Stanley for over five years. His primary responsibilities included portfolio management and alternative investment analysis. Additionally, Mr. Rhea conducted research and due diligence on potential alternative investments as well as monitored the team’s existing exposures to Hedge Funds, Private Equity and Credit, and Real Estate. Prior to Morgan Stanley, Michael was an Associate at Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. Mr. Rhea is a graduate of the University of Lynchburg where he received a B.A. in Economics with an emphasis in Finance and a Minor in Business; he was a member of the men’s varsity lacrosse team.
