About
Sean Volk, CFA, is a Portfolio Manager at Cookson Peirce & Co., Inc., a Pittsburgh-based investment firm specializing in actively managed equity and fixed income portfolios. In this role, he is responsible for portfolio operations, trading, rebalancing, and conducting investment research to manage and optimize client portfolios through a disciplined, momentum-driven process focused on stock selection across market capitalizations. His primary expertise covers individual equities and fixed income, including municipal securities, as well as specialized experience with mortgage-backed securities from his previous work at Western Asset Management.
Before joining CooksonPeirce in 2021, Sean held the positions of Portfolio Analyst (Structured Products) and IM Quant Engineer/Developer at Western Asset Management in Pasadena, where he focused on mortgage-backed securities and quantitative investment strategies. He also gained experience in fintech at TriOptima, New York, further broadening his understanding of financial markets and technology integration.
Sean holds a Master of Science in Financial Mathematics from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor of Science in Applied Economics and Management from Cornell University. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and is known for his detail-oriented approach and commitment to delivering results for clients. Sean has been cited for his insights on emerging technologies in finance, notably around crypto and smart contracts, reflecting a proactive engagement with innovation in asset management.
Career History
| Organization | Role | Date Range | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| CooksonPeirce | Portfolio Manager | Feb 2021 to Present | — |
| Western Asset Management | Portfolio Analyst - Structured Products | Jun 2019 to Feb 2021 | Non-agency RMBS, CMBS, ABS |
| Western Asset Management | IM Quant Engineer and Developer | Jul 2018 to Jun 2019 | — |
| Western Asset Management | Client Service Associate - Data Analyst | Mar 2017 to Jul 2018 | • Produced recurring and ad hoc client portfolio reporting, leveraging SQL, Excel, and Bloomberg to gather data and then parse and interpret this data to provide a clear picture of Western’s client po... |
| TriOptima | triCalculate Valuation Analytics | Sep 2016 to Mar 2017 | • Delivered XVA calculation service, utilizing skills in programming, theoretical and applied finance, and financial mathematics • Performed a market calibration daily, optimizing the parameters of th... |
| TriOptima | triResolve Client Manager | Jan 2014 to Aug 2016 | • Delivered reconciliation service to OTC derivative market participants, normalizing trade data and solving issues in areas of technology and finance for over 1200 clients, including all G-15 dealers... |
| BNY Mellon | Accounting and Reporting Specialist | Oct 2012 to Jan 2014 | — |
| BNY Mellon | Global Client Management Intern | Jun 2011 to Aug 2011 | — |
| Bayer MaterialScience | Credit Department Intern | Jun 2010 to Aug 2010 | — |
Education
The Johns Hopkins University
Master of Science (MS), Financial Mathematics
2017 — 2019
Cornell University
Bachelor of Science (BS), Applied Economics and Management
2008 — 2012
Skills & Expertise
Others at Cookson Peirce & Co. Inc. (2)
| Name | Role | Location |
|---|---|---|
 | Chief Investment Officer | Pittsburgh, PA , United States |
L Luke O'Neill | Chief Investment Officer | Pittsburgh, PA , United States |
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