HFT Connect (HFTC)

On February 27th, 2025, we celebrated the first HFTCON of 2025. It was an inspiring day filled with joy, learning, and brilliant conversations. Among the highlights was a significant announcement by Founder Benjamin Saberin: HFTC is now embracing a 4th pillar—compliance. Traditionally, our foundation has rested on technology, operations, and cybersecurity. These pillars have served us well, but as we look toward a brighter future, it's essential to evolve. The addition of compliance marks a new chapter, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and excellence as we grow. We also had the honor of welcoming our new board member, Lorelei Martin. Lorelei's professionalism and innovative ideas reflect the values we hold dear. Her vision for HFTC is both exciting and transformative. We can't wait to share more about Lorelei and her plans soon! The event was a true celebration of community and expertise, with inspiring presentations from industry leaders who shared their invaluable knowledge. It was a testament to the power of coming together and supporting each other’s growth. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to making this event unforgettable. Your energy and enthusiasm make us believe even more in the future of HFTC. If you missed this event, no worries! We have already opened registration for HFTCON Q2'25' on May 8th, 2025. Register here: https://lnkd.in/eXC4SRUd If you would like to become an HFTC member, we welcome your application: https://lnkd.in/drgKpqwA #HFTC #HFTCON #Community #Collaboration #Connections #Compliance #EventRecap #Leadership #Learning #Growth #ConnectWithUs

Meet the Board! Up next is Stephen Krug, a dedicated HFTC member since 2009.   Stephen Krug serves as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for both Crexa Capital Advisors, a prestigious family office, and Inteligo USA, an Investment Advisor and U.S. fund manager. In these roles, he oversees all daily operations and is an integral member of the portfolio management team.    Before these positions, Stephen co-founded Second Curve Capital with Tom Brown in 2000. Together, they successfully grew and managed a specialized financial services fund for over two decades. His extensive background includes his tenure as a senior business consultant with ActionSystems, where he managed domestic and international CRM implementations for leading banking institutions. From 1993 to 1998, he was in equity research at Donaldson, Lufkin, & Jenrette, as #1 ranked institutional investor analyst team focusing on the financial services industry. Stephen's career began as a research associate at CIBC Oppenheimer, where he specialized in the telecom industry. He holds a B.S. in Management Information Systems (MIS) and Finance from Fordham University, underscoring his solid academic foundation and diverse skill set.   Join us in celebrating Stephen's remarkable journey and his contributions to the HFTC community!   #HFTC #MeetTheTeam #Leadership #Finance #Innovation #Community #BeersAndBytes #Technology #ConnectWithUs

We are delighted to announce that our highly anticipated HFTCON Q1'25' is just around the corner, taking place on Thursday, February 27th, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM. This year, we are incredibly fortunate to have two esteemed leaders from our community, Benjamin Saberin and Mark Van Der Sande, as our hosts.   Benjamin Saberin, known for his profound expertise and innovative insights, will lead sessions designed to provide a wealth of knowledge and inspiration that will resonate with all attendees. His analytical approach and industry acumen make him a highly respected figure in our community.   Mark Van Der Sande brings an energy to the event that our members know and love. Known for his friendly demeanor, great sense of humor, and infectious enthusiasm, Mark always creates a welcoming atmosphere wherever he goes. Beyond his engaging personality, Mark possesses extensive knowledge and a remarkable ability to inspire others, ensuring that interactions are both enjoyable and enlightening.   Both Benjamin and Mark are recognized leaders in the industry, always available to offer support and guidance to our members. Their contributions have continuously enriched our community, and their willingness to share their knowledge exemplifies the collaborative spirit of HFTC.   We are truly excited for what promises to be an enriching and memorable experience. HFTCON will be an opportunity to share ideas, network with peers, and gain invaluable insights from some of the brightest minds in our industry. Register Here: https://lnkd.in/e4kpD4Jh

Meet the Board! Next up we have Eldon Sprickerhoff, a visionary in the field of information security. Eldon founded eSentire in 2001 in response to the rising need for proactive measures in preventing and investigating information security breaches. With over thirty years of tactical technical experience, he has become a recognized expert in information security analysis. Eldon Sprickerhoff is a man of MANY talents and interests. Classically trained in piano, he dazzles with his "keytar" and boasts a 16-semitone reach. When not making music, he cooks and mans two Big Green Eggs with brisket as his barbecue pièce de résistance. He is a coffee aficionado. He's trained in Yoshinkan aikido in Japan, and currently holds a Nidan rank with instructor rating. Despite all these pursuits, he's made remarkable professional achievements: he has been honored by his alma mater (the University of Waterloo) with the J.W. Graham Medal in Computing and Innovation, was recently inducted into the Waterloo Region Entrepreneur Hall of Fame, indirectly influenced a UN nominee's resignation in 2009, has two vulnerabilities formally registered in the CVE database and most amusingly, he was once pitched a cybersecurity company by a "Shark Tank" Shark! He recently wrote a best-selling book intended for first-time technical startup founders.  His ability to combine personal passions with professional excellence truly sets him apart. Join us in celebrating Eldon's remarkable journey and his dedication to advancing information security within HFTC! #HFTC #MeetTheTeam #Leadership #Cybersecurity #Innovation #Community #Technology #ConnectWithUs

Meet the Board! Introducing Naresh H. Singh, CISSP, a dedicated member of HFTC since 2010.   Naresh is Partner and CTO at Lenox Advisors, a wealth management and insurance advisory firm he joined in 2012. At Lenox he manages the firm's IT strategy and infrastructure, overseeing data centers, servers, storage, networks, telephony, the service desk, and information security.   With a diverse background leading technology teams in financial services, including broker-dealer, hedge fund, RIA, and asset management firms, Naresh brings a wealth of experience to the table. He holds CISSP®, ITIL, HIPAA, and MCP certifications and is an active member of IEEE, ISACA, PMI, and (ISC)².   Naresh Singh, an invaluable HFTC board member, balances his professional life with a rich array of personal interests. A devoted father of two, Naresh has been happily married for nearly 20 years. As a dog dad, he adores his German Shepherd rescued from Texas. Naresh's passion extends to cars, particularly European brands like Porsche, and he is an avid watch collector with a penchant for scotch. Deeply committed to his community, he serves as President of the Baldwin Lions Club and was honored as Baldwin Herald’s 2024 Person of the Year. Additionally, he ranked #45 on The Top 100 Chief Technology Officers for 2022. As driven as Naresh is to inspire all those in HFTC professionally, his personal achievements and actions are something to admire.    Join us in celebrating Naresh's impressive career and his contribution to the technology and cybersecurity fields within the HFTC community!   #HFTC #MeetTheTeam #Leadership #ITStrategy #Cybersecurity #Innovation #Community #Technology #ConnectWithUs

We are so excited to welcome all the incredible sponsors for HFTCON held on Thursday, February 27th 2025, from 3pm-9pm! Join us in celebrating and thanking Saberin Group, Nebulas.co, eSentire, Promenet Inc., and Ontinue for their remarkable support.   Your contributions are instrumental in making HFTCON a premier event for networking, knowledge sharing, and fostering innovation in the technology and information security space. We wouldn't be able to pull off this event without your generous contributions and unwavering commitment.   Each of our sponsors brings unique value and insight to our community, enhancing the experience for all our attendees. From cutting-edge tech solutions to cybersecurity expertise, the collective efforts and dedication of these Sponsors are the driving force behind the success of HFTC.   As we gear up for this year's event, we look forward to an amazing opportunity to connect, learn, and grow together—thanks to your support. Your investment in this community helps to ensure impactful discussions, groundbreaking presentations, and meaningful collaborations.   If you’re interested in engaging with these companies, 1 on 1, and want to hear them share their latest in greatest in technology, join us at HFTCON this Thursday!    Register Here: https://lnkd.in/e4kpD4Jh   #HFTC #HFTCON #Sponsors #Networking #Innovation #TechCommunity #ConnectWithUs

Did you know we have top industry leaders not only attending HFTCON but presenting too? Join us on February 27th, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Metropolitan Pavilion. This event will feature a special segment for leaders in the tech world, providing a platform for insightful discussions and professional growth. One of the highlights of the evening will be a presentation by one of our most active and respected members, Michael Cafaro, CTO at Ladder Capital Finance. And by his side, Carlos Capellán, a CTO at J. Goldman & Co., L.P., and Ted Balagtas, a Senior Technology Executive. They will be giving us the inside scoop on "Modernizing Legacy Phone Systems." Are you debating cutting the cord on your old Avaya, Nortel, or Cisco PBX but are nervous about losing your job when the CEO’s admin can’t transfer a call? Did you switch to Zoom or Teams phones only to lose most key functions your team is used to? HFTCON is where you can hear top leaders discuss their views on these topics. Join us for an interactive session to hear from fellow CTOs on their migration path (including all the bumps) to a modern approach to voice. Want to see these members share his insights on modernizing legacy phone systems? Register for HFTCON to get a front-row seat! Register Here: https://lnkd.in/e4kpD4Jh

🚀 Ontinue at HFT Connect (HFTC)! 🚀 We’re excited to be part of HFT Connect, where industry leaders come together to discuss the future of cybersecurity and financial technology. Ontinue will be there, sharing insights on how our AI-driven MXDR services help organizations stay ahead of evolving threats with proactive defense and 24/7 SOC support. 🔹 Connect with our experts - Feb 27th https://lnkd.in/e-54hRjk 🔹 Learn how to optimize your security investments 🔹 Explore real-world success stories Don't miss the opportunity to engage with us at HFT Connect! See you there! 👏 #HFTConnect #Ontinue #Cybersecurity #MXDR Joe Griffin Rudolfo Cifolelli

Meet the Board! We continue on with David M. Dinner, a distinguished member of HFTC since 2014. David has been serving as the Chief Technology Officer for Brownstone Investment Group since 2010, where he leads all technology initiatives and plays a direct role in shaping the firm’s technical strategy, solutions, and infrastructure. Before joining Brownstone, David was a Partner and Senior Systems Engineer at Alden, serving as a Virtual CTO for over 50 financial firms and developing platforms to drive growth. He also founded Obtix Networks, helping small businesses in the legal and healthcare sectors adopt secure technology. David is a dedicated HFTC board member who is passionate about all technology - but when he finally gets to disconnect, he is an avid audiophile and drummer, playing and recording with several bands in his younger years. Married, a father of two, and never having a dog under 100 pounds! With a love for the outdoors, a mildly opinionated taste in beer and bourbon, and a collection of unopened Star Wars memorabilia. David's mix of professional dedication and diverse hobbies makes him an intriguing board member. Join us in celebrating David's remarkable contributions to technology and his dedication to HFTC! #HFTC #MeetTheTeam #TechnologyLeader #Cybersecurity #Innovation #Community #Leadership #ConnectWithUs

We're only 9 days away from our highly anticipated #HFTCON event on Thursday, February 27th, 2025! Doors open at 3 PM at the Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 W 18th St, New York, NY 10011.   Get ready for a series of captivating segments from leading experts in the industry. Here's a sneak peek into one of the exciting sessions scheduled for the day:   Title: Live Demo – Unleashing Agentic AI with DeepSeek (@4:30 PM)   Join us for a mesmerizing segment where John Brandt (JB) and Ryan Mohamed, from Saberin Software will demonstrate the impressive capabilities of agentic AI using DeepSeek model variants. Watch as JB and Ryan, the AI developers, build, test, and execute a social engineering email application (phishing campaign) entirely using local models. This live demonstration will not only showcase the power of agentic AI but also highlight why DeepSeek models are leading the local small LLM game.   This must-see session is perfect for those interested in the cutting-edge developments in AI and cybersecurity. Don't miss the chance to learn from industry leaders and gain valuable insights into the latest advancements.   Register now to secure your spot at HFTCON 2025 and immerse yourself in a day packed with knowledge, networking, and innovation.   Register Here: https://lnkd.in/e4kpD4Jh   #HFTCON #HFTCON2025 #AI #Cybersecurity #DeepSeek #AgenticAI #AI #Networking #Innovation #RegisterNow #ConnectWithUs