Host
December 12, 2024
Host
Managing Director
Head of Alternative Investments at Hightower Advisors
In this episode of declarations., Host Todd S. Rich speaks with Robert Picard, Head of Alternative Investments at Hightower Advisors. Robert shares his remarkable journey — from his multicultural upbringing and Swiss military service as a tank commander, to a career spanning derivatives trading, hedge fund selection, and leadership in private markets. He offers candid lessons from avoiding the Bernie Madoff fraud, launching alternative platforms at top firms, and why he believes investors should follow the lead of billionaires and endowments by allocating significantly more to private market investments. The conversation also touches on Robert’s leadership philosophy (the “six C’s”), his philanthropy in support of autism causes, and his personal passions — from Springsteen concerts at the Jersey Shore to long walks by the ocean.
They discuss:
• Moving between New York and Switzerland, learning resilience from culture shock
• Lessons in leadership and discipline as a Swiss tank commander, and the enduring “three C’s” framework for command and control
• How technology and new structures are opening private markets to accredited investors
• Evolving from strict “command and control” to a more mindful, empathetic leadership style
• Passion for autism charities like Autism Speaks and Hand in Hand, and deep ties to the Jersey Shore community
Topics:
(00:00:00) – Introduction & Robert’s “declarations”
(00:04:00) – Family background: Bronx roots and Swiss heritage
(00:07:00) – Moving to Switzerland & lessons from culture shock
(00:09:00) – Swiss Army: tank commander, leadership lessons, and the “three C’s”
(00:14:00) – Expanding the “C’s”: learning limits of control through personal experience
(00:17:00) – Wall Street career beginnings
(00:20:00) – Hedge fund boom of the 1990s
(00:26:00) – Building Carlyle/Rock Creek’s hedge fund business with Afsaneh Beschloss
(00:31:00) – Defining “alternative investments” today
(00:33:00) – Why billionaires allocate 50%+ to private markets vs. 5% for individuals
(00:36:00) – Democratization: how private markets are becoming more accessible
(00:41:00) – Hightower’s approach & importance of experienced managers
(00:44:00) – Jersey Shore life, Springsteen stories, and philanthropy for autism
(00:49:00) – Books that shaped Robert’s thinking
(00:52:00) – Pursuit of happiness: walks by the ocean, books, and family time
Episode #8
A thoughtful conversation with Sean Plummer on how high-net-worth families invest differently from institutions—and why that difference matters.
Episode #5
Kari Firestone reflects on lessons in risk-taking, balancing career and family, and why listening and learning remain central to her “declaration” in life.
Episode #2
Bennett Goodman shares his remarkable journey—from his formative years influenced by his uncle, the famed LSU baseball coach Skip Bertman, to his groundbreaking career in credit markets, and ultimately to building Hunter Point Capital and his family office, Hunter Creek.
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