Team
Daniel Kozlowski, CFA
Founder & Managing Member
Partner
Dan Kozlowski is the Founder, Managing Member and CIO of Plaisance Capital, LLC. Prior to re-establishing Plaisance Capital LLC in September 2017, Dan worked for Janus Capital, serving as the Executive Vice President and Portfolio Manager of the $4B Janus Contrarian Fund and the Nikko Global Opportunistic Equity Accounts from 2012 through August 2017. Dan managed long/ short strategies in conjunction with the Contrarian Fund throughout his tenure at Janus according to the same value-based investment philosophy. Dan chose to leave Janus Capital following its merger with Henderson PLC.
Dan originally founded Plaisance Capital LLC in late 2008, with the Plaisance Fund launching in early 2009 under his leadership. Dan managed the Plaisance Fund independently from early 2009 until he (for the second time) and the Fund joined Janus Capital in July 2011. Upon leaving Janus in 2017, Dan launched the Plaisance Midway Fund LP as an institutional grade long short strategy.
In his first tenure with Janus Capital, Dan served as a Portfolio Manager and Executive Vice President of the Janus Long Short Fund, a $1.3B hedged equity fund from 2006 through early 2008. Prior to his portfolio management roles, Dan served as an equity analyst for the Janus Contrarian Fund from 2000-2006 covering insurance, banking, specialty finance, retail and media industries. Dan also served as research analyst focused on Asian markets for the Janus Worldwide Fund and Janus Overseas Fund concurrent with his role on the Contrarian Value team. Prior to joining Janus Capital, Dan served as a research analyst/intern for Ariel Capital focused on small and mid-cap value portfolios. Before his public equity investment career, Dan worked for Arthur Andersen LLP and founded, managed and sold an apparel business start-up.
Mr. Kozlowski holds a BBA and graduated cum laude from the University of Miami. He also studied at Sophia University’s School of Comparative Culture in Tokyo, Japan. Dan earned his MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business in 2000 with concentrations in Finance and Accounting. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and has over 20 years of financial industry experience. Dan is originally from Valparaiso, Indiana.
Outside of Plaisance, Mr. Kozlowski serves on the Board of Directors of Meade Holdings, the parent of Meade Tractor/Equipment, one of the country’s largest combined John Deere Construction & Agricultural Dealers with locations across Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky. In addition, Dan also serves on the Board of Directors of the International School of Denver (ISD).
Kurt Leeney
COO & Investment Analyst
Partner
Kurt Leeney joined Plaisance Capital LLC in the summer of 2017 to help facilitate its transition from Janus Capital to a standalone entity. Kurt coordinated with all service providers including legal counsel to help launch the Plaisance Midway Fund LP on November 1, 2017.
As Chief Operating Officer, Kurt executes all trade operations, assists in risk management and reporting, manages client subscriptions, and oversees the annual audit process. In addition, Kurt serves as an Investment Analyst supporting both Dan and Will in the fundamental research process covering both long and short opportunities.
Prior to joining Plaisance, Kurt completed a three-year analyst program with the JP Morgan Private Bank in Chicago. In this role, he provided investment support across asset classes for high-net-worth individuals. He also completed the JP Morgan Asset Management training program in New York.
Mr. Leeney holds a BS degree in finance with a minor in mathematics from Butler University. He began his finance career in 2012 with Johnson & Johnson in New Jersey and has 8 years of financial industry experience. Additionally, Kurt served as an intern in the Indiana Office of the Governor as an undergraduate. Kurt is originally from Munster, Indiana.