Michael Himmel, CFP®
Managing Partner and Portfolio Manager 

As one of the founding Partners of Essex, Mr. Himmel brings to the organization over twenty five years experience as a professional trader and institutional investor. Mr. Himmel began his career in 1985 in the Crude Oil Futures pits of the New York Mercantile exchange [NYMEX]; then spent the following decade in the institutional commodity futures [mainly Energy and Metals], options and derivatives business. From there, he co-founded a Global-Macro hedge fund. After his co-manager and friend retired, Mr. Himmel joined forces with the current Essex Asset Management team in establishing a Florida-based wealth management office [2005] for a major U.S. bank. That experience led to founding of, and dedication to, Essex Asset Management. Mr. Himmel graduated from The Catholic University of America, cum laude, with degrees in Economics and Financial Management. Additionally, he has achieved Certificate degrees in Financial Options Trading [1988], Artificial Neural Networks [1996] and Certified Financial Planner [2005]. Mr. Himmel considers his professional mandate to be: protecting his Client’s assets; consistently allocating capital by rational and profitable systems; and helping others invest their savings.

Alice E. Cole, CFP ®,CIMA®
Managing Partner and Investment Officer 

Alice Cole joined Essex Asset Management in May 2009 and acts as a Managing Partner and Investment Officer.   She is responsible for all aspects of trust administration and Portfolio management.  Prior to joining Essex Asset Management, Alice was a Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager at BNY Mellon Wealth Management.  Earlier, she managed the Trust Department at Marine Bank and Trust Company and was a Trust Officer at Fleet Trust and Investment Services Company.  Between 1992 and 1998, she served as President of Crunden Paine Financial Group, Inc.  Before, Alice was an Assistant Vice President with First Interstate Bancorp.  Alice earned two Bachelors degrees in Economics and Political Science from Occidental College, where she graduated with Honors.  She is a Certified Financial Planner™ and a Certified Investment Management Analyst™.  Alice serves on the Board of Directors for The Champlain National Bank and McKee Botanical Gardens and is on the Board of Trustees for the Environmental Learning Center and The Berkshire School.  She also sits on the Environmental Learning Center Foundation Board.

Kerstin Murphy
Chief Compliance and Operations Officer

Based in Vero Beach, Florida,  Kerstin is responsible for Essex Asset Management's financial operations, management of key financial relationships, client service, as well as budget implementation and cost control.  She is a graduate of Bucknell University, with her studies focused on Economics and Political Science.  Prior to joining Essex Asset Management, Kerstin was employed by the Bank of New York Mellon.  Kerstin began her career at a hedge fund in New York City.