Experience matters and we have a cohesive and tenured team with extensive individual and collective knowledge across asset classes and market cycles. The firm was founded by Mike Lazar, who has over 30 years of experience investing in credit and private equity markets. 

Joseph Bucci, Chief Financial Officer & Chief Compliance Officer

Joseph Bucci has over 25 years of experience in the hedge fund industry directing, implementing and monitoring hedge fund operations, accounting and securities finance business activities. He was most recently the Chief Financial Officer of Taylor Woods Capital Management LLC, a $1.2 billion commodity focused hedge fund. Mr. Bucci's responsibilities included overseeing all aspects of the firm's accounting, operations and treasury functions. Prior to Taylor Woods, Mr. Bucci was the Treasurer of Plainfield Asset Management LLC a $5 billion distressed credit and special situations hedge fund. Mr. Bucci was responsible for managing the fund's portfolio finance and liquidity needs. Prior to joining Plainfield, Mr. Bucci was the Chief Operating Officer of Lyford Group International Ltd., a startup global macro hedge fund, where he was responsible for all non-trading aspects of the fund including finance, operations, accounting, legal and tax. Prior to that, Mr. Bucci worked at Credit Suisse First Boston LLC, where he was a Director in their Prime Brokerage Group; managing securities finance desks in excess of $30 billion in the United States and Europe as well as managing hedge fund relationships for the firm. Mr. Bucci held various management roles at divisions of Paloma Partners LP, in their operations, treasury and securities lending groups. Mr. Bucci also was an internal audit manager for American Cyanamid Co. and started his career as a C.P.A. for Price Waterhouse.

Mr. Bucci received a B.S. in accounting from Boston College.

Nigel Davis, Accountant

Nigel Davis joined Piney Lake from Somerset Capital Group, an equipment finance company for middle market companies. He was an accountant with primary responsibilities including preparation of financial reports, asset valuation and tracking pooled funds. Prior to Somerset Capital he worked at Marcum LLP as part of the family office asset / wealth management team. Nigel received a B.S. in accounting from the University of New Haven. He is also currently enrolled to complete his M.B.A in Finance from the University of New Haven.

Edison Lopez, Financial Controller

Edison Lopez has over 17 years of experience in the private equity, hedge fund and fund administration industries. Prior to joining Piney Lake, he was the SVP of Finance at Great Rock Capital Partners, LLC, an asset-focused lender. Mr. Lopez’s responsibilities included overseeing all aspects of the firm’s accounting, tax, and treasury functions. Prior to Great Rock Capital, Mr. Lopez was the VP of Finance at Centre Lane Partners, LLC, a private investment firm that invests in the equity and debt of middle market companies. Mr. Lopez was responsible for the accounting, financial reporting, and treasury for numerous private equity and debt vehicles. Prior to joining Centre Lane, Mr. Lopez was the Director of Financial Reporting and Accounting at Plainfield Direct Inc., a privately held Business Development Company, and subsidiary of Plainfield Asset Management LLC, a $5 billion distressed credit and special situations fund. Mr. Lopez was responsible for the preparation of the quarterly and year-end financial statements, managed the month end close process, implementation of accounting systems and documentation of numerous policies and procedures. Mr. Lopez started his career at GlobeOp Financial Services, a fund administrator, where he worked on numerous hedge funds with AUM totaling $3.5 billion. Mr. Lopez managed the month end close process, and ensured the accuracy of NAV calculation and allocation schedules.

Mr. Lopez received a B.B.A. in Public Accounting from Pace University.