The Department of Finance in the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business has named Phylos J.H. Sandison the director of the Melvin and Dollie Younts Trading Room. Sandison brings 48 years of experience in finance to the position.
“We are excited to have Phylos Sandison join us as our Trading Room director,” said Angela Morgan, chair of the finance department. “He has significant work experience in fixed-income trading and in using Bloomberg terminals. Phylos will work with students to increase their knowledge of the Bloomberg system to prepare them for future careers in finance.”
Sandison grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, and graduated with a degree in psychology from Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. His first job was as municipal underwriter for the Mercantile Trust Company. That started a career that spanned more than four decades in the fields of fixed income underwriting, trading, sales and portfolio management. The majority of his time was spent with regional dealer banks and brokers, but he’s also been involved with a number of Wall Street firms throughout his career.
“I am thrilled to be here and working with the students and faculty of one of the finest universities in the country,” said Sandison. “I am excited to extend my investment journey as the director of the Younts Trading Room. Although my background in fixed income may seem a little unusual since much of the work seems to be in equities, I have used the Bloomberg system from its inception and think that I can be a good resource for both students and professors in all the major markets.”
The Melvin and Dollie Younts Trading Room is a state-of-the-art learning laboratory in the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business. It was designed to have the look and feel of a Wall Street office with data feeds, large ticker screens, trading stations and a 48-seat behavioral lab. The aim is for business students to use the space to immerse themselves in financial markets around the globe. The hands-on environment enables students to receive real-world experiences that help them hone their investment skills.
As director, Sandison’s main duty is to help students learn to fully use the Bloomberg software in the trading room in terms of class projects, help them earn Bloomberg certifications and participate in one-on-one mentoring. He also will be creating a series of videos on how to use the trading room. In addition, he will be available in the room during weekly open hours planned in the fall for students outside of finance.
One of Sandison’s first duties as director will be scheduling speakers from the world of finance to enhance the learning experience for students and broaden their perspectives about career choices available in the investment industry.
Sandison and his wife, Nancy, have been married for 38 years. Their daughter, Whitney, is a 2008 Clemson business graduate who lives in Atlanta with her husband and new son.
“Nancy and I are enthusiastic about this opportunity,” Sandison said. “She is looking forward to the activities on campus, and we’re both expecting to see more of our daughter and grandson!”