leadership team

specialists and Advisors

Rodric R. O'Connor

Managing Partner

Mr. O’Connor has over 30 years of experience in information technology and development within the financial services and technology sectors and has been recognized as one of InfoWorld’s top 25 CTOs. Before founding HalcyonFT in 2010, Mr. O’Connor spent 7 years as the CTO of Blum Capital Partners, an investment management firm with approximately $3 billion of assets under management. Prior to Blum Capital Partners, Mr. O’Connor was the CTO at Putnam Lovell NBF, a global investment bank. Mr. O’Connor earned a Bachelor of Science (Joint Honors) in Computer Science and Accounting from the University of Manchester.

GAZI ALI

Partner, Director of Clients

Mr. Ali has over 25 years of experience in information technology within the financial services sector. Before joining Halcyon Financial Technology in 2010, Mr. Ali spent 2 years as the Head of North America IT at Louis Capital Markets, a broker-dealer providing execution, sales, trading and research in equity, commodity, fixed income, and foreign exchange products. Prior to Louis Capital Markets, Mr. Ali was the IT Manager for 8 years at Putnam Lovell NBF, a global investment bank. Before Putnam Lovell NBF, Mr. Ali worked in various IT departments at Merrill Lynch: global email messaging, retail trade support, and institutional trade floor support. Mr. Ali earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Polytechnic Institute of New York University.

Hugo Gonzalez

Partner, Director of Systems

Mr. Gonzalez is a highly sought-after information technology professional with over 25 years of experience. His career in financial services spans over a decade, specializing in systems gap analysis, cybersecurity, and business continuity strategy. Mr. Gonzalez draws on his subject matter expertise to provide customized IT solutions to meet the unique needs of each client. Mr. Gonzalez routinely exceeds regulatory requirements by implementing multi-layered cybersecurity strategies. His proficiency, dedication, and focus on enhanced cybersecurity, disaster recovery, and effective office technology have established him as a premier authority in the industry.

Joe James

Partner, Director of Projects

Mr. James has 20 + years of experience in information technology within the financial and private sectors. During most of his career, he has been an IT generalist focused on project management, working on large-scale infrastructure and cloud solution technologies. Mr. James has a deep understanding of SOX regulatory compliance, ISO standards, and quality. He also has an in-depth knowledge of NIST, SEC, and FINRA regulations.

Steffany Hofmeister

Director of People

Ms. Hofmeister has over 12 years of experience in human resources and people operations within information technology, government contracting, and retail operations. Her expertise spans talent acquisition and retention, culture and engagement, and operations and process improvement. She has led teams throughout her career, in roles including Director, Strategic People Partner, HR Business Partner, and Manager of Labor and Compliance. Ms. Hofmeister holds a Bachelor of Science from Kentucky Wesleyan College and a Master of Business Administration from Murray State University, as well as her SPHR certification from the HR Certification Institute and her SHRM-CP certification from the Society of Human Resource Management.

Bhawin Mistry

West Coast Director

Mr. Mistry has over 25 years of experience in information technology spanning multiple industries, such as semiconductors, software, healthcare, non-profit, hospitality, construction, and managed services. An experienced manager, he has led teams to support domestic and international organizations where strategic solutions were implemented to improve the user experience, reduce costs, and simplify support. Mr. Mistry has a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Management from the University of San Francisco, and an A.A.S. in Electrical Engineering Technology from Heald College. While working on mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures, Mr. Mistry obtained a PMI Certificate in Project and Program Management from the University of California at Santa Cruz.

Al Zerbini

Director of Finance

Mr. Zerbini has over 23 years of experience in finance and accounting, primarily as the Controller or Finance Director within manufacturing organizations. His expertise spans financial reporting and analysis, budgeting, cash flow analysis, supply chain management, and mergers and acquisitions. He is well versed in U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Mr. Zerbini holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Pittsburgh.