Peter Wernau, Founder and CEO
Wernau Asset Management began operations in 2004 and was founded by Peter C. Wernau. Mr. Wernau is a value and GARP (growth at a reasonable price) investor and serves as the firm’s portfolio manager and CEO. Peter is also the head of the Wernau Family Office.
Mr. Wernau developed Wernau Asset Management’s value investing and GARP methodology focused on determining the intrinsic value and price targets of potential equity investments by estimating future earnings and free cash flow and attempting to buy stocks below a discounted valuation of those earnings. The methodology also evaluates the debt service requirements of fixed-income securities in an effort to evaluate the repayment and interest payment risk of potential investments in municipal, sovereign and corporate debt.
Peter participates as an active mentor and angel investor in the technology and mobile industry. His investments have included Crashlytics (acquired by Twitter in 2013), Awe.sm (acquired by Unified Social in 2014), Peekaboo Mobile (acquired by nSphere), Placester, Kinvey (Acquired by Progress Software in 2017), MyTime.com, Clypd (acquired by AT&T Xandr in 2019), TribeHR (acquired by NetSuite in 2013), Rekindle (acquired by HubSpot in 2015), MomentFeed (acquired by Uberall in 2021), Onswipe (acquired by Beanstock in 2014), Massive Damage, ContentMX, WEVO (private exit 2022) and Careport Health (acquired by Allscripts in 2016).
Mr. Wernau is involved in the Cape Ann community where he lives and works. He serves on the Board of Trustees of Rockport Music, and chairs the investment sub-committee. He was also appointed in 2006 by Gov. Mitt Romney and re-appointed by Gov. Deval Patrick in 2008 to serve two terms on the board of the Massachusetts Children’s Trust Fund. Peter also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of Brookwood School and chairs the advancement committee.
He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accountancy from the University of Notre Dame and has passed the Series 65 exam.
Jonathan Iannacone, CFO and Chief Compliance Officer
Jonathan Iannacone is CFO and Chief Compliance Officer responsible for leading all aspects of compliance at the firm, including managing the audit function and interacting with regulators. Jonathan oversees firm policies and supervisory procedures, ensuring that the firm mitigates risk and prioritizes compliance as part of its business initiatives.
Jonathan previously founded CFO consultancy Verge Advisors, where he developed deep expertise advising businesses on financial operations, fundraising, M&A transactions and strategic exits. He maintains a role as Founding Partner and Consulting CFO. His knowledge is particularly valuable to our business owner and family office clients, whose complex financial situations require a nuanced understanding of private business ownership and exit.
Jonathan received a BBA in Accountancy from the University of Notre Dame. He is Certified Public Accountant and an Investment Advisor Representative.