Rob S. Naka

Mr. Rob S.
Naka is Senior Vice President-Operations at Forward Management LLC.
Prior to joining Forward Management in July 27, 2009, Mr. Naka served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for the ING Funds and its affiliates (representing over 200 open- and closed-end funds, as well as variable annuity funds) in the company's Scottsdale, AZ office.
Mr. Naka began his investment career in the Mortgage Banking industry in 1986 with Colwell Financial (later known as Southmark Mortgage), working in Secondary Marketing and Accounting.
In 1989, he joined the Pilgrim Group as a Mutual Fund Compliance Accountant.
He worked in various capacities within the firm and in 1997, he was promoted to Senior Vice President of Operations which encompassed Transfer Agent responsibilities and included management of Information Technologies, Human Resources, Facilities, Separately Managed Accounts and Operational Risk Management.
Additionally, Mr. Naka guided a series of acquisitions and mergers that resulted in the current slate of 200 ING Funds.
In 2006 he was promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for ING's Mutual Fund Business.
Mr. Naka holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, San Diego in Economics and Political Science.