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Fund Times

Meridian's Aster Passes Away

Management has announced succession plans.

Feb 17, 2012

Aster Investment Management, the subadvisor for Meridian Growth (MERDX) and Meridian Value (MVALX), announced on Feb. 17, 2012, the death of its founder, Richard F. Aster, Jr. According to the firm's website, Aster was born in southern California and earned both undergraduate and graduate degrees in economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He worked in the United States Treasury and at Newburger, Loeb & Company before starting Aster Investment Management in 1977. He launched Meridian Growth in 1984 and ran it until his untimely death. He was also the comanager of Meridian Value. The firm, which was majority owned by Aster, announced that James England, a comanager at Meridian Value since 2001, will take over running both funds along with Meridian Equity Income (MEIFX). William Tao and James O'Connor will continue as comanagers on the funds.

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