Co-Chief Executive Officer
Max Babka
Max Babka is a senior from Herndon, Virginia studying Computer Science. Before serving as co-CEO, he was a gasoline analyst and energy division head. This past summer, he interned at Bridgewater Associates as an investment implementation associate intern. He enjoys hiking, camping, and gardening in his free time.
Co-Chief Executive Officer
Gabriel Plichta
Gabe Plichta is a senior from Roanoke, Virginia majoring in Finance, focusing on Commodity and Futures Sales and Trading. This past summer, Gabe interned with Morgan Stanley Prime Brokerage. In his free time, Gabe works for ESPN and ACCN as a Production Assistant.
Chief Financial Officer
Paul Papillo
Paul Papillo is a senior from Frederick, Maryland studying Finance and Accounting. Before serving as CFO he worked as a analyst trading gold and silver as well as was the metals division head. This past summer Paul interned at Wealthstream Advisors as a financial planning intern. He enjoys playing golf, hiking, and watching sports in his free time.
Energy Division Head
Ian Rees
Ian is a junior studying national security and foreign policy at Virginia Tech. Last summer Ian worked as a Summer Research Analyst for Anthem where he Synthesized open source qualitative/quantitative information using high level research and writing skills to provide timely and effective analysis of new unemployment trends spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic. Outside of COINS Ian does research at the Hume Center for National Security and Technology.
Metals Division Head and Professional Development Head
Diego Negron
Originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, Diego is a junior majoring in finance. He served as a gold analyst prior to becoming head of the metals division and professional development. For the past summers, Diego has interned in both private equity and investment banking, with his most recent experience being in the Mergers & Acquisitions Group at Bank of America.
Agriculture Division Head
Kolby Partin
Kolby is a graduate student studying Agricultural and Applied Economics from Dinwiddie, Virginia. He is a wheat analyst and Agriculture Division Head. Outside of COINS, he was a Combat Medic in the U.S. Army and this last summer was a sales and agri-intelligence intern for Helena Agri-Enterprises in Bloomsburg, PA.
Social Development Head
Katie McGroddy
Katie McGroddy is a second year masters student studying Agricultural and Applied Economics. She currently serves as a COINS Graduate Fellow and the Social Development Chair. Katie is a Gasoline Analyst in COINS and used her experience in the Energy Division at her internship working for Castleton Commodities International this past summer.
Quantitative Division Head
Maximo de Leon
Maximo de Leon is a junior from Reston, Virginia studying Mathematics. Before serving as the quantitative research division head, he was a soybean analyst. This past summer, he interned at Citigroup on the Global Spread Products Portfolio Trading desk and on the U.S. Treasuries Trading desk.