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Distressed & Special Situations Investing

Expert Distressed Debt Investment Management Services in New York

At Schultze Asset Management, LP, we specialize in distressed debt investment management services in New York, offering comprehensive solutions to navigate the complexities of distress investing. Our experienced team is dedicated to helping clients maximize returns by expertly managing distressed securities and distressed debt investing opportunities. 

Navigating the Complex World of Distress Investing

Distress investing involves acquiring debt or equity in financially troubled companies at a discount, with the potential for significant profits upon recovery. Our firm’s deep expertise in analyzing distressed assets allows us to identify unique opportunities within the distressed debt market that others might overlook. By leveraging our insights, investors benefit from well-informed strategies tailored to their risk tolerance and investment goals. 

Specialized Distressed Debt Investing Strategies

Our approach to distressed security investing focuses on rigorous due diligence and active portfolio management. We work closely with clients to understand their objectives and craft personalized plans that balance risk and reward. With extensive market experience, Schultze Asset Management, LP provides unparalleled guidance in selecting and managing distressed debt to optimize outcomes. 

Distressed debt investment management services in New York require precision, expertise, and a nuanced understanding of market dynamics. Partnering with Schultze Asset Management, LP guarantees access to cutting-edge resources and a proven track record in distressed investing, ensuring your investment journey is both strategic and successful. 

Julia Schultze

Julia Schultze is a finance professional with experience in investment operations, settlements, and derivatives valuation. She has worked at SMBC, BNY Mellon, and Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, supporting trade settlement, OTC derivatives pricing, reconciliation, risk monitoring, and investment lifecycle operations. Julia holds a B.A. in Economics and International Studies from Boston College, where she also studied abroad at Sciences Po University in Paris. She is professionally fluent in French and has a strong interest in financial markets, operational excellence, and data-driven decision-making.

Contributions and Responsibilities

At Schultze Asset Management, Julia supports a broad range of investment management and business operations initiatives. She conducts quantitative and qualitative research, assists with investment due diligence, analyzes financial and market data, and prepares reports to support portfolio management and strategic decision-making. Her responsibilities also include contributing to client communications, sales and marketing initiatives, strategic planning, and day-to-day business operations.

Personal Interests

Outside of the office, Julia enjoys staying active through squash, strength training, and spending time outdoors. She has a passion for travel and enjoys exploring new cultures. Julia values opportunities to build meaningful relationships through networking, mentorship, and community involvement.

Aarav Jhunjhunwala

Aarav Jhunjhunwala is an Analyst at Schultze Asset Management, LP. Aarav graduated from Fordham University in 2025 with a BA in Mathematics and Economics and a minor in Business Administration. He represented Fordham in Division 1 of the NCAA in the varsity squash team.

Yogesh D. Tiwari

Yogesh D. Tiwari has over 14 years of experience in the field of investment research. Throughout his career, he has specialized in special situations, particularly corporate restructuring and demerger of entities. Yogesh works as an outsourced financial analyst for Schultze Asset Management. 

Responsibilities and Accomplishments

In his previous roles, Mr. Tiwari was tasked with idea generation and presenting investment cases to the Investment Committee. He excelled at building KPI-driven financial models, preparing initiating coverage reports, providing event updates, and maintaining portfolio coverage for periodic earnings. His experience spans working with various clients on both the buy and sell-side engagements. 

Education

Mr. Tiwari holds an MBA in Finance, a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, and the CFA (Indian) designation. 

Bharat Tekwani

Bharat Tekwani has over seven years of experience in the credit research working with hedge funds and alternative asset managers across leveraged loans, high-yield, and investment-grade bonds. His coverage spans both U.S. and European geographies and is sector-agnostic.

Leadership and Management

Mr. Tekwani has successfully led teams of credit analysts, overseeing the provision of comprehensive credit research support for evaluating primary and secondary opportunities. His team’s deliverables typically encompass extensive financial modeling, the formulation of investment memos, and portfolio monitoring for clients. 

Special Situations Expertise

Mr. Tekwani’s expertise includes navigating special situations such as mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, LBOs, and distressed debt opportunities. He has a proven track record of delivering investment recommendations backed by detailed financial models, capital structure and pro forma analysis, IRR and sensitivity analysis, liquidity analysis, recovery analysis, debt maturity profile, and deleveraging analysis. Additionally, he has conducted covenant compliance stress testing. 

Valuation Techniques and Education

In addition to his extensive experience, Mr. Tekwani is well-versed in various valuation techniques, including DCF, SOTP, NAV, and relative valuation. He holds an MBA from the ICFAI Business School, Hyderabad, and a BA in Commerce from Shri Ram College of Commerce, Delhi. Bharat works as an outsourced project manager for Schultze Asset Management.   

Bryan Donovan 

Bryan Donovan a Vice President of Marketing and Investor Relations at Schultze Asset Management, LP. Before joining the firm, Bryan worked as a Business Intelligence Analyst at Quorum Federal Credit Union for over two years. His work consisted of financial analysis and measuring the success of various marketing campaigns. He also has experience working as a Financial Analyst at IBM in that company’s Cognitive Solutions Unit. 

Education

Bryan received his BA in Economics and an MBA in Marketing from Iona College. 

Scarlett W. Du

Scarlett Du is the General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer of Schultze Asset Management, LP. She provides advice and guidance on a range of legal, regulatory, and compliance matters. 

Career Background

Before joining Schultze Asset Management, LP, Ms. Du worked as an in-house attorney for the Reserve Fund, a money market mutual fund managing $120 billion in assets under management. She also worked in the New York office of Ropes & Gray, a major law firm. Prior to her private legal practice, Ms. Du clerked for a federal district judge in the Western District of Michigan. 

Earlier Experience

Before switching to law, Ms. Du worked in the accounting and audit field for nine years. Her experience includes working for Deloitte & Touche and major Wall Street institutions. Ms. Du is a certified New York State CPA. 

Education

Ms. Du holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Economics from City College, CUNY, and a Juris Doctor from Northwestern University School of Law. 

Ann Buscaglia

Ann Buscaglia is a partner at PKF O’Connor Davies and has over 20 years of tax experience. She works as an outsourced CPA for Schultze Asset Management where she oversees the outsourced preparation of the financial books and records for the company and several of its related entities. As a partner at PKF O’Connor, She works with a diverse client base in various industries. Sheprovides tax compliance and planning services to partnerships, corporations, individuals, trusts, not-for-profit organizations and foundations. Prior to joining the firm, Ann worked for a national accounting firm, after which she formed her own firm which practice was transitioned into PKF O’Connor Davies. Ann participates as an instructor in tax continuing professional education program and also contributes to the firm’s tax newsletters.

Previous Experience

Professional Affiliations & Civic Involvement

  • America Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
  • New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA)

Accreditations

  • Certified Public Accountant (New York)

Education

  • Ithaca College, Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting

Dean Crowder, III

Mr. Dean W. Crowder, III is the Global Head of Strategic Business Development at Schultze Asset Management, LP. For over 26 years, he has been representing hedge funds and alternative investments to global institutions and family offices. He helps lead Schultze’s overall marketing, sales, and client efforts while assisting in strategic business planning initiatives as the firm leverages its deep experience in event-driven, distressed, and special situations investing. 

Career Highlights

Mr. Crowder is widely recognized as a strategist and marketer of alternative investments. He has played a significant role in building brand recognition for investment managers internationally. His recent position was Managing Director and Global Head of Strategic Business Development for Rotella Capital Management, Inc., a systematic quantitative hedge fund.

Before joining Rotella, Mr. Crowder founded Alpha Alternative Investments, LLC, a Texas-based RIA providing consulting and representation of alternative investments. Additionally, he has held key positions such as Marketing Director at Vicis Capital, LLC, Managing Director of Institutional Sales for Asia & Europe at Kenmar Global Investment Management, and Director of Global Marketing at Alpha Investment Management, LLC, a hedge fund of funds later acquired by Safra Asset Management, Inc. 

Education

Mr. Crowder holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Michigan State University. 

Gary Julien

Gary M. Julien has over 20 years of experience in M&A, SPAC, and public and private equity investments across various industries. He is the Managing Director of Acquisitions at Schultze Asset Management, LP. From September 2018, he served as the Executive Vice President of Schultze Special Purpose Acquisition Corp. I. Mr. Julien also held the position of director from December 2018 until its business combination with Clever Leaves (NASDAQ: CLVR) in December 2020, where he currently sits on the board.  

GAMCO Investors, Inc.

Prior to joining Schultze Asset Management, LP, Mr. Julien led and supported M&A initiatives on behalf of entities controlled by Mario J. Gabelli, Chairman and CEO of GAMCO Investors, Inc. He was Executive Vice President of Corporate Development for PMV Acquisition Corp., LICT Corporation, and CIBL, Inc. 

Bronson Point Management

From November 2009 through 2014, Mr. Julien was the Senior Vice President at Bronson Point Management, an investment management firm. During his time there, he originated, oversaw, and analyzed public market investments, contributing to the firm’s growth from approximately $70 million in assets under management at launch in 2010 to $1.9 billion in 2014. 

Kanders & Company, Inc.

From 2007 to 2009, Mr. Julien led and supported M&A and corporate finance initiatives for Kanders & Company, Inc. and its affiliates. He held the position of Vice President of Corporate Development for Kanders & Company, Clarus Corp., and Highlands Acquisition Corp. 

Armor Holdings, Inc.

From 2003 to 2006, Mr. Julien was the Vice President of Corporate Development for Armor Holdings, Inc., an aerospace and defense company and a portfolio company of Kanders & Company. During his time there, he oversaw mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures, executing 15 transactions and investing approximately $1.2 billion. Under his leadership, Armor Holdings’ revenue grew from $305 million to $2.4 billion prior to its sale to BAE Systems plc in July 2007 for $4.5 billion. 

Global Crossing Ltd.

Mr. Julien also worked at Global Crossing Ltd., where he led and supported several M&A, joint ventures, and minority investments. 

Education

Mr. Julien holsa an MBA. with honors in Finance from Columbia Business School. He also holds a B.S. from the Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University. 

George J. Schultze

Mr. Schultze is the Managing Member and Founder of Schultze Asset Management, LP (SAM), an award-winning alternative investment firm. He chairs its Investment and Strategy Committees and, together with his team, makes the final decision on all investments for the portfolio. Since its founding, SAM has executed over $7.4 billion in total investment transactions.

Previous Boards and Committees

Mr. Schultze has previously served on the following boards and committees: 

 

  • American Plumbing & Mechanical, Inc. – Chairman of the Bondholders’ Committee
  • Armstrong World Industries, Inc. – Ad Hoc Committee of Debt Holders
  • Atkins Nutritional – Ad Hoc Bank Lenders’ Committee
  • Breed Technologies, Inc. – Trust Beneficiaries’ Ad Hoc Committee
  • Chrysler – Committee of Non-TARP 1st Lien Lenders
  • Clever Leaves (ticker: “CLVR”) – Chairman of Board of Directors
  • Collins & Aikman Corp. — Ad Hoc Bank Lenders’ Committee
  • Diamond Sports – Ad Hoc Secured Creditor Group
  • Endo International plc – 1st Lien Creditor Group
  • Fabrikant Inventory, LLC – Board of Directors
  • Fabrikant Receivables, LLC – Board of Directors
  • General Chemical Group, Inc. – Official Bondholders’ Committee
  • Hedge Fund Association – Vice President and Member of the Board of Directors
  • Home Products – Ad Hoc Bondholder Committee (2016)
  • Home Products – Board of Directors
  • Horizon Natural Resources – Pre-petition Senior Lenders’ Committee
  • Interstate Bakeries Corp. – Ad Hoc Senior Lenders’ Committee
  • Interstate Bakeries Corp. – Ad Hoc Trade Claimants’ Committee
  • Le Nature’s Inc. – Ad Hoc Committee of Secured Lenders
  • Le Nature’s Inc. Liquidation Trust – elected to Trust Board July 17, 2008
  • Lifescan Global Corp. – Ad Hoc Group of 1st Lien Term Loans
  • M. Fabrikant & Sons, Inc. — Bank Lenders’ Committee
  • Mallinckrodt plc – Supporting Unsecured Noteholders’ Group
  • National Cinemedia – Ad Hoc Secured Creditors’ Group
  • PG&E Corp. – Equity Backstop Group
  • Pineapple Grove Village Condominium Association, Inc. elected to Board October 15, 2008
  • Power Plumbing GP, Inc. – Board of Directors
  • Resurrection Church (Rye, NY) – elected to Investment Finance Committee
  • Resurrection Foundation (Rye, NY) – Board of Directors & Investment Committee
  • Schultze Special Purpose Acquisition Corp. (former ticker: SAMA) – CEO and Chairman of the Board
  • Schultze Special Purpose Acquisition Corp. II (former ticker SAMA) – CEO and Chairman of the Board
  • Tropicana Entertainment – elected to Litigation Trust Subcommittee July 2009
  • Tropicana Entertainment Opco – Secured Lenders’ Steering Committee
  • Tweeter Home Entertainment Group, Inc. – Post-petition Lenders’ Committee
  • Tweeter NewCo, LLC – Board of Directors
  • Twinlab Corp. – Ex Officio Bondholders’ Committee
  • Ultra Petroleum Corp. – Chairman of the Official Unsecured Creditors’ Committee
  • United Airlines – Ad Hoc Municipal Bondholders’ Committee (JFK Facility)
  • US Timberlands – Ad Hoc Bondholders’ Committee
  • Washington Group International – Ad Hoc Claim Holders’ Committee
  • Werner Holding Co., Inc. – Board of Directors
  • Werner Holding Co., Inc. – Second Lien Bank Debt Committee
  • Whitehall Jeweller’s Case – elected Chief Liquidating Officer for Fabrikant Claimants June 26, 2008
  • Windstream – 1st Lien Lenders Group                            

Current Boards and Committees

In addition to currently serving on the boards of directors for Schultze Asset Management’s related entities, Mr. Schultze currently serves on the following boards and committees: 

  • Office Properties Income Trust – Ad Hoc Secured Lenders’ Group
  • Schultze Foundation – Founder and Trustee

Expertise and Achievements

Mr. Schultze is widely recognized as an expert in distressed, event-driven, and special situations investing. He is frequently quoted in the media regarding high-profile reorganization cases. He is also the author of The Art of Vulture Investing, published by Wiley Finance. Additionally, he is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and graduate schools such as Harvard Business School. 

Prior to founding SAM, Mr. Schultze honed his activist distressed investing approach with MD Sass. He also has previous employment experience with Fiduciary Partners fund of funds, the Mayer Brown & Platt law firm, and Merrill Lynch. 

Education and Affiliations

Mr. Schultze is a joint graduate of Columbia Business School and Columbia Law School, holding a JD/MBA. He founded the Columbia Law School Investment Club and served as an editor for the Columbia Business Law Review. He has authored several papers, including “Negotiating the TWA Bankruptcy Restructuring,” “Tax Factors and ERISA Implications of Corporate Restructurings,” and “International Banking Law.”  

At Columbia, he placed second in the annual business school stock-picking contest. Mr. Schultze is a member of the Hermes Society of Columbia Business School and the 1754 Society of Columbia University. He is also a member of the Boston College Parents’ Leadership Council. 

Mr. Schultze earned a BA from Rutgers College with a joint major in Economics/Political Science and received the Henry Rutgers Scholar distinction. While at Rutgers, he won The Wall Street Journal Award for Excellence in Economics and placed first in the AT&T Annual Stock Picking Contest. 

Personal Life

Although born and raised in the USA, Mr. Schultze is fluent in German and Spanish. He currently resides in Rye, NY, and has six children. He enjoys numerous sports, including kiteboarding, skiing, golf, and squash.