New Energy Symposium - Daniel Scotto Bio

Daniel Scotto

Whitehall Financial Advisors LLC
Senior Energy Analyst

Dan Scotto has had an unprecedented career on Wall Street - for nine consecutive years, Scotto ranked “First Team” in Institutional Investor’s ALL-AMERICAN analyst survey.  He was asked to asses the financial risks surrounding the 1979 Three Mile Island nuclear accident, and the financial collapse of Enron. Moreover, he was appointed as the Examiner in the National Energy & Gas Transmission bankruptcy and Financial Integrity Witness for Pacific Gas & Electric.  In addition, as Director of Research at L. F. Rothschild, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, and Bear Stearns, he elevated each research department to “First Team” according to Institutional Investor’s annual fixed income survey.

Research History

Mr. Scotto began his career at S&P in the Corporate Bond Rating division, having primary analytical responsibilities for all “regulated” industries: electric/natural gas utilities, telephone companies, Rail Roads, and Airlines.  In 1982, L. F. Rothschild’s (LFR) hired Mr. Scotto as Director of Corporate Bond Research and Senior Utility Analyst and Managing Director/Partner, where he remained through the LFR Bankruptcy in 1988. Mr. Scotto and his research team joined DLJ as Director of High Grade and High Yield Research.  In 1994, Mr. Scotto moved to Bear Stearns & Co, responsible for Global Fixed Income Research and retaining his analytical responsibilities.  BNP Paribas sought out Mr. Scotto to form a top-rank high-grade research department in April 2000 and remained the firm’s Senior Utility Analyst.  Scotto’s views on the energy industry frequently appeared in The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, CNBC, Forbes, and Public Utility Fortnightly as well as sponsored conferences on Structural changes in the Electric Utility Industry:

 

2006 Energy Hedge Funds: Market Makers or Market Breakers?

  • 2005 Public Utility Holding Act Is It Really Time for Change?

1998 Shattered Expectations:  Electric Utility Restructuring

  • 1997 Securitization of Utility Assets
  • 1996 Electric Utility Restructuring: Joint Conference Weil Gotshal & Manges
  • 1996 Breaking Up Is Hard to Do: Releasing Power Plants from Mortgages 

Investment Banking Activities

Scotto also has extensive investment banking project experience - of particular note, was his role as the Senior Regulator/Company negotiator when the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) acquired Long Island Lighting Co. (LILCO).  The list of other Investment Banking assignments includes Western Resources “reprofiling,” restructuring of Tucson Electric, and representing Sale-Lease Back Bondholders (SLOB) in El Paso Electric’s bankruptcy.  Mr. Scotto has advised both Presidential Candidates in the 2000 election:  Al Gore on expanding the “green energy,” Nation Energy Policy options.  In 2001, Administration Officials sought Mr. Scotto’s counsel on California’s energy crisis and potential long-term implications for Energy supply and prices.  A sample of Mr. Scotto’s Rate Case, Legislative, and Financial Integrity Testimony is:

  • Southeast State Treasures Association: Budgetary Impact of Deregulation
  • National Conference of State Legislators: Utility Deregulation
  • Securitization Report (February 1997), included as Draft Texas legislation
  • TexasUtilities Electric: Financial Integrity Testimony
  • Long Island Lighting Company: Financial Integrity Testimony 

Educational Background

Mr. Scotto holds an MBA in Finance from Pace University (With Honors) and a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Francis College.  Additional Contact Information:  danielscotto@optonline.net