Gelber is based in Chicago. They have a small office in LA to accommodate a few traders that moved out there. Gelber is NOT a quant shop.
Like I said, they have a "small" west coast office. They are based in Chicago. And quite frankly, their Chicago office is almost non existent now as well. I've had 3 friends interview there.
One aspect may be found in the (lack of relevant) qualification of people in LA ... if you want to stick in CA, take a look around the bay area...
What's Gelber? First Quadrant. I'm not too sure about the question. Are you looking purely to network or to find employment? If the former, it doesn't matter so much the physical location as does the events that you get involved in. Based on my personal experience, I've gotten less networking done at Chicago/NY than at my base of operations and conferences along the east coast. If you only want to be in LA, the best I can suggest is FQ. KCG has a small office in LA. If you're fine with IB back office as a first step, I think Houlihan Lokey has a programming position in LA. I'd check with Credit Suisse and UBS LA too, although the latter have been taking a lot of flak lately. If you're fine with SF, I'd try GMO or Headlands. SIG and Wolverine have small presences and limited vacancies. Edit: Just reminded, Peak6 probably has a presence in SF too. If you're fine with being on the tech side, Fidessa also has occasional market access development positions. There are probably more that I don't know about (Gelber?). But for the ones above, PM me if you need any color.
I spent some time in LA--and have an uncle in bev hills---- there is zero competition for hedge funds---most of the HNW that I spoke to were very naive about investments -- very unlike my experience in NYC where everyone is or thinks they are an investment wizard. The vibe is radically different, its almost like another planet in CA. surf
Sorry, but this is incorrect. If it was true, you wouldn't have some of the very best in places such as Purchase, Stamford, Philadelphia, Sydney, Minneapolis, East Setauket. And of course, First Quadrant is indeed a premier shop.