About Us

Avery began his career in 1992 on the exchange floor of the New York Board of Trade. In 2001 he started a full-service floor operation, providing execution services in sugar, coffee, cotton and cocoa futures and options. With his transition from the floor to electronic trading in 2008, Avery expanded his expertise to brokering options off the floor.

Avery is a member of the Intercontinental Exchange, and today facilitates a broad spectrum of execution services. He provides exceptional liquidity and price discovery to institutional clients, banks, fund-to-funds and hedge funds. Avery’s experience and knowledge of the soft and agricultural commodity markets make him a valuable key member of our organization.

Paul Gauger is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa. Paul has many years of experience on the CME and CBOT floors, trading in the S&P 500 pit and on the execution desks.  At Rosenthal Collins Group Paul worked with a diverse group of clients. Paul was with RCG for 18 years. Paul has managed the Sweet Futures execution desk and also served as an NFA registered account executive. Outside of work, Paul’s passion is coaching youth hockey, which he has been doing since 1995. He loves to tell co-workers and clients alike about the many championships his teams have won.

Michael Korn specializes in price execution in options exchange cleared contracts and energy futures. His experience is gleaned from time spent on the New York NYMEX, Chicago CME and London IPE and voice brokering. Michael began covering the crude oil options market on the NYMEX floor in 1986, on the very first day that energy options started trading. He holds a Series 3 license and takes pride in building long-term relationships with satisfied clients.

Thierry started working as a futures and FX broker in 2012 in Chicago. He joined Sweet Futures in September 2016 and oversees the international business of our group, with a focus on Europe and South America. Thierry deals with institutional and commercial clients, including foreign brokerage groups, proprietary trading groups, commodity merchandisers, and CTAs.Thierry graduated from ESSCA, a leading French Business School and holds a bachelor and a Master’s Degree in Finance. He also holds his Series 3 and 34.

Mark Lenkowski holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Illinois and began his career with an independent advisory firm where he managed options, equities and bond accounts. His first experience with futures was on the trading desk of Trade Station Securities, and in 2012, he began working as a trade desk manager with an IIB. Since then, he has worked with many companies which require high-frequency algorithmic trading.

Maxime Etchart is a registered member of the NFA with a focus on international clients. Having lived in Europe, Asia, and North America, he understands the intricacies of international business and dealing with different cultures. Maxime’s career began in the foodservice and manufacturing industries where he developed a deep understanding of the commodity markets. Maxime holds an MBA with a focus in Finance and a Series 3 certification. In addition, Maxime has over a decade of experience investing and managing portfolios.

Abbey joined Sweet Futures as a Senior Commodity Futures & OTC Broker in September 2021. Prior to joining the Sweet team she spent 7 years managing the Marketing department at a US Futures Commission Merchant where she planned events and created marketing content for the firm website, social medias, and in print to support the firm’s Exchange Cleared and OTC product sales objectives. As an Iowa native, Abbey is well versed in the agricultural space and has serviced many producers and consumers to facilitate their hedging trade operations. She holds a series 3 license with the National Futures Association.

Alternative Investment Professional with 40+ years’ experience in the Futures and Financial service industry. He has held senior level executive positions in Compliance, Operations and Marketing at industry leading global Futures Commission Merchants which include Cargill Investor Service (CIS), Bank of America, Refco Fund Holdings, Royal Bank of Canada to name a few. Leo has in depth experience in Managed Futures for 30+ years and has worked with some of the industry-leading CTAs in their emerging stage. His deep understanding of managing emerging CTA’s allows him to guide clearing, execution services, and capital introduction through allocation of public and private commodity pool operations. His current focus in operational trade execution solutions for domestic and global markets allows him to provide consulting services to institutional FCM’s, CTA/CPOs, IIB’s and RIA’s ( Registered Investment Advisors) in areas of sales, marketing, and capital introduction.

William Parnell specializes in showing businesses how to use commodity options to reduce risk, helping them to implement the hedging strategy that best fits their risk parameters. He was instrumental in developing the MERDER (Mexican Futures Market) and has also worked with the AMIB (La Asociación Mexicana de Intermediarios Bursátiles) as an adviser, developer, and certifier of traders. Bill has introduced many banks and brokerage houses to Chicago’s futures and options market. Bill has been a registered member of the National Futures Association since 2004.

Erik Serio has over 20 years of experience in commodity markets. Erik began his career trading electricity and went on to become VP of Global Risk at Aleris International, Inc, where he oversaw risk management for all commodities and foreign currency in a global portfolio. He holds a series 3 certification from the National Futures Association.

Ian Sweet is chief executive officer of Sweet Futures. He began his career as a CBOT runner in 1997, working in the soybean pit and running a commercial hedging desk. Three years later, Ian left the floor and founded the in-house brokerage division for Rosenthal Collins Group. In 2006, RCG made Ian a Futures Commission Merchant divisional partner, and in 2010, he became an Independent Introducing Broker to serve customers requiring services from other FCMs. Ian attributes his success to offering outstanding customer service and surrounding himself with employees who share his commitment to personal, professional service. Ian is a member of the Board of National Introducing Brokers Association. He is married and has five children, so spare time is at a premium, but he makes time for serving as a Cub Scout Leader and coaching AYSO girls’ soccer.

 

Aysheh Sweet joined Sweet Futures in 2011 with the goal of advancing her skills in the business and commodities world. She has the knowledge that’s needed to provide excellent support and leadership in our organization, ensuring success in the industry. Aysheh is the administrator for risk management, overseeing and implementing day-to-day operations relating to back-end equity run, customer service, and research. She facilitates wire transfers, account openings, and closings for clients, and establishes policies and procedures to comply with CFTC and NFA requirements. She is a valuable asset to our executive team.

Avery began his career in 1992 on the exchange floor of the New York Board of Trade. In 2001 he started a full-service floor operation, providing execution services in sugar, coffee, cotton and cocoa futures and options. With his transition from the floor to electronic trading in 2008, Avery expanded his expertise to brokering options off the floor.

Avery is a member of the Intercontinental Exchange, and today facilitates a broad spectrum of execution services. He provides exceptional liquidity and price discovery to institutional clients, banks, fund-to-funds and hedge funds. Avery’s experience and knowledge of the soft execution business make him a valuable key member of our organization.