Mr. Ells is a Partner and Portfolio Manager in the Ares Credit Group, where he focuses on alternative credit investments. Additionally, he serves as a member of the Ares Credit Group's Pathfinder Core Investment Committee. Prior to joining Ares, Mr. Ells worked at Northwestern Mutual in various roles for fifteen years. Previously, he served as a Managing Director and Portfolio Manager for structured alternatives in Northwestern Mutual Capital. In addition, Mr. Ells served as a Vice President of Northwestern Mutual and Department Head for its Investment Strategy Department. Concurrently, he was the Chairman of the Board of Mason Street Advisors, the Company's Registered Investment Advisor and Chairman of the Board of Northwestern Mutual Series Funds, Inc., the Company's 40 Act Mutual Fund Company. Mr. Ells was also a board member of Northwestern Mutual Investment Management Company (NMIMC) and Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company, a state regulated trust bank. Prior to these roles, Mr. Ells was a Managing Director and Portfolio Manager for Mason Street Advisors, managing various funds and portfolios, including the company's pension plans. Mr. Ells also served as the President of Northwestern Mutual Series Fund, Inc. at this time. Mr. Ells also was a Director in Mason Street Advisors at Northwestern Mutual. Prior to Northwestern Mutual, Mr. Ells worked briefly for Imagine Reinsurance, a Bermuda based reinsurer, and Deerfield Capital, an Illinois based registered investment advisor. Mr. Ells began his career at Guggenheim Partners/The Liberty Hampshire Company. Mr. Ells holds a B.A. from Trinity College in Economics. He is a CFA® charterholder.