Meet Your OTA Instructors - Craig Weil

Craig Weil

How did you become a trader?

Everyone has “sliding doors” in their lives that they walkthrough, and it changes their personal trajectory forever.  I walked through one at the age of 24 in 1974. 

I was invited to play in an indoor tennis game that winter in Chicago with three other acquaintances, two of which were Soybean Traders at the Chicago Board of Trade (now CME Group).  One of them suggested that there was a new exchange in a town called the Chicago Board Options Exchange and felt that it was going to be the “next big thing” in trading. He urged me to check it out, and although I did not know one thing about the markets and trading, I did. With the support of my wife, Shari, I found myself six months later quitting my job and standing on the floor of the CBOE, and the rest is history. I spent 15 years there and another 20 at the CME as an independent floor trader.

How long have you been with OTA, and why do you teach?

I have been affiliated with OTA for around 13 years now. As a floor trader, we knew that the electronic revolution would eventually be the death knell of floor trading, so to prepare myself for the transition, I knew I had to get some education on technical analysis, which was not needed on the trading floor. One of my closest friends, Michael Young (also an instructor and a great one), discovered a financial education company in Irvine that taught 7-day classes in stock trading. We both went out separately and took the class and loved it. About 10 years ago, I was invited to become an instructor to teach Core Strategy and Futures.

I absolutely fell in love with teaching for several reasons.  For the first time in my life, I was able to share my experiences with students who wanted to learn trading skills! That blew me away. The other thing that changed me as a person, was meeting so many new and wonderful people from all different walks of life and vocations. Something I did not experience in my 35 years on the trading floor.

The students are awesome! Their bars are so high as people, and I am personally committed to do anything I can to help them both in the classroom and outside of it.

What is your biggest accomplishment?

My biggest accomplishment has nothing to do with trading!  At the age of 23 (Shari was 20), we got married and just celebrated 47 years together a few days ago. We have 3 wonderful daughters and 4 grandchildren. She is my best friend and still so much fun to be with. I truly feel that is the greatest accomplishment in my life.

What is one thing no one would guess about you?

Fun fact! Not too many of my colleagues and students would know that I have had 7 holes in one as a golfer!  I’m not that good!

For educational purposes only. Trading is risky and you can lose money.