Brian C. Yerger

Jesup & Lamont Securities Corp. is broker/dealer headquartered in New York City. The firm is a subsidiary of Jesup & Lamont, Inc. (AMEX: JLI), formerly Empire Financial Holding Co., a New York City-based full-service brokerage and investment banking firm that specializes in institutional, retail sales, trading services and equity research. Jesup & Lamont, Inc. was founded in 2000, but traces its roots to the 1877 partnership between James Jesup and Lansing Lamont. Jesup & Lamont Securities Corp. provides institutional and retail sales and trading services, equity research and asset management for institutions and high net-worth individuals. The firm's corporate finance activities include mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, acquisition finance, restructurings and other corporate finance matters. Their research covers the following areas in the US and abroad: biotechnology, industrials, specialty retail, aerospace/defense, alternative energy, oil & gas, restaurants, technology, transportation and special situations. Jesup & Lamont provides fundamental analysis of companies and sectors and also employs strategists and technical analysts to provide comprehensive research insights.

Ben Franklin Technology Partners /Ventures/ (Ben Franklin Tech Partners) is a venture Capital firm founded in 1982. The firm is headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.