Michael Higgins

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC (Credit Suisse Securities USA) is the broker/dealer division of Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, an investment banking company headquartered in New York City. The firm was founded in 1998 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Credit Suisse (USA), Inc., ultimately owned by Credit Suisse Group AG (SWX: CSGN) in Switzerland. Credit Suisse Securities USA offers a suite of equities, solutions and credit products and services which includes global securities sales, trading and execution, prime brokerage and comprehensive investment research. Their clients include financial institutions, corporations, governments, institutional investors, such as pension funds and hedge funds, and private individuals around the world.

JPMorgan Investment Management, Inc. (JPMIM) is a global, SEC-registered investment advisor headquartered in New York City. The firm was founded in 2000 as the result of Chase Manhattan's purchase of Robert Fleming Holdings and the subsequent merger of Chase and JPMorgan. In January 2010, JPMorgan Investment Advisors merged into JP Morgan Investment Management. JPMIM is a subsidiary of JPMorgan Asset Management Holdings, Inc., ultimately owned by JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM). The firm primarily provides investment advisory services to both US and non-US institutional and retail clients.

Mason Street Advisors LLC (MSA) is a SEC-registered investment advisor headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The firm was founded in 2001 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. MSA provides professional portfolio management services for institutional investors by providing continuous investment advice and management based upon the individual needs and objectives of each client.

Wellington Management Co. LLP (WMC) is a registered investment advisor and mutual fund manager headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. The firm was founded in 1928 and is a subsidiary of Wellington Investment Advisors Holdings LLP, ultimately held by Wellington Management Group LLP. WMC offers investment management services for a fee to separate account clients and mutual funds sponsored by unaffiliated parties, as well as to investment vehicles that the firm sponsors.

Public Ventures LLC is a registered broker-dealer headquartered in Dallas, Texas. The firm was founded by Christopher Marlett and Anthony DiGiandomenico in 1997. They are a wholly-owned subsidiary of MDB Capital Holdings LLC. Public Ventures offers Go-to-Market Strategy, Market Assessments, Revenue Generation and Product Strategy for technology companies that targets the Public Sector.

NWQ Investment Management Co. LLC (NWQ) is an investment advisory firm headquartered in Los Angeles, California. The firm was founded in 1982 and is a subsidiary of Nuveen NWQ Holdings LLC, ultimately held by Nuveen Investments, Inc. NWQ provides investment advisory services to a wide variety of retail and high net-worth individual and institutional clients, such as corporate and multi-employer plans, charitable organizations, educational institutions, trust accounts, estates, corporations or other business entities, banks and thrift institutions, insurance companies, governments and municipalities. Additionally, the firm provides investment sub-advisory services to affiliated and unaffiliated open-end and closed-end investment companies, CITs, and UCITS Funds.

Thrivent Investment Management, Inc. (Thrivent) is a SEC-registered investment advisor and fund manager headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The firm was founded in 1986 and is a subsidiary of Thrivent Financial Holdings, Inc., itself a subsidiary of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, a faith-based, not-for-profit membership organization and financial services firm. Thrivent provides investment management and advisory services to individuals, trusts, estates, non-profit organizations, corporations and other business entities.

Allspring Global Investments LLC (Allspring) is a SEC-registered investment advisor headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. Prior to November 1, 2021, the firm was known as Wells Capital Management, Inc. They are a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC, ultimately held by Allspring Group Holdings LLC. Allspring provides investment management services to mutual funds, private funds, collective investment trusts (CITs), pooled vehicles, and other institutional clients and high net-worth individuals.

North Star Asset Management, Inc. (NSAM) is an independent, SEC-registered investment advisor headquartered in Neenah, Wisconsin. The firm was founded in 1996 by Kenneth Brusda, Michael Flesch, Geoffry Penn, David Risgaard and Eric Richter. NSAM provides investment advice on a discretionary/non-discretionary basis to individual and institutional clients.

Cantor Fitzgerald Securities (CFS) is a financial services provider headquartered in New York City and was founded in 1945. They are a subsidiary of Cantor Fitzgerald LP and their ultimate parent is CF Group Management, Inc. CFS offers an array of financial products and services in the equity and fixed-income capital markets. The firm provides sales and trading, investment banking, asset management, market commentary and market data.

UBS Securities LLC is an investment bank and registered broker/dealer headquartered in New York City. The firm was founded in 1998 as UBS Warburg LLC. They are a subsidiary of UBS Americas Holding LLC, ultimately held by UBS Group AG (SWX: UBSG, NYSE: UBS) in Switzerland. UBS Securities is a primary dealer in US Government securities and provides a full range of investment banking services which includes corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, trading and sales, fixed-income, equity research, private banking, underwriting and prime brokerage operations. The firm also provides advisory services and access to capital markets for corporate, institutional, intermediary and alternative asset management clients.

Piper Sandler & Co. (Broker) (PSC-Broker) is the full-service brokerage division of Piper Sandler & Co., a financial service firm headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They are a subsidiary of Piper Sandler Companies (NYSE: PIPR). The firm was founded in 1969 and previously known as Piper Jaffray & Co. They became Piper Sandler & Co. when Piper Jaffray Companies and Sandler O’Neill & Partners, L.P. merged to become Piper Sandler Companies in 2020. PSC-Broker provides brokerage and investment banking services to financial institutions, corporations and other financial investors. Their core focus sectors are Agriculture, renewables & cannabis, Business services, Chemicals & Materials, Consumer, Diversified industrials & services, Energy, Financial services, financial sponsors, Healthcare, and Technology.

Madison Asset Management LLC (Madison) is an independent registered investment advisor headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin. The firm was founded by Frank Burgess in 1974 and is a subsidiary of Madison Investment Holdings, Inc. Madison provides individual and institutional clients a range of investment strategies across mutual funds, managed accounts and customized investment portfolios.

Founded in 1984, Noble Financial Capital Markets is a broker/dealer headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida. The firm is a subsidiary of Noble Financial Group, Inc. Noble Financial Capital Markets' sales & trading team provides strategic insight and reliable solutions to nearly 500 of the dominant small-cap money managers in North America. They are members FINRA, SIPC and MSRB. Noble Financial Capital Markets offers a full array of investment services with a particular focus on under-followed, undervalued, out-of-favor small-cap emerging growth companies. Their research coverage universe includes healthcare, business services & software, defense/defense technology, energy, enterprise hardware, and media & entertainment.

Cornell University is an educational institution that offers undergraduate and post graduate programs. It was founded in 1865 and is based in Ithaca, NY.

Dana Investment Advisors, Inc. (Dana) is an independent, SEC-registered investment advisor headquartered in Waukesha, Wisconsin. The firm was founded by Michael Dana in 1980. Dana provides investment supervisory services to qualified pension and profit-sharing plans, Taft Hartley plans, unions, financial institutions such as banks and credit unions, insurance companies, public sector entities such as cities and counties, health care facilities, corporations, charitable foundations and other charitable organizations, and certain high net -worth individuals. They also act as an investment manager for multiple wrap fee programs that are sponsored by third party institutions. Dana is a socially responsible investor and signatory to the UN Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI).

Nuveen Asset Management LLC (NAM) is a SEC-registered investment advisor headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The firm was founded in 2011 and is a subsidiary of Nuveen Fund Advisors LLC, which is ultimately owned by TIAA Board of Governors. NAM provides investment advisory and sub-advisory services to a broad range of individual and institutional clients, such as open-end and closed-end investment companies and other pooled investment vehicles.

Founded in 1988 by Richard Messina, the Benchmark Co. LLC is a full-service broker/dealer headquartered in New York City. The firm provides equity research, sales and trading services for institutional and private clients. They focus on the media, energy, enterprise software, infrastructure software, biotechnology, specialty pharmaceuticals, REITs, Internet and communications sectors. The Benchmark Co.'s clearing agent is JP Morgan Clearing Corp.

BMO Capital Markets Corp. (Broker) is the broker/dealer division of BMO Capital Markets Corp., a full-service North American financial services provider headquartered in New York City. The firm was founded in 1998 and is a subsidiary of BMO Financial Corp., which is owned by Bank of Montreal (NYSE, TSX: BMO) in Canada. BMO Capital Markets offers corporate, institutional and government clients access to a variety of products and services including equity and debt underwriting, corporate lending and project financing, merger and acquisitions advisory services, merchant banking, securitization, treasury and market risk management, debt and equity research and institutional sales and trading.

Jefferies LLC is a global investment bank and institutional securities firm headquartered in New York City. The firm was founded in 1962 and is a subsidiary of Jefferies Group LLC, ultimately held by Jefferies Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: JEF). Jefferies provides corporate clients with research and execution services in equity, fixed income, and foreign exchange markets, as well as a full range of investment banking services such as underwriting, mergers and acquisitions, restructuring and recapitalization, and other advisory services, with all businesses operating in the Americas, Europe and Asia.

Part of American Family Insurance Mutual Holding Co., American Family Insurance Co. offers business and personal insurance coverage options for homes, offices, autos, and life. The company is based in Madison, WI. The company's services include markdowns for switching to American Family, savings that reward safe habits, and bundling insurance for maximum savings. American Family Insurance has been protecting the dreams of its clients for nearly 90 years and has brand ambassadors who inspire others to dream fearlessly.

State Bar of Wisconsin operates as a bar association. The private company is based in Madison, WI and has subsidiaries in United States.

Digi-Key Corp. distributes electronic components. It also distributes semiconductors, discrete, electromechanical parts. Its products include audio products, batteries, cable assemblies, capacitors, computer & video accessories, connectors, crystals & oscillators, discrete semiconductor products and many more. The company was founded by Ronald A. Stordahl in 1972 and is headquartered in Thief River Falls, MN.

Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. (Broker) (Oppenheimer-Broker) is the global full-service brokerage division of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc., an investment boutique headquartered in New York City with additional offices nationwide. Founded in 1975, the firm is owned directly by Viner Finance Inc., an indirect subsidiary of Oppenheimer Holdings Inc. (NYSE: OPY). Oppenheimer-Broker offers a full array of brokerage services to retail, institutional, and corporate clients.

Thrivent Asset Management LLC (TAM) is a SEC-registered investment advisor headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Founded in 2005, the firm is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Thrivent Financial Holdings, Inc., which in turn is a wholly owned subsidiary of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, a faith-based, not-for-profit membership organization and financial services firm. TAM provides investment advisory services to the Thrivent Mutual Funds, a registered investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 that is comprised of various mutual fund series.

Ladenburg Thalmann & Co., Inc. provides investment baking and brokerage services. The firm also provides asset and wealth management, underwriting, alternative investments and advisory services. It serves emerging growth companies and high net worth individuals. The company was founded in 1876 and is headquartered in New York, NY.

American Bar Association provides legal services. It provides law school accreditation, continuing legal education, legal information and other services to assist legal professionals. The firm has members which include judges, court administrators, law professors, and non-practicing attorneys. The company was founded on August 21, 1878 and is headquartered in Chicago, IL.

The District of Columbia Bar provides legal services. The private company is based in Washington.

National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative engages in the provision of telecommunications and information technology services. It offers broadband, smart grid, mobile voice and data, and video solutions. The company was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Herndon, VA.

Silatronix, Inc. develops and manufactures highly stable organosilicon electrolytes for advanced lithium-ion batteries and capacitors. It is commercializing a new class of patented materials based on organosilicon compounds that are environmentally friendly, non-flammable, high temperature materials suited for use as electrolytes, binders, and coatings in energy storage devices. The firm’s organosilicon compounds are used in rechargeable and non-rechargeable lithium-ion batteries and lithium based electrochemical systems. The company founded by Winslow L. Sargeant, Robert C. West and Robert Hamers in 2007 and is headquartered in Madison, WI.

Founded in 1935, Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. (India) is a company that provides securities brokerage services. Part of Morgan Stanley, the company is based in Mumbai, India.

Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. (Investment Portfolio) (MetLife-IM) is the insurance management division of Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., which is owned by MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), a global provider of insurance, annuities and employee benefit programs. The firm is headquartered in New York City with additional office in Morristown, New Jersey. MetLife-IM offers group dental benefit plans for individuals, employees, retirees and their families and provides dental plan administration for over 20 million people. The firm provides disability products for individuals, as well as employee and association groups who receive them through their employer.