Paul C. Christopherson

Bear, Stearns & Co., Inc. is a global investment banking, securities trading and brokerage firm located in New York City with additional offices in Dallas, Boston and San Francisco. The firm is a subsidiary Bear Sterns Cos., Inc. (NYSE: BSC). Their equity research team consists of senior analysts located throughout the world. In addition to domestic coverage, they have research teams focusing on Latin America, Asia and Europe. The analysts use a bottom-up approach to stock selection. The Bear Stearns fixed-income research department provides coverage of every sector of the fixed-income universe. The financial analytics and structured transactions group (F.A.S.T) provides investment research, fixed-income portfolio management and analytical systems, trading technology and general financial expertise. The group also provides a broad range of services to financial institutions including asset-liability management, balance sheet restructuring, receivables-based financing analysis, security and portfolio analysis, peer analysis, and historical and real-time market-based information.

Kidder, Peabody & Co., Inc. provides security brokerage services. The private company is based in Buffalo, NY and has subsidiaries in Switzerland. The company was founded by Thomas W. Ostrander.

Founded in 1979 by Ralph Worthington and several other senior officers of Blyth Eastman Dillon, Gilford Securities, Inc. is an investment banking firm and registered broker/dealer located in New York City. The firm provides a variety of services to corporations, individuals and institutions. Their research approach is based on fundamental analysis and seeks to remain attentive to market sentiment. Gilford Securities seeks to provide sound financial advice that translates into superior returns for their clients. The firm's research efforts focus concentrates on small/mid-cap growth ideas, specifically, niche/international leaders that stand to benefit from long-term secular trends. Gilford Securities' research coverage includes spans multiple industries, with primary emphasis on the following sectors: (1) information technology and e-Commerce (2) energy (3) retail, consumer and specialty (4) chemicals and pharmaceuticals (5) clean technology and alternative energy and (6) consumer and business services.

Founded in 1992 by Paul Christopherson, New Vernon Associates, Inc. is an independent investment research firm and SEC-registered broker/dealer located in Parsippany, New Jersey. The firm is affiliated with private equity firm New Vernon Capital LLC. New Vernon Associates provides services exclusively to institutional investors. Their research coverage focuses primarily on the chemicals, biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors.