Derek M. Pauling

Värde Partners, Inc. provides investment advisory services. It serves foundations and endowments, pension plans, insurance companies, other institutional investors and private clients. The company was founded by George G. Hicks, Gregory Scott McMillian and Marcia Lynn Page in 1993 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, MN.

Sit Investment Associates, Inc. (Sit Investment) is a privately-owned, SEC-registered investment advisor headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The firm was founded by Eugene Sit in 1981. Sit Investment manages client assets on a discretionary basis for several types of clients, which includes public and private institutional investors, pension funds, Taft-Hartley plans, charitable institutions, foundations, endowments, corporations, insurance companies, municipalities, registered investment companies, private investment companies, collective investment trusts and high-net-worth individuals.

Speece Thorson Capital Group, Inc. (Speece Thorson) is an independent, SEC-registered investment advisor headquartered in Minnetonka, Minnesota. The firm was founded in 1992 as Speece, Lewis, Thorson, Inc. Speece Thorson specializes in mid to small-cap value equity account management for institutions and high net worth families.

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans operates as a not-for-profit membership organization of Christians, which engages in the provision of investment advisory services. It offers life insurance, annuities and mutual funds, student and educational resources, charitable planning, and trust services. The company was founded in June 2001 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, MN.

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. (Broker) (CGMI-Broker) is the broker/dealer division of Citigroup Global Markets, Inc., an investment bank headquartered in New York City with additional offices across the US. The firm was founded in 2004 and is a subsidiary of Citigroup Financial Products, Inc., ultimately held by Citigroup, Inc. (NYSE: C). CGMI-Broker covers all market capitalizations of the major global indices and provides macro and quantitative analysis of global markets and sector trends. Their core focus of the group is to help investing clients make informed decisions by providing value-added, independent, insightful analysis.

Wells Fargo Bank, NA provides investment advisory services. It offers banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer finance services. The company is headquartered in Sioux Falls, SD.

Okabena Investment Services, Inc. (OIS) is a SEC-registered investment advisor and multi-family office headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The firm is a wholly owned subsidiary of Okabena Co. (OC), a family office which was founded in 1967 to provide a variety of financial services to the founding family. OC created OIS in 1994 to house its investment function going forward. OIS offers investment advisory services to tax-exempt organizations such as charities, foundations and endowments as well as to other high-net worth families and individuals. The firm also serves as the sponsor, manager, and discretionary investment adviser to private investment funds (OIS Private Funds).

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.

US Bancorp Asset Management, Inc. (USBAM) is a registered investment advisor headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The firm was founded in March 2001 and formerly known as FAF Advisors, Inc. They are a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of US Bank National Association, which is owned by US Bancorp (NYSE: USB), a diversified financial holding company. USBAM provides investment advisory services through managed accounts to institutional clients, money market mutual funds, and privately offered investment fund.

Goldner Hawn Johnson & Morrison Inc. (Goldner Hawn Johnson) is a private equity firm is founded by Van Zandt Hawn, Timothy Daniel Johnson, John Lewis Morrison, and Michael Goldner in 1989. The firm is headquarter in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Galliard Capital Management LLC (Galliard) is a SEC-registered investment advisor and holding firm headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The firm was founded in 1995 by Richard Merriman, John Caswell and Karl Tourville. They are a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC, ultimately owned by Allspring Group Holdings LLC. Galliard designs fixed income and stable value solutions for institutional investors.

Feltl & Co. is a securities brokerage and investment banking firm located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They focus on emerging growth companies, primarily located in the Upper Midwest. They are comprised of two major business lines: the private client group serves individual investors, providing advice on stocks, the equity capital markets group encompasses corporate finance, equity research, institutional equity sales, and equity trading. They are a member of the NASD.

Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC (Craig-Hallum) is an employee-owned, idea-driven research, trading and investment banking firm headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The firm was founded by Bradley Baker and Kevin Harris in 1997. Craig-Hallum provides research, institutional sales and trading and investment banking services to institutional investors and growth companies.

Northland Securities, Inc. (NSI) is a dually registered, full-service broker dealer and investment advisor headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The firm was founded in 2002 and is owned by Northland Capital Holdings, Inc., which was acquired by First National of Nebraska, Inc. (OTCMKTS: FINN) in 2023. NSI is actively engaged in buying and selling securities for its own account as well as for clients.

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.

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.

GREAT NORTH CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LP (Great North Ventures) is a venture capital firm founded in 2017 by Ryan J Weber, Robert J Weber and James DonFrancesco. The firm is headquartered in Maple Grove, Minnesota.

Accredited Investors, Inc., dba Accredited Investors Wealth Management (AIWM), is an independent. SEC-registered investment advisor and wealth management firm headquartered in Edina, Minnesota. The firm was founded by Ross Levin and Willis T. Heupel in 1987. AIWM provides advisory services to individuals and families, trusts, foundations and endowments, charitable organizations, pension and profit-sharing plans (other than plan participants), and corporations or other businesses.

RBC Capital Markets LLC is a full-service brokerage and financial services firm headquartered in New York City. They are a direct subsidiary of RBC USA Holdco Corp. and a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Royal Bank of Canada (TSE, NYSE: RY). Founded in 2010, the firm is comprised of 3 major business lines: the Private Client Group, the Fixed-Income Group and the Clearing and Execution Services Group. The Private Client Group serves individual investors, while the Fixed-Income Group provides services to institutions, municipalities and non-profit organizations. The Clearing and Execution Services Group is a provider of clearing and execution services to independent brokers/dealers throughout the US. RBC Capital Markets focuses on the following sectors: communications, media, consumer/retail, diversified industries, energy, financial institutions, forest products, healthcare, infrastructure finance, mining & metals, real estate, social infrastructure, technology and the US municipal markets.

Colliers Securities LLC (Investment Management) (Colliers-IM) is the investment management arm of Colliers Securities LLC, a broker/dealer headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The firm was founded in 1997 and formerly known as Dougherty & Co. LLC. They are a wholly owned subsidiary of Colliers Mortgage Holdings LLC, ultimately owned by Colliers International Group, Inc. (NASDAQ, TSX: CIGI), a diversified investment company based in Canada. Colliers-IM provides advisory and other financial services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, corporations or other businesses.

Part of Ally Financial, Inc., GMAC ResCap provides capital solutions to businesses. The company is based in Washington, PA. The CEO of the company is Thomas F. Marano.

Part of FNB Bancshares, Inc. (Minnesota), First Bank Blue Earth is a financial institution that offers personal and business deposit products, online solutions, account services, lending services, and investment properties. The company is based in Blue Earth, MN. First Bank Blue Earth also offers digital wallet services, allowing customers to use their debit card with Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay. The company provides personal loans, mortgage loans, auto loans, and business loans, including SBA loans. The company has an app that allows customers to turn their debit card on or off, set limits, track spending, and more. The company provides online banking services, including e-statements, money transfer services, and bill pay. The company also offers safe deposit boxes, cashier's checks, and financial calculators.

RBC Wealth Management (RBCWM) is wealth management division of RBC Capital Markets Equity Research, which is ultimately owned by Royal Bank of Canada (NYSE; TSE: RY). Formerly known as RBC Dain Rauscher, Inc., the firm was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. RBCWM provides trusted advice and wealth management solutions to individuals, families and institutions.

Minnesota Telecom Alliance provides Telecommunications services. The company was founded in 1909 and is headquartered in St. Paul, MN.

FNB Bancshares, Inc. (Minnesota) is a bank holding private company based in Blue Earth, MN and has subsidiaries in the United States. The company's primary focus is on banking services.

Blue Earth Valley Communications, Inc. provides telecommunications services. It provides digital TV packages, digital video recorders, high definition TV packages, and on demand video services and Internet solutions. The firm offers local telephone, long distance calling, voice mail, and conference calling services; and telephone and hospitality phone systems, and data cabling and networking services. The company was founded in 1895 and is headquartered in Blue Earth, MN.

AB CarVal Investors LP (AB CarVal) is a SEC-registered investment advisor and alternative investment fund manager headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The firm was founded in 2006 as a continuation of Cargill Value Investment (CVI), which was an internal business unit of Cargill, Inc. (Cargill). In 2022, they were acquired by AllianceBernstein LP, which is ultimately owned by Equitable Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: EQH). The firm immediately changed its legal name from CarVal Investors LP to AB CarVal Investors LP. AB CarVal offers investment advisory services to private funds, single-investor vehicles, CLO vehicles, separately managed accounts, and non-discretionary accounts.

U.S. Bank NA engages in operation of a commercial bank that offers loans and depositary services. The company is headquartered in Cincinnati, OH.

Jeffrey Slocum & Associates, Inc. operates as a investment research and advisory firm. It focuses on global fixed income, global equities, alternative investments, and direct hedge fund strategies. The firm offers strategic integration of investments with an institution’s overall mission, objectives, and operations, investment policy development, asset allocation modeling, incorporating liabilities, spending, and liquidity considerations, risk budgeting, liability driven investment, investment manager selection, performance measurement and attribution analysis, investment policy compliance monitoring, transition management, fee negotiations and benchmarking, other service provider searches, education of clients staffs, committees, and other constituencies. The company was founded by Jeffrey Charles Slocum in 1986 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, MN.