James Taaffe

Founded in 2002, Maxim Group LLC is a registered broker/dealer located in New York City. The firm provides an array of financial services including: investment banking, equity research, private wealth management, structured products and global institutional equity, fixed-income and derivative sales and trading to a diverse range of corporate clients, institutional investors and high net-worth individuals. Maxim Group's niche is emerging-growth companies in a variety of sectors including healthcare, technology, retail and others. They utilize a fundamental, bottom-up approach to investment recommendations. The firm combines rigorous financial analysis of specific companies and industries with due diligence that includes frequent consults with suppliers, customers, competitors and senior management. The firm focuses on under-covered, small- to-mid-cap companies where valuation levels may be out of sync with fundamental trends. Maxim's coverage universe often represents attractive niche industries where stocks tend to be inefficient. This research coverage fills a void created by the downsized research ranks and shrinking coverage of small- to mid-cap stocks by large investment banks. Maxim Group is a member of FINRA, the MSRB, the SIPC, the ISE, NASDAQ and NYSE Arca.

Founded in 2008, Hedgeye Risk Management LLC is an independent investment research firm located in new Haven, Connecticut. The firm caters to individual and institutional investors. They employ bottom-up research that focuses on the strategy, macro, gaming, lodging, leisure, restaurants, food, beverage, retail, healthcare, financials and energy sectors. Hedgeye provides fundamental and industry specific research. The firm offers customized research, macro morning calls, company or industry specific real time intraday updates, conference calls, corporate access, field trips and virtual portfolio to its clients. They also offer quantitative and macro analysis. Hedgeye also offers media and risk management services. The firm caters to individual and institutional investors.

Viscogliosi Brothers LLC is a venture capital, private equity and merchant banking firm which was founded in 1999 by Marc Viscogliosi, John Viscogliosi and Anthony Viscogliosi. The firm headquartered in New York.

Founded in 1898, Northeastern University is a private research university located in the heart of Boston. Northeastern teaches worldwide experiential learning, urban engagement, and interdisciplinary research that meets global and societal needs. The University offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs leading to degrees through the doctorate in nine colleges and schools.

McKinsey & Co., Inc. provides management consulting services. It specializes in design, marketing and sales, analytics, operations, transformation and restructuring, risk, strategy and corporate finance, and sustainability and resource productivity. The company was founded by James O. McKinsey in 1926 and is headquartered in New York, NY.