Steven Bates

Mesirow Financial Investment Management, Inc. (MFIM) is a SEC-registered investment advisor headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The firm was established in 1986 and their sole shareholder is Mesirow Financial Services, Inc., which is wholly-owned by Mesirow Financial Holdings, Inc., a Chicago-based financial services firm that was founded in 1937. MFIM provides advisory services to individuals, corporations or other businesses, pension and profit-sharing plans, non-qualified plans, state or municipal government entities, and charitable organizations.

State Farm Investment Management Corp. (SFIMC) is a SEC-registered investment advisor and fund manager headquartered in Bloomington, Illinois. The firm was founded in 2002 and is wholly-owned by State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. SFIMC provides investment supervisory services for, or arranges for, such services to the State Farm Mutual Funds.

Union Pacific Railroad Co. engages in the provision of railroad and freight transportation services. Its railroad links coast ports and provides transportation service through its gateways. The company was founded by Abraham Lincoln on July 1, 1862 and is headquartered in Omaha, NE.

Gofen & Glossberg LLC is a wealth management firm headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The firm was founded in 1932 by Samuel Gofen and William Glossberg. In 2021, they became a majority-owned subsidiary of Corient Private Wealth LLC, which is ultimately owned by CI Financial Corp. (TSX: CIX; NYSE: CIXX) in Canada. Gofen & Glossberg offers customized investment solutions and tailored planning solutions to primarily high-net-worth families.

Pittenger & Anderson, Inc. (P&A) is an independent, SEC-registered investment advisor headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska. The firm was founded by James "Jim" Pittenger, Jr. and Daniel "Dan" Anderson in 1995. P&A provides advisory services to individual and institutional clients.

A.G.P. / Alliance Global Partners Corp. (AGP) is a FINRA-registered broker-dealer headquartered in Westport, Connecticut. Formerly known as Euro Pacific Capital, Inc., the firm was founded by Peter Schiff in 1997 and is a subsidiary of Alliance Global LLC. AGP provides prime brokerage services to hedge funds, family offices, professional traders and top tier small/mid-cap investment funds. It offers multi-clearing, cloud based, high-touch client service solutions tailored to each client’s business needs.

Western Dubuque Biodiesel LLC extracts and sells biodiesel. It is a clean burning alternative fuel, produced from domestic, renewable resources. The company was founded in November 2005 and is headquartered in Farley, IA.

Ameritas Investment Partners, Inc. (AIP) is a registered investment advisor headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska. The firm was founded as a Nebraska corporation in 1984 and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameritas Holding Co., which is owned by Ameritas Mutual Holding Co. AIP provides investment advisory services to affiliated and unaffiliated insurance companies; pension plans and retirement accounts (including Taft-Hartley Plans); charitable organizations; and registered investment companies of Calvert Variable Products, Inc., The firm also provides investment advisory services to discretionary investment (wrap fee) program accounts including: individuals and high net-worth individuals; pension and profit sharing plans; trusts; charitable organizations; state and local government entities; and small businesses and others.

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC is a registered broker-dealer subsidiary of Morgan Stanley Domestic Holdings, Inc., ultimately owned by Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) in the US. Headquartered in New York City, the firm was founded in 1987 and provides debt and equity services including underwriting, M&A advice, securities dealing and brokerage and trade execution. Their client base ranges from large global institutional investors to hedge funds at the cutting edge of innovation in the industry.

Lincoln, Nebraska-based Union Bank & Trust Co. (UBT) was founded in 1917 as the Farmer's State Bank. In 1935, the name was changed to Union Bank and in 1959, with the addition of trust powers, the company became Union Bank & Trust Company. In 1965, Union Bank & Trust was purchased by the Dunlaps, a Nebraska banking family. Union Bank & Trust is now a subsidiary of Farmers & Merchants Investments, Inc. Along with their affiliated companies, Union Bank & Trust offers the following services: business cash management, lending and depository services, retail deposit, transaction and lending services, trust services for individuals, families and employer-sponsored benefit programs, investment services, including the Stratus family of mutual funds, insurance services and student loans and student loan servicing.

Deloitte & Touche LLP engages in the provision of audit, advisory, financial advisory, tax, and consulting services. The company was founded on March 7, 1995 and is headquartered in New York, NY.

Carson Group provides financial information services. The firm specializes in global shareholder research and related advisory services. The company was foundedd by David M. Geliebter and is headquartered in New York, NY.

Tributary Capital Management LLC (Tributary) is a SEC-registered investment advisor headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. The firm was founded in 2005 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of First National Bank of Omaha, which in turn a wholly owned subsidiary of First National of Nebraska, Inc. (OTCMKTS: FINN). Tributary and First Investment Group (formerly a department of First National Bank of Omaha) merged in May 2010. The event constituted a change in ownership only, as the investment strategies and personnel remained the same for each of the prior firms. Tributary provides investment management services to institutional and individual investors and to registered investment companies. The firm also participates in wrap fee programs and provides model-based offerings.

Synergy House Furniture Sdn. The private company is based in Port Klang, Malaysia. Bhd. sells and manufactures furniture.

Aegon USA Investment Management LLC, do-business-as Aegon Asset Management US (Aegon AM US), is a SEC-registered investment advisor headquartered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The firm was founded in 2001 and is a direct subsidiary of Aegon USA Asset Management Holding LLC and their ultimate parent is Aegon NV (AMS: AGN, NYSE: AEF) in The Netherlands. Aegon AM US provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment management products and services in similar and different investment strategies to affiliated and unaffiliated institutional clients.

Seven Hills Neighborhood Houses provides social services. It offers an array of services to individuals, children, families, and seniors. The organization's programs and services encompass the following: parent center, senior services, victims of crime, computer class, summer camps, after school program, street athletic program, arts access initiative, emergency assistance, and drug prevention program. The company was founded in 1961 and is headquartered in Cincinnati, OH.

The Ohio State Bar Association is a professional association for those who have been admitted to the practice of law. The non-profit company is based in Columbus, OH and has subsidiaries in the United States. The association represents nearly 65 percent of law practitioners, including paralegals and student associate members.

Global Factory, Inc. provides collaborative manufacturing execution systems. The firm's software gather, organize & analyze demand, production & quality data from various sources and monitor key indicators & execute business processes to control, manage & optimize distributed manufacturing operations. The company was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Santa Clara, CA.

William Blair & Co. LLC (Investment Management) (William Blair-IM) is the investment management division of William Blair & Co. LLC, a registered broker/dealer headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The firm was founded in 1935 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of WBC Holdings LP. William Blair-IM provides investment advisory and management services to a number of clients including high net worth clients, individuals, small institutions, William Blair Wrap Program clients and other registered investment advisers.

Part of JB Foods Ltd., JB Cocoa Sdn. The company is based in Gelang Patah, Malaysia. Bhd. is a Malaysian company that produces, sells, and exports cocoa ingredients. The company was founded by How Keong Tey.

Part of Guan Chong Bhd., Guan Chong Cocoa Manufacturer Sdn. The company is based in Pasir Gudang, Malaysia. Bhd. is a Malaysian company that processes and produces cocoa-derived food ingredients such as cocoa liquor, cocoa butter, cocoa cake, and cocoa powder.

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. is a FINRA-registered broker/dealer headquartered in San Francisco. The firm is a subsidiary of the Charles Schwab Corp. (NYSE: SCHW). They are members of the Chicago Board Options Exchange, NASDAQ and NYSE Arca, Inc. Charles Schwab & Co. is an exchange member engaged in exchange commission business other than floor activities. They also retail mutual funds and OTC corporate equity securities. In addition, the firm underwrites and/or sells corporate securities, underwrites and/or sponsors mutual funds, is a put and call broker/dealer and/or option writer and provides investment advisory services

Thrasher Basement Systems, Inc. provides basement waterproofing and foundation repair and concrete lifting contracting services. It serves homeowners within Nebraska, Western Iowa and Northwest Missouri. The company was founded by Gregory Thrasher and Nancy Thrasher in 1975 and is headquartered in La Vista, NE.

Dinan & Co. LLC (Dinan & Co.) is a private equity investment arm of Dinan & Co. LLC founded in 1988 by Michael A. Dinan. The firm is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona.

Dinan & Co LLC provides investment banking services. It specializes in merger and acquisition, valuation and fairness opinions, and merchant banking advisory services. The company was founded by Michael A. Dinan in 1988 and is headquartered in Phoenix, AZ.

Carson Group, Inc. provides financial advisory services. It offers coaching and partnership services to advisor firms and straightforward financial advice to the investing public. The company was founded by Ronald Lloyd Carson Jr. and is headquartered in Omaha, NE.

Carson Group Holdings LLC provides wealth management services to financial advisors and clients. The company was founded by Ronald Lloyd Carson, Jr. and is headquartered in Omaha, NE.