Conrad Vlak

Founded in 2010, MLV & Co. LLC is a broker/dealer located in New York City. The firm is a direct subsidiary of FBR Capital Markets Holdings, Inc. and their ultimate parent is FBR & Co. (NASDAQ: FBRC), which acquired the firm in 2015. Their research focuses on small to mid-sized companies with disruptive technologies that have the potential to drive significant market changes. MLV & Co.'s coverage universe includes the life sciences, oil & gas and metals & mining sectors.

CIT Group, Inc. is a financial holding company, which engages in the financing, leasing and advisory services. It operates through the following business segments: Commercial Banking, Consumer Banking, and Corporate. The Commercial Banking segment consists of four divisions, commercial finance, rail, and real estate finance and business capital. The Consumer Banking segment includes retail Banking, consumer lending, and SBA lending, which are grouped together for purposes of discussion as other consumer banking and legacy consumer mortgages. The Corporate segment refers to the businesses and portfolios that they no longer consider strategic. These portfolios include equipment financing, secured lending and leasing and advisory services to small and middle-market businesses. The company was founded by Henry Ittelson in 1908 and is headquartered in New York, NY.

American Real Estate Partners LP is a diversified holding company engaged in various businesses mainly real estates. The businesses of the company include rental real estate; real estate development; hotel and resort operations; hotel and casino operations; investments in equity and debt securities; and oil and gas exploration and production. The company is located in Mt. Kisco, NY.

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. provided wealth management, securities trading and sales, corporate finance and investment banking services. Merrill Lynch was a global trader and underwriter of securities and derivatives across a range of asset classes and serve as a strategic advisor to governments, institutions and individuals worldwide. The company was founded in 1913 and was headquartered in Charlotte, NC.

Almanac Realty Investors LLC (Almanac Realty Investors) is a private equity firm founded in 1981. The firm is headquartered in New York.