Howard M. Block

Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Banc of America Securities (BAS) is the investment banking subsidiary of Bank of America Corp (NYSE: BAC). The firm provides both the domestic and international equity and investment banking markets, and pursues a strategy pioneered by Citigroup that combines corporate lending with investment banking advice and services. They provide high-yield debt underwriting and leveraged finance, in addition to industry coverage groups such as healthcare, media and telecom, financial institutions, real estate and gaming. BAS also does a significant amount of work for Financial Sponsors, or private equity firms, often financing leveraged transactions. Following the strategy of Goldman Sachs, the firm lacks a standalone mergers and acquisitions department, instead employing mergers and acquisitions senior bankers throughout the industry coverage groups. The firm is registered as a broker/dealer with the SEC, is a member of the NYSE, and the NASD. The use of Banc in the BAS's name is indicative of the fact that the company is not a bank, and their deposits and other holdings are not insured by the FDIC.

RS Investment Management Co. LLC (also known as RS Investments) is an investment advisor and mutual fund manager headquartered in San Francisco, California. Founded in 1986, the firm was acquired by Victory Capital Management, Inc. from The Guardian Life Insurance Co. of America in July 2016. They operate as an independent franchise within Victory Capital's multi-boutique model. Each of the teams within the RS franchise continues to operate autonomously. RS Investments provides investment advisory services to mutual funds, institutions, private pooled investment vehicles, and high net-worth individuals.

Founded in 2002, Knowledge Investment Partners Education Co. LLC (KIP) is a hedge fund manager located in Cleveland, Ohio. They also have professionals in New York City, San Francisco and Geneva. The firm manages the KIP Education Fund LP and the KIP Presidium Fund LP