Louis J. Thorson

Mason Street Advisors LLC (MSA) is a SEC-registered investment advisor headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The firm was founded in 2001 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. MSA provides professional portfolio management services for institutional investors by providing continuous investment advice and management based upon the individual needs and objectives of each client.

PPM America, Inc. (PPM) is a SEC-registered investment advisor headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The firm was founded in 1990 and is a subsidiary of PPM Holdings, Inc., ultimately held by Jackson Financial, Inc. (JFI) (NYSE: JXN). PPM is the primary investment manager for the general account assets of JFI’s insurance subsidiaries and serves as sub-adviser to US mutual funds sponsored by Jackson National Asset Management LLC (JNAM), a subsidiary of Jackson National Life Insurance Co. (Jackson), and adviser to the PPM Funds, a family of institutional share class mutual funds. Additionally, PPM provides advisory services to non-US pooled investment vehicles, structured vehicles such as collateralized loan obligations (CLOs), private equity funds, and separately managed accounts for third-party institutional clients.

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.

Allspring Global Investments LLC (Allspring) is a SEC-registered investment advisor headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. Prior to November 1, 2021, the firm was known as Wells Capital Management, Inc. They are a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC, ultimately held by Allspring Group Holdings LLC. Allspring provides investment management services to mutual funds, private funds, collective investment trusts (CITs), pooled vehicles, and other institutional clients and high net-worth individuals.

Reinhart Partners, Inc. is a privately-held, SEC-registered investment advisor headquartered in Mequon, Wisconsin. The firm was founded by James Reinhart in 1991 and was formerly known as Reinhart & Mahoney Capital Management, Inc. Reinhart Partners provides investment advisory services to mutual funds, corporations, other investment advisers, pension and profit-sharing plans, Taft-Hartley plans, municipalities and other public institutions, foundations, trusts, individuals and other separate accounts. They also provide model portfolio recommendations to sponsors of managed account programs.

Jackson National Asset Management LLC (JNAM) is a SEC-registered investment advisor and mutual fund manager headquartered in Lansing, Michigan. Founded in 1989, the firm is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Jackson Financial, Inc. (NYSE: JXN). JNAM serves as an investment adviser but limits its investment management services to rendering investment advisory services in connection with mutual funds sponsored by affiliated entities.

KLCM Advisors, Inc. is a registered independent wealth management firm headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The firm was founded by James Kitzinger and Peter Lautmann in 1993 as Kitzinger Lautmann Capital Management, Inc. They provide investment advice to high-net-worth individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and corporations or business entities.

Lazard Middle Market LLC engages in financial advisory business. It specializes in strategic advice on mergers and acquisitions (M&A), restructuring, and capital raising. The firm’s M&A and Strategic Advisory service focuses on private equity and divestitures, privately-owned companies, corporate acquisitions and divestitures, and sale of public companies. Its Restructuring service consists of situation assessment, alternative assessment, and execution. The company was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, MN.

Phone2Action, Inc. provides online advocacy solutions. Its solutions include grassroots advocacy, social media engagement, action centers, live event engagement, and campaign reporting. The firm develops a mobile and web-based advocacy platform for non-profits, advocacy groups, and trade associations to acquire new members and engage supporters. The company was founded by Ximena Hartsock, Jebidiah Ory, and Patrick Stoddart in 2012 and is headquartered in Arlington, VA.

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.

William Blair & Co. LLC (William Blair) is a SEC-registered broker/dealer firm headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The firm was founded by William McCormick Blair in 1935 and is a subsidiary of WBC Holdings LP. Until 1941, they were known as Blair, Bonner & Co. William Blair provides broking services to individual, institutional and issuing clients.

Robert W. Baird & Co., Inc. (Broker) (Baird-Broker) is the broker-dealer division of Robert W. Baird & Co., Inc., an investment bank and financial services company headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The firm was founded in 1919 and is ultimately owned by Baird Financial Group, Inc. Baird-Broker offers a full suite of comprehensive trading services for institutional clients.

Barclays Capital, Inc. is a registered broker/dealer headquartered in New York City. The firm was founded in 1997 and is a subsidiary of Barclays Group US, Inc., ultimately owned by Barclays plc (LON: BARC) in Great Britain. Barclays Capital provides large corporate, government and institutional clients a full spectrum of prime brokerage services which includes equities and fixed income financing, OTC Clearing, Futures and Foreign Exchange Prime Brokerage and access to industry insights and analytics from their Strategic Consulting team.

Global Value Investment Corp. (GVIC) is an independent registered investment advisor headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The firm was founded in 2007 by Jeffrey Geygan. GVIC offers investment research and advisory services to a wide variety of 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.

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago provides banking and financial services. Its services include asset liability management, cash management, community investment and housing programs, letter of credit, liquidity and funding, and safekeeping. The firm also provides liquidity for home mortgage loans to members approved as participating financial institutions through the Mortgage Partnership Finance program. The company was founded in 1932 and is headquartered in Chicago, IL.

Founded in 1958, Merrill Lynch Piece Fenner & Smith, Inc. is an SEC registered broker/dealer located in New York City. The firm is a subsidiary of BAC North America Holding Co. and their ultimate parent is Bank of America Corp. (NYSE BAC).

Robert W. Baird & Co., Inc. (Fixed Income) (dba Baird Advisors) is the investment management division of Robert W. Baird & Co., Inc., an American multinational independent investment bank and financial services company headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Baird Advisors manages taxable and tax-exempt fixed income portfolios for individuals and families as well as corporations and institutions.

The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. (Northwestern Mutual) is an insurance company headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Founded in 1857, Northwestern Mutual and their subsidiaries offer a holistic approach to financial security solutions such as life insurance, long-term care insurance, disability insurance, annuities, investment products and advisory products and services.

Bank of America, NA (Private Banking) (Bank of America-PB) is the private banking arm of Bank of America, NA, which is a subsidiary of Bank of America Corp. (NYSE: BAC). Headquartered in New York City, the firm was founded in 1947 and is also known as US Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management. Bank of America-PB serves the needs of high net-worth and ultra-high net-worth individuals and families by providing comprehensive wealth management products and services that focuses on wealth structuring (wealth planning, trusts and estates, philanthropy, custody services), investment management (portfolio consulting, asset management, capital markets, specialty asset management) and credit and banking (financial management tools, liquidity services, custom credit, real estate finance).

The Vistria Group LP (The Vistria Group) is an private equity firm founded in 2013 by Kip Kirkpatrick, Marty H. Nesbitt, and Phil A. Alphonse. The firm is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

Aon Investments USA, Inc. (AIUSA) is a SEC-registered investment advisor headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The firm was founded in 1981 and is wholly owned by Aon Consulting, Inc., an indirect subsidiary of its ultimate parent Aon Plc (NYSE: AON) in Ireland. AIUSA provides professional investment advisory and consulting services to institutional clients.

Houlihan Lokey Capital, Inc. is a registered broker/dealer headquartered in Los Angeles, California. The firm was founded in 1996 and they are a subsidiary of Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE: HLI). Houlihan Lokey Capital provides an array of trading and execution services for their clients. They also have the ability to serve as underwriter or bookrunner with respect to traditional debt and equity offerings, including leveraged loans and public offerings of debt, equity-linked, and equity securities.

Monument Microcap Partners LLC (Monument Microcap Partners) is an independent private equity firm founded in 2018 by Bob Erwin. The firm is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Great Lakes Advisors LLC (GLA) is a SEC-registered investment advisor headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 1981, the firm is a subsidiary of Whamco Holding Co. and their ultimate parent is Wintrust Financial Corp. (NASDAQ: WTFC), which acquired the firm in 2011. GLA offers customized investment advisory services to individual and institutional clients. In addition, the firm serves as adviser to mutual funds and is the General Partner to a Private Fund. GLA is a socially responsible investor and signatory to the UN Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI) which integrates environmental, social, and governance considerations into their investment process.

Ticketbis SL develops and operates an online ticket exchange platform. The "fan-to-fan" service allows users to buy and sell after-market tickets to sporting events, concerts, and theatrical performances in Europe and Latin America. The company was founded by Jon Uriarte and Ander Michelena on November 24, 2010 and is headquarteed in Bilbao, Spain.

Morningstar, Inc. (Research) is the investment research arm of Morningstar, Inc. (NASDAQ: MORN), an American financial services firm headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The firm was founded by Joseph Mansueto in 1984 and provides independent portfolio information offering star ratings and analysis of managed funds. They also provide economic commentary and asset allocation information based on qualitative research.