Thomas Alan Ritchie

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. (MLPFS) is the SEC-registered broker/dealer subsidiary of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., ultimately held by Charlotte-based Bank of America Corp. (NYSE: BAC). The firm was founded in 1958 and is headquartered in New York City. In 2010, Banc of America Securities LLC merged with MLPFS and the firm uses the trade name Bank of America Merrill Lynch. MLPFS's global strategy and economics team serves institutional and individual investors using a wide range of macroeconomic disciplines. Their analysis of global issues provides clients with investment ideas, market forecasts, macro overviews and specific sector recommendations across asset classes, regions and disciplines. Their equity research team conducts fundamental analysis on companies globally and provides institutional and retail clients with industry-specific and in-depth research and analysis on numerous industries. The firm's global fixed-income and equity-linked research focuses on fixed-income and equity derivatives, fixed-income strategy, convertibles, commodities, high-yield, mortgages, municipals and global foreign exchange.

Vincari, Inc. provides automated coding assistance to physicians and hospitals for improved patient care and reimbursement. Its software platform, Lightspeed Valet, is engineered for speed, accuracy, and the ability to anticipate physician needs, learn individual patterns and guide specificity. The company was founded by Lucian Newman III and is headquartered in Birmingham, AL.

Part of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Co., Virtual Learning Technologies is a company that develops educational Internet testing technology. The company is based in Birmingham, AL. Virtual Learning Technologies was acquired by The Riverside Publishing Co. on May 08, 2000.

NCP Management Holdings, Inc. (New Capital Partners) is a private equity firm founded in 2001 by Jim Little and James Outland. The firm is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama.

Return Mail, Inc. provides undeliverable as addressed return mail solutions. Its products include RMI On Site, RMI re ADDRESS and RMI READ. The company was founded in 2000 by R. Mitchell Hungerpiller and is headquartered in Birmingham, AL.

RMI, Inc. operates as a financial partner. It helps individuals, businesses and communities prosper. It also helps access capital to build businesses, create jobs and enhance community growth. The company was headquartered in Jefferson City, MO.

Part of The Southern Banc Co., Inc. (Alabama), The Southern Bank Co. is a financial institution based in Gadsden, AL. The Southern Bank Co. is changing the way digital banking and community banking are done by delivering high-tech innovative financial tools while also providing a high-touch, personal customer experience. The company has been trusted since 1936. The CEO of the company is Gates Little.