Investors Roundtable of Wilmington

05/10/2019

The speaker at the IRT June 2019 meeting will be Bruce McGranahan past president of Investors Roundtable speaking on the oil industry and importance of the Permian Basin

Bruce McGranahan, a member of the Investors Roundtable who is a petroleum engineer, will examine the opportunities and risks of investing in the Permian Basin, which has become a significant contributor to America’s hydrocarbon base.

The origin of Texas oil will be briefly acknowledged.

Discussion will include: What is the basis for all the excitement over the Permian Basin? What two innovative approaches made such enormous advances in production possible? Are there attractive investment opportunities? If so, what are they? What are the rewards and risks of investing?

The importance of the Permian Basin to America’s fossil fuel leadership will be reviewed.

The Investors Roundtable of Wilmington (IRT) is an educational forum for the presentation and ex-change of financial, economic and business information to assist private investors in the management of their individual financial assets. IRT is not an “investment club” and speakers are not making sales presentations. Monthly meetings (9 per year) are held at the Country Club of Landfall. Lunch is served at noon, followed by the featured speaker and a question-and-answer period ending by 1:30pm. Our presenters, recognized leaders in their respective fields, speak on subjects relevant to the current investment and economic environment. New members and guests are welcome and encouraged at all meetings. If you would like to attend, please contact Cliff Brock at [email protected] one week before the meeting.

04/16/2019

03/31/2019

Investors Roundtable – May 2, 2019

UNCW supports faculty motivated to commercialize research – and community entrepreneurs with new technologies – that can serve as the foundation for successful ventures. On May 2, members of the Investors Roundtable will hear from two such ventures located at the UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship – Lapetus Solutions and SportGait.

Lapetus Solutions, Inc.

Founded in 2015, Lapetus has grown to 17 employees. This innovative company develops solutions for the financial services and life insurance industries. Their technology uses cutting edge artificial intelligence to improve underwriting and risk prediction. They offer solutions in the realm of Sensory Analytics, Facial Analytics, Face Recognition, Identity Validation – and more.
In the past few years, this company has had many notable achievements, included being selected as one of 24 companies, from a field of over 1000, to participate in the 2017 Insurtech Innovation Platform. It was also selected by A.I. leader, NVIDIA, to participate in a highly competitive AI Startup initiative. Amazon has selected Lapetus to participate in its AWS Startup program. It launched a biometric life insurance quoting tool. And AFLAC, yes…the duck company, has invested more than $3 million in this exciting venture.
An article about the company was published in USA Today in April 2017. Titled, “How your selfie could affect your life insurance,” the article describes how this company’s software will be changing how life insurance companies process your application. In February 2019, Gen Re, one of the largest reinsurers in the world announced a partnership for their NOW app. Since, Lapetus has announced major tool development in Life Settlements and longevity predictions. Generian™ provides deep insight in to your individual life expectancy.
Dr. Karl Ricanek, Jr., is the co-founder and chief data scientist at Lapetus. He’s also a professor of Computer Science at UNCW, where he founded the world-renowned Face Aging Group Research Lab and is the director and founder of the UNCW I3S Institute – the Institute for Interdisciplinary Identity Sciences. He has authored more than 80 scientific articles and multiple book chapters in the areas of machine learning, face recognition, and facial analytics. Karl received his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from North Carolina A & T State University.
Mr. Norvell Miller drives LSI’s overall direction and business strategy. Having served as Managing General Partner of SEInteractive since 1997, he also serves as General Partner of Covestco Seteura. In addition, Norvell serves as Managing Director of EMS Financial Inc., an investment holding company, a position he has held since 1981. He currently serves or has served on the Boards of several privately held companies, including Allconnect, Arsenal Digital Solutions, BuildLinks, MediaSpan Group, Inc., Pixel Magic Imaging and VisionAIR. Previously, he co-founded and worked with a number of growth companies, including DentalCare Partners, the Mobius Group and Affordable Care. He served as Director of Investments for the University of North Carolina from 1980 to 1986.
Norvell is a Chartered Financial Analyst and received an MBA and B.A. with honors from Duke University.

SportGait

SportGait has developed a hardware/software medical device used to diagnose and manage the epidemic of concussion in youth sports, industry, and from accidents. The SportGait Solution is available now (Microsoft Promotional Video) and the company has marquee paying customers using their unique system.
SportGait Today
SportGait’s concussion management system uniquely unites parents, athletes, clubs and doctors to bring safety and compliance to youth sports. SportGait is the only fully integrated Platform-as-a-Service that adheres to the global Zurich-Berlin consensus statement on concussion, the most stringent youth sport state laws, NCAA best practices and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance for patient management. Engineered with fully validated, medical-grade diagnostic tools for use in both general and specialty physician settings, it enables a multi-disciplinary approach to concussion diagnosis and management. All SportGait products have received regulatory clearance from the FDA to operate in their intended use.
SportGait’s Future Offerings
SportGait has an exclusive license to patented gait analysis technology that will power SportGait Medical App in the near future. This technology was developed at the University of Virginia. Originally used for the diagnosis and management of Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis, the technology -- comprised of a walking test, inertial sensors and patented algorithm – is now been adapted for concussion. When completed, the technology’s precision and administrative time-savings will change the face of concussion evaluation. This technology has significant promise to help identify concussion earlier and better quantify its long and short-term effects. In conjunction with the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, the SportGait research program will develop this technology further to supplement or eventually replace the current battery of tests, producing extremely valuable intellectual property.
SportGait’s Team and Partners
SportGait’s senior management team is led by Executive Chairman Tobin Geatz and President & CEO Chris Newton, serial entrepreneurs with sales and marketing experience in the medical and direct-to-consumer fields. They have assembled a world-class group of strategic investors and partners including the leading provider of neurocognitive tests, a unique customer and investor who manages a chain of stand-alone emergency/urgent care facilities, and one of the world’s most prolific publishers of neuropsychological tests. SportGait is an anchor tenant at the UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. UNCW is an owner of SportGait through a unique public-private partnership developed with Seahawk. SportGait is seeking $400,000 from accredited investors to complete its initial funding round.

Chris is an accomplished CEO with 25 years of experience. He has led three vastly different companies in the biotech, software, IoT and environmental markets by creating a diverse set of products and services and taking each company from pre-revenue to multi-millions in revenue. Each company led in its emerging markets or in the transformation of an existing market. Experienced in mergers, acquisitions, and turnarounds, Chris is a known problem solver, with expertise in sales and marketing; technology and operations; and deal structuring and negotiations. Fittingly, he’s also the father of two youth athletes.

Photos in order: Dr. Karl Ricanek Lapetus co-founder, Mr. Norvell Miller Lapetus President, Chris Newton SportGait President and CEO

03/15/2019

The speaker at the IRT April 2019 meeting will be Sonny Bowser, VP - Regional Planning Con-sultant at Fidelity Investments who will speak about the Business Cycle and the advantages of Sector Investing.

Sonny Bowser is Vice President/Regional Planning Consultant in his 14th year with Fidelity. In his time with Fidelity, Sonny has had multiple responsibilities as he started with the firm as a Stock/Bond/Mutual Fund trader for all their retail clients. In the past 11 years he has spent time as a Financial Consultant advising over 300 households and helping them with their wealth and family legacy planning to more recently in the past 8 years traveling on a regular basis to Boston to spend time with Fidelity Mutual Fund Managers as well as their Money Management and Asset Allocation Research Teams. He is responsible for ensuring that Fidelity’s Financial Consultants in The Triangle are fully aware of and coached on these topics to better help our clients.

Sonny was born and raised a Buckeye but considers himself a Southerner for life now. When not with his wife of 15 years, Jen, or at his daughters Sydney and Penelope’s dance or swim events, you will find him on his home golf course in Holly Springs or watching a Liverpool soccer game.

The Investors Roundtable of Wilmington (IRT) is an educational forum for the presentation and ex-change of financial, economic and business information to assist private investors in the management of their individual financial assets. IRT is not an “investment club” and speakers are not making sales presentations. Monthly meetings (9 per year) are held at the Country Club of Landfall. Lunch is served at noon, followed by the featured speaker and a question-and-answer period ending by 1:30pm. Our presenters, recognized leaders in their respective fields, speak on subjects relevant to the current investment and economic environment. New members and guests are welcome and encouraged at all meetings. If you would like to attend, please contact Cliff Brock at [email protected] one week before the meeting.

02/22/2019

Tony Stroud spoke on the new tax law and implications for filing 2018 taxes

02/06/2019

The Investors Roundtable of Wilmington (IRT) March meeting will be held on March 7th at noon at the Country Club of Landfall.

The speaker at the IRT March 2019 meeting will be Girard Newkirk who will speak about blockchain technology, its applications and his firm’s efforts to revolutionize renewable energy with it. Girard Newkirk is the founder and CEO of KWHCoin. KWHCoin is a Blockchain based software company with a mission to connect the 1.2 billion people across the Globe that do not have access to electricity.

01/14/2019

The speaker at the IRT February 2019 meeting will be Tony Stroud who will speak on the implications of the new tax law and considerations for filing 2018 taxes. Tony founded Stroud & Company in 1993. In addition to managing the firm, he works closely with individual and corporate clients, providing accounting and tax planning, as well as representing clients in tax controversy situations. Tony says accounting is like “real life word problems”. He loves helping clients find the right answers. Tony is fulfilled when he assists corporate clients in running efficient, healthy, and profitable businesses. He fosters a relaxed environment where clients and staff feel at home. After 10 minutes with Tony, you will discover he is one of the smartest and funniest people you will meet. His ability to think outside the box and around the bend is key to his clients’ successes.

IRT is an educational forum for the presentation and exchange of financial, economic and business information to assist private investors in the management of their individual financial assets. IRT is not an “investment club” and speakers are not making sales presentations. Monthly meetings (9 per year) are held at the Country Club of Landfall. Lunch is served at noon, followed by the featured speaker and a question-and-answer period ending by 1:30pm. Our presenters, recognized leaders in their respective fields, speak on subjects relevant to the current investment and economic environment. New members and guests are welcome and encouraged at all meetings. If you would like to attend, please contact Cliff Brock at [email protected] one week before the meeting.

11/07/2018

The speaker at the IRT December 6th meeting at 12pm, Noon will be UNCW Chancellor Jose V. Sartarelli. In his “University Update,” Chancellor Jose V. Sartarelli will reflect on UNCW’s ongoing commitment to excellence amid the challenges facing the university following Hurricane Florence.

IRT is an educational forum for the presentation and exchange of financial, economic and business information to assist private investors in the management of their individual financial assets. IRT is not an “investment club” and speakers are not making sales presentations. Monthly meetings (9 per year) are held at the Country Club of Landfall. Lunch is served at noon, followed by the featured speaker and a question-and-answer period ending by 1:30pm. Our presenters, recognized leaders in their respective fields, speak on subjects relevant to the current investment and economic environment. New members and guests are welcome and encouraged at all meetings. If you would like to attend, please contact Cliff Brock at [email protected] one week before the meeting.

09/25/2018

The Investors Roundtable of Wilmington (IRT) Meeting: Thursday October 4th, 2018, 12:00 Noon at Country Club of Landfall Presents Jonathan Schneider of Blackstone Individual Investor Solutions Group provided to the IRT through Equity Concepts.

Jonathan Schneider is an associate with Blackstone’s Individual Investor Solutions Group, a strategic initiative within Blackstone Alternative Asset Management. In this role, Jonathan focuses on all strategic business development initiatives as well as the development, structuring, and operation of regulated investment fund solutions. Prior to joining Blackstone, Jonathan held various roles within the Asset Management and Credit Divisions of J.P. Morgan. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Fordham University and is a CFA Charter holder.

John Robinson (left) and Michael Thaler are co-managing partners of Equity Concepts, a private wealth management firm based in Henrico County, Virginia. Equity Concepts’ holistic approach to wealth management has remained consistent since its founding in 1991.
IRT is an educational forum for the presentation and exchange of financial, economic and business information to assist private investors in the management of their individual financial assets. IRT is not an “investment club” and speakers are not making sales presentations. Monthly meetings (9 per year) are held at the Country Club of Landfall. Lunch is served at noon, followed by the featured speaker and a question-and-answer period ending by 1:30pm. Our presenters, recognized leaders in their respective fields, speak on subjects relevant to the current investment and economic environment. New members and guests are welcome and encouraged at all meetings. If you would like to attend, please contact Cliff Brock at [email protected] one week before the meeting.

05/21/2018

The Investors Roundtable of Wilmington (IRT) Meeting: Thursday June 7th, 2018, 12:00 Noon at Country Club of Landfall Presents:

Jeff Terrell, CFA
Senior Vice President
Wealth Management Portfolio


Jeff Terrell is a Regional Portfolio Manager for BB&T Wealth in Charlotte North Carolina. He is responsible for developing, implementing and communicating portfolio investment strategy for private clients. Jeff authors two investment communication pieces for BB&T Wealth, Market Spotlight and Market Monthly that provide a timely perspective about current financial events while offering an unbiased market outlook.
Jeff has 30 years of investment experience and joined BB&T in 2016 after spending 20 years serving as Chief Investment Officer for both state and nationally chartered community banks in the southeast. In addition Jeff has qualified and testified as an expert witness in securities litigation matters focusing on trust management, fiduciary investing practices, and investor suitability cases. He holds a B.B.A. in Finance from Western Michigan University, has been a CFA Charter holder since 1996 and is a member of the Virginia CFA Society. Jeff and his wife Elizabeth, live at Lake Norman and have 4 boys ages 27-17 and enjoy spending time on the lake and fly-fishing.

IRT is an educational forum for the presentation and exchange of financial, economic and business information to assist private investors in the management of their individual financial assets. IRT is not an “investment club” and speakers are not making sales presentations. Monthly meetings (9 per year) are held at the Country Club of Landfall. Lunch is served at noon, followed by the featured speaker and a question-and-answer period ending by 1:30pm. Our presenters, recognized leaders in their respective fields, speak on subjects relevant to the current investment and economic environment. New members and guests are welcome and encouraged at all meetings. If you would like to attend, please contact Cliff Brock at [email protected] one week before the meeting.
CJB-5/20/2018

05/03/2018

Students of UNCW gave speeches about the economic outlook and investment strategies at the IRT monthly luncheon.

04/11/2018

The Investors Roundtable of Wilmington (IRT) Meeting: Thursday May 3rd, 2018, 12:00 Noon at Country Club of Landfall Dr. William Sackley’s senior-level Portfolio Design and Management presents student portfolio recommendations


Students in the senior-level Portfolio Design and Management course in the Cameron School of Business manage a real-dollar equity portfolio. The original source of funds was a $1 million grant from the BB&T Foundation. Students must apply to enter during their senior year, and enrollment averages about 15 students per semester. The class employs a top-down approach to portfolio management, where the students first create a macroeconomic forecast for the upcoming 12 months; and then craft forecasts for each industry sector before screening for individual stock ideas. Students present and defend their recommendations in writing and orally to an Advisory Board comprised of local industry professionals and UNCW executive staff. The portfolio has a current value of ~$1.7 million after distributing more than $300,000 since its inception to fund specific programs within the School of Business. Overall, the course offers a valuable blend of theory and application. The experience sells well with prospective employers; and the students are more than ready to enter the financial marketplace after graduation!

New members and guests are welcome and encouraged at all meetings. If you would like to attend, please contact Cliff Brock at [email protected] one week before the meeting.
CJB-3/9/12018