John Jentz

Founded by Robert Jennings in 1993, Jennings Capital, Inc. is an independent full-service booker/dealer located in Toronto, Ontario with an additional office in Calgary, Alberta. The firm provides in-house research services covering a variety of sectors including: (1) oil and gas production and exploration companies (2) oil and gas service companies (3) electric power companies (4) base and precious metal companies (5) forest products (6) consumer and retail (7) industrial technology and (8) special situations. Their research coverage also includes other high-growth areas and companies as determined by the firm. Jennings Capital is a member of the CIPF and the IDAC. Jennings Capital is allied with Western Financial Group Inc. (TSX-WES), a large Western Canadian network based. Western Financial Group provides all forms of industrial, commercial, residential and car insurance, including disability and life insurance, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Western Life. Western Financial Group also holds 100% ownership in their subsidiary, Bank West.

Westwind Partners, Inc. is a research and investment banking firm. The firm is privately held by a group of entrepreneurial partners who are experienced and have proven track records. The services that they offer include insightful equity research on Canadian and US companies, equity trading capability, and independent advice to corporations on M&A, financing and restructuring transactions. Westwind is based in Toronto with additional offices in Montreal, Calgary and London. They are a member of the Investment Dealers Association and a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund.

Bear, Stearns & Co., Inc. is a global investment banking, securities trading and brokerage firm located in New York City with additional offices in Dallas, Boston and San Francisco. The firm is a subsidiary Bear Sterns Cos., Inc. (NYSE: BSC). Their equity research team consists of senior analysts located throughout the world. In addition to domestic coverage, they have research teams focusing on Latin America, Asia and Europe. The analysts use a bottom-up approach to stock selection. The Bear Stearns fixed-income research department provides coverage of every sector of the fixed-income universe. The financial analytics and structured transactions group (F.A.S.T) provides investment research, fixed-income portfolio management and analytical systems, trading technology and general financial expertise. The group also provides a broad range of services to financial institutions including asset-liability management, balance sheet restructuring, receivables-based financing analysis, security and portfolio analysis, peer analysis, and historical and real-time market-based information.

National Bank Financial, Inc. (NBF) is a Canadian mutual fund manager headquartered in Montréal, Quebec. The firm was founded in 1902 and is a direct subsidiary of National Bank Acquisition Holding, Inc., ultimately owned by National Bank of Canada (TSX: NA). NBF is an integrated firm that combines retail advisory and brokerage services with institutional brokerage, investment banking, corporate finance and securities clearing services for third parties.