WILLIAM E. THOMASON is a professional money manager who manages both traditional and alternative investments for his firm as its Chief Investment Officer. He currently serves on the board of three private companies, is a member of NASP (National Association of Securities Professionals), and is the founder of the Wall Street Wizards Urban Financial Literacy Program and The Wall Street West Financial Literacy Fund, a non-profit organization bringing financial literacy and career opportunities to urban youth. He also serves as a consultant to a $75 million Community Development Venture Capital Fund—investing in privately held inner-city businesses—and is a founding member of Urban Economy, a nonprofit membership network dedicated to fostering innovation in urban communities. Thomason has appeared in numerous financial publications such as Black Enterprise, Smart Money, Barron’s and the Wall Street Journal. He has also received numerous awards in acknowledgment of his professional and civic achievements. Thomason is a popular speaker and resides in the San Francisco Bay Area.