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Mr. Presley has over 30 years of experience in finance and investments. He is the founder and Principal in SouthWorth Capital Management, our family office. Mr. Presley also is currently serving as a director for our portfolio companies. Prior to founding SouthWorth, he was a partner in a closely held investment company. The nature of the investments focused on asset-based lending and corporate restructuring. Mr. Presley spent five years as CFO for a media placement company specializing in national radio and spot television. His previous business experience includes being Controller for a diversified investment and commodities company. He was licensed in general securities sales, real estate, and insurance. Mr. Presley is a graduate of Memphis State University. Jeffrey is married with two children and three grandchildren.

Clay Presley joined SouthWorth as a Partner in 2016. Prior to SouthWorth, Clay spent 7 years directing the marketing operations for City Gear, a footwear and apparel retailer. During his tenure, Clay helped the company grow store count nearly 200% while playing a key role in the acquisition of 3 competitors and launching their e-commerce platform. Since joining SouthWorth, Clay has helped the company launch 8 new investment platforms and successfully exit 3 investments. Clay is a Director of 7 of the current investment platforms and Co-Founder and Director of 901 Fund. Clay was a member of the University of Memphis football team from 2005 –2007 and holds a B.S. and MBA from the U of M. Clay is married with two children.

Ben Reed joined SouthWorth as Managing Director in 2016 and has 20 years of prior commercial banking experience.  He has held various positions in the corporate and middle market segments mainly in the areas of credit risk management, special assets, and portfolio management. All of his banking career has been spent at Hibernia National Bank (now Capital One Bank), SunTrust Bank and Fifth Third Bank.  Prior to banking, Ben spent a few years as a steamship agent in New Orleans and is a former officer in the U.S. Navy.  Ben has his BA from the Loyola University of New Orleans and his MBA from the University of New Orleans. Ben is married with three children.

Laura Presley joined the SouthWorth team as Portfolio Liaison in 2015. Laura has 6 years of experience in inventory management, accounts payable, and payroll management. Laura has worked in varied industries from consumer products retail, telecommunications, and logistics. Laura manages the office and day-to-day business of SouthWorth. Laura attended Arkansas State University. Laura has one daughter, Ashlynn.

Jim Howard joined SouthWorth as Managing Director in 2018 with extensive commercial banking experience. He has held various positions in the corporate and middle market segments mainly in the areas of business development, credit risk management, and leveraged buyout portfolio management. Prior to banking, Jim served 12 years as a US Navy SEAL between 1998 and 2013. During his Special Operations career, Jim deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, and Europe in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. In addition to completing level 2 of his CFA, Jim has a B.S. from the University of Kentucky and an MBA from the University of Colorado. Jim is married with two children.

Garland Robeson joined Southworth as a Managing Director in 2018, after spending 16 years in corporate banking (US Bank and Fifth Third). Most recently, Garland led a team for Fifth Third, responsible for advising, lending, and arranging capital to privately held companies and financial sponsors. Garland’s experience has spanned the large corporate and middle market spaces across a comprehensive range of industries. He’s deeply experienced in arranging and structuring a variety of capital; including senior secured & unsecured, mezzanine, asset-based, bonds/TLB’s, and securitizations. Garland has his B.A. from the University of Cincinnati. Garland is married with 3 boys.

Kirk Johnson joined Southworth as a Managing Director in 2019, after 14 years of corporate finance, debt capital markets and loan syndication experience at Fifth Third Bank. While at Fifth Third, Kirk successfully executed over 100 lead left syndicated transactions involving various forms of senior and junior debt. Prior to this, Kirk had 10 years of investment banking experience involving both mergers and acquisitions and capital raising transactions at Provident Capital Corp. and Ernst & Young Corporate Finance. He has previous experience as a Chief Financial Officer responsible for acquisitions, capital raising activities, and financial systems development. Kirk began his career as a CPA at Ernst & Young after graduating with an accounting degree from Miami University and subsequently obtained his MBA from Indiana University. Kirk is married with one daughter.

Brennon Martin joined SouthWorth portfolio in 2012. After originally serving as a Controller for AdStaff and Mindstream Media, both inside the SouthWorth portfolio as part of Eastport Holdings, Brennon moved into the CFO role for SouthWorth in 2022. During his time at Eastport, Brennon assisted in the structure and completion of acquisitions for several Eastport companies as well as SouthWorth investments outside of Eastport. Brennon graduated from the University of Memphis in 2010 with a BA in Business Management. Prior to joining SouthWorth, Brennon played professional baseball for 2 years. Brennon is married with 3 children.

Al Wise joined SouthWorth in 2011. Al has been in the merger and acquisition field since 1987. Prior to 1987, Al enjoyed 17 years of domestic and international business experience with his own business and a number of Fortune 500 companies, including Owens Corning Fiberglass, Daewoo International, Riddell Football Helmets, and Wilson Distributing. Al is a graduate of Muhlenberg College (AB) University of Memphis (MBA) and he has lectured as a faculty member of the Clemson University Economics Department. Al is married to Carolyn.