Chicago Zoological Society Inc.

With 25 years in national and international programs, Stuart Strahl is a career conservationist with deep experience in applied science, restoration ecology, public policy and not-for-profit management. He currently serves as President/CEO of the Chicago Zoological Society and Director of the world-famous Brookfield Zoo. From 1996-2003, Stuart was founding President/CEO of Audubon of Florida, leading Audubon into national prominence in the largest ecological restoration initiative in history, the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. He gained international experience as Research Fellow and founding Director of Latin American Programs for the Wildlife Conservation Society between 1985 and 1992. Fluent in Spanish, Stuart is dedicated to converting conservation into a mainstream public issue, has broad experience in bringing together diverse interests in the U.S. and Latin America, which has resulted in preservation of over 30 million acres of wildlife habitat and over $15 billion in conservation funding. Stuart received his B.A. in Biology from Bates College, and his Ph.D. in Biology from the State University of New York at Albany. He has served on numerous boards and appointed commissions, and is a Member of the Board of Directors of the Society for Conservation Biology, the Everglades Foundation, Elective Member of the American Ornithologists' Union and Regular Member of the Boone and Crockett Club, among others.

Mr. Oberschmied is Senior Director of Food Services at Brookfield Zoo, one of the world's premier zoological parks. As a senior executive, he oversees all the food services operations, an area which he has significant experience. Previously, he has advised owners and executives, including the NBA Sacramento Kings, the MLB New York Yankees, the NFL Baltimore Ravens, the University of Texas, and the American Airlines Center in Dallas, home of the NBA Mavericks and NHL Stars. Mr. Oberschmied has served as General Manager for Bismarck Enterprises' operations at Navy Pier, Chicago 's premier lakefront attraction. Prior to his work with Bismarck, Mr. Oberschmied served in various capacities for Hilton Hotels Corporation. As Director of Food and Beverage for Hilton's Select Hotels Division, he oversaw operations of 14 properties and spearheaded several brand developments. Mr. Oberschmied was a member of Hilton's highly successful Property Enhancement Project, a handpicked corporate task force created to improve profits and service levels of Hilton properties nationwide. Mr. Oberschmied is a member of the Foodservice Consultants Society International and the International Association of Assembly Managers. Mr. Oberschmied is originally from Lucerne and is active in fostering Swiss-US business, educational and cultural ties. Appointed by Mayor Richard M. Daley in 1999, Mr. Oberschmied serves a director in the Chicago Sister City International Program, where he co-chairs the Lucerne Committee.

Dr. Wells coordinates the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, the world's longest-running dolphin research program. He has been studying dolphins for over 30 years and received his B.A. in Zoology from the University of South Florida, his M.Sc. in Zoology from the University of Florida, and went on to receive a Ph.D. in Biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, for work on "Structural Aspects of Dolphin Societies." In 1987 he was awarded a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biology at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Since 1989 he has been a Conservation Biologist with the Chicago Zoological Society in Brookfield, Illinois. Additionally, he is an Adjunct Professor of Ocean Sciences at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and he holds an adjunct professorship in Biology with the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Wells has served as principal or co-principal investigator for more than 120 marine mammal research projects during 1980-2005. He has authored or co-authored 4 books, more than 100 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters, more than 50 technical reports, and 15 popular or semi-popular pieces.

Mr. Kemp specializes in advising middle-market companies on operational improvements, growth strategies, valuation, and mergers and acquisitions in the consumer products, consumer services, specialty retail, wholesale/distribution and direct-to-consumer industries. Mr. Kemp has held executive positions in the retail and automotive aftermarket, and began his career as an investment banker and corporate finance professional. Prior to joining Amherst, Mr. Kemp was a Vice President of Service for The Pep Boys a?? Manny, Moe & Jack, and before that was Vice President of Automotive Stores for Sears, Roebuck and Co. While at Sears, Mr. Kemp had P&L responsibility for the nationa??s largest retailer of tires and related services, consisting of 830 Sears Auto Centers and 225 National Tire & Battery (NTB) stores, with over 21,000 employees and revenues of $2.2 billion. Under his leadership, profitability and customer service improved dramatically, and later during his tenure Mr. Kemp led NTB through a successful divestiture from the parent. As a former line leader, Mr. Kemp has expertise in assisting clients with developing strategies dedicated to achieving greater customer service and growing revenues, usually through a focus on consistent process execution and talent management. From an operating perspective, Mr. Kemp helps clients a??keep it simplea?? by focusing on a few key metrics, while seeking ways to cut bureaucracy and implement lean operational excellence. On the finance side, Mr. Kemp helps clients quickly develop valuation insights, formulate and execute business development strategies, and put in place effective planning and capital allocation processes for improved interaction with investors and lending institutions. Mr. Kemp holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, and earned his BA from the University of Michigan with High Honors. He serves on the Governing Board of the Chicago Zoological Society.

Bill Thonn advises on strategic initiatives in the banking industry. His career in financial services has spanned more than 30 years, including 15 years working directly with some of the country's wealthiest families and their advisors. Thonn's proven ability to devise and implement creative solutions in complex business situations and his track record of building profitable wealth management relationships with the affluent have made him an integral player in the development of the high-net-worth market. Bill is President and CEO of Whitnell & Company, a wealth management company serving the needs of ultra-affluent individuals and family offices. His focus is on the strategic development and implementation of financial strategies that provide holistic solutions for complex situations. Prior to joining Whitnell & Co. he was executive vice president with Harris Bank, where he headed the Private Bank and was responsible for providing leadership and strategic direction in the areas of banking, personal trust, investment management, financial planning and sales. His accomplishments included designing and implementing a management organizational structure to integrate banking, trust, investment management, financial planning and brokerage into one cohesive unit, acquiring various financial service companies, forming a multi-family office company with over $3 billion in assets, and establishing a separate independent firm providing fee-based financial planning and investment management. Under his leadership, high-net-worth assets under management increased from $12 billion to $19 billion and loan volume tripled. Prior to his work with Harris Bank, Thonn served as vice-president and head of private banking for Bankers Trust in Chicago, where he was responsible for developing relationships with new high-net-worth clients as well as for marketing wealth management services to existing clients. He also served as vice president for the western region of the National Bank of Canada and vice president for the Chicago branch of National Westminster Bank PLC. Thonn holds an MBA in finance from Indiana University and a bachelor's degree in marketing from the University of Illinois.