Mr. Speron has worked with First Foundation Advisors since June 2007, and currently serves as Managing Director of Equities. First Foundation is a banking, trust services, financial planning and investment management company, and Mr. Speron is the portfolio manager of FBBYX, the First Foundation Total Return Fund. Prior to the role at First Foundation Advisors, and between June 2002 and June 2007, Mr. Speron was a Vice President with JP Morgan's Institutional Equity division. Mr. Speron currently serves as a director for Alico, Inc., Tandy Leather, Inc. and Keweenaw Land Association, positions he has held since February 2026, April 2023, and May 2021, respectively. Between January 2016 and May 2022, Mr. Speron served as the lead independent director of Vidler Water. Mr. Speron holds a Bachelor of Arts from Georgetown University, with a double major in History and Government, and a minor in English. Mr. Speron is a Chartered Financial Analyst. Our Board believes that Mr. Speron s depth of financial experience, understanding of business operations in key company segments such as water assets and retail, and experience in corporate governance make him well qualified to serve as a director.