Robert W. Simmons.  Valara Capital Management founding Principal and Portfolio Manager (2006).  From 2003 through 2006, Mr. Simmons worked for AIG Global Investment Group (“AIGGIG”) where he was a Managing Director and Partner, as well as the Head of U.S. Equity Research and the lead portfolio manager for AIGGIG's US Large Cap Equity Portfolio.  Prior to joining AIGGIG, from 1993 through 2002, Mr. Simmons was employed by ARK Asset Management (formerly, Lehman Management Company) where he was a Managing Director and a member of the Board of Directors.  While at ARK Asset Management, Mr. Simmons held various positions including Senior Analyst, Director of Equity Research and Portfolio Manager.  Prior to joining ARK Asset Management, Mr. Simmons spent six years in the Trust Department of the National Bank of Detroit as an equity analyst where he specialized in Financial Services.  The son of a US diplomat, Mr. Simmons grew up in Bangkok, Thailand and Amman, Jordan and attended High School at Sidwell Friends in Washington, DC. Mr. Simmons earned his BS in Economics from the University of Kansas and his MBA in Finance from Indiana University.  Mr. Simmons is a Chartered Financial Analyst.