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MANAGEMENT |
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GREG GRIFFIN |
Greg, a California native, was born and raised in Moraga, a small East Bay community. He attended college at the University of California, Berkeley, where he majored in Economics and minored if Finance. After receiving his degree in 1979, he became a real estate broker in Pension Funds Asset Management. In 1982 he selected a position in the stock brokerage business where he managed pension fund clients for Dean Witter, then E. F. Hutton. In 1992, Greg help found First Blackhawk and served as President and Secretary. With the retirement of co-founder Arthur Appleton in 2005, Greg assumed the role of CEO where he continues to lead the company with the same business philosophy and investment strategy that has proven so successful in the past. |
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MICHAEL A. BALDRIDGE |
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Prior to coming to First Blackhawk, Mr. Baldridge was Chief Executive
Officer of, and a partner in, The StoneTree Group, LLLP (founded as The
IFW Group, LLLP), a financial, investment and management consulting firm
located on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. While serving in that
capacity, Mr. Baldridge set up the company, developed its internal systems
and established it as an industry leader in compliance and governmental
relations. From 2001 to 2003, Mr. Baldridge owned his own consulting firm
and was pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration in Accounting at
Louisiana Tech University. During that time, Mr. Baldridge analyzed
investment opportunities for individuals and companies. He also consulted
on the founding of a new health care provider along with its purchase of
an existing firm in Arkansas. From 1999 to 2001 Mr. Baldridge served as
personal, business and investment advisor to a prominent individual in
Little Rock, Arkansas. While serving in that capacity Mr. Baldridge
co-founded A4G5, LLC (a financial and marketing consulting firm), Journey
Computers and Journey Software (retail ventures in made-to-order computers
and software). From 1998 to 1999 Mr. Baldridge served as Vice-President,
under a one year contract, for American Home Patient which had acquired
National Medical Systems for whom he had served as Vice President of
Mergers, Acquisitions, Analysis and Corporate Operations, and in other
capacities, from 1994 to 1998. While with American Home Patient Mr.
Baldridge oversaw the merger of the two companies and developed several
successful division re-organizations and turnaround plans. From 1983 to
1994 Mr. Baldridge served as Business Manager and Controller for a
construction company and a hazardous waste disposal company, respectively. Mr. Baldridge has spoken regionally and nationally on subjects including Activity Based Management, Company Reorganization and Financial Analysis for prominent organizations such as The Health Industry Distributors Association, The International Federation of Accountants and others. Mr. Baldridge’s areas of expertise include investment analysis; business start-up, development, reorganization and turnaround; mergers and acquisitions; contract negotiation and mediation; business process analysis and risk assessment and management. Mr. Baldridge holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and two Master’s degrees: a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Professional Accountancy. |
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Art was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. His paternal grandparents
emigrated to the U.S. from Sweden. Both maternal grandparents were
English. He received a 5 year degree in Mechanical Engineering from
Cornell university in 1965 before working for Chevron Oil Company. Art
spent 15 years with Chevron in various engineering and management
positions with significant involvement with risk/reward financial
analysis. He was Chief Engineer of Chevron Overseas Petroleum when he
resigned in 1980 to found his own company.
For the next 12 years he ran Appleton Enterprises, an
investment company in Danville, California prior to assuming
responsibilities of Chairman of First Blackhawk Financial. Though he retired in 2005, Art continues to have an active interest in the company and serves as a trusted source of wisdom and experience. |
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ARTHUR I. APPLETON, Jr. |
| First Blackhawk Financial |
Real Estate Broker - CA Dept. of Real Estate - License #01144055 |
04/04/06 |