Stephen J. DeGroat

Jesup & Lamont Securities Corp. is broker/dealer headquartered in New York City. The firm is a subsidiary of Jesup & Lamont, Inc. (AMEX: JLI), formerly Empire Financial Holding Co., a New York City-based full-service brokerage and investment banking firm that specializes in institutional, retail sales, trading services and equity research. Jesup & Lamont, Inc. was founded in 2000, but traces its roots to the 1877 partnership between James Jesup and Lansing Lamont. Jesup & Lamont Securities Corp. provides institutional and retail sales and trading services, equity research and asset management for institutions and high net-worth individuals. The firm's corporate finance activities include mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, acquisition finance, restructurings and other corporate finance matters. Their research covers the following areas in the US and abroad: biotechnology, industrials, specialty retail, aerospace/defense, alternative energy, oil & gas, restaurants, technology, transportation and special situations. Jesup & Lamont provides fundamental analysis of companies and sectors and also employs strategists and technical analysts to provide comprehensive research insights.

Founded in 1979 by Ralph Worthington and several other senior officers of Blyth Eastman Dillon, Gilford Securities, Inc. is an investment banking firm and registered broker/dealer located in New York City. The firm provides a variety of services to corporations, individuals and institutions. Their research approach is based on fundamental analysis and seeks to remain attentive to market sentiment. Gilford Securities seeks to provide sound financial advice that translates into superior returns for their clients. The firm's research efforts focus concentrates on small/mid-cap growth ideas, specifically, niche/international leaders that stand to benefit from long-term secular trends. Gilford Securities' research coverage includes spans multiple industries, with primary emphasis on the following sectors: (1) information technology and e-Commerce (2) energy (3) retail, consumer and specialty (4) chemicals and pharmaceuticals (5) clean technology and alternative energy and (6) consumer and business services.

Broadmark Asset Management LLC (Broadmark) is a SEC-registered investment advisor headquartered in San Francisco, California. The firm was founded by Christopher J. Guptill in 1999 and became a majority owned subsidiary of Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. (NYSE: WHG) in 2023. Broadmark manages and/or sub-advises mutual funds, retail and institutional separately managed accounts. Tactical Growth is their flagship strategy.

Alyst Acquisition Corp. does not have significant operations. It intends to effect a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, or other similar business combination with an operating business. The company was founded in August 2006 and is based in New York, NY.