Alternative Investment Pros and Cons

Derek is founder of Metro Detroit-based public and political relations firm Steward Media. He is known as a power connector to reputable organizations and community leaders throughout Southeast Michigan. Derek lists city council members, mayors, state representatives, senators, judges and presidential candidates among his clients. He is deputy finance director of the Michigan Republican Party and is most proud of his fundraising for local charities.

Troy Farmer is Regional Director of Wealth Planning for Fifth Third Private Bank, working with clients and their families to develop strategies for all aspects of their financial lives, including tax planning, retirement planning, family wealth planning and business succession planning. Prior to joining Fifth Third, Troy was a practicing attorney certified as a trust and estate specialist with experience in estate and trust planning, tax planning, charitable gift planning, and business succession planning, and also worked as a CPA in the tax department of a national CPA firm. Troy is a magna cum laude graduate of  both Ball State University and IU Maurer School of Law, and holds a designation as a Certified Private Wealth Advisor® through the Investments & Wealth Institute and the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Maria is a venture partner for Arsenal, a growth equity firm. Previously, she was president and CEO of T/J Technologies Inc., a nationally recognized Michigan alternative energy company she and her husband, Dr. Levi Thompson, co-founded in 1991. It was acquired by A123 Systems in 2006. She then ran the Government Solutions Group of the company until she retired from A123 in 2010.  

Thomas “Tommy” M. Wright is a partner in the Houston office and is a member of National Tax Leadership Committee for RSM US LLP’s Private Client Services group, leads the PCS Practice for the Central Region and co-leads the RSM Family Office practice. His primary expertise is in tax matters related to tax planning for family wealth preservation, wealth transfers, charitable transfers, closely held business enterprises and multigenerational families.