<p> David Drake </p><p>David Drake is President of Georgeson, a pre-eminent proxy solicitation firm. David supervises a staff of seasoned professionals, many with more than 20 years of industry and other professional experience. He also works directly with clients to help them obtain favorable shareholder vote results on friendly mergers and acquisitions, unsolicited takeovers, proxy contests, restructurings, shareholder proposals, compensation plans and other corporate governance matters. </p><p>Prior to joining Georgeson in 1997, David served as Vice President and Director of U.S. Research and Senior Analyst for Institutional Shareholder Services (or ISS; now renamed as RiskMetrics). There he led a team of research analysts producing proxy research reports for institutional clients, advising them on corporate transactions, proxy contests and other shareholder issues.</p><p>David is a frequent speaker and writer on proxy fights, investor activism, corporate governance and compensation issues. His recent articles include “Seeking Shareholder Approval of Option Plans Under the New NYSE/NASDAQ Listing Standards” and “Are You Ready for the Ratings Game: The Corporate Governance Ratings Game.” </p><p>In addition, David is a member of the Society of Corporate Secretaries & Governance Professionals, the Council of Institutional Investors, the National Investor Relations Institute and the National Association of Stock Plan Professionals. </p><p>David earned a B.A. in Political Science from George Washington University and an M.B.A. in Finance from The American University in Washington, DC.</p>