TIGER 21 FORMS FOURTH TEXAS GROUP WITH ADDITION OF HOUSTON

Houston follows Dallas and Austin as part of ultra-high-net learning network; Financial planning executive Rick Gornto will serve as chair

Houston, TX (June 17, 2015) ‚Äì TIGER 21, North America’s leading peer-to-peer learning network for ultra-high-net-worth investors, has announced the formation of a new group in Houston, bringing the number of North American cities with a TIGER 21 presence to 19. The group will be led by Rick Gornto, an experienced business development and finance professional with strong ties to the city.

Houston becomes the third Texan city with a TIGER 21 group. The organization formed its first Dallas group in 2007 and another in 2011. An Austin group was established in the fall of 2014. In a report released by Capgemini and RBC Wealth Management last year, Houston was home to the second fastest-growing population of new millionaires in the US, just behind Dallas.

TIGER 21 was founded in New York in 1999 to focus on improving Members’ investment acumen and market knowledge while exploring the challenging issues of wealth preservation, estate planning and family dynamics beyond finance. TIGER 21 now has more than 330 Members, who have over $30 billion in personal investable assets. In addition to several groups in New York (8), TIGER 21 has U.S. groups in Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas (2), Los Angeles, Miami (2), Palm Beach, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Tysons Corner, VA, and Washington, DC as well as Canadian groups in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, and Vancouver.

The Houston group will follow TIGER 21’s successful model of pooling collective intelligence from successful entrepreneurs and business leaders who meet monthly to exchange investment ideas and share personal experiences on a broad range of wealth-related topics. In addition to serving as a professional networking and educational platform, TIGER 21 offers Members unique access to direct and L.P. investment opportunities, including private equity, real estate and hedge funds, as well as connections to some of the leading traditional and alternative investment managers.

Gornto has just retired as Managing Partner of full service accounting firm DRDA, has 30 years of experience building and developing small to mid size businesses. He is also the founding principal of First Financial Benefits, Inc., a manager of governmental pension plans.

Gornto was an economics major at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and the University of New Orleans, and also a CFP major at the University of Houston. He has served on the Alvin Community College Board of Trustees, Alvin National Bank Board, Child Advocate of Houston Board, Communities in Schools Board, Nolan Ryan Foundation Board and is past chairman and a current board member at the HCA Clear Lake Regional Hospital.

“Houston has long had a diverse mix of industries contributing to a vibrant economy and a host of opportunities for entrepreneurs and wealth creators. The oil and gas, biomedical, aeronautics, and transportation industries have recently created many first generation wealthy, who can benefit from the type of guidance and support that a TIGER 21 group offers,” said Gornto.

TIGER 21 creates a safe, secure environment for Members to explore critical issues affecting their lives. Through regular monthly meetings, TIGER 21’s Annual Conference and other unique events, as well as through confidential exchanges on a private members-only data sharing network. TIGER 21 Members share their knowledge and experiences and help each other wrestle with issues relating to finance, investment strategies, leading managers and top advisors. Another important part of the curriculum focuses on estate planning, family, health, philanthropy, and issues of community involvement.

TIGER 21’s Headliner Series includes some of the leading investment and finance experts from around the globe and complements monthly Member meetings by providing access to the leading minds and experts to help inform Members’ own investment decisions.

Members also have access to Magnolia Purchasing Advisors, the TIGER 21 unit created to help Members purchase a broad array of high ticket or critical products and services, including insurance, aviation charter and purchase, artwork, automobiles and other collectibles

“We are excited to bring TIGER 21 to Houston and that Rick Gornto will lead our group there,” said Jonathan Kempner, President of TIGER 21. “Rick has deep ties to the business and financial community in Houston. He knows who can benefit from TIGER 21 membership and how to make the group grow and prosper.”

About TIGER 21:

TIGER 21 (The Investment Group for Enhanced Results in the 21st Century) is North America’s premier peer-to-peer learning network for high-net-worth investors. TIGER 21’s over 330 Members collectively manage more than $30 billion in total assets and are entrepreneurs, inventors and top executives. TIGER 21 focuses on improving investment acumen as well as exploring common issues of wealth preservation, estate planning and family dynamics beyond finance. Founded in 1999, TIGER 21 is headquartered in New York City and has groups in Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Palm Beach, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Tysons Corner, VA, and Washington, DC as well as Canadian groups in Calgary, Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver. More information can be found at www.tiger21.com.

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