Ben Eiler is a bond trader and First Southern Securities partner. Ben embodies more than 15 years of industry experience specializing in providing fixed income solutions to individuals, financial advisors and fee based money managers. When asked of Ben, Eric Shahinian of Camac Partners says “My firm has invested in municipal bonds with Ben at First Southern since I believe 2013. We invested in many of the municipal bonds they mentioned, and found each of them to be quite mispriced and cheap. Even the ones I passed on, for various reasons, they ended up being right. I find that their knowledge of the space is top-notch, they have a great work ethic, they are scrappy and do the diligence. They are also operating in an area of the market that they are well above the competition in my mind. Since 2014 we have invested in their Phorcys fund (were the day 1 investor) and I plan to keep our investment there for a very long time. Its been a positive experience; performance has been good, and more importantly they have made money for the right reasons (their thesis being correct).” I need say no more. The University of Puerto Rico School of Business Student Alumni Association is proud to present bond trader Ben Eiler.

Bill's book on Amazon is...

Garnering Capital: Make the Right Decisions. Penetrate the Market. Achieve Profitability.

Question 8: I know you are involved in finding a cure for Zika? Is this such as serious problem and if so what are solutions you are seeking?

Zika may be under-reported in PR and it is a huge issue. We wanted to make a difference so we are looking to address viral illnesses including mosquito-borne diseases such as Dengue and Zika.

Question 9: What has your experience been with living in Puerto Rico? What are the pros and cons?

There is a saying that the best thing about PR is the people and you guessed it...the worst thing is the people too. A lot of people are very stressed by the situation.

It can be relaxing; the music is great. I think college students from the 50 States should come here to learn Spanish on your campus at UPR.

Question 3: What was your best day?

There are priceless experiences. Like having lunch and a lot of drinks with Sir James Black who developed beta-blockers and drugs like Tagamet. Selling a bunch of stock from my couch in PR so I could fund several more deals.

Question 4: Tell us about your first deal. What was it like? What was the most important lesson?

Reputation is essential. I had cold called a NASDAQ-listed company about a merger and they took us seriously as their former general council and I had done a project at the Kauffman Foundation together.

Question 5: Was your second deal any easier?

Only slightly. Our clinical science was taking on a huge vested interest in the pharma industry. We had a way to do away with the side-effects, like risk of death, associated with the big asthma medications you see advertised on TV. We still got the company listed.

Question 6: What about your 3rd deal?

It was still not easy. But by this time there were a few investors who essentially said I have a bit of capital for your next deal. DMPI was retail IPO and now is finally on the NASDAQ.

Question 7: In my mind, you are a real innovator using the Australian stock market to reduce the cost of issuing the pharma and bio pharma securities you take to market. Could you explain your reverse merger deals across the ASX?

Well necessity is the mother of invention. Many people do this as well. Actually in the global economy companies look to stock exchanges as an alternate to VC funding. If your listeners only remember one thing from our discussion today, PLEASE remember that there is not just one way to finance a deal. Even if you live in The Valley venture capital is very unlikely to be the way you will finance your Start-Up. And that is OK! It can be a lot cheaper to be public ex-US.

Question 2: What was your worst day in this business?

Scott, there are many challenges. I remember being in lower Manhattan in the rain five miles from where I was living. I decided to walk without an umbrella as I did not want to miss a critical call on the subway. I knew I would get a call on a clinical trial that would determine the fate of our company. I had bet so much that by the time I got to my house I would know if I would lose it. Well the trial was very, very positive, more so than any trial in the disease in over 15 years. However, it was the GFC (Explain?) and one of our executives had turned out to have misrepresented his background. So, the trial was positive but I lost my apartment. It is my fault for sticking with the problem employee.

Question 3: What was your best day?

There are priceless experiences. Like having lunch and a lot of drinks with Sir James Black who developed beta-blockers and drugs like Tagamet. Selling a bunch of stock from my couch in PR so I could fund several more deals.

Today I am extremely pleased to interview Dr. William James Garner to discuss How to Reduce the Risk of Pharmaceutical and Biotech Investing. He performed his residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Columbia-Presbyterian and is a licensed Physician in the State of New York. He is a US Physician and Entrepreneur.

Dr. Garner earned a Master of Public Health from Harvard University and received his M.D. degree from New York Medical College. He was a resident in pathology at Columbia-Presbyterian in NYC.

He was recruited by a Wall Street boutique.

Newly minted Dr. Garner began searching out patents that could be brought to market through a shell. He has succeeded with three thus far. His focus today is on advancing technologies and companies at significant value inflection points.

Bill monetizes firm assets via licensing, M&A or IPO transactions.

He is currently Chairman of both an ASX-listed and a public Canadian company. The student alumni association of the University of Puerto School of Business is proud to present Dr. Bill Garner.

Question 1: Welcome to the show today Bill. In your own words, how did you get started at this?

Dr. William (Bill) Garner's book on Amazon Kindle is "Garnering Capital: Make the Right Decisions. Penetrate the Market. Achieve Profitability."

When Puerto Rico assembled a sensible tax-incentive-in return-for-jobs-program a talented Puerto Rican attorney, CPA, CEO and entrepreneur was called in to set up everything right. The loss of the 936 system that had boosted education, research, and employment through a thriving pharmaceutical cluster was a heavy blow to good paying jobs in Puerto Rico. As Secretary of Economic Development and Commerce of Puerto Rico he has brought in over a thousand of the brightest business minds from the greatest 1st world service economy — The United States of America. The Secretary’s vast management experience began early in the family furniture manufacturing business. This has been followed with executive positions as President of the Economic Development Bank of Puerto Rico, CEO of both Marvel and Bohio International as well as Board seats in W Holdings, Assurant of Puerto Rico, and the Government Development Bank. I am privileged to present one of our very own; distinguished Magna Cum Laude UPR business and law school alumni; The Honorable Secretary Alberto Bacó Bagué.

Lan Turner is a national expert speaker on futures trading. He explains the 4 most important steps futures traders must take to succeed. Also covered are the major mistakes to avoid. Don’t miss this powerful discussion of controlled leverage investing.

Daniel Hall describes his torturous road to financial freedom. Listen in for the gory detail of financial recovery and growth.

Daniel Hall describes his torturous road to financial freedom. Listen in for the gory detail of financial recovery and growth.

Mohnish Pabrai explains why Warren Buffet avoids high tech companies because he seeks predictable business models. He also explains that Buffet and Munger understand that good investment ideas are rare.

You are not going to have a river of good ideas because the world is a competitive place.

It doesn’t make much sense to put your money in your 20th best idea.

Mohnish maxes out at 10% of assets at cost. Sometimes the nature of the position warrants a smaller 2 or 5% bet.

Mohnish agrees with Charlie and warren but very few investors have the abilities they do. Hence he believes most people should not have just 3 stocks as Munger does.