Small-Cap Institute Presents...

We are constantly asked by small-cap officers, directors, and service providers whether corporate governance is something investors care about as much as they read in major business media.  Rather than paraphrase, you can just listen to Mr. Rogers for yourself; pay particular attention to the part where he discusses the nexus between subpar boards and… selling your stock.

SCI was fortunate to spend time speaking with John W. Rogers, Jr., Chairman, Co-CEO, and Chief Investment Officer of Ariel Investments.  Ariel manages in excess of $11 billion and started in 1983 with a core focus on small- and mid-cap companies.

It’s one thing to have a great career in investment banking, a standout career in law, or be a long-tenured institutional investor; Joseph Manko, Jr. has done all three. In his senior role at The Horton Fund, Joe now has a front row seat daily to the unique boardroom challenges faced by small-cap companies. SCI is confident that you’ll learn from his candid, poignant observations.

In this episode, Joseph discusses the key takeaways when meeting with management, and how the fund evaluates their investments from the ground up.

Long before turning 40, Caroline Tsay had multiple large-cap senior operating roles in technology, and has also served on the boards of iconic American companies such as The Coca-Cola Company and Morningstar.  Now, nearly four years into running a software company she co-founded, there are few executives in the country who share her unique perspective about the large-cap – small-cap divide.  SCI couldn’t be happier to share some of Caroline’s thoughts.

Smaller, high-growth companies often make the mistake of eschewing processes and tools that are foundational to how teams can work most effectively together.  Product management, project management, collaboration, and communication tools are just as critical in smaller companies.  So, too, is having clear company goals and objectives.  Listen carefully to what Caroline says about the need to manage and communicate with investors.

Small-Cap Institute's Amanda Gerut interviews Karen Zaderej. Ms. Zaderej is chairman, CEO, and president of Axogen Corporation (NASDAQ:AXGN).

Axogen (AXGN) is the leading company focused specifically on the science, development and commercialization of technologies for peripheral nerve regeneration and repair.

Karen served as Chief Executive Officer and as a member of the Board of Directors of Axogen Corporation since May 2010 and as Chief Operating Officer from October 2007 to May 2010 and as Vice President of Marketing and Sales from May 2006 to October 2007.

Small-Cap Institute's Amanda Gerut interviews WD-40 CEO, Garry Ridge.  Mr. Ridge is president and chief executive officer of the WD-40 Company (NASDAQ:WDFC). 

WD-40 Company is the maker of the ever-popular WD-40, as well as 3-IN-ONE Oil, Solvol and Lava heavy duty hand cleaners and X-14, Carpet Fresh, Spot Shot, 1001 and 2000 Flushes household cleaning products.

Garry has been with WD-40 since 1987 in various management positions, including executive vice president and chief operating officer and vice president of international. He has worked directly with WD-40 in 50 countries.

Garry Ridge has grown WD-40 Company (ticker: WDFC) 10 fold during his tenure as CEO. Garry states that the most important three words in the English language are "I don't know," and goes on to explain why he feels that way in this brief clip.