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OUR PEOPLE

At SouthernSun, our people bring a high level of creativity, diversity, and professionalism to the firm. We have four teams to ensure that we perform our duties for our clients in the most effective means possible. Our people are listed below by name with their appropriate team.

INVESTMENT TEAM

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Michael W. Cook

Michael W. Cook, Sr. CEO/Chief Investment Officer

Mr. Cook founded SouthernSun, formerly Cook Mayer Taylor (CMT), in 1989, and is primarily responsible for the investment of SouthernSun’s domestic and global assets, which includes the SouthernSun Small Cap Fund. Mr. Cook has been featured and quoted in The Wall Street Journal and Investment News and has been a speaker on CNBC and Fox Business News. He is a requested presenter on U.S. and Global small and mid cap opportunities at regional U.S. and European investor conferences. Mr. Cook attended Covenant College and the OCCA Business Programme, Wycliffe Hall, University of Oxford. He is a member of the Covenant College Wilberforce Scholarship Steering Committee and a member of the CFA Institute.
Phillip W. Cook

Phillip W. Cook, Director of Research

Mr. Cook joined SouthernSun in 2006. He is responsible for coordination of research and communication within the investment team and is responsible for the research and analysis of existing portfolio companies as well as new ideas. Prior to joining SouthernSun, Mr. Cook served as the Analyst to the Chairman and CEO of Trivest Partners, a Miami-based private equity firm focused on middle-market LBOs. He received his B.S. in International Business, summa cum laude, from Auburn University and has passed Level II of the CFA exam.
Peter W. Matthews

Peter W. Matthews, CFA, CPA, Senior Analyst

Mr. Matthews joined SouthernSun in 2006. He is responsible for company research and analysis of current and potential portfolio holdings. Prior to joining SouthernSun, Mr. Matthews worked in operations for Southeastern Asset Management and the Longleaf Partners Funds. Mr. Matthews graduated from Rhodes College with a major in Economics and subsequently received his M.B.A. and M.S. in Accounting from the University of Memphis. He is a licensed CPA and is a CFA charterholder.

Michael S. Cross

Michael S. Cross, Managing Director and Analyst

Mr. Cross joined SouthernSun in 2008. He is responsible for company research and analysis of current and potential portfolio holdings. Prior to joining SouthernSun, Mr. Cross was an officer of Cummins, Inc. and responsible for leading one of Cummins business units. He has Global experience in Sales, Marketing, Finance, Accounting, Logistics, Operations and General Management. Mr. Cross received his B.S. from Vanderbilt University and an M.B.A. from Vanderbilt's Owen School with concentrations in Finance, Accounting and Management Information Systems. He has also passed the CPA exam. Mr. Cross serves on the Board of the Neighborhood Christian Center.
S. Elliot Cunningham

S. Elliot Cunningham, Analyst

Mr. Cunningham joined SouthernSun in 2008. His responsibilities include the research and analysis of investment opportunities and monitoring of existing portfolio companies. Prior to joining SouthernSun, Mr. Cunningham served as an Analyst for RMK Funds at Morgan Asset Management. He received his B.S. in Business Administration, magna cum laude, from Auburn University.
Lydia M. Martin

Lydia M. Martin, Executive Assistant

Mrs. Martin joined SouthernSun in 2010. Her current responsibilities include facilitating the functions of the firm’s Chief Executive Officer/Chief Investment Officer. Prior to joining SouthernSun, she was an Executive Assistant for Looney Ricks Kiss Architects in Memphis, TN. Mrs. Martin received her B.S. in Business Administration from Arkansas State University.

CLIENT RELATIONS TEAM

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Rebecca J. Smith

Rebecca J. Smith, Director of Client Relations and Business Development

Ms. Smith is responsible for the Sales and Client Service effort at SouthernSun. Prior to joining the firm in 2009, Rebecca was a Vice President and employee at Goldman Sachs within the Asset Management division (GSAM). Most recently at GSAM, she served on the manager research and due diligence team, which was responsible for selecting U.S. Equity managers for the private client and institutional external manager platform. Prior to her role in manager selection, she served as a Sales Associate within Institutional Sales covering corporate pensions and central banks. Rebecca received her B.A. in Computer Science and Economics from Duke University and an M.B.A. with a concentration in Finance from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. She is a Level II CFA Candidate.
James S. Glendon

James S. Glendon, Marketing Analyst

Mr. Glendon joined SouthernSun in 2009. His key responsibilities are to communicate and provide information and materials necessary for marketing and business development. Prior to joining SouthernSun, he managed accounts receivable for Simon & Schuster. He graduated summa cum laude from Temple University with a B.B.A. in Finance and earned a Masters in Finance from Vanderbilt University. He has passed all three levels of the CFA Program and may be eligible for the CFA charter upon completion of the required work experience.
Susan C. Crouch

Susan C. Crouch, Client Relations Associate

Ms. Crouch joined SouthernSun in 2004. Her key responsibilities are to communicate and provide information and materials necessary for client relations and business development. Prior to joining SouthernSun, she was in the banking industry for over twenty years, most recently with Wachovia Bank. Susan received her B.A. in English and Journalism from Radford University in Radford, VA.
Cliff C. Sulcer

Cliff C. Sulcer, President, SouthernSun Funds

Mr. Sulcer's responsibilities include client service, business development, and fund administration for the SouthernSun Funds. In addition, he has duties within the firm's institutional client relations and sales effort. Prior to joining SouthernSun in 2007, Mr. Sulcer was with the Regions Morgan Keegan Private Banking Group. He has earned his Certified Financial Planner designation. He received a B.A. in Government and Economics from Centre College and an M.B.A. in Finance from Christian Brothers University. He is involved with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis and Young Adult LeBonheur Leaders, an auxiliary fundraising group for LeBonheur Children's Hospital in Memphis.

PORTFOLIO ADMINISTRATION TEAM

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David A. Stevens

David A. Stevens, Director of Portfolio Administration and Trading

Mr. Stevens joined SouthernSun in 2006. His duties include serving as head trader and overseeing investment operations. Prior to joining the firm, he served as a Professional Services Consultant with Advent Software, implementing trading solutions and best practices for investment managers and hedge funds. Previously, Mr. Stevens assisted the Chairman and CEO of Birinyi Associates of Greenwich, CT, in research, portfolio management, and trading. He has held positions at Citigroup and The Bank of New York in the Investment Banking, Global Risk Management and Currency Trading divisions. Mr. Stevens attended the University of Vermont and has a B.S. in Mathematics and Statistics.
Betty J. Harper

Betty J. Harper, Operations Manager

Mrs. Harper has been with SouthernSun since 1999. Her primary responsibilities include the facilitation and oversight of all operational issues including daily account activity and reconciliation, as well as execution and settlement of trades. Mrs. Harper began her financial career in 1977 at Merrill Lynch and worked for various brokerage firms prior to joining SouthernSun.

Tracey M. Rouse

Tracey M. Rouse, Assistant Operations Manager

Ms. Rouse joined SouthernSun in 2005. Her responsibilities focus primarily on the maintenance, trading and reconciliation of our wrap account relationships. She also assists in all other operational aspects of the firm. Tracey was previously a senior consultant with NYLIM in New York. She holds a B.A. in Music/Education, cum laude, from Virginia Union University.

Letitia C. Vaughan

Letitia C. Vaughan, Operations Associate

Ms.Vaughan joined SouthernSun in 2008. Her key responsibilities focus on the maintenance and reconciliation of wrap account relationships and other operational aspects of the firm. She joins our team with previous experience in the banking and insurance industry. She attended Alcorn State University in Lorman, MS. Ms. Vaughan is very active in her church, Burdette United Methodist Church, where she serves as the Director of Communications, the Vice-Chair of the United Methodist Women, and as a Youth Counselor.

CORPORATE ADMINISTRATION TEAM

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William P. Halliday

William P. Halliday III, Chief Operating Officer/Compliance Officer

Mr. Halliday rejoined SouthernSun in 2006 having previously been with the firm from 1991 to 1999. His current responsibilities include the management and oversight of all facets of firm operations. In addition, he serves as the firm's Chief Compliance Officer overseeing and managing SouthernSun's Compliance Program. Prior to SouthernSun, Mr. Halliday served as Partner/President of Breakaway Athletics LLC. He received his B.S. in Finance from The University of Tennessee at Knoxville in 1986, and a Graduate Certificate in Theology from Covenant Theological Seminary in 1999. Mr. Halliday serves on the Board of Streets Ministries and the Robert M. Metcalf Symposium Board.
Julia G. Wilson

Julia G. Wilson, Executive Assistant

Mrs. Wilson joined SouthernSun in 2006. Her current responsibilities include serving as the executive assistant to the Chief Operating Officer/Compliance Officer. She also serves as the office manager for the firm. Prior to joining SouthernSun, she was a Senior Production Planning Associate with ACH Food Companies in Memphis, TN. Mrs. Wilson received her B.B.A. from Belhaven College in Jackson, MS.
S. Minor Cook

S. Minor Cook, Project Manager

Ms. Cook joined SouthernSun in 2010. Her current responsibilities include oversight and management of team level projects for corporate administration, compliance, operations, investment, and client relations. Prior to joining SouthernSun, she received her B.A. in Communications with a Minor in Business Administration from the University of Arizona. Ms. Cook also received a certificate in Christian Apologetics from Wycliffe Hall at Oxford University.

Maria McCollins

Maria McCollins, Receptionist

Ms. McCollins joined SouthernSun in 2008. Maria serves as our receptionist, and she also assists with other administrative activities. Prior to joining SouthernSun, Maria served as the Administrative Assistant at the Memphis Alcohol and Drug Council. Maria received her B.A. in English from the University of Memphis.