Hamilton E. James has been a director of the Company since August 1988. He was the Lead Independent Director from 2005 until becoming the non-executive Chairman of the Board in August 2017. He is chairman of Jefferson River Capital, his family investment firm. He was Executive Vice Chairman of The Blackstone Group, a global alternative asset manager and provider of financial advisory services, until January 31, 2022, and served as its President and Chief Operating Officer from 2002 until 2018. He was also a member of the board of directors of its general partner, Blackstone Group Management L.L.C., until January 31, 2022. Mr. James s qualifications to serve on the Board include the knowledge and experience he has gained, and contributions he has made, during his tenure as a director of our Company and his broad-ranging experiences in the financial services industry, including senior leadership positions.