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.