OUR COMMITMENT TO SERVE
I Peer RProposal to ProvideProfessional Services to:STRATFOR Global Intelligence4617720126365Maxwell Locke & Ritter LLPMeg Youngblood401 Congress Avenue, Suite 1100Austin, TX 78701(512) 370-3241myoungblood@5627370-3810-20955-34290MAXWELL LOCKE & RITTER LLPAccountants and ConsultantsAn Affiliate of CPAmerica InternationalTel (512) 370 3200 fax (512) 370 3250Austin: 401 Congress Avenue, Suite 1100Austin, TX 78701Round Rock: 303 East Main StreetRound Rock, TX 78664June 16, 2011Don R. Kuykendall, President & Chief Financial OfficerSTRATFOR Global Intelligence221 West 6th StreetSuite 400Austin, TX 78701Dear Mr. Kuykendall:Maxwell Locke & Ritter welcomes the opportunity to present our credentials to serve as independent auditors for STRATFOR Global Intelligence (“STRATFOR”). With roots extending back to the 1960’s, Maxwell Locke & Ritter has become part of the fabric of Central Texas. We focus on three things:? our clients, our people and the community. We are passionate about the needs of our clients, dedicated to creating an environment of open communication, honesty, compassion and respect, as well as actively participating in the community. These traits, along with the distinguishing characteristics detailed in this proposal and summarized below, differentiate our firm:Industry Focus - Unique vertical industry experience of our firm and our staff. We understand your business.Staffed for Efficiency - Experienced engagement team with staff that average seven years and a minimum of three years of experience per person. You will not train our people on your nickel.Trusted Business Advisors - Key relationships with other business professionals in the community to help solve your issues as they arise throughout the year. We think broadly about your business and will help you establish valuable relationships.You will be an important client to our firm and will receive the highest level of quality service from our team. We understand the scope of work includes an audit as of December?31,?2011 and for the period from acquisition date (August 1, 2011) to December 31,?2011.We realize the needs you have go beyond basic auditing issues and we strive to serve our clients as trusted business advisors. We look forward to establishing a mutually beneficial relationship with you. Should you have any questions about our proposal or desire additional information, please contact me at (512) 370-3241 or myoungblood@. If you wish to see additional information on our firm, please feel free to visit our website at . -19240574295Sincerely,Meg YoungbloodPartnerAffiliated CompaniesML&R PERSONNEL SOLUTIONS LLC“The Resource for Direct Hire & Project Staffing”ML&R WEALTH MANAGEMENT LLC*“A Registered Investment Advisor”*This firm is not a CPA firmFirm Description & ServicesWith roots in Central Texas extending back to the 1960’s, Maxwell Locke & Ritter is an accounting, tax and consulting firm that helps dynamic companies and people achieve their dreams. Partners of our firm are Chris?Adams, David Bender, Connie Bradley, Tom Carter, Dale Cox, Fred Frey, Steve Harvey, Sean Holcomb, Mike Hoover, Steven Knebel, Scott Krchnak, Anita Motloch, Kyle Parks, Steve Pe?a, Rob Repass, Stuart Vick Smith, Kristen Wicke, Meg Youngblood and A.J. Zimmerhanzel. Locally owned and managed, Maxwell Locke & Ritter is the largest accounting firm in the Greater Austin Area with offices in downtown Austin and Round Rock. Relationships with our clients go far beyond the traditional accounting and auditing services. Our range of services is available to provide you with strong solutions to meet your ever-changing environment. These services include:Accountants & ConsultantsAudits, Reviews, Compilations & Agreed Upon ProceduresTax Return Preparation & PlanningMergers & Acquisitions/Due Diligence ConsultingFinancial Planning & Investment Management*Wealth ManagementRetirement, Succession, Estate & Education PlanningCustomized Portfolio Design & ImplementationQualified Retirement PlanningFamily Office Services* Investment advice provided through ML&R Wealth Management LLC, a registered investment advisorDirect Hire & Project StaffingDirect Hire StaffingInterim StaffingProject StaffingEmployee Retention ConsultingOur CultureWe believe that humanizing the workplace is not only compatible with business success, but is a competitive advantage. Our culture allows our people to grow in their relationships with our clients, as well as providing them with a workplace focused on family and the community. The firm’s philosophy of “We care for our clients. We care for each other” is the core to this culture and is built on a foundation of people dedicated to:Creating an environment where people do things because they want to, not because they are afraid not to.Encouraging open mitting themselves and living up to their commitments.Treating everyone with honesty, dignity and respect.Serving our clients with the highest regard for competency, compassion and courtesy.Actively participating in the community.Treating other people as they want to be treated.5435956-60706We focus on selecting and retaining Great People, serving Great Clients and focusing on Great Execution, and it is through these efforts that Maxwell Locke & Ritter has been voted one of Central Texas’ Best Places to Work by our employees 8 years in a row. 5435600-15240Maxwell Locke & Ritter is also proud to have been awarded the Ethics in Business Award by the Samaritan Counseling Center. This important award recognizes individuals and businesses in Central Texas who have been nominated by the community as exemplary ethical leaders demonstrating outstanding ethical practices and excellent business principles including: respect, fairness, honesty, justice, and sustainability.We are fortunate to have attracted a group of people who share these values, and we believe that a key point to our success is our involvement in the Central Texas community, which has many needs and has been very good to us. We believe there is no better training ground and forum for lifelong learning than that offered by the nonprofit community. Individually and collectively, our people are making a huge difference in the community and are proudly involved in over 140 different organizations. We have resources comparable to the “Big Four” firms, yet we maintain the efficiency, flexibility and focus that comes with local autonomy.Affiliations We are a member of CPAmerica International (“CPAmerica”), one of the world’s largest networks of independent CPA and consulting firms. As a member, our firm has instant access to the expertise and resources of 2,600 CPAs at more than 80 large, independent firms across America. In addition, we have the ability to network with more than 28,000 CPAs and consultants around the world through CPAmerica’s strategic alliance with Crowe Horwath International. Through our CPAmerica membership, we have an affiliation with CPAConnect, a companion association of select sole and local CPA practitioners sponsored by CPAmerica. CPAConnect is the leading association for small CPA firms, allowing them to remain independent while at the same time tapping into a much broader and more powerful array of services and resources available from CPAmerica and its larger member CPA firms. Maxwell Locke & Ritter currently has 9 CPAConnect member firms, and the association has more than 250 firms nationwide. It is through these memberships that our clients receive the best of both worlds – local knowledge and decision making authority, coupled with the vast resources and experience of a progressive worldwide network. These affiliations enable us to bring powerful solutions to meet all of your unique financial management challenges, no matter how large or small, without costly overhead and bureaucracy. Benefits to STRATFOROur professionals are highly competent and are trained to deliver high quality professional services, understanding that this is consistent with being nice people and courteous to clients and each other. Our firm provides several benefits that are described below:Experience serving middle market and closely-held businesses. The foundation of our firm’s practice is service to middle market and closely-held businesses. Our experience and base of knowledge enables us to be business advisors to you, providing practical solutions and value to the complicated issues you face. Experienced staff committed to meeting your deadlines. You will not train our service team. Our reputation is built on our proven ability to serve clients effectively, cost-wise and time-wise. Our firm culture does not tolerate missed deadlines. Continuity of professional staff who serve clients. Our staffing decisions are made locally so that quality service is provided on a continuous basis by experienced people who already understand your business and needs. Industry ExperienceOur experience and base of knowledge in the service industry enables us to assist STRATFOR and use our understanding of your organization to help you reach your goals and objectives. The professionals at Maxwell Locke & Ritter have served as auditors to service businesses for many years, gaining an insight and understanding that goes beyond the expertise required to provide basic auditing, accounting and tax services. The leadership we offer as a firm, coupled with the breadth and depth of our experience, gives us unequaled qualifications to serve STRATFOR. Our firm currently serves the following related clients, among others:Black Diamond Capital Partners, Inc. ? Broaddus & Associates, Inc. ? CLEAResult Consulting, Inc. ? Consero Global Solutions, LLC ? Elizabeth Christian & Associates Public Relations, Inc. ? Emergo Group, Inc. ? Focus Strategies, LLC ? G51 Capital, LLC ? Garner & Associates ? Gila Corporation ? G.P. Monnin Consulting, Inc. ? Hoisington Investment Management Co. ? Independence Title Company ? Infomastery, LLC ? Integrated Screening Partners ? International Studies Abroad ? Intex Management Services ? JatoTech Affiliates, LP ? LatinWorks Marketing, LP ? Longhorn Title Company, Inc. ? Market Sense,?Inc. ? MBA Investment Fund, LLC ? The Money Box ? National Insurance Partners, LP ? Neos Consulting Group ? New-Global, LLC ? Noack-Little Architects, Inc. ? Owner Resource Group, LLC ? Pinnergy, Ltd. ? Prewitt & Associates ? Probity Financial Services, Inc. ? Ralph McElroy Translation Company ? Remington Medical Resort, LLC ? Resource Financial Group ? Sentient Fund Management, Inc. ? Sentient Services, LP ? Signature Science, LLC ? Sterling Sasser & Sons, Inc. ? Styx Capital, LLC ? Texas Storage Solutions, LP ? Third Coast Capital Management, LP ? TMI Financial Holding Corporation ? TPR Interests LLC dba Vaquero Waste and Recycling ? Trellis Partners,?LP ? Worth Finance CorporationEngagement TeamThe core team we have committed to STRATFOR has extensive experience in providing personal attention to middle market and closely-held businesses and experience with clients in the service industry. Team members, their role in serving you and years of experience follow: NameRoleYears of ExperienceMeg YoungbloodAudit Partner responsible for services18Rob RepassConcurring Partner on audit services28Sara BohnAudit Associate managing fieldwork11One of the advantages to working with a locally owned firm is continuity of service. Members of your service team will not be transferred to another branch office. We expect our employees to establish great working relationships that stand the test of time. We have selected professionals to provide you with the high-quality service which we consider the hallmark of our firm. Because of the extensive training and experience of your service team, we do not anticipate any need to bring in outside specialists or consultants. Resumes of our core client service team are shown on the following pages.19050104775Meg Youngblood, CPAAudit PartnerEmail: myoungblood@Phone: (512) 370-3241Professional ExperienceMeg began her accounting career with Ernst & Young LLP, where she served both publicly and privately-held companies in the Assurance and Advisory Business Services group for eight years. Meg joined Maxwell Locke & Ritter in January 2005 and provides attestation and consulting services to privately-held companies. She enjoys working at Maxwell Locke & Ritter because of their high integrity and good reputation throughout the Austin community. Industry FocusTechnologyProfessional ServicesEducationThe University of AlabamaBachelor of Science in AccountingThe University of TexasMasters of Professional AccountingCommunityCurrent: Meals on Wheels and More, Member of the Board of Directors; Association for Corporate Growth, Member; Long Center for the Performing Arts, Women’s Leadership Council; United Way, Women’s Giving NetworkPast: United Way, Resource Advisory CabinetAffiliationsAmerican Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)FamilyPhilip Twardowski (husband), Henry & William (sons)952566675Rob Repass, CPAAudit PartnerEmail: rrepass@Phone: (512) 370-3209Professional ExperienceRob has spent his career serving numerous different roles in the accounting and technology industries. Rob has served as Senior Vice President and CFO of Motion Computing,?Inc.; as a partner with TL Ventures, a premiere venture capital investment firm with a focus on funding early stage technology companies; as Managing Partner of the Austin office and Head of the Southwest Region Technology Practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers; and as the CFO of Ross Technologies, Inc.During his career, Rob has led services for over 100 equity financing transactions, including private and venture backed financings, IPOs and other public stock sales with well over $1 billion in proceeds. He has extensive experience working with private equity investments, venture capital, investment bankers and technology industry analysts. Rob serves as an audit partner at Maxwell Locke & Ritter and leads the firm in its practice development efforts. Industry FocusesTechnologyMiddle MarketProfessional ServicesEducationVirginia Tech Bachelor of Science in AccountingCommunityAustin Community Foundation, Board Member, Audit Committee; Mueller Foundation, Board Member; Seton Family of Hospitals, Audit Committee AffiliationsAmerican Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants (TSCPA)FamilyJennifer (wife), Wes (son), Ryleigh (daughter)1905076200Sara C. Bohn, CPAAudit AssociateEmail: sbohn@Phone: (512) 370-3216Professional ExperienceShe joined the Houston office of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in 2000 where she served as an audit manager for publicly-held companies operating in various industries, primarily chemicals and drilling. Some of her notable clients included Lyondell Chemical Company, Equistar Chemicals, Resolution Performance Products, Nabors Drilling Ltd. and PEMEX. Sara joined Maxwell Locke & Ritter in 2006. Her current client list includes SACHEM, SEMATECH, Oxane Materials, ActaCell, Meridian Solar, Gila Corporation, Avant Technology, Lamb’s Tire and Automotive, and Austin Ribbon and Computer Supplies. Industry FocusesManufacturing and DistributionClean Energy and TechnologyEducationTrinity University Bachelor of Science in Accounting and FinanceMasters of Science in AccountingCommunityCurrent: Sustainable Food Center, President of the Board of DirectorsPast: Sustainable Food Center, President-Elect of the Board of Directors (2009-2010), Treasurer of the Board of Directors (2006-2009)AffiliationsAmerican Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants (TSCPA)FamilyBart (husband), Seville (daughter) Investment in Professional ServicesOur objective is to deliver valuable, high quality professional services at a fair price. Based on our understanding of your current operations, our estimated fees are as follows:Services for STRATFOR Global IntelligenceFeesAudit of the financial statements as of December?31,?2011 and from the acquisition date (August?1,?2011) to December?31,?2011$18,500This fee estimate is based on anticipated cooperation from your personnel and the assumption that unexpected circumstances will not be encountered during the processes. If significant additional time is necessary, we will discuss it with you and arrive at a new fee estimate using standard rates before we incur the additional costs. Our invoices will be rendered as work progresses and are payable on presentation. We believe there will be significant start-up time in the initial year of our engagement but we will bear that cost to get up to speed on your company as we view the engagement as a long-term relationship.In addition, you may ask us to provide additional business advisory, accounting and tax services. These services will be invoiced based on standard hourly rates, which currently range from $180 - $385 per hour, based upon the level of experience of the person performing the project. Peer Review-49530299085 ................
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