Richard Walker, Vice President for Corporate Giving at Friedman Billings Ramsey Group, organized and hosted a briefing at the FBR headquarters in Arlington, Virginia to acquaint Institute scholars with the firm’s business interests.  In addition to moderating the briefing, Walker discussed his role in directing the company’s charitable efforts, which are focused particularly in the Washington metropolitan area.  In addition to supporting charities in Washington, the firm’s largest impact elsewhere is in Phoenix, Arizona, where the firm sponsors the FBR Open on the Professional Golf Association tour.

Frank Walker, no relation to Dick, is Chief Compliance Officer for FBR Investment Management, Inc. (FBRIM), the firm’s registered investment adviser. FBRIM manages a broad spectrum of investment vehicles, including hedge funds, private equity funds and venture capital funds.  Walker discussed the role of the compliance officer in protecting the firm and its clients. 

Richard Coll, Associate General Counsel, discussed the characteristics that would make one successful in his role.  He also discussed the many rewarding career opportunities for lawyers to work in corporate settings.  He answered numerous questions from the scholars, such as the firm’s standard for retaining outside counsel.

Roderick Dunlap, Vice President of Sales, discussed his transition from an Engineering major at Georgia Tech to a sales executive for an investment bank.  He told the scholars that personal characteristics and aptitude were greater determinants of success in sales or most other fields than major areas of study in college.  He told the scholars about his work at FBR and described his typical day.

Robert Dean, Vice President of Risk Management, discussed the need for risk management in an investment bank or any other securities related business.  His discussion also combined a description of the technical aspects of his job with career advice for the scholars.

These discussions were followed by a reception at which the scholars had the opportunity to speak more casually with these FBR executives and others.