He renders investment advice through Investment & Financial Counselors, LLC, an entity wholly-owned by him.

He holds the following designations:

Certified Public Accountant (CPA);

Personal Financial Specialist (PFS);

and Certified Financial Planner (CFP),

and Chartered Mutual Fund Counselor (CMFC) which' is granted by The Institute of Wealth Management of Denver, Colorado.

Additionally, Mr. Shapiro was the recipient of the CSCPA's 1985 Gold Medal award for receiving the highest score in the State of Connecticut on the November 1985 CPA exam.

He was also a recipient of an AICPA's Elijah Watt Sells Award (performance with high distinction) for his national ranking on that exam.

Mr. Shapiro received a Master of Science in Taxation (MST) degree from the Barney School of Business, University of Hartford in May of 1991 with a Grade Point Average of 4.0.

He also received a Bachelor's of Music degree from the Hartt School of Music, University of Hartford in 1981 with a Grade Point Average of 3.73 (Magna Cum Laude).

His graduate study in Accounting and Business was done at Central Connecticut State University between 1982 and 1985 with a Grade Point Average of 4.0.

He gained his initial accounting experience while employed by the second largest non- national CPA firm in Connecticut. By his second year, he was working exclusively as a tax-specialist within their Tax Department.

He continues to consult with other CPA firms advising partners regarding: tax, financial and estate planning matters; business mergers and acquisitions, and representation on income and estate tax controversies.

Mr. Shapiro has co-presented tax seminars for the Institute of Management Accountants, New Haven Connecticut Chapter and has given radio interviews, on tax and financial planning issues, for WPOP radio of Newington, Connecticut.

He is a member of the AICPA and is, or has been, a member of The Personal Financial Planning, Information Technology, Management Consulting and Tax Divisions.

He is also a member of the CSCPA and served on its State Taxation Committee for four years.

10/22/98

INVESTMENT & FINANCIAL COUNSELORS, LLC

©AutoPhotos 1999, Ed Hyman Consulting edwardh@ct1.nai.net