BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (June 5, 2014) — Founders Investment Banking, LLC today announced that Chris Weingartner has joined the firm as vice president of the technology practice and Ben New has joined the firm as an analyst. These additions demonstrate Founders commitment to serve clients with a talented team of professionals.

Mr. Weingartner will be responsible for assisting the technology practice managing director Zane Tarence with prospect development, market process management, and coordination of the technology practice’s analyst team. “We’re excited to add this position to our growing team. Chris is super bright and has demonstrated character and leadership in his academic pursuits and career alike. His knowledge and commitment to excellence will serve our clients and firm very well,” said Zane Tarence.

Chris brings nearly a decade of experience in finance, technology and operations to Founders. His career started as an analyst for Mountain Group Capital, a private equity fund in Nashville, TN focused on life science and technology companies. Chris then went on work at Inspiris, Inc. as manager of corporate finance where he assisted in the firm’s 2011 acquisition by UnitedHealth Group’s subsidiary Optum. Post-acquisition, he worked in operations as director of performance management, overseeing internal and third party payers utilizing Optum’s In Home Assessment program. During his tenure, Chris drove four consecutive years of nearly 50% growth, played a key role in implementation of an electronic medical records program, and was recognized as an “Emerging Leader” within the company.

Chris graduated from Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia with a B.A. in Economics, and from Vanderbilt’s Owen Graduate School of Management with an M.B.A., specializing in Corporate Finance and concentrating in Operations.

Founders also added a new analyst to the team, Ben New. Mr. New participated in Founders summer intern program last summer and recently graduated from Vanderbilt University with a B.S. in Economics and with a minor in Finance. Ben will serve as an analyst for the oil & gas practice and his primary role will be to conduct company and industry research, perform financial analysis, and provide administrative support to the practice team.