(Greensboro, NC) June 28, 2013 – Wharton Gladden announces the launch of its inaugural ‘Developing Excellence’ summer internship program for students interested in pursuing an investment banking career. The firm interviewed over 50 students from universities across North Carolina and selected five students to participate in the program.

As the domestic labor market continues to experience a backlog of high unemployment, joblessness among college graduates remains at an all-time high. This program is designed to give selected students a competitive edge in the labor market. Wharton Gladden is equipping students with analytical skills, business intelligence, professional relationships, mentoring, and a broader understanding of community needs.  Students will use the information gained this summer to participate in a case study competition.  Interns that excel in the program may receive an offer to join the firm full-time after graduation.

Managing Director Algenon Cash said, “Wharton Gladden is a rapidly growing firm and we have made significant investments as we expand our brand.  However, we understand recruiting talented people will provide us with the human assets needed to achieve long-term success, our ‘Developing Excellence’ program represents our commitment to developing people.”

The team of students selected for the inaugural program include: Amy Andreasen and Nick Lee of Wake Forest University; Bryant Bell from Winston Salem State University; Denis Dotson and Aaron Guth from Elon University.

Andreasen, a senior business and enterprise management major with a concentration in finance, currently serves as the team’s Captain. She applied for the internship hoping to gain more knowledge within the finance and investment banking industry. “I have gained a significant amount of professional skill while serving as captain,” Andreasen said. “I have learned a great deal about analyzing and underwriting deals. I hope to gain more knowledge within the finance and investment banking industry.  I also hope to make worthwhile contacts within the finance industry and hopefully secure employment after I graduate this December.”  She is joined by fellow Wake Forrest senior, Nick Lee, who is also a business and enterprise management major with a concentration in real estate management.

Bryant Bell, a senior economics and finance major became highly interested in the commercial real estate industry after hearing Cash speak at a campus event at Winston-Salem State University.  Bell said, “I really wanted to get the opportunity to learn from him.” The students have already participated in a number of negotiations with the firm. “Through this program I have learned to analyze different commercial real estate deals as well as the mechanics of the development process,” Bell noted. “Getting the opportunity to shadow Algenon has shown me the type of commitment and skill it takes to establish and run a successful business.”

Denis Dotson is the only junior on the inaugural team. As a finance major Dotson learned of the firms growing reputation on campus at Elon University. “My goal is to gain valuable professional experience to assist my classroom learning.” Dotson said.   He is joined by senior finance and accounting major Aaron Guth.

The students attend weekly classes where they learn how to analyze multifamily and commercial real estate opportunities.  They also have a unique opportunity to shadow Wharton Gladden employees and each student is assigned an outside mentor. Participating mentors include: David Barksdale, Chief Banking Officer New Bridge Bank; Matthew Rankin, President and CEO Brantley Properties; Lori Thompson President and CEO Premier Federal Credit Union; Timothy Hose, President and CEO Synco Properties; Jim Anthony, President and CEO Anthony & Company.

In addition to the case study competition, the team is planning a community event this summer that will raise money for Wharton Gladden’s Power of One Fund, which makes strategic investments in local non-profit organizations.

Guth considers working with the Power of One Fund, as an important part of the internship experience. “The Power of One Fund is an opportunity for us to give back to the community in a way I never thought possible for such a young professional,“ Guth said. “It is by far so much more rewarding than any of the internship programs any of my friends are completing this summer. “

Cash noted that the internship program demonstrates Wharton Gladden’s commitment to being a strong corporate citizen and our unwavering support of career development for the next generation. “We pride ourselves on being a firm that is dedicated to sharing knowledge about the real estate industry. Through information sharing we can recruit the best and the brightest to join our growing team of professionals, “ said Cash. “We traveled the state in search of the best and brightest students to help launch this program and I firmly believe we were successful.  I’m incredibly proud to work alongside of these gifted students this summer.”

About Wharton Gladden & Company:

Wharton Gladden & Company is a uniquely designed boutique investment banking firm that specializes in providing strategic advisory services, underwriting, capital placement and private equity for a diversified client base that includes corporations, real estate developers, financial institutions, investors, municipalities and high net worth individuals.