(Greensboro, NC) February 18, 2008 – Wharton Gladden & Company, a private boutique investment banking group that provides permanent debt financing and equity capital for commercial real estate, announces today that Algenon Cash, executive managing director for the real estate investment banking group was the Keynote Speaker of the NAIOP Chapter Leadership and Legislative Retreat.  The event was held February 11-13 at the world famous Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C.  Cash shared his definition of leadership and emphasized the importance of purpose to an audience of over 300 leaders from the commercial real estate industry.

“This was an opportunity of a lifetime, I spoke in the same halls as Churchill, FDR, and JFK” said Cash.  “Recognizing my purpose and committing myself to fulfilling that purpose has been the secret to my success.  I enjoyed inspiring others from my experiences.”

Furthermore, Cash was appointed to NAIOP’s National Membership Committee.  Cash will meet through out the year with other leaders from NAIOP to discuss goals for recruiting and retaining influential members of the commercial real estate industry.

“I am the youngest member of the National Committee, so I look forward to learning from my peers, but I also look forward to playing a role in helping the membership base of NAIOP to remain diverse” said Cash.

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.