Biography: Carl M. Birkelbach

Carl M. Birkelbach is founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Birkelbach Management Corp. (BMC), a Chicago-based money manager since 1974 and a registered investment advisor, and Birkelbach Investment Securities, Inc. (BIS). BIS provides broker-dealer services since 1978, is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and is a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers Inc. (NASD).

BMC specializes in socially responsible strategies for managing separate investment accounts. The strategies seek to obtain returns better than those of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index while using financial as well as socially responsible criteria.

Birkelbach has applied his nearly 40 years of investment experience as editor of more than 500 BIS Investment Strategy Letters and as author of "Stock Market Forecasting Through Charting,” a guide to technical analysis, of which over 10,000 copies have been distributed. In addition to applying fundamental analysis, BMC believes its investment strategies apply technical analysis more extensively than any other approach used to select stocks in the socially responsible investing field.

Birkelbach became known to the investment community as the “Lone Bull” by being one of the few stock market commentators who, in the sideways-moving market of the 1970’s and early 1980’s, foresaw the bull market of the remaining 1980’s and 1990’s.

Appearing frequently as a market commentator on television and radio news programs he is a quoted source in many business/financial journals and periodicals such as The Wall Street Journal, Barron’s and BusinessWeek.
Before founding BIS in 1978 and BMC in 1974, Birkelbach was a registered representative at McCormick & Company, and eventually became vice president and director. He had started his investment career with Continental Illinois National Bank and Trust Company.

Active in Environmental Protection

Birkelbach’s socially responsible investment strategies marry his devotion to investing with his concerns about the environment. Birkelbach is president and founder of RIDE Inc. (Recreation for Individuals Dedicated to the Environment), a non-profit corporation. RIDE Inc. (www.CareForYou.org) encourages coalition partnerships to preserve and restore the environment and advocates public access to natural areas for education and recreation for spiritual enrichment through contact with nature.

RIDE Inc. is a member of Partners for Parks & Wildlife, a coalition to save Illinois Nature and Open Spaces. Birkelbach is spearheading CARE for You (Corporate America Respecting the Environment), a coalition of corporations sponsoring care and education for the environment.

From 1997 to 2003 he was a member of the Cook County Forest Preserve Council and currently serves on the Board of the Friends of the Forest Preserve. He also served on the board of the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) for 10 years, including service as IMBA's treasurer.

Windy City Sport Magazine named Birkelbach Sportsperson of the Year in 1995. That same year he received a Certificate of Commendation from the State of Wisconsin for his efforts in resolving conflicts over trail usage in natural settings.

Birkelbach graduated in 1962 from Bradley University, Peoria, Ill., with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, and is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, honor society for business students. His alumni activities and achievements include the university’s highest alumni recognition, the Lydia Moss Bradley Award, and his current service as a Bradley University Trustee.

Birkelbach served as chairman for the Chicago Public Television station WTTW auction and on the Board of Stewards of Old St. Patrick’s Church, Chicago. He is a member of the Union League Club of Chicago and the Olympia Fields (Ill.) Country Club.

He and his wife reside in downtown Chicago and Silverthorne, Colo. He has two daughters and four grandchildren.

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