Albert F. “Bear” Bender III, Partner

 

bear bender_financial_financial advisor_wealth planner_investing_investment services_wealth management_wealth planning_financial planningBusiness Background

 Prior to co-founding Johnson Bender Asset Management in 2016, Mr. Bender spent 17 years as the Head of Worldwide Equity Private Placements for Wells Fargo Securities, Wachovia Securities, and A.G. Edwards.  Before that, he was a partner with the law firm of Armstrong Teasdale and an associate with the Los Angeles-based law firm of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher.  Within these roles, he has advised rapidly growing public and private companies with regard to equity financings and merger and acquisition transactions.   

 

Investment Background 

 “Throughout my legal and investment banking careers, I have worked with hundreds of rapidly growing companies. I have learned a tremendous amount from representing these companies, and I believe these experiences have given me added insight into which factors most influence corporate success or failure. I have also been a longtime passionate student of Warren Buffett, Charlie Munger, and Peter Lynch, and have studied their writings extensively over the years.

 My investment philosophy has been shaped by the teachings of these legendary investors and the lessons I have learned from my legal and investment banking careers.  Rather than trading stocks, I believe in making long-term investments in businesses that I thoroughly understand, have high barriers to entry, and have a history of generating tremendous free cash flow. By founding Johnson Bender Asset Management, Jim Johnson and I have been able to establish a practice based on our diverse business experiences and shared conservative investment principles that we believe will serve our clients well.

 

Personal and Educational Background 

 Mr. Bender graduated with a bachelor's degree in economics from Vanderbilt University in 1983. In 1986, he earned a J.D. from Vanderbilt School of Law, where he served on the Law Review. Mr. Bender holds Series 7, 24, and 63 securities licenses and is a member of the Missouri and California Bar Associations.  Mr. Bender graduated from St. Louis Country Day School in 1979 and was a long-standing member of the Rohan Woods School Board of Trustees.  He is married with two daughters and enjoys playing golf and tennis in his free time.