I am a professional business adviser with a degree in accounting from a Big 10 school. As an investor of thirty years, I have served in the financial services and professional services industries. I am a past holder of various securities licenses and long time CPA and auditor. I have had an inside look at some of Wall Street's deals and shenanigans.

I also follow regional investment trends as part of my day job and have done so for more than a decade. This role calls for me to comment on these trends to the press. This allows me to see (and detect) the high degree of spin industry players are prone to promote under the guise of market insights.

I am also an active personal investor. I feel strongly that people need to think for themselves and not buy into what the establishment and asset gatherers promote with self-interest: "give me your money and forget it", or, "we have hit bottom, get back into equities".

My best investment move: moved to 100% cash in late 2007 after a strong run in equities and emerging markets. Currently long oil and short financials.