Robert Poll, the CEO of The Deane Group in New York City, is a highly regarded member of the finance industry. For over thirty years, he has held senior level management roles at some of the largest and most respected firms in the securities business, including Lazard Freres and Co., William Blair & Co., and Chase Manhattan Bank.

During his twelve year tenure as General Partner and Manager of the Municipal Division of Lazard Freres and Co., which included the Municipal Bond and Public Finance departments, Mr. Poll was responsible for overall management, which included: trading, underwriting, arbitrage, research, sales, municipal advisory, and banking activities.

Under his guidance, the Municipal Division advised on or senior managed some of the largest and most complex municipal issues ever financed, totaling over $175 billion.

Mr. Poll also served as a General Partner at William Blair & Co. and a Vice President of Chase Manhattan Bank.

Mr. Poll is a member of the Board of the Indiana University Kelley School of Business, a member of the New York Academy of Science, and a member the Investment Committee of St. James Episcopal Church. He is a former Trustee of the Citizens Budget Commission and a former member of the Advisory Board of the University of Michigan/Public Securities Association Public Finance Institute. Mr. Poll is listed in the Who's Who in the World, Who's Who in America, and Who's Who in Finance and Industry.

Mr. Poll holds a BA from Kenyon College and an MBA from Indiana University in Bloomington.