Kathy Price, Director

What drew you to investor relations?

I have long had a fascination with Wall Street and an interest in communications, so it was natural for a career in investor relations to be compelling to me. The opportunity to learn about new companies and industries and the challenge of effectively communicating their stories and investment prospects gives me an adrenaline rush, and makes my job feel brand new every day.

What is your approach to investor relations in today’s market, and has this changed over time?

My approach to investor relations is and always has been to present a clear, honest, concise and consistent picture of my clients’ past and present performance, and to convey a reasonable and well-founded outlook for the future. For more than 15 years, my relentless drive to communicate my clients’ strategic and operational information and leverage my relationships with the Street on their behalf has enabled them to achieve or exceed their goals and objectives in the capital markets both in the near- and longer-term. The market will always have its ups and downs, but the companies that have the greatest success are the ones that stay the course, regardless of market conditions.

What is the most important factor for a successful IR program?

I firmly believe that a successful investor relations program is a two-way street. That means a company not only must effectively communicate its message and opportunity to the market, but it also should listen to the feedback provided by the financial community and regularly adapt its message to focus on the information that investors want/need to hear in order to fully grasp the company’s true value.

Are there benefits to working with an IR agency if a company already has in-house IR?

The role of the investor relations professional has evolved significantly, particularly with the arrival of Regulation FD and increased rules from the SEC, the NYSE and NASDAQ. Trying to stay atop of all the changes can be a daunting task. Having worked in-house myself, I know the value of getting an outside perspective on how to improve an IR program, reach a larger audience and generate better results. A trusted partner who can help you to navigate the capital markets will make your job easier and can result in a substantial return on investment to the company.

What makes you laugh?

My dog, Gumbo, is a constant source of entertainment and joy for me. A member of the Mastiff breed, he has an intimidating presence. However, once you get to know him, you realize he is a comedian at heart who derives enormous pleasure from making his mom laugh.