The Late Floyd Tyler, Ph.D., CFA
Founder
Floyd founded Preserver Partners, LLC in 2009 and served as President and Chief Investment Officer until his untimely passing in 2023. Preserver manages high income, marketable alternative portfolios for foundations, corporations, public and private retirement plans, family offices, and individuals. Prior to starting Preserver, Dr. Tyler was a Partner and Director of Research at Gerber/Taylor Capital Advisors from 1999-2009. He served as Assistant Professor of Finance at The University of Memphis from 1996-1999 and Instructor of Economics at The University of Tennessee (1991-1992). Dr. Tyler held a B.B.A. in Economics from The University of Tennessee and graduate degrees from Carnegie Mellon University (M.S. in Public Management and Policy) and The Florida State University (Ph.D. in Finance). He received the Chartered Financial Analyst designation (CFA Institute).
Dr. Tyler’s diverse contributions involved board service in health care (Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, LifeBlood Foundation, Methodist Healthcare Foundation, and Sickle Cell Advisory Council); in youth development and education (St. Mary’s Episcopal School, Gestalt Community Charter Schools, University of Tennessee Alumni Board of Governors, University of Tennessee at Martin Business Advisory Council) and economic development/poverty alleviation (Memphis/Shelby County Community Redevelopment Agency Board, Tri-State Bank of Memphis, and Memphis Shelby County Growth Alliance). He was a member of Leadership Memphis Executive Class of 2002.
Dr. Tyler received many accolades during his lifetime. He’s been featured in the Memphis Commercial Appeal, The Daily Memphian, Bloomberg News, Street.com, Wall Street Journal, Barron’s Magazine, Emerging Manager Monthly, Wall Street Transcript, Insurance Linked-Securities Newsletter, Money Magazine, City Wire Magazine, Institute for Innovation Development, Alt Credit Intelligence, just to name a few.
Dana Pointer
Managing Partner, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Compliance Officer
Dana joined Preserver in 2010 during the firm's inception. As Managing Partner, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Compliance Officer, Dana oversees firm-wide management, compliance, business development and strategic planning, investor relations, and the distribution of Preserver’s investment products.
Prior to joining the firm, she served as Vice President and Compliance Officer for FTN Financial Capital Markets from 1994-2010, a national broker-dealer. She also served as Chief Compliance Officer for Channing Capital Management LLC, from 2003-2005. Dana earned a B.B.A. in Accounting from The University of Tennessee.
Dana has a passion for community service and currently serves as a Board member for the RISE Foundation of Memphis, Center City Revenue Finance Corp, and Community Lift. She also serves on the Women’s Foundation of Greater Memphis Financial Review Board & Grants Committee, Benedict College’s Burroughs Business School Advisory Board, and the Diversity Committee for Downtown Memphis Commission. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and Leadership Memphis Executive Class of 2013.
Lara Payne, IACCP
Director of Operational Risk Management
Lara joined Preserver in 2012 and serves as Director of Operational Risk Management. She earned a B.B.A in Finance from The University of Tennessee at Martin. Lara leads the firm’s operational due diligence. She offers analytical support to the firm’s investment team as well as assists in various compliance and back office functions. Lara is also a FINRA Dispute Resolution Arbitrator, having qualified through the National FINRA Arbitration and Mediation Committee. She earned and maintains the Investment Adviser Certified Compliance Professional designation.
John “Mick” Clowers, CFA, CFP
Director of Research
Mick joined Preserver in 2018 and serves as the Director of Research. Mick works on the Investment Team and provides leadership to the Manager Due Diligence conducting investment research on new and existing investments, portfolio reviews and analytics. Prior to joining Preserver, Mick served as a Portfolio Manager (2011-2017) and the Director of Portfolio Management (2017-2018) at Legacy Wealth Management. He graduated from the University of Memphis with a B.B.A. in Finance. He obtained his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER certification in 2014. Mick is also a CFA charterholder.
Terini Dewberry
Marketing Assistant
Terini joined Preserver in 2021 and serves as Marketing Assistant overseeing all marketing avenues of Preserver Partners and Preserver Partners Foundation. She earned a B.A. in Marketing from The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and maintains several certifications relevant to analytics and content marketing. She served as 2018-2019 Marketing Chair for the student chapter of National Association of Black Accountants and Campus Activities Board from 2017-2018. She is a current member of American Marketing Association. Terini manages Preserver’s social media content, web maintenance, marketing materials, and events. She joined the firm with four years of marketing, analytics, and social media experience from several relevant internships.