Investment Advisor

Atomi Financial Group, Inc. (CRD # 171787/SEC#:801-126007)(“Atomi”), a California S-Corporation, is a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisors Act”). Atomi Financial Group, Inc. operates under numerous DBA's including: Alternativ Wealth, Atomi Asset Management, Atomi Financial Advisors, and Atomi Private Client Group. Alternativ, LLC acquired Atomi Financial Group, Inc. on June 11, 2022 and Atomi registered with the SEC on July 1, 2022.  Atomi will serve as our investment adviser pursuant to an investment advisory agreement (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”). Atomi is an asset management firm registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Adviser has its principal office and place of business at 20 Executive Park, Suite 120, Irvine, California 92614.

   

Darren Whissen is a principal and chief compliance officer of Atomi.  Mr. Whissen’s career in financial services spans over 20 years. He is also the CCO for Alternativ Licensed Technology Solutions (ALTS), an affiliated SEC-Registered Investment Adviser that serves as a Turnkey Asset Management Platform.  Prior to his involvement with Alternativ Wealth and ALTS, Mr. Whissen founded three financial services-focused firms:

 

• Atomi Financial Group, Inc., a Registered Investment Adviser that served as a boutique wealth management firm. Mr. Whissen served as the managing partner and chief compliance officer. responsibilities included client acquisition and servicing, portfolio design and management, due diligence, compliance, and supervision of all operations and transactions. Atomi was later acquired by Alternativ Wealth.

• Link Alts Capital, LLC, a FINRA-registered broker-dealer that served as a capital markets consulting firm. Mr. Whissen served as a partner and capital markets consultant. responsibilities included market research, client segmentation, product development consulting, marketing messaging assistance, operational and transactional compliance services, and adviser sales training. Link Alts Capital was later acquired by another broker-dealer.

• Aliso Solutions, LLC, a FINRA/SEC compliance consulting firm. Mr. Whissen continues to serve as a Partner and Compliance Consultant. Responsibilities include Broker / Dealer and RIA registration services, mock FINRA and SEC audit examinations, regulatory examination assistance, compliance procedures assistance, annual compliance meetings, due diligence protocols assistance, due diligence sub-advisory services, advisor compliance and sales training, and E&O insurance assistance.

 

Prior to the above endeavors, Mr. Whissen has worked in the capacity of chief compliance officer, chief investment officer, branch officer manager, broker-dealer operations manager, registered representative, and investment advisor representative. He has worked for managing broker-dealers, retail broker-dealers, registered investment advisers, wire houses, investment banks, and angel investing firms. Some key highlights include:

• Served as Branch Office Manager for group of registered representatives. Responsibilities included sales supervision, investment due diligence and other general management activities

• Serviced as Chief Investment Officer / Alternative Investments Manager for multiple advisory firms. Responsibilities included developing investment portfolios, due diligence, trading, reporting, and billing.

• Served as Internal Due Diligence Manager for a private equity investment bank. Responsibilities included screening all inbound investment opportunities, due diligence and underwriting, and supporting third-party due diligence efforts.

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Mr. Whissen holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Paul Merage School of Business at the University of California, Irvine, and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) from Saint Mary’s College of California. He holds Series 7, 24, 63, and 66 licenses as well as Life and Health Insurance license.

    

As our investment adviser, Atomi will work with the Avala executive team to source potential investments and will conduct research and due diligence on prospective investments and their private equity sponsors, analyze investment opportunities, assist in structuring, managing investments and portfolio companies on an ongoing basis. Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, we will pay Atomi a base management fee and an incentive fee for its services. The Avala Board is charged with reviewing and approving each proposed investment and will periodically review Atomi’s services and fees, portfolio investment recommendations and portfolio performance. In connection with these reviews, our Board will consider whether the Atomi fees and expenses remain appropriate.