Mr. Backus joined
Benefit Capital in 1999. This came after a career dedicated to banking
and financial services lasting more than 35 years. During that time Mr.
Backus held various positions with Citibank, serving in New York, Argentina, Mexico, Bolivia and Hong
Kong. He later moved
to Republic Bank of Dallas, Texas, where his first assignment was to open the bank's
office in Singapore. He later served in Dallas, heading the Far East and Latin American Divisions. He participated in the bank's
Compensation and Funds Management Committees.
After founding an
international financial consulting firm he returned to banking, this time with
emphasis on domestic markets and credit. He served in senior positions
with Sterling Bank, Houston and Provident Bank, Dallas,
Texas. Before retiring from banking Mr. Backus was
President and CEO of First Bank of the Americas, a $500 million commercial bank in New York City.
After retiring,
Mr. Backus began several financial consulting projects for commercial firms,
and worked as Chief Financial Officer for one of them.
Mr. Backus
graduated cum laude from the School of Foreign
Service, GeorgetownUniversity as well as gaining an MBA from University of the Americas, Mexico City.
He has attended several senior management programs, including one at the University of Hawaii
staffed by professors from the Graduate School of Business Administration of
Harvard University.
