WS Chronicle

Wharton Gladden has selected its inaugural “Developing Excellence” summer interns.

The real estate investment banking outfit interviewed more than 50 students interested in pursuing investment banking careers for the five internships.

Wake Forest University students Amy Andreasen and Nick Lee, Bryant Bell of Winston-Salem State University and Denis Dotson and Aaron Guth of Elon University were selected.

Bell, a senior economics and finance major, became highly interested in the commercial real estate industry after hearing Wharton Gladden Managing Director Algenon Cash speak at WSSU.

“I really wanted to get the opportunity to learn from him,” said Bell. “Through this program, I have learned to analyze different commercial real estate deals as well as the mechanics of the development process.”

Andreasen, a senior business and enterprise management major, has also gained insight through the program.

“I have learned a great deal about analyzing and underwriting deals,” she said. “I hope to gain more knowledge within the finance and investment banking industry. I also hope to make worthwhile contacts within the finance industry and hopefully secure employment after I graduate this December.”

Cash said that as the domestic labor market continues to experience a backlog of high unemployment and joblessness among college graduates remains at an all-time high, the internship program will give students a competitive edge in the labor market.

“Wharton Gladden is a rapidly growing firm and we have made significant investments as we expand our brand,” he said. “However, we understand recruiting talented people will provide us with the human assets needed to achieve long-term success, our ‘Developing Excellence’ program represents our commitment to developing people.”