General Investing >> Money Manager Interviews >> February 7, 2005

DEREK HONG – GREAT COMPANIES LLC

DEREK M. HONG is a Senior Vice President and Portfolio Manager with Great Companies, LLC. He serves on a research team that manages the Transamerica IDEX Great Companies ' America Fund, Transamerica IDEX Templeton Great Companies Global Fund, Transamerica IDEX Great Companies ' Technology Fund, WRL Premier Great Companies ' America Fund, WRL Premier Great Companies ' Technology Fund, WRL Premier 3 Great Companies ' Global Fund, and the Great Companies ' Future Fund. Mr. Hong has been in the investment industry since 1991. His experience includes international equities fund management (Japanese and Canadian equity funds), buyside and sellside research analysis, and university-level teaching. Mr. Hong earned a BS from the United States Air Force Academy and an MBA from Stanford University. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. Profile
TWST: Would you tell us about the history and overall philosophy of

Great Companies?

Mr. Hong: The philosophy behind Great Companies is based on the book,

Great Companies, Great Returns,