NEW YORK, Nov. 18, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tauriga Sciences, Inc. (OTCQB:TAUG) or ("Tauriga" or "the Company"), a diversified company focused on generating profitable revenues through license agreements and the development of a proprietary technology platform in the nano-robotics space, has today announced the appointment of Mr. John DiRocco ("Mr. DiRocco") to the Company's Business Advisory Board. The Business Advisory Board's mandate is to assist the Company with management and guidance, developing strategies for raising capital, improving capital structure, identifying new opportunities and technical expertise in the development of the Company's businesses. Mr. DiRocco will specifically assist the Company in building its long term business plan, expanding its institutional investor base, business development, and project finance activity.
Tauriga's CEO Seth M. Shaw stated, "The appointment of John DiRocco to Tauriga's business advisory board provides the Company with an important asset for a number of reasons. His extensive financial experience and outstanding career accomplishments significantly strengthen the Company and its credibility as Tauriga looks forward to building a solid future."
Commenting on his appointment, Mr. DiRocco expressed, "I am pleased to work closely with Tauriga's management team as they develop an intriguing technology platform with many potential applications. I will specifically work with the company on financing activities and utilizing my network to identify additional prospective institutional investors.
Personal Bio for Mr. John DiRocco ("Mr. DiRocco"), age 53
Mr. DiRocco is best known in the hedge fund world as the former Chief Financial Officer ("CFO") of Citadel Investment Group, LLC ("Citadel"), which he joined in 1998 with a mandate to institutionalize the young but growing firm while cutting the Chicago hedge fund firm's borrowing costs. In his capacity as CFO he was instrumental in the growth of Citadel from $800 million to over $12 billion under management. At Citadel Mr. DiRocco set up and ran the portfolio finance department, treasury and cash management and created the first ever counterparty rating for a hedge fund leading to subsequent issuance of private and public debt. Prior to Citadel, Mr. DiRocco was a managing director and Chief Operating Officer ("COO") of Paloma Partners ("Paloma"), from 1991-1998. At Paloma Mr. DiRocco formed broker dealers in five countries and built entire infrastructures for clearing and settling trades, managing liquidity, compliance, tax and accounting. In addition he built much of the operational infrastructure required to aid Paloma morphing from a fund to funds to a hedge fund.
Mr. DiRocco is currently Chief Operating Officer of $400 million New York City based credit hedge fund Reef Road Capital, a position he has held since February 2013. In this capacity Mr. DiRocco is responsible for all business management operations, accounting, compliance, legal, portfolio finance, and all non trading risk including liquidity. Prior to that he held similar positions at credit fund Bell Point Capital Management, LP (July 2011- February 2013) and event driven fund Balance Asset Management LLC (August 2005-June 2007). Mr. DiRocco also serves as a member of the Leadership Council of The Robin Hood Foundation (http://www.robinhood.org/about/leadership-council).
In 1999, Mr. DiRocco was recognized by Global Custodian as one of "60 People who changed Global Investing throughout History" as an Innovator and by International Securities Finance in 2006 for "The greatest contribution to securities finance over the past 15 years". Additionally in 2009, he was recognized as a 'Legend in Securities Lending" by Global Custodian.
Mr. DiRocco earned his BS in Business Administration from SUNY Albany (class of 1980), graduating Summa Cum Laude.
About Tauriga Sciences, Inc.:
Tauriga Sciences, Inc. (TAUG) is a diversified company focused on generating profitable revenues through license agreements and the development of a proprietary technology platform in the nano-robotics space. The mission of the Company is to acquire and build a diversified portfolio of cutting edge technology assets that is capital efficient and of significant value to the shareholders. The Company's business model includes the acquisition of licenses, equity stakes, rights on both an exclusive and non-exclusive basis, and entire businesses. Management is firmly committed to building lasting shareholder value in the short, intermediate, and long terms. The Company's new corporate website can be found at www.tauriga.com.
DISCLAIMER:
Forward-Looking Statements: Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation expectations, beliefs, plans and objectives regarding the development, use and marketability of products. Such forward-looking statements are based on present circumstances and on TAUG's predictions with respect to events that have not occurred, that may not occur, or that may occur with different consequences and timing than those now assumed or anticipated. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, and are not guarantees of future performance or results and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from the events or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include general economic and business conditions, the ability to successfully develop and market products, consumer and business consumption habits, the ability to fund operations and other factors over which TAUG has little or no control. Such forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this release, and TAUG assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. Readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Risks, uncertainties and other factors are discussed in documents filed from time to time by TAUG with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This press release does not and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of any offer to buy any of the securities, nor shall there be any sale of the securities, in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state. The securities have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration, or an applicable exemption from registration, under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.