His group thinks lobbying can be a wise investment.

• Author: Roush, Chris
• Position: People

Richard Bryant wants North Carolina to avoid the problems stockbrokers and money managers face in large financial centers such as New York, where regulators have cracked down on unscrupulous trading practices and relationships with analysts. The North Carolina Securities Industry Association in February named Bryant its first chairman. The new trade association has 20 members who work for companies such as Wachovia Securities, First Citizens BancShares, BB&T Investments, RBC Centura, American Express and Central Carolina Bank.

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Bryant, 44, believes the industry needs a stronger voice in North Carolina because of increased media and legislative scrutiny. But while other states have thriving industry groups, previous attempts in the Tar Heel State failed. "The reason stockbrokers don't like to meet together is they don't like to be in the same room. But if you have issues and don't address them and get involved, who's to blame?" The nonprofit association was created to provide networking opportunities for securities dealers, to promote the state's securities industry and, no surprise, to lobby legislators.

Bryant co-founded Raleigh-based Capital Investment Cos. in 1984. Its 190 brokers manage more than $1.5 billion in assets in more than 15,000 accounts. About 40 employees work at its headquarters. Capital expects to report $15 million in revenue in 2004, nearly double the $8.5 million recorded in 1999.

A career in the investment business was the last thing on Bryant's mind as a teenager in Gastonia. His family owned and operated Bryant Electrical Supply Co. in Lowell, which sells building supplies to contractors. Though a Carolina fan, he went to N.C. State to major in electrical engineering, intending to work in the family...