Board of Directors

Founder and Spiritual Director: Roshi Bernie Glassman

Bernie Glassman is a world-renowned pioneer in the American Zen Movement and a leading creative figure in socially engaged Buddhism. He is the founder and co-spiritual director of the Zen Peacemakers. He has extended Dharma practice from the meditation hall to the arenas of social service, business, environmental stewardship and conflict resolution. He has been honored with numerous ethics, service and achievement awards.

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Chairman and Secretary: Grant Couch

Grant Couch has been in the financial services industry for over 35 years and is currently the Chairman of Manhattan Bancorp and its subsidiary Bank of Manhattan. He developed a deep interest in the buddhist path in 1994 and since then has been an active supporter of many related organizations.

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Prior to his retirement in 2008, Mr. Couch was President and Chief Operating Officer of Countrywide Capital Markets (CCM), a subsidiary of the nation’s largest residential and tenth largest commercial mortgage originator. During his 12 years with the firm CCM provided securitization, incisive research and annual revenue that reached a billion dollars at it’s peak, with trading volumes of 15 to 20 billion dollars per day. CCM was a also a primary dealer in US Government Securities, and a market maker in most other fixed income products.

Mr. Couch began his career in 1971 with the New York-based commercial bank, Manufacturers Hanover Trust. During his five years with Manufacturers, Mr. Couch completed the bank’s credit program and was appointed an officer in corporate lending.

In 1976 Mr. Couch began his fixed income career in New York investment banks, with his primary responsibilities focused on management and trading in mortgage backed securities. Mr. Couch held positions in J. Henry Schroeder Banking Corp, Dean Witter Reynolds, Bear Stearns & Company, Wheat First Securities, the Merrion Group LLC, and Sandler O’Neill.

Mr. Couch graduated with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA with an emphasis in Finance from Lehigh University. He currently serves on the investment committee of the Aravaipa Fund, and is a financial advisor to The Mind and Life Institute, FPMT, Tricycle Foundation, and the Zen Peacemakers.

President and Treasurer: Dharma Holder Chris Panos

Chris Panos, a Dharma Holder in the Zen Peacemakers, is currently a founder and principal of Fundamental Investment Advisors. Over the past 25 years, he has founded several other successful businesses. Chris founded the Bay Area Peacemaker Circle, has been extensively involved with Tibetan refugees, and serves as Board President of Zen Hospice Project in San Francisco.

 

Learn More About Chris Panos

Chris Panos is currently a founder and principal of Fundamental Investment Advisors. He has studied Tibetan Buddhism, Korean Zen, and American Japanese Zen since 1975 and recently became a Dharmaholder in the Zen Peacemakers lineage. Chris received a BA from Indiana University and a MBA from the University of Chicago. He has founded several successful businesses over the past 25 years: among them are Panos Financial, TibetCafé, Groundswell Productions, Athena Mills, and Fundamental Investment Advisors. Chris founded the Bay Area Peacemaker Circle, has been extensively involved with Tibetan refugees, and serves as Board President of Zen Hospice Project in San Francisco.