Our Team
Our Leadership Team
Branson Horn, Chief Executive Officer. Branson, a junior Finance major from Chelsea, Alabama, leads Forza in developing and executing strategies to increase microfinance's reach and impact in Alabama. He previously served as Forza's Chief Financial Officer and is excited to continue to work with some of the best and brightest students at the University of Alabama in his new role. This past summer, he studied Portuguese and International Business at the Fundação Armando Alvares Penteado in São Paulo, Brazil. Branson is involved in UA's University Fellows Program and participates in Reformed University Fellowship.
Chris Smith, Chief Investments Officer. Chris is a junior from Birmingham, Alabama, double majoring in Accounting and Finance. He oversees all investment decisions and client relations within Forza. Chris works with Forza/s loan officers to ensure healthy relationships are built with clients to meet their financial and business needs.
Ryan Pellegrino, Chief Operating Officer. Ryan is a sophomore from Bel Air, Maryland, double-majoring in mechanical engineering and mathematical statistics as a part of the University’s STEM Path to the MBA program. Ryan’s duties as COO include coordinating human resource and technology efforts with the help of Operations department directors; these projects include topics such as internship applications and company culture, and website and database management. On campus, Ryan is also involved with the Culverhouse Investment Management Group and the Honors College Honors Ambassadors program. Ryan spent the last summer interning with defense contractor Survice Engineering in northern Maryland as an Applied Technology Operations intern.
Caitlin Timmins, Chief Communications Officer. Caitlin is a junior from West Des Moines, Iowa pursuing a dual degree in Economics and Public Relations. Caitlin oversees branding, social media, and advertising campaigns. On campus, Caitlin is involved with the Elliott Society, the Literacy Center, and her sorority. This summer she worked at Extreme Ireland traveling the country and creating content for their promotional materials.
Logan Chambers, Chief Financial Officer. Logan is a Junior majoring in Finance and Economics and minoring in Mathematics and Mandarin Chinese. Logan is responsible for the cash flow, invoicing, and fundraising aspects of the company. This upcoming summer he is planning on completing an internship with a hedge fund in Shenzhen, China. Outside of Forza and class, Logan enjoys rock climbing, traveling, playing basketball, and being involved in his fraternity.
Rick Lewis, Chief Academics Officer. Rick is a sophomore majoring in Marketing with a specialization in Global Business and a minor in Social Innovation & Leadership. He is responsible for Forza's workshops and business coaching program as well as fostering the growing number of relationships Forza has with the Tuscaloosa entrepreneurial community. Rick is also a member of the University Fellows Experience, served as an intern to the Associate Dean of the Honors College, and has a show on UA's campus radio station, 90.7 The Capstone.