About Us

Headquartered in Cordova Tennessee, east of beautiful downtown Memphis TN, Smith Goodrum Investments ("SGI") is a registered IB (Introducing Broker), and holds licenses with the National Futures Association (NFA) and is regulated by the United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). SGI clears it's business through R.J. O'Brien & Associates, a premier clearing firm (members of all principal commodity and futures exchanges).

Founded in 1914, R.J. O'Brien is a privately owned Futures Commission Merchant (FCM). RJO is one of the oldest and most well-known independent futures brokerage firms in the industry, and is a founding member of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. RJO is also a full clearing member of the Chicago Board of Trade, New York Mercantile Exchange, Commodity Exchange of New York, and the New York Board of Trade.

Our Commitment

Everyone at SGI shares one, very simple and powerful commitment, delivering the very best futures and options trading experience possible.   There are several core principles which guide us every day as we work toward providing superior customer service. These values haven't changed and they never will. This is what makes Smith Goodrum Investments successful.

Our Clients Come First

Quite simply, at SGI, we're focused on helping you, our clients, in reaching your investment objectives. We spend an enormous amount of time and energy identifying new ways to improve our research, service and products to fit your needs and then execute a plan to deliver them. 

We listen to our clients and respond quickly to the ever-changing backdrop of the futures world and do it with your best interests in mind. We understand that our clients are the reason why we exist and take great care to maintain your trust, honor and relationship.

Speed and Accuracy

When it comes to futures and options trading, speed and accuracy is everything. That's why executing your trades and reporting fills as quickly as possible is our primary focus while we continue to improve our speed, efficiency, and effectiveness. We believe it's the 'little' things that count.

Innovation

We're constantly searching for new opportunities, and working hard to introduce new services that will give our clients greater confidence, convenience, control and success. We're always ready for change and new opportunities, and have the experience to capitalize on them.

Integrity and Professionalism

At SGI, we take our collective integrity and professionalism very seriously. Our relationship with you is very important to us. We will always honor our clients by keeping our word and doing what's right. We uphold strictest client confidentiality and are committed to treating you with the utmost integrity, respect, and professionalism. 

We're available 24 hours a day, either locally at the office, home or through our Futures Commission Merchant, R.J. O'Brien & Associates. 

Key Personnel

At SGI, we feel it is to the benefit of our traders, investors, and hedgers to know with whom they are doing business. An important consideration in deciding on a futures brokerage firm is the experience and knowledge of its principal and CEO, Joseph D. Smith and broker, George Vergos Jr.

Joseph D. Smith
Chief Executive Officer and Principal Advisor

Joseph has been a trader for 27 years. Fully registered in the futures and financial business for 25 years, he has worked for such high quality firms as Thomson McKinnon Securities, Conti Commodities, Prudential Securities, and J.C. Bradford & Co. just to name a few.  Joseph spends a great deal of time on proprietary research, market analysis and trading with clients.  

• Lifelong resident of Memphis and Shelby County Tennessee.

• Married 20 years with three children.

• Graduated with honors (top 2%) at Memphis State University 1979.

• Business Major with a focus on finance and economics.

• Member of numerous honor societies and associations.

• Began trading and investing in commodity futures in 1978.

• Became commodity futures registered and licensed in 1980.

• In November of 1980, with the help of three others, opened the Memphis branch of Thomson McKinnon Securities and  became a registered, series 7 licensed professional in 1981.

• Joined Conti Commodity in 1982 to focus on futures, options, currency trading, hedging and risk management programs.  Conti bought out by REFCO in late 1984.

• First Vice President at Prudential Securities, Memphis Office, from 1984 to 1995.  Emphasis on both financial securities and commodity futures business.

• J.C. Bradford & Co. from 1995 to 1999 before Paine Webber merger.  Became a limited partner, First Vice President - futures and member of the Senior Advisory Council in 1995, 1996, 1997, and 1999.  Emphasis on commodity futures trading, research analysis and trading programs.

• In 1999, began his own commodities futures business leading to the establishment of SGI in August 2001.

Disclaimer

The information contained on this website is not to be construed as an offer to sell or a solicitation or an offer to buy the commodities herein named. The risk of trading futures and options can be substantial. Each investor must consider whether this is a suitable investment. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

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