Steve Land is a vice president, portfolio manager and research analyst with Franklin Equity Group.

Mr. Land is the lead portfolio manager of Franklin Gold and Precious Metals Fund and has research responsibilities for companies in the metals and mining, paper and packaging industries. He is also a member of the portfolio management team for Franklin Natural Resources Fund.

Mr. Land joined Franklin Templeton in 1997. He holds a B.S. in managerial economics from the University of California, Davis. Mr. Land is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder and a member of the Securities Analysts of San Francisco (SASF).