Robert J. King Jr. Joins Western Reserve Partners as Managing Director

January 19, 2006

Western Reserve Partners LLC announced that Robert J. King Jr. has joined Western Reserve Partners as a managing director. King will work closely with Western Reserve’s mid-sized clients across multiple industries to develop customized investment banking solutions.

King has more than 30 years of banking experience. Previously, King was president and chief executive officer of Fifth Third Bank (Northeastern Ohio). He also served as a Fifth Third regional president, managing the Northeastern Ohio, Central Ohio, Western Ohio and Ohio Valley affiliate banks of Fifth Third Bancorp.

“We are thrilled to have Bob join us,” said Managing Director Ralph Della Ratta. “Bob is a tremendous addition to our team and our clients will certainly benefit from his extensive knowledge and expertise.”

“Western Reserve Partners is a leading investment banking firm that is committed to providing high-quality, customized service,” said King. “I’m excited to join the team and look forward to helping Western Reserve’s clients achieve their objectives.”

King is a board member of The Andersons, Inc., MTD Holdings, Inc. and Shiloh Industries, Inc., and is an advisory director of Austin Powder and Findley Davies. He currently serves on the following boards: Achievement Centers for Children, United Way Services, Ursuline College (Co-Chair Capital Campaign), The Catholic Diocese of Cleveland Foundation, The National Conference For Community and Justice, and The Cleveland Orchestra. King will also co-chair the 2006 campaign for United Way of Greater Cleveland.

King received his undergraduate degree in finance from the University of Cincinnati and an MBA in marketing from Xavier University. He is also a graduate of the Stonier Graduate School of Banking.