Toledo Business Journal Reports Western Reserve Partners to Enter Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan Market

April 7, 2007

The Toledo Business Journal reported that Western Reserve Partners has entered the market in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan in its April 2007 issue.

Managing Director Mark Filippell was interviewed and is quoted as saying, “Our firm was founded in 2004. Western Reserve’s principals were formerly executives at McDonald Securities. At McDonald we did so much business in this area (northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan) and are interested in continuing this. We are targeting firms in Ohio and the contiguous states. While we will do deals around the country, our focus will be on the Midwest.”

The article pointed out that “the company’s focus is working with industrial firms, including both distribution and manufacturing businesses.”

Mr. Filippell explained the attraction to the market. “The large industrial base in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan is particularly attractive. We have also done quite a few deals in northeast Indiana.”

The article went on to explain that Western Reserve Partners is in the process of expanding the firm. The article reported that, “The office space is being doubled and the number of associates is being increased to close to twice the size of the firm’s initial staffing.”

Mr. Filippell is quoted as saying, “We are not trying to lend money and compete with banks. We also do not do public equity offerings. The smallest transaction we have done is approximately $10 million and the largest is close to $250 million. Most of our transactions are between $25 to $100 million.”

The article then reported two transactions that highlighted the company’s creative financing capabilities.

Ben Yorks, CEO of OMCO, a provider of highly engineered roll formed products, is quoted as saying, “We are very pleased with the technical and strategic support Western Reserve Partners provided us in executing the transaction that resulted in a very favorable outcome for our company and shareholders.”

Steve Runkel, CEO of Quatech, a member of the device networking and connectivity solutions industry, is quoted as saying, “Western Reserve Partners was extremely helpful to us in completing this important merger. Their work with our lenders and investors to effect the recapitalization was critical to the success of the deal.”

The testimonials presented are applicable to the individuals depicted and may not be representative of the experience of others. The testimonials are not paid and are not indicative of future performance or success.