Press Release

Boston - September 5, 2005 - Capstone Partners LLC, a national investment banking advisory firm dedicated to middle market transactions, is pleased to announce that it has expanded its professional team with five new hires.  The additions will strengthen Capstone’s position as one of the leading middle market investment banking firms in the country, rendering the firm as one of the largest M&A groups headquartered in Boston.  The new class of Capstone professionals includes Craig Piccirillo, David DeSimone, Colin Wilson-Murphy, Jeffery Baker and Shannon Cullen.

“We expect continued growth and are very excited about the professionals that have joined us recently. These recent moves will finalize our platform so that we can better attack new industries, expand our research capabilities and support our rapidly growing client base, noted John Ferrara, president and managing partner.  “We have come a long way since spinning our practice out of Arthur Andersen in 2002 and are looking forward to building upon our growing legacy.”

Craig Piccirillo, Vice President, Head of Research

Craig will spearhead Capstone’s research efforts, providing industry and company specific intelligence across the Firm’s sector coverage.  His expertise is in understanding emerging trends and the impact upon the Firm’s clients and their transactions.  Previously, Craig served as senior equity analyst at Fair Haven Capital, a broadly focused, boutique hedge fund.  Prior to Fair Haven, Craig was with Century Capital Management where he was a senior equity analyst focusing on the financial services sector and has also worked in strategy consulting and corporate finance.  Craig holds an MBA in Finance and Accounting from The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a BA from Boston College.

 David S. DeSimone, Vice President

David DeSimone will expand the Capstone transactional capabilities in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, private placements, corporate divestitures, and recapitalizations.  Prior to joining Capstone, Mr. DeSimone was a Vice President at Boenning & Scattergood, a Philadelphia-based middle market investment bank, where he worked with clients across a variety of industries while developing the firm’s technology practice.  David also worked at Needham & Company where he focused on mergers and acquisitions and equity offerings for middle-market technology and biotechnology companies.  David built his earlier career in the investment banking groups of Robertson Stephens in Boston and J.P. Morgan in New York.  David received a Bachelor of Arts in Government from Harvard University.  He is registered with the NASD and holds a Series 7 license.

Colin Wilson-Murphy, Analyst

Colin Wilson-Murphy joined Capstone to focus on transaction execution and business develpment. Colin’s responsibilities will include financial analysis, in-depth industry research and developing relationships with emerging middle market companies.  Previously, Colin was an investment banking analyst with SG Cowen & Co., where he focused on merger and acquisition transactions in the telecommunications, media and technology sectors.  Colin is a graduate of the Tuck Business Bridge Program and received his BA in Political Theory from Trinity College.  Colin is qualified as a General Securities Representative.

 

Jeffrey S. Baker, Analyst

Jeff Baker joined Capstone to focus on transaction execution and market research. Jeff’s responsibilities will include financial analysis, market research and transaction execution. Prior to Capstone, Jeff was with America’s Growth Capital and also worked as an analyst for Rational Software, a Boston based software company. Jeff also spent several years working as a political consultant on various statewide and national campaigns. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from Tufts University.

Shannon K. Cullen, Manager, Operations & Relations

Shannon Cullen joined Capstone to manage firm relations and core operations, including marketing and advertising, client administration, human resources and financial management.  Prior to Capstone, Shannon managed operations at Claflin Capital Management, a venture capital firm in Boston, and Lexecon Inc., an economic consulting firm in Cambridge.  Shannon was also responsible for investment banking operations at Robertson Stephens.  She holds a graduate certificate from Northeastern University and a B.A., in Communication, from Stonehill College.