Tampa, Florida – June 25, 2007 – Hyde Park Capital Advisors, LLC is pleased to announce the sale of Orion International Consulting Group, Inc. to Centre Partners. The investment was consummated in partnership with Jeffrey Evans, a staffing industry veteran, who will serve as the Company’s Executive Chairman, and with key members of Orion International’s senior management team. Hyde Park Capital Advisors, LLC, the investment banking subsidiary of Hyde Park Capital Partners, LLC, served as Orion International’s exclusive investment bank in this transaction.
Founded in 1991 by five military veterans, Orion International is the nation’s largest recruiting and permanent placement organization specializing in individuals leaving the military. Over the course of its 16-year history, Orion has placed over 17,000 former-military personnel with over 2,000 different client corporations. Orion is primarily dedicated to finding permanent placement civilian opportunities for exiting junior military officers, enlisted technicians and military healthcare professionals. In addition to the Company’s direct placement business it also offers complementary services through its subsidiaries, including MilitaryStars, the nation’s largest military career expo provider; Velastar Solutions, which provides contract and temp-to-hire staffing opportunities for veterans; and Orion Health Professionals, which connects transitioning military health professionals with premier health systems throughout the nation. The company is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina with five additional offices located in close proximity to military bases across the country located in San Diego, CA, Cincinnati, OH, Virginia Beach, VA, Austin, TX and Sarasota, FL.
Orion Chief Executive Officer Bill Laughlin said, “I’m extremely confident that our new partnership with Centre will enable us to increase the scope of our operations, providing greater resources for our military candidates, who have served their country honorably and deserve the best possible chance at a successful and rewarding civilian career.”
Bob Bergmann, Senior Partner at Centre Partners, stated, “Our new partnership with Orion’s management team is a prime example of the Centre Resource Model in action. Orion will benefit greatly from the expertise of Jeffrey Evans, a Centre Operating Partner, as we seek to expand the business. Centre also stands ready to support the anticipated growth with additional capital. Orion has an exciting future and we are pleased to be a part of it.”
“Orion’s unique operational model and strong management team offer an excellent platform for growth, both organically and through targeted acquisitions,” said Jeffrey Evans, who will serve as the Company’s Executive Chairman. “We look forward to working together to expand further in sectors like health care, energy and aviation, enabling us to provide even greater opportunities for transitioning military professionals and our client corporations.”
“Orion International has been a tremendously successful company under the leadership of Co-Founder and CEO Bill Laughlin, and we are pleased to have represented Orion and its shareholders in the sale to Centre Partners,” said John M. McDonald III, Senior Managing Director of Hyde Park Capital Partners, LLC.
About Centre Partners
Centre Partners, founded in 1986, is a leading private equity firm with a middle market focus that seeks to make acquisitions and equity investments alongside management teams who have or desire a meaningful economic stake in the future success of their businesses. Centre Partners’ Principals have invested over $3 billion in more than 80 companies, partnering with management teams across a broad spectrum of industries. Centre Partners provides those teams with access to its unique resources, which include an extended network of experienced and proven operating executives. Centre Partners has offices in New York City, Los Angeles and Dallas, through our strategic relationship with Centre Southwest. The firm is currently investing through its fourth fund, which has approximately $780 million of committed capital. Centre has deep investment expertise covering the industrial products and services, consumer, healthcare, energy, media, restaurants, retail, and aviation services sectors. For additional information about Centre Partners, visit their website at www.centrepartners.com.
About Hyde Park Capital
Hyde Park Capital is an institutionally focused investment banking firm serving the corporate finance needs of companies in Florida and the Southeastern United States. Our principals have extensive investment banking experience executing merger & acquisition engagements, including purchase and sale of company assignments, recapitalizations, financial advisory, fairness opinions and raising growth capital for companies, including equity, mezzanine and senior debt. With experience in the technology, healthcare, financial services, business services, consumer, and industrial sectors, we broadly represent outstanding growth companies in any industry. As one of the most active investment banking firms in Florida and the Southeast, our professionals have advised on more than 300 investment banking transactions totaling more than $10 billion in transaction value. Hyde Park Capital is headquartered in Tampa, Florida and is a member of the NASD and SIPC. For additional information about Hyde Park Capital, visit www.hydeparkcapital.com or call (813) 383-0202.
