Goldsmith Agio Helms Announces Executive Promotions.

MINNEAPOLIS & NEW YORK -- Goldsmith Agio Helms announces that effective January 1, 2007, its CEO, Jack Helms, has moved to Chairman, and Mike McFadden and David Solomon have become co-CEOs. Under this new management structure, which is the result of a succession plan developed by the firm over several years, these three professionals will serve as the firm's Executive Committee. The firm currently has 12 shareholders.

Jack Helms joined the firm as its second professional shortly after its formation in 1984, establishing Goldsmith Agio Helms as one of the nation's first boutique investment banks focused on providing mergers and acquisition advisory services to middle market businesses. Since then the firm has grown to 130 employees with its headquarters in Minneapolis and offices in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. In addition, the firm is the managing partner of Agio International, a European partnership of preeminent boutique investment banks located in London, Madrid, Zurich, and Milan, with over 140 investment bankers. In 2006, Goldsmith Agio Helms completed 56 assignments, a record year.

After nearly two decades of management responsibility and leadership, Helms will now focus more of his time in transaction execution. Prior to joining the firm, Helms was a partner in the Minneapolis law firm of Fredrikson & Byron. Mr. Helms earned a JD, magna cum laude and Order of the Coif, from the University of Michigan and a BS from Iowa State University.

Mike McFadden has advised on numerous mergers and acquisition assignments across a variety of industries. Over the last decade, McFadden has been one of the firm's most successful transaction bankers, where he will continue to play a major role in addition to his new executive responsibilities.

Prior to joining Goldsmith Agio Helms, Mike McFadden was an associate with Cravath, Swaine & Moore in New York. Prior to attending law school, he was a marketing representative with IBM. Mike McFadden earned a JD from Georgetown University and a B.A. in Economics, magna cum laude, from the University of St. Thomas. He also attended the London School of Economics and Political Science.

David Solomon joined Goldsmith Agio Helms over 15 years ago and has advised on numerous mergers and acquisitions, private placements, and restructuring assignments. In 1999, Solomon moved from the Goldsmith's Minneapolis headquarters to found the firm's New York office, which now has 24 employees. Mr. Solomon has been one of the firm's most prolific bankers, and will continue to spend a portion of his time leading transaction execution along with his new leadership role. Prior to joining the firm, Solomon was an officer with a boutique investment banking firm, and previously was a commercial real estate developer for over a decade, responsible for a number of high-end shopping centers and mixed-use projects. Mr. Solomon earned an MBA from the University of Minnesota's Carlson School, and both a B.A., magna cum laude, and a masters degree from Yale University.

Commenting on the management change, Jack Helms stated, "This change is exciting for two reasons. First, on a personal level, I remain fully committed to the long term, continued growth of the firm, and this change will allow me to devote considerable additional attention to working directly with clients in sourcing and completing transactions and in working closely with our outstanding younger bankers. Second, and more importantly for the firm, Mike's and David's dynamic leadership, passion for our business, and commitment to our firm's unique culture and values will add tremendously to our momentum and continued success." The Executive Committee will work closely with Bill Sharpe, COO and Managing Director, who is responsible for managing the firm on a day-to-day basis.