Investment Banker Calls on Corporate CFOs to Seize Growth Opportunities

James Cassel of Cassel Salpeter & Co., LLC, Moderates CFO Alliance Panel About the CFOs Role as Chief Investor

MIAMI — August 4, 2011 — James Cassel, co-founder and Chairman of Miami-based investment banking firm Cassel Salpeter & Co., LLC, moderated a panel comprised of financial experts who discussed how CFOs can direct and accelerate their companies’ growth. Hosted by The CFO Alliance and the University of Miami School of Business Administration, the presentation titled, “The CFO as Chief Investor: It’s Time to Make the ‘Right’ Investments and Do Deals,” incorporated a presentation, open discussion among panelists, and an audience question-and-answer session.

“Even the most successful companies are apprehensive about investing in expansion during this uncertain period, but the time is ripe for growth” says Cassel. “Many CFOs feel they can’t grow their companies through organic growth alone. Our panel members provided valuable insight about how, when, and where to invest capital.”

After the discussion, Cassel and the other panelists hosted a networking session.

“We finally see that capital is available in the market, and we know that investors want it to be deployed,” says Cassel. “The problem as it pertains to valuation is that many owners and CFOs only hear about the bigger deals – such as LinkedIn and Facebook – so they have unrealistic expectations. I made a point of discussing the value of smaller deals.”

“The CFO as Chief Investor” took place late June, at the Coral Gables Country Club.

About Cassel Salpeter & Co., LLC
Cassel Salpeter & Co. is an investment banking firm with professionals who have more than forty years of financial experience. They deliver smart, straight-forward advisory services to middle market companies across America. With a thorough understanding of their clients’ industries and a keen sense of the economy, the Cassel Salpeter team provides independent, timely advice so clients can capitalize on a rapidly changing global environment. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, Cassel Salpeter is led by James Cassel and Scott Salpeter. Member FINRA and SIPC.

About The CFO Alliance
Established in September of 2007 to promote connectivity through a professional community of leading financial executives, The CFO Alliance brings together the experience, knowledge, and collective wisdom of peers, subject matter experts, and academic authorities to enable senior financial leaders and decision makers to be more effective and act with greater confidence throughout their career. By fostering relationships among those with common objectives, interests, opportunities, and challenges, financial leaders can make long term investments in their companies and their careers through sharing expertise and gaining confidence in their roles. Based on the success of the initial Philadelphia-based chapter, The CFO Alliance has established a national expansion, with a current presence in nine U.S markets: New York, Boston, Washington D.C., New Jersey, Connecticut, Charlotte, Phoenix, South Florida, and Philadelphia. For more information, please visit www.theCFOalliance.org or AchieveNext.com and follow The CFO Alliance Community on twitter @theCFOAlliance.

Miami-Based Investment Banking Firm Defies the Odds of a Down Economy

Cassel Salpeter & Co., LLC Celebrates Successful First Year

MIAMI — August 4, 2011 — Starting a business under any circumstance is challenging, especially in the current economy. But investment banking firmCassel Salpeter & Co., LLC, overcame the obstacles of a sluggish economic recovery and rounded out its first year having completed more than 30 mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, fairness and solvency opinions, and valuations.

“When we opened our investment banking firm, we didn’t know what to expect from a market that was supposedly in recovery,” explains Chairman James Cassel. “Here we are a year later, still waiting for the market to come back, and we’re on a remarkable trajectory.”

Cassel Salpeter leveraged the economic environment by recognizing that even a gloomy market holds opportunities. For example, when Gulfstream Airlines filed for bankruptcy, Cassel Salpeter assisted in a $30 million sale to Victory Park Capital.

President Scott Salpeter sees the potential for continued success, even as unemployment and uncertainty remains present. He points to the growing number of middle market companies whose owners are looking to sell (whether a majority or a minority interest), raise capital, or grow through acquisitions. “We’re hearing from owners who are interested in understanding the current market opportunities,” Salpeter explains. “There is a significant amount of capital to invest in high-quality assets – that is good news for our clients, and good news for us.”

About Cassel Salpeter & Co., LLC
Cassel Salpeter & Co. is an investment banking firm with professionals who have more than forty years of financial experience. They deliver smart, straight-forward advisory services to middle market companies across America. With a thorough understanding of their clients’ industries and a keen sense of the economy, the Cassel Salpeter team provides independent, timely advice so clients can capitalize on a rapidly changing global environment. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, Cassel Salpeter is led by James Cassel and Scott Salpeter. Member FINRA and SIPC.

Cassel Salpeter & Co., LLC, Names Laura Salpeter Analyst

MIAMI — August 4, 2011 — Cassel Salpeter & Co., LLC, a Miami-based investment banking firm, added analyst Laura Salpeter to its professional staff. Ms. Salpeter will draw on her legal background to contribute to the firm’s M&A, restructuring, and financial advisory services.

“Like me, Laura’s experience in the legal sector taught her how to analyze even the most complex transactions,” said James Cassel, the company’s Chairman and co-founder. “Her skills will help us address our growing volume of transactional work with thoroughness and efficiency.”

Laura is a member of both the Florida Bar and the District of Columbia Bar. Prior to joining Cassel Salpeter, she worked at Conrad & Scherer and Ephraim Roy Hess, P.A., and clerked at the 17th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida in Broward County for the Honorable Judge Paul Backman.

“With legal experience, financial services connections, and her finger on the pulse of the economic market, Laura is a triple threat,” says Cassel. “She’s a ‘next gen’ investment banker.”

About Cassel Salpeter & Co., LLC
Cassel Salpeter & Co. is an investment banking firm with professionals who have more than forty years of financial experience. They deliver smart, straight-forward advisory services to middle market companies across America. With a thorough understanding of their clients’ industries and a keen sense of the economy, the Cassel Salpeter team provides independent, timely advice so clients can capitalize on a rapidly changing global environment. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, Cassel Salpeter is led by James Cassel and Scott Salpeter. Member FINRA and SIPC.