Leading National Independent Investment Banking Firm to Support Bioheart With Raising Capital Among Other Activities

MIAMI — Dec. 23, 2013 — Bioheart, Inc. (OTCQB: BHRT), a biotechnology company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of autologous cell therapies, has entered into an investment banking agreement with Cassel Salpeter & Co. as its exclusive financial advisor in connection with investment banking matters. Among other activities as part of the 24-month agreement, Cassel Salpeter will help Bioheart raise capital.

“Bioheart has great potential and technology that can be commercialized with the right partners and capital,” said James Cassel, chairman and co-founder of Cassel Salpeter, a national independent investment banking firm that provides advisory services to middle-market and emerging growth companies. “We look forward to helping the Bioheart team identify and evaluate various financial opportunities and strategic relationships.”

Bioheart has been treating patients with cell therapy since 2001 and continues to lead the field with ground breaking trials and results. Bioheart’s MyoCell therapy has been successfully administered to hundreds of patients. Bioheart is the first company to receive clearance from the FDA for a Phase I study (REGEN trial) using a combined cell and gene therapy product (MyoCell-SDF-1). In addition, Bioheart has successfully utilized adipose derived stem cells in a variety of indications since 2006.

“Cassel Salpeter’s team has an impressive track record spanning more than 50 years that includes successfully handling numerous capital-raising transactions and providing advisory services to companies in a full spectrum of industries,” said Mike Tomas, Bioheart’s president and CEO. “The firm also has extensive knowledge of Florida’s entrepreneurship ecosystem and has assisted many small and middle-market public companies in the state.”

About Cassel Salpeter & Co.

Cassel Salpeter & Co. is an independent investment banking firm that provides advice to middle-market and emerging growth companies in the U.S. and worldwide. Together, the firm’s professionals have more than 50 years of experience providing private and public companies with a broad spectrum of investment banking and financial advisory services, including: mergers and acquisitions; equity and debt capital raises; fairness and solvency opinions; valuations; and restructurings, such as 363 sales and plans of reorganization. Co-founded by James Cassel and Scott Salpeter, the firm provides objective, unbiased, results-focused services that clients need to achieve their goals. For more information, visit www.casselsalpeter.com. Member SIPC & FINRA.

About Bioheart Inc.

Bioheart Inc. is committed to maintaining its leading position within the cardiovascular sector of the cell technology industry delivering cell therapies and biologics that help address congestive heart failure, lower limb ischemia, chronic heart ischemia, acute myocardial infarctions and other issues. Bioheart’s goals are to cause damaged tissue to be regenerated, when possible, and to improve a patient’s quality of life and reduce health care costs and hospitalizations.

Specific to biotechnology, Bioheart is focused on the discovery, development and, subject to regulatory approval, commercialization of autologous cell therapies for the treatment of chronic and acute heart damage and peripheral vascular disease. Its leading product, MyoCell, is a clinical muscle-derived cell therapy designed to populate regions of scar tissue within a patient’s heart with new living cells for the purpose of improving cardiac function in chronic heart failure patients. For more information on Bioheart, visitwww.bioheartinc.com, or visit us on Facebook: Bioheart and Twitter @BioheartInc.

 Top M&A Deals and Professionals honored March 6th at the Colony Hotel 

“The award winners represent the best of the M&A industry in 2012 and earned these honors by standing out in a group of very impressive finalists,” said Roger Aguinaldo, CEO of The M&A Advisor.

MIAMI – March 19, 2013 – James Cassel, chairman and co-founder of Cassel Salpeter & Co., an independent investment banking firm that provides advice to middle-market and emerging growth companies in the U.S. and worldwide, today announced that the firm has been named a winner of the 7^th Annual M&A Advisor Turnaround Awards. The firm, which was honored this month at an awards gala at the Colony Hotel in Palm Beach, FL,  was selected from among more than 175 nominations, representing more than 300 companies nationwide.

Specifically, Cassel Salpeter was named a winner in the “Sector Deal of the Year: Consumer Services” category for its work in the restructuring and sale of Silver Airways (formerly Gulfstream International Airlines) to Victory Park Capital.When Gulfstream International Airlines filed for bankruptcy, Cassel and his colleague Scott Salpeter, the firm’s president and co-founder, assisted in the $30 million sale to Victory Park Capital.Other winners who worked on deal: Berger Singerman; Gulfstream International Airlines; RAM Capital Resources; and Vedder Price.

“The award winners represent the best of the M&A industry in 2012 and earned these honors by standing out in a group of very impressive finalists,” said Roger Aguinaldo, CEO of The M&A Advisor. “From lower middle market to multi-billion dollar deals, we have recognized the leading transactions, firms and individuals that represent the highest levels of performance.”

Added Cassel: “Our sincere thanks to our clients and team of professionals who enabled us to earn this prestigious recognition, which is testament to our firm’s commitment to provide objective, unbiased, results-focused services to middle-market and emerging growth companies in the U.S. and worldwide.”

About The M&A Advisor

Since 1998, The M&A Advisor has been presenting, recognizing the achievement of and facilitating connections between the world’s leading mergers and acquisitions, financing and turnaround professionals with a comprehensive range of services including M&A SUMMITS; M&A AWARDS; M&A CONNECTS; M&A ALERTS, M&A LINKS, and M&A MARKET INTEL. More information is available at www.maadvisor.com.

About Cassel Salpeter & Co.
Cassel Salpeter & Co. is an independent investment banking firm that provides advice to middle market and emerging growth companies in the U.S. and worldwide. Together, the firm’s professionals have more than 50 years of experience providing private and public companies with a broad spectrum of investment banking and financial advisory services, including: mergers and acquisitions; equity and debt capital raises; fairness and solvency opinions; valuations; and restructurings, such as 363 sales and plans of reorganization. Co-founded by James Cassel and Scott Salpeter, the firm provides objective, unbiased, results-focused services that clients need to achieve their goals. Personally involved at every stage of all engagements, the firm’s senior partners have forged relationships and completed hundreds of transactions and assignments nationwide. The firm’s headquarters are in Miami. Member FINRA and SIPC. More information is available at www.CasselSalpeter.com

See the slide show below for photos from the 2013 M&A Advisor Distressed Investing Summit and 7th Annual Turnaround Awards.

MIAMI — April 12, 2012 — Cassel Salpeter & Co., a growing independent investment banking firm, recently hired Philip Cassel to its professional staff. Philip will serve as an Associate and will focus on M&A and restructuring assignments.

“Philip’s wide range of expertise is particularly useful at a firm like ours,” saidJames Cassel, the company’s chairman and co-founder. “His background is exactly what we need to help our clients handle complex transactions.”

Philip, a graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, previously held the positions of Associate at Rialto Capital Finance Group (a wholly owned subsidiary of public homebuilder Lennar Corporation) and Analyst at Alvarez & Marsal. In addition to his work in restructuring and private equity, Philip has also assisted with cash flow modeling, budget planning, and court filings.

“I am looking forward to working with a growing investment banking firm in Miami, especially one that gives me an opportunity to work alongside my father,” Philip added.

About Cassel Salpeter & Co., LLC
Cassel Salpeter & Co., LLC is a middle market investment bank focused on providing independent and objective advice to middle market and emerging growth companies. Our investment banking and advisory services include broad capabilities for both private and public companies: Mergers and Acquisitions; Restructurings, including 363 Sales and Plans of Reorganization; Equity and Debt Capital Raises; Fairness and Solvency Opinions; Valuations; and Financial and Strategic Advisory.

Our senior partners are personally involved at every stage of all assignments. Our success is based on unbiased advice; understanding each client’s business objectives; providing value added services; and our extensive relationships and expertise. We have forged relationships and executed transactions nationally and internationally.

Headquartered in Miami, Florida, Cassel Salpeter is led by James Cassel and Scott Salpeter. Member FINRA and SIPC.

BOCA RATON, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Bluegreen Corporation (NYSE: BXG) (“Bluegreen” or “the Company”)today announced that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement with BFC Financial Corporation (“BFC”) (Pink Sheets: BFCF.PK) which provides for a merger that will, subject to the terms and conditions of the agreement, result in Bluegreen becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of BFC.

Under the terms of the agreement, which has been approved by a special committee comprised of Bluegreen’s independent directors as well as the boards of directors of both companies, holders of Bluegreen’s Common Stock (other than BFC) will be entitled to receive eight shares of BFC’s Class A Common Stock for each share of Bluegreen’s Common Stock they hold at the effective time of the merger. BFC currently owns approximately 52% of Bluegreen’s Common Stock.

The consummation of the merger is subject to a number of closing conditions, including the approval of both Bluegreen’s and BFC’s shareholders and the listing of BFC’s Class A Common Stock on a national securities exchange at the effective time of the merger. The merger agreement provides for all six of the directors of Bluegreen who are not also directors of BFC to be appointed to BFC’s board of directors at the effective time of the merger. The merger agreement also contains other representations, warranties and covenants on the part of BFC and Bluegreen which are believed to be customary for transactions of this type. The companies currently expect to consummate the merger in the first half of 2012.

BFC is a diversified holding company whose principal holdings include a controlling interest in BankAtlantic Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: BBX), a controlling interest in Bluegreen, and a non-controlling interest in Benihana, Inc. (NASDAQ: BNHN). BFC and their affiliates have been Bluegreen shareholders since 2002 and Alan B. Levan and John E. Abdo, who have held the positions of Chairman and Vice Chairman of BFC, have held the positions of Chairman and Vice Chairman of Bluegreen since 2002.

John M. Maloney Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of Bluegreen, commented, “We have had a close and beneficial relationship with BFC since April 2002, and the merger will not have any material impact on Bluegreen’s day-to-day operations. Bluegreen will continue to provide the same high levels of service, attention, and quality that have helped drive our growth and evolution to date. Above all else, we are dedicated to providing vacation experiences, marketing and resort management services that rank among the best in our industry.”

Cassel Salpeter & Co., LLC acted as financial advisor to the special committee of Bluegreen’s board of directors.

Additional Information and Where to Find it:

BFC will file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4, in which a joint proxy statement/prospectus concerning the merger will be included. The joint proxy statement/prospectus will be sent to the shareholders of BFC and Bluegreen, who are advised to read the joint proxy statement/prospectus when it is finalized and distributed because it will contain important information. Shareholders of BFC and Bluegreen will be able to obtain a copy of the joint proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents filed with the SEC free-of-charge from the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov or by directing a request by mail to BFC Corporate Secretary, 2100 West Cypress Creek Road, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309, or by calling 954-940-4900.

BFC, Bluegreen and certain of their directors and executive officers may, under the rules of the SEC, be deemed to be “participants” in the solicitation of proxies from shareholders in connection with the merger. Information concerning the interests of the persons who may be considered “participants” in the solicitation as well as additional information concerning BFC’s and Bluegreen’s directors and executive officers will be set forth in the joint proxy statement/prospectus relating to the merger. Information concerning BFC’s and Bluegreen’s directors and executive officers is also set forth in their respective filings with the SEC.

This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of such securities, in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to appropriate registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.

ABOUT BLUEGREEN CORPORATION

Founded in 1966 and headquartered in Boca Raton, FL, Bluegreen Corporation (NYSE:BXG) is a leading timeshare sales, marketing and resort management company. Bluegreen Resorts manages, markets and sells the Bluegreen Vacation Club, a flexible, points-based, deeded vacation ownership plan with more than 160,000 owners, over 57 owned or managed resorts, and access to more than 4,000 resorts worldwide. Bluegreen also offers a portfolio of comprehensive, turnkey, fee-based service resort management, financial services, and sales and marketing on behalf of third parties. For more information, visitwww.bluegreencorp.com.

Matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are based on various assumptions and involve substantial risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, those relating to the merger, the potential benefits of the merger and the risk that the merger may not be consummated in accordance with the contemplated terms, including in the contemplated timeframe, or at all. These risks and uncertainties are not exclusive, and shareholders are referred to the other risks and uncertainties detailed in reports filed by Bluegreen with the SEC.

Read more:http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20111114005822/en/Bluegreen-Corporation-Signs-Definitive-Merger-Agreement-BFC

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.