NEW YORK, NY – November 2, 2009 – Vestar Capital Partners, a leading international private equity firm, today announced the following organizational developments:

  • We have decided to discontinue our efforts in Japan following a three-year period. Notwithstanding the hard work and diligent efforts by our Tokyo team, the Japanese market continues to be challenging for private equity, and our ability to find attractive investments did not meet our expectations. As a result, we have closed our Tokyo office and are no longer looking to make direct investments in Japanese buyouts.
  • John R. Woodard, who headed up our effort in Japan, has returned to the U.S. and is now leading our Diversified Industries Group. John’s 20 years plus of private equity experience will prove invaluable to Vestar as we identify and execute on future investment opportunities during this period of dislocation. John can be reached in our Denver office at 303-294-1821 or via email at [email protected].
  • We are pleased to announce Roger C. Holstein as Co-Head of our Healthcare Group. Since joining Vestar in 2006, Roger has been instrumental in identifying investment opportunities and improving strategy and operating performance across our portfolio, particularly in healthcare. Prior to joining Vestar, Roger was CEO of WebMD. Roger can be reached in our New York office at 212-351-1650 or via email at [email protected].
  • Kenneth J. O’Keefe will take on additional responsibilities in his new role as our Chief Operating Officer. Ken joined Vestar in 2006, having earlier served as CFO of Vestar II portfolio company Pyramid Communications and subsequently as COO of another major broadcast entity. Ken’s new responsibilities will include oversight of firmwide administration and investor relations. Ken will continue to serve as a member of both Vestar Resources and our Media and Communications Group. Ken can be reached in our Boston office at 617-598-2999 or at [email protected].
  • David N. Kestnbaum, who joined our Associate program three years ago from JP Morgan, has been named Senior Associate. David will be focusing on the Diversified Industries, Consumer and Business Services Sectors. David can be reached in our New York office at 212-351-1643 or at [email protected].

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Ken O’Keefe at 617-598-2999 or at [email protected].

About Vestar Capital Partners

Vestar Capital Partners is a leading international private equity firm. The firm’s investment strategy is targeted towards companies in the U.S. and Europe with valuations in the $100 million to $5 billion range. Since the firm’s founding in 1988, the Vestar funds have completed over 65 investments in companies with a total value of over $30 billion. These companies have varied in size and geography and span a broad range of industries. The firm’s strategy is to invest behind incumbent management teams, family owners or corporations in a creative, flexible and entrepreneurial way with the overriding goal to build long-term franchise value. Vestar currently manages funds with committed capital totaling approximately $7 billion and has offices or affiliates operating in New York, Denver, Boston, Paris, Milan and Munich. More information about Vestar is available at www.vestarcapital.com.

Contact:

Kristin Celauro
Owen Blicksilver Public Relations, Inc.
+1 (732) 291-5456