Collard to speak at New York conference

Alumnus John Collard

Finance alumnus, Dean's External Advisory Board member and Hall of Famer John M. Collard will be a speaker at the DealFlow Media Distressed Debt Conference on March 5 in New York City.

Collard, chairman of Strategic Management Partners, Inc., is a turnaround specialist and equity capital investor. 

Conference:

The Distressed Debt Conference 2008

A DealFlow Media Event  (516) 876-8006    www.DealFlowMedia.com

Agenda:

The Distressed Debt Conference 2008 Agenda www.dealflowmedia.com/conferences/dd_conference_08_agenda.cfm

Venue:

Hilton New York  (212) 586-7000

1335 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10019

Date:

March 5, 2008

1:35 PM to 2:25 PM  Panel Discussion

Rocky debt markets and less availability of debt capital have forced private equity firms to re-write their underwriting assumptions.  This panel discusses the current state of the leveraged buy-out market, and how growth-oriented opportunities are being replaced by turnaround and "fix-up"

situations.

Panel:

The State of the Leveraged Buy-out Market: Shifting to Fix-up Situations

Panelists:

Charles F. Riceman, Managing Director, Golub Capital [Moderator] John M. Collard, CTP, Chairman, Strategic Management Partners, Inc.

 (Past Chairman, Turnaround Management Association) Ronald A. Kahn, Managing Director, Lincoln Partners Victor Vescovo, Principal, Insight Equity Holdings Daniel Collin, Partner, Monomoy Capital Partners

Mr. Collard said "private equity investors realize real value-added when they bring in turnaround professionals either to run a company or advise them on investing in underperforming distressed troubled companies in which they want to invest.  These professionals bring a unique leadership style to focus on the immediacy of changes required.  They can determine what is wrong, implement solutions, and find permanent management teams.  When a company is in trouble a different transferable set of leadership skills is required to set the company back on a profitable path." "Focusing on exit strategies from the start is key to maximizing returns on investment.  You must build enterprises that future buyers want to invest in."

"More private equity and hedge fund investors are seeking the help of turnaround experts, and many are adding this talent to their senior management roles."  Regardless of who employs the turnaround manager, their unique expertise is required to be successful in this market.