Avista Capital Partners Builds Out Consumer Industry Practice With Appointment of Charles McIlvaine

NEW YORK, Jan. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Avista Capital Partners, a leading private equity firm, today announced that it has hired Charles McIlvaine, former Global Co-Head of the Consumer Group for the investment banking division of Deutsche Bank, to focus on Avista's investment opportunities in the consumer sector.  In addition, Mr. McIlvaine will serve as a director of Armored AutoGroup, an Avista portfolio company comprised primarily of the Armor All® and STP® automotive aftermarket brands.

David Burgstahler, President of Avista, said, "Having recently worked closely with Charlie during Avista's acquisition of the Global Auto Group (now renamed Armored AutoGroup) from The Clorox Company, we were impressed by his knowledge of the global consumer sector and his ability to translate his broad consumer industry experience to our investment process.  The partners at Avista are focused on building on our historical success in the consumer sector and creating a new platform at the firm for investments in this sector.  We believe Charlie's broad domain knowledge, transactional expertise, and extensive network of relationships makes him an ideal partner in this effort, and we are excited to add him to the Avista team."  

Mr. McIlvaine added, "My very positive experience with Avista during the Armored AutoGroup transaction showcased how the firm's first-rate individuals, impressive track record in private equity, and culture of teamwork and nimble execution leads to investment success.  As I was considering a move to private equity, and given Avista's commitment to growing in the consumer sector and generating new investment opportunities for its limited partners, this firm felt like a natural fit.  I am thrilled to have the opportunity to join both the Avista and Armored AutoGroup teams and help contribute to their success."

From 2006 through 2010, Mr. McIlvaine helped grow Deutsche Bank's Consumer Group into one of the lead global advisors for M&A and underwriters in the consumer and retail industries.  Mr. McIlvaine began his 20-year career as an investment banking analyst with Merrill Lynch, and held senior positions with J.P. Morgan's Consumer Group before being recruited by Deutsche Bank.    

Mr. McIlvaine received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Duke University and holds an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.  

About Avista Capital Partners

Avista Capital Partners is a leading private equity firm managing approximately $4 billion of committed capital with offices in New York, Houston, and London. Founded in 2005, Avista's strategy is to make controlling or influential minority investments in growth-oriented consumer, energy, healthcare, industrial and media businesses. Through its team of seasoned investment professionals and industry experts, Avista seeks to partner with exceptional management teams to invest in and add value to well-positioned businesses. For more information, visit www.avistacap.com.

SOURCE Avista Capital Partners