Evolution Capital Partners Hires New Partner and Opens Chicago Office

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Feb 14, 2011, 07:30 ET

CLEVELAND, Feb. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Evolution Capital Partners, LLC ("Evolution"), a private equity firm focused on the micro-market, is pleased to announce the addition of Mr. Gene Marino to its team as a Partner. Effective March 1st, Mr. Marino will open Evolution's Chicago office, where he will focus on sourcing new investment opportunities, join the board of existing Evolution portfolio companies and continue to build the Evolution brand in the Chicago region. "Hiring Gene and opening a Chicago office will reinforce our presence in the Chicago market, as we already have several portfolio companies there," said Jeffrey Kadlic, a Managing Partner at Evolution.

Prior to joining, Mr. Marino was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Innerpac, Inc., a niche manufacturer of specialty packaging products, a portfolio company of Evolution. Mr. Marino guided Innerpac's growth strategy through the economic recessions of 2009 and 2002, improving EBITDA and revenue growth throughout his tenure. Mr. Marino guided the successful exit for Evolution, culminating in the sale of Innerpac to Rock-Tenn in August of 2010. Mr. Marino has experience in the successful development, implementation and execution of a strategic plan in a multiple site operating entity with over 400 employees. Mr. Marino also brings extensive experience operating a private equity owned business with a successful realization for its investors.

"We are very excited to welcome Gene to the team," said Mr. Kadlic. "His experience navigating the complexities of transforming a regional business into a national competitor is very relevant to Evolution's growth equity strategy and enhances the value proposition to our portfolio company CEOs and Limited Partners." Mr. Marino added, "I am excited to join a growing private equity firm with a passion for building small businesses. This is an ideal situation for me to partner with other CEOs confronting the same challenges growing their businesses that we experienced growing Innerpac. The fit with Evolution is ideal. As partners in Innerpac for five years, we have a great history working together.”

As of March 1st, Mr. Marino can be reached at (312) 263-5080; 105 West Adams Street, Suite 2125, Chicago, Illinois 60603.

Evolution Capital Partners, LLC

Evolution Capital Partners is a Cleveland, Ohio and Chicago, Illinois based private equity fund with a committed pool of capital targeting growth equity opportunities in the micro-market. Evolution defines the micro-market as businesses with annual free cash flow of $500,000 to $2,000,000. Evolution provides capital, management, infrastructure and other resources to leverage the time and energy of the business owner to transform their entrepreneurial business into a sustainable and professionally managed organization. The Principals have collectively made over 70 investments and have successfully guided micro-market businesses through this difficult transition. Evolution is currently investing its second committed fund. For more information, visit www.evolutioncp.com.

Web site: http://www.evolutioncp.com/

SOURCE Evolution Capital Partners, LLC