Levine Leichtman Capital Partners Executives Steven Hartman and Michael Weinberg Visit Washington, DC to Make Strong Case for Private Equity with Key Policymakers

LOS ANGELES, April 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Steven Hartman, Principal and Michael Weinberg, Managing Director of Levine Leichtman Capital Partners traveled on March 29, 2012 to Washington, DC to join other private equity funds from across the country in making a strong case for private equity with key policymakers. The effort was the second Annual Small Business Investor Alliance (SBIA) Fly-In event, where SBIA private equity fund managers and limited partners met with members of Congress and other government officials on policy and regulatory issues impacting their funds and the small and medium sized businesses in which they invest.

"Meeting with Members of Congress and other officials is an important way to remind policy makers of the positive impact private equity has on the economy," said Steven Hartman.  "These decision-makers need to know about the positive work we do, and the jobs that are created by private equity investments.  It's critical to ensure that our investment capital can continue to flow to small and medium sized businesses, which are the engine of economic growth in the United States."

SBIA President Brett Palmer agreed, saying, "Funds like Levine Leichtman Capital Partners have the best story in the country – investing in small and medium sized U.S. businesses that need capital to grow and create new jobs.  It is essential to engage your government and tell your story, especially when there are anti-private equity factions actively working in the media and on the Hill to tell a misleading story about private equity.  Washington policymakers and regulators need to hear the real private equity story.  We are pleased that Messrs. Hartman and Weinberg joined us, as these events are a critical chance to be heard. It's also a valuable opportunity to build long-term relationships with the people and agencies that will affect private equity funds for years to come." 

In addition to their visit to Capitol Hill, Messrs. Hartman and Weinberg received policy and regulatory updates from officials at the U.S. Treasury Department, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Senate Finance Committee, and from U.S. Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee Chairwoman Mary Landrieu.

About Levine Leichtman Capital Partners
Levine Leichtman Capital Partners (www.llcp.com) is a Los Angeles, California-based investment firm that manages approximately $5.0 billion of institutional investment capital through private equity partnerships, distressed debt and leveraged loan funds. LLCP is currently making new investments through Levine Leichtman Capital Partners IV, L.P., Levine Leichtman Capital Partners SBIC Fund, L.P., and Levine Leichtman Capital Partners Deep Value Fund II, L.P. Prior investments by Levine Leichtman Capital Partners include CiCi's Pizza, Hackney Ladish, Jon Douglas Real Estate Group, Overhill Farms and Quizno's.

Levine Leichtman Capital Partners is a member of the Small Business Investor Alliance (www.sbia.org), the premier organization of lower middle market private equity funds and investors. SBIA members provide vital capital to small and medium sized businesses nationwide, resulting in economic growth and job creation. SBIA has been playing a pivotal role in promoting the growth and vitality of the industry for more than 50 years.

SOURCE Levine Leichtman Capital Partners