Robert P. O'Neil Joins Avista Capital Partners as a Healthcare Operating Executive

NEW YORK, April 7, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Avista Capital Partners, a leading private equity firm, today announced that Robert P. O'Neil has joined the firm as an Operating Executive focused on consumer-related healthcare investments. Mr. O'Neil  has more than 35 years of operational and strategic business leadership experience and a proven track record of building healthcare businesses in the pharmaceutical and consumer sectors. Most recently, he was Worldwide Vice President of Business Development for Johnson & Johnson's Consumer Group of Companies.

David Burgstahler, Partner and President of Avista, said, "We are thrilled to welcome Bob to the Avista team. Having led a wide range of projects and initiatives throughout the world for Johnson & Johnson, including managing partnerships and acquiring and divesting businesses in every major region, he possesses invaluable experience. Bob will play a key strategic role at Avista, identifying new investments and advising current management teams. His expertise will help enable us to continue building on the success of our healthcare franchise."

Mr. O'Neil said, "I am excited to join the Avista team, which is held in high regard in the healthcare industry and has a well-earned reputation for operating excellence. The healthcare industry is one of the global economy's most vibrant and important sectors, and I am eager to begin working with the team at Avista to identify prospective investments as well as opportunities to begin improving operations at current portfolio companies."

Mr. O'Neil held a variety of roles at Johnson & Johnson over a 20-year career with the company. Concurrent with his most recent position, he was a member of the Consumer Group Operating Committee and a Board Member for the Johnson & Johnson Development Corp. Previously, he was Vice President, Business Development, for Johnson & Johnson's Pharmaceutical Group from 1994 to 2002.  From 1991 to 1993, Mr. O'Neil was Senior Vice President, Sales, Marketing, New Product Development, for Ortho McNeil Pharmaceutical (a fully-owned company of Johnson & Johnson). He was also a member of the Ortho McNeil Pharmaceutical Management Board. Prior to that role, Mr. O'Neil held various leadership positions in sales and marketing with the company beginning in 1974.

Mr. O'Neil holds an M.B.A. from the Tobin College of Business at St. John's University and a bachelor's degree from the Stillman School of Business at Seton Hall University.

About Avista Capital Partners

Avista Capital Partners is a leading private equity firm with approximately $6 billion under management and offices in New York, Houston and London.  Founded in 2005, Avista makes controlling or influential minority investments in growth-oriented energy, healthcare and communications & 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.

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SOURCE Avista Capital Partners