Rockbridge Growth Equity Leads Acquisition of Connect America, a Leading Direct to Consumer Provider of Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS)

DETROIT, Jan. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Rockbridge Growth Equity, LLC (RGE) announced it has led the acquisition of Connect America LLC (www.connectamerica.com).  Connect America products provide consumers the ability to immediately request medical assistance from anywhere in their home with just the press of a button.

Falcon Investment Advisors, LLC partnered with Rockbridge in the acquisition, providing subordinated debt and preferred equity financing.  The companies also announced Ken Gross, Connect America's founder and CEO, will continue to be a substantial owner in the company and will continue in his role as CEO.

"Connect America is one of the largest direct to consumer players in the industry and its large, scalable platform has been instrumental in growing its business to more than 75,000 customers," said RGE Partner Kevin Prokop. "We believe that Connect America's unique expertise and exceptional management team will be the foundation for substantial growth in the years ahead."

Established in 2004 and headquartered near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Connect America differentiates itself from traditional personal emergency response companies through its strategic alliance partnerships, internal marketing expertise and superior customer service.

"I am looking forward to working with Rockbridge and I am confident the relationship is going to transform Connect America into the top direct-to-consumer PERS provider in the country.  Rockbridge and its portfolio of companies support in marketing, technology and operations will be the key to growing our business and opening up new markets."

SPP Advisors, LLC (formerly Security Performance Partners, LLC) represented Connect America in this transaction.  Peter Flynn, Managing Director, commented, "We believe that Connect America was a unique opportunity for Rockbridge to enter the PERS space by acquiring one of the most dynamic and fastest growing companies in the industry.  Partnering with an industry leader like Ken Gross provides management and marketing expertise that is sure to lead to future growth and success."

About Rockbridge Growth Equity, LLC

Rockbridge Growth Equity, LLC is a private equity firm that invests in financial and business services, consumer-direct marketing, and sports, media & entertainment industries.  Based in Detroit, Michigan, Rockbridge owns equity stakes in Ready Financial Group, Protect America, Northcentral University, One on One Marketing and One Reverse Mortgage, and is affiliated with other leading businesses in its target sectors including Quicken Loans, the Cleveland Cavaliers, Title Source, Fathead, Xenith and ePrize. For more information on Rockbridge Growth Equity, visit www.rbequity.com.

About Connect America LLC

Connect America LLC was established in 2004 and is the fastest growing personal emergency response company in the nation. Headquartered near Philadelphia, PA, Connect America has built, in the last 6 years, the 4th largest PERS business in the country. Connect America provides their customers with reliable, and affordable life saving personal emergency response monitoring. For more information on Connect America, visit www.connectamerica.com.

About Falcon Investment Advisors, LLC

Falcon Investment Advisors, LLC ("Falcon") is a private equity firm which invests subordinated debt and equity capital in leading middle market companies. With over $1 billion of capital under management and an experienced investment team, Falcon can invest $10 to $75 million of capital per transaction to support management or leveraged buyouts, growth or acquisition capital, dividend recaps, generational transfers, structured finance and restructuring.  For more information on Falcon please visit www.falconinvestments.com.

About SPP Advisors, LLC

SPP Advisors is the leading investment banking firm in the personal emergency response industry as well as the electronic security industry. For more information on SPP Advisors, visit www.sppadvisors.com.

SOURCE Rockbridge Growth Equity, LLC