Former Compass Minerals CEO, Angelo Brisimitzakis, Joins Advent International's Operating Partner Program

BOSTON, Aug. 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Advent International, one of the largest and most experienced firms dedicated solely to private equity, today announced that Angelo C. Brisimitzakis, Ph.D., former chief executive officer and president of Compass Minerals International (NYSE: CMP), has joined Advent's Operating Partner Program as a consultant. He will work closely with Advent's industrial team to identify and evaluate new investment opportunities in the chemicals and materials sector, primarily in North America, and create value in existing portfolio companies.

Dr. Brisimitzakis brings 35 years of chemicals industry experience, including senior leadership positions across a broad range of organic and inorganic chemicals and materials businesses. As CEO of Compass Minerals, a leading producer of salt and specialty fertilizers, Dr. Brisimitzakis led strategic, multi-phased investments that resulted in the expansion of the company's advantaged salt and potash mining assets. In his six years at the helm of Compass Minerals, the company experienced tremendous growth, doubling its earnings and operating cash flow and tripling its market capitalization.

Prior to Compass Minerals, Dr. Brisimitzakis spent seven years in executive roles with Great Lakes Chemical Corporation, a global producer of flame retardants, pool chemicals and polymer additives. Before that, he worked for 14 years at General Electric Company, where he held various management positions in several of GE's operating units, including GE Plastics and GE Silicones. Earlier, he was a senior research chemist at BASF/United Technologies Inmont division.

"Angelo is a proven leader, an excellent operator and a renowned industry practitioner with a wealth of expertise," said Kevin Feinblum, a Principal at Advent International. "We are pleased to add him as an advisor to our team and are excited to begin working with Angelo to uncover opportunities in the chemicals and materials industry."

Dr. Brisimitzakis is currently a board member of Alpha Natural Resources (NYSE: ANR). Previously he served on the boards of Compass Minerals, the National Association of Manufacturers, the Salt Institute and the International Plant Nutrition Institute. He earned a B.S. in chemistry from Wagner College, an M.S. and Ph.D. in chemistry from New York University and an M.B.A. from Pace University Lubin School of Business.

"Advent International has a strong track record in chemicals and the broader materials sector, and I look forward to working with a global firm that emphasizes the importance of generating value through operational improvements and revenue and earnings growth at its portfolio companies," said Dr. Brisimitzakis. "This is an opportunity that I am excited to pursue for this next stage of my career."

Dr. Brisimitzakis is the latest executive to be appointed to Advent's Operating Partner Program, a long-established and successful element of the firm's highly operational approach to investing. The program includes more than 60 senior industry executives, who work with Advent on a consulting basis in specific sectors. These executives, many of whom have been involved in multiple Advent investments, assist in finding attractive investment opportunities, conducting due diligence, and creating and driving value creation plans for Advent's portfolio companies.

Advent has been active in the chemicals and materials industry for more than 25 years and has invested in over 30 companies in the sector globally. The firm has developed a strong track record in carving out these businesses from multinational corporations and enabling them to become successful independent companies. Advent's recent investments in the chemicals and materials sector include Allnex (the former coating resins business of Cytec Industries), H.C. Starck, Maxam, Mondo Minerals, Oxea and Vinnolit.

About Advent International
Founded in 1984, Advent International is one of the largest and most experienced global investors dedicated solely to private equity. Since inception, the firm has raised $37 billion and invested in more than 280 buyout transactions in 36 countries, achieving over 230 full or partial exits. With offices on four continents, Advent has established a globally integrated team of over 170 investment professionals across North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia. The firm focuses on growth and traditional buyout and strategic repositioning transactions across five core sectors, including business and financial services; healthcare; industrial; retail, consumer and leisure; and technology, media and telecoms. After 29 years dedicated to international private equity, Advent remains committed to partnering with management teams to deliver sustained revenue and earnings growth for portfolio companies.

More information about Advent can be found at http://www.adventinternational.com.

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SOURCE Advent International