Mesirow Financial Announces the Promotion of Key Investment Advisors

CHICAGO, July 8, 2008 — Mesirow Financial announced today the appointment of three key investment managers from the company's Investment Advisory Division—Ernest J. Talarico, III (37), Vincent A. Allegra (30) and Christopher J. Pohlman (30). The promotions recognize significant growth in their businesses and their ongoing contribution to the firm's fast-growing Investment Advisory Division, which currently manages more than $5 billion in assets.

Summaries of the investment managers are as follows. Photos are available upon request:

• Ernest J. Talarico, III (37) was promoted to managing director from senior vice president. Talarico manages more than $250 million in assets for individuals, family offices, corporations and institutions. He has over 10 years of experience in the financial services industry and joined Mesirow Financial in 1998. Talarico holds an Accredited Investment Fiduciary^® designation (AIF)^®. He graduated from the University of Iowa. Talarico is a board member for the NewLink Genetics Corporation and co-chairman for the Chicago Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Talarico is also the founder and chairman of the Talarico Ataxia Foundation, which in eight years has become one of the largest contributors to the National Ataxia Foundation.
• Vincent A. Allegra (30) and Christopher J. Pohlman (30) were promoted to senior vice president from vice president. Allegra and Pohlman work as a team to service high net worth individuals, families, corporations and institutions. Together they manage more than $200 in client assets. This promotion is their second in two years, signifying their rapid achievement in the business.

Allegra joined Mesirow Financial in 2004. He holds an Accredited Investment Fiduciary^® designation (AIF)^® and is a graduate of Villanova University. He is an associate board member for Inner City Teaching Corps and a board member for the Safari Club International.

Pohlman joined Mesirow Financial in 2000. He holds an Accredited Investment Fiduciary^® designation (AIF)^® and is a graduate of Benedictine University. Pohlman is a Level One candidate for the CFA Charterholder program.

Mesirow Financial is a diversified financial services firm headquartered in Chicago. Founded in 1937, it is an independent employee-owned firm with $30 billion in assets under management and 1,100 employees in offices across the country. With expertise in Investment Management, Investment Services, Insurance Services, Investment Banking, Consulting and Real Estate, Mesirow Financial has consistently met the financial needs of institutions, public sector entities, corporations and individuals. For more information about Mesirow Financial, visit its Web site at www.mesirowfinancial.com.

For more information, please contact: Natalie Bauer, Mesirow Financial, 312-595-8158.

 

The Mesirow Financial name and logo are registered service marks of Mesirow Financial Holdings, Inc., © 2007, Mesirow Financial Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved. The information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but is not necessarily complete and its accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Any opinions expressed are subject to change without notice. It should not be assumed that any recommendations incorporated herein will be profitable or will equal past performance. Nothing contained herein constitutes an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy an interest in any Mesirow Financial investment vehicle(s).

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