Mesirow Financial Announces Board Appointments, New Management Committee

CHICAGO, June 24, 2011 – Mesirow Financial announced today that it has appointed three new members to its Board of Directors and has created a 10-member Management Committee. Under the leadership of Richard S. Price, chairman and CEO, the board appointments and new committee will strengthen Mesirow Financial's structure, operations and strategic direction.

"We have a deep bench of talented business leaders who have the freedom and resources to do what they do best. The creation of the Management Committee, comprised of senior leadership of the firm's major businesses, will provide the framework to better leverage those talents and further engage them in the growth of the firm," said Price. He added, "The board appointments will fortify that framework."

Mesirow Financial has added Gary Klopfenstein, senior managing director and head of Currency and Commodities Management, Dominick Mondi, senior managing director and head of the Municipal Bond Sales and Trading department and Kristie Paskvan, Chief Financial Officer, to its Board of Directors. Each board member plays a significant role in their respective business practices and towards the firm's sustained prosperity.

Gary C. Klopfenstein
Senior Managing Director, Currency Management
Gary Klopfenstein is a senior managing director of Mesirow Financial Investment Management, Inc., chief investment officer of the Mesirow Financial's Currency Management and Commodities Management departments and is a member of the firm's Management Committee. He has more than 20 years experience in foreign exchange and is one of the top practitioners in the world in currency risk management. Klopfenstein was integral in the launch of the joint venture between Mesirow Financial and Mubadala in Abu Dhabi, which focuses on commodity and currency risk management services for the Middle East, North African and South Asian (MENASA) region.

Dominick J. Mondi
Senior Managing Director, Institutional Sales and Trading
Dominick Mondi heads the Municipal Bond Sales and Trading department within Mesirow Financial's Institutional Sales and Trading department, and is a member of the firm's Management Committee. Mondi holds more than 25 years experience in the industry, and is responsible for increasing the firm's municipal bond sales and trading capabilities as well as increasing the national exposure via underwriting, trading and sales. During his previous tenure with Bear Stearns, Mondi was honored as the number one salesman more than 20 times.

Kristie P. Paskvan
Chief Financial Officer
Kristie Paskvan serves as Mesirow Financial's chief financial officer and is a member of the firm's Management Committee. She also serves as a director of Mesirow Financial Investment Management, Inc., and is responsible for the company's overall financial plans related to financing, acquisition analysis, capital usage, strategic planning and business profitability. Before her promotion to chief financial officer in 1999, Paskvan established the firm's planning and analysis department.

Mesirow Financial's Management Committee will be responsible for advising the CEO with regard to the strategic direction of the firm, and developing policy proposals for the Board. Last year, Mesirow Financial modified its division structure to focus on its strengths: Investment Management, Global Markets, Insurance Services and Consulting. This new committee continues that focus to ensure that the firm is well-positioned to seize opportunities, maximize synergies and grow.

The Management Committee includes: Richard Price, chairman and chief executive officer; Marty Kaplan, chief executive officer, Mesirow Advanced Strategies, Inc.; Gary Klopfenstein, senior managing director, Currency and Commodities Management; Dominick Mondi, senior managing director, Institutional Sales and Trading; Marc Sacks, senior managing director, Private Equity; Ralph Tuliano, president and executive managing director, Mesirow Financial Consulting, LLC; Julie Vander Weele, senior managing director, Investment Advisory, Retirement Plan Advisory, Investment Brokerage and Investment Strategies; Bruce Young, president, Institutional Sales and Trading; Dennis Black, senior managing director and general counsel; and, Kristie Paskvan, chief financial officer. Each of these individuals has played a significant role at Mesirow Financial for years, and support the firm's strategic direction.

In an effort to streamline internal collaboration and communication, the firm's Executive Committee has been replaced by a Business Managers Forum, which will consist of the heads of all of the principal business units. This new group will have periodic meetings to discuss activities and initiatives, and will disseminate information throughout the organization.

Mesirow Financial is a diversified financial services firm headquartered in Chicago. Founded in 1937, it is an independent, employee-owned firm with 1,200 employees in locations across the country and in London. With expertise in Investment Management, Global Markets, Insurance Services and Consulting, Mesirow Financial strives to meet the financial needs of institutions, public sector entities, corporations and individuals. For more information about Mesirow Financial, please visit mesirowfinancial.com.

The Mesirow Financial name and logo are registered service marks of Mesirow Financial Holdings, Inc., © 2011, 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).

Securities offered through Mesirow Financial, Inc. member NYSE, SIPC. Insurance services provided through Mesirow Insurance Services, Inc.