AgraShares Investment Team Joins
Mesirow Financial
Bolsters Direct Alternative Investments Platform with Farmland
CHICAGO, May 5, 2011 – Mesirow Financial today announced that it has hired a team of agricultural investment professionals to develop the firm's real asset strategy in farmland. The addition of these individuals, who previously comprised the investment team of Chicago-based AgraShares, LLC, further expands Mesirow Financial's direct alternatives platform and provides clients with access to the favorable long-term market opportunities that exist in farmland investing. View Mesirow Financial Agriculture website
The team includes Jon Brorson, Van Bitner and Geoffrey Lutz. Brorson, who joins the firm as managing director, brings 27 years of institutional investment experience. He will lead the team and be responsible for portfolio management. Van Bitner, with more than 20 years of farming experience, will be senior vice president responsible for farmland operations. Lutz, who has 27 years of experience in the investment management industry, will be senior vice president responsible for sales, marketing and client service. The team will report to Gary Klopfenstein, head of Mesirow Financial's direct alternative investment strategies.
"Agricultural investing is becoming an increasingly significant part of institutional investors' real asset allocation," added Brorson. "Today's global food crisis continues to be fueled by the combination of explosive population growth and scarcity of resources. Farmland is a key solution to this global economic crisis and is thus set to be one of its long-term beneficiaries. By joining forces with Mesirow Financial, we are more poised than ever to capitalize on that growth and bring global institutional investors an easy way to own farmland that is prudently and profitably managed for their benefit."
"I'm thrilled to have Jon and his team join us," said Klopfenstein. "Their unique talent for creating value in farmland sets them apart from their peers and gives them a distinct competitive advantage in managing their strategy. Moreover, agriculture is a great addition to Mesirow Financial's direct alternative investment platform as we continue to develop our world class suite of alternative strategies."
About Mesirow Financial
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. The firm is well capitalized and has been consistently profitable, with capital of $299 million, revenues totaling $526 million for fiscal 2010 and $51.0 billion in assets under management, of which $24.3 billion are in currency and commodities as of 12/31/10. 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 additional information, visit online at 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.
