COSTA MESA, Calif., Dec. 21, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- RSM EquiCo, an international investment banking firm specializing in mergers, acquisitions and divestitures for the North American middle market, has strengthened its cross-border M&A expertise with the addition of Jean Cayanni as senior managing director of global relations.
"RSM EquiCo's international capabilities have continued to grow; we have distinguished ourselves by providing exclusive buy-side, sell-side and corporate finance advisory services to international companies looking for North American middle-market assets," said Coby Sonenshine, president of RSM EquiCo and CEO of RSM EquiCo Capital Markets, the firm's broker-dealer subsidiary. "RSM EquiCo Capital Markets recently completed several successful cross-border transactions. I am confident that our international presence will continue to expand under Jean's management."
Cayanni brings more than 30 years of experience in investment banking and finance to his role, where he will focus on capital raising and bolstering relationships with international and domestic buyers. To support RSM EquiCo's international expansion, Cayanni will be involved in RSM EquiCo's next International Buyer Symposium, which will be held in Stockholm, Sweden in May 2005. The event will provide an opportunity to discuss the current North American acquisition opportunities with key executives from major corporations and private equity groups throughout Europe.
Prior to joining RSM EquiCo, Cayanni provided corporate finance and strategic advisory services to public and private companies and worked as a senior advisor for Young & Partners, an M&A boutique focused on the chemical industry. Cayanni spent a large portion of his career with Banc of America Securities, where he initiated and oversaw the firm's strategy with the chemical industry. Under his direction, Banc of America Securities closed a wide range of corporate finance transactions with clients such as Arch Chemicals, Bayer, Dow, Engelhart, Hoechst, Johnson & Johnson, Lubizol, Michelin, Olin, Pfizer, Praxair, Union Carbide, and W.R. Grace.
Cayanni received his master's of business administration from the University of Santa Clara. He earned his law degree, master's of business administration and bachelor's of science in mathematics from the University of Rennes, France and a degree in German from the Goethe Institute in Germany. Mr. Cayanni also holds series 7, 24 and 63 securities licenses. He is fluent in French and German.
About RSM EquiCo, Inc.
RSM EquiCo is a global investment banking firm serving private middle-market companies throughout North America. With more than 400 professionals and support personnel, the firm specializes in mergers, acquisitions and divestitures for non-public companies with up to $500 million in annual revenues. Based in Costa Mesa, Calif., RSM EquiCo is part of RSM McGladrey Inc., a business segment of H&R Block Inc. For more information, log on to www.rsmequico.com.