MIDWEST OPPORTUNITY FUND ACQUIRES APEX RESTORATION

Date: July 28, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: MARYAM KUBASEK
513.583.5413, ext. 188

Cincinnati--The Midwest Opportunity Fund has announced the recent acquisition of Apex Restoration LLC, a Cincinnati-based firm that provides residential and commercial restoration services for sites that have suffered fire, water, wind and mold damage.

Apex is the first portfolio company to become part of the newly-developed Midwest Opportunity Fund, which brings together seasoned professionals with equity to invest in carefully selected, privately-held businesses. These businesses become part of the Midwest Opportunity Fund, which invests the necessary capital to help them grow and bring the owner’s vision to fruition. MOF invests in all areas of the company, including training and mentoring.

“The Midwest Opportunity Fund offers a very unique structure and partnership that will allow us to take our company to the next level,” noted Dan McNeil, president of Apex Restoration. “MOF was able to see what we wanted to do with the company and had the vision to help take us there.”

Ford Taylor, principal of MOF, underscored the value of Apex’s management team calling it “very strong” with a unique way of approaching the restoration industry. “They bring a level of care, quality and integrity to their customers that is matched by very few. We are looking forward to partnering with them to take what they have developed to grow in current markets, while enhancing those qualities to expand into new markets."

“A lot of entrepreneurs don’t even know this type of opportunity exists,” added McNeil, who with his partner Laeron Evans founded the company in 1997. “And the great thing is that our management team remains strong and still owns a good chunk of the company. Nothing has changed except that we are getting better. We remain highly invested and motivated.”

The transaction was managed by The Malibu Group, a Blue Ash-based mergers and acquisitions consulting firm. “The staff of Malibu did a great job of explaining what they needed throughout the transaction and why,” McNeil said. “Plus, they made the process of due diligence on my company very comfortable for me, which is amazing. I can continue to pursue my dream because of the expertise and experience Malibu brought to the table.”

APEX