Toronto, Ontario 7 January, 2009 – Kirchner Private Capital Group (KPCG) today announced that Barry Gekiere has joined the transition management team of KPCG. KPCG is a North American company that provides asset management, investment banking and operational transition management services to the private capital industry. The Transition Management group provides a variety of hands-on operational services to companies including interim management, assessment, restructuring, workouts and turnarounds.

Barry has 27 years of operational, private equity and venture capital experience. He has served on the boards of private and public companies, has held management operating roles and turnaround assignments and has worked with companies through the IPO and strategic sale process.

“We are pleased to have Barry join our steadily growing team of professionals,” said W. B. (Bud) Kirchner, CEO and founder of KPCG. “We have previously worked with Barry and his combination of hands-on operational expertise and private equity experience makes him an ideal candidate for our group. We are proud to be approaching our 25th year in this business and excited to have someone of Barry’s caliber and reputation join our team, working out of our Toronto office.”

“KPCG’s core foundation of deep operating experience and niche focus on small to medium enterprises was what attracted me to the group” said Gekiere. “The firm’s application of this ‘operational method’ throughout the life cycle of small and medium enterprises sets it apart from other investment bankers and advisors. The power of their approach together with the accomplished team that makes it work were compelling reasons for me to join the firm – I’m very excited about the opportunity.”

Prior to joining KPCG, Barry was a Partner at Ventures West, one of Canada’s largest privately owned venture capital firm where he spent 12 years making early stage technology investments in enterprise software, IT services, communications and medical device companies. While at VenturesWest, Barry used his operating experience to work closely with entrepreneurs as an active director and sounding board on operational and strategic issues.

Barry has an HBA Business Administration from the University of Western Ontario. He has also served on the Board of the Canadian Venture Capital & Private Equity Association.

About Kirchner Private Capital Group www.kirchnergroup.com

The Kirchner Private Capital Group (KPCG) is partners, principals, agents and advisors to private companies, venture capital and private equity firms, and institutional investors. Through a multi-faceted, customized approach, we match our operational, transactional and investment skills to every investment management partnership, transition management engagement, and investment banking mandate. Our depth of experience, validated by a 25-year track record, enables us to assist both clients and partners achieve their objectives.

For inquiries, please contact:

Andy Agrawal, Managing Partner
(704) 644-2557
aagrawal@kirchnergroup.com