Gary Talarico Joins Gordon Brothers Group as President & Chief Executive Officer

BOSTON, July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Gordon Brothers Group, a global advisory, restructuring and investment firm specializing in the retail, consumer products, industrial and real estate sectors, announced today that Gary M. Talarico joined the firm as President & Chief Executive Officer reporting to the Board of Directors. Michael Frieze will assume the role of Chairman, Board of Directors. Mr. Talarico will lead the continued growth of Gordon Brothers Group's global platform of integrated operating and capital solutions designed to maximize value for operating companies, lenders and investors.

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Mr. Talarico brings over 25 years of broad experience in investment banking and private investments both domestically and abroad. Prior to joining Gordon Brothers Group, he was Managing Partner of Cora Street Partners, an advisory boutique. From 2004 to 2009, Mr. Talarico was a Managing Director of Sun Capital Partners, responsible for building and managing the New York and Tokyo offices of that firm. Prior to joining Sun Capital, Mr. Talarico spent five years in Tokyo as a Managing Director of the Deutsche Bank Group and Head of Global Corporate Finance in Japan, with management responsibilities that included M&A, Equity Capital Markets, Industry Groups, Real Estate and Private Equity. Mr. Talarico began his career in investment banking in 1983 when he joined Lehman Brothers Kuhn Loeb. Mr. Talarico spent nearly 15 years with Lehman Brothers where his last position was Managing Director in the Financial Services Group with responsibility for major banks and finance companies in the U.S.

"We look forward to having Gary join our leadership team. His invaluable experience as an investment banker coupled with his international expertise and overall business acumen will enable him to take over the daily management, growth and integration of our various divisions and affiliates," stated Michael Frieze. "In particular, Gary has an impressive record of successfully building businesses, including the recruitment and retention of top talent, which will help us strengthen our current business portfolio and expand into new areas that complement our businesses and provide additional services to our clients and transaction partners."

Mr. Talarico added, "Gordon Brothers Group has an excellent reputation for facilitating change by providing advice and capital to their clients and partners. The firm's unique knowledge and experience as trusted advisors, operators and capital providers help companies and investors achieve better results and better outcomes. Whether the opportunity is in North America, Europe or Asia, or whether it involves advisory services, lending money to people, strategically disposing of assets, mitigating exposure on liabilities or investing with partners, Gordon Brothers helps clients and transaction partners manage change-and we do it extremely well and with unparalleled integrity. I look forward to working with Michael, the Board of Directors and the talented professionals of Gordon Brothers Group to expand the success that Michael and his team have achieved over the years."

Mr. Talarico holds an MA in International Relations from the School of Advanced International Studies of Johns Hopkins University (SAIS), and a BS in Sociology and MS in Political Science from Illinois State University. He currently serves as a board member of the Japan Society and on the Advisory Board of the SAIS. He is based out of Gordon Brothers Group's global headquarters in Boston, MA.

About Gordon Brothers Group

Founded in 1903, Gordon Brothers Group  (http://www.gordonbrothers.com) is a global advisory, restructuring and investment firm specializing in the retail, consumer products, industrial and real estate sectors. Gordon Brothers Group maximizes value for both healthy and distressed companies by purchasing or selling all categories of assets, appraising assets, providing debt and equity financing, and operating businesses for extended periods. Gordon Brothers Group conducts over $50 billion worth of transactions and appraisals annually.