Genstar Capital Announces New Managing Director
2/1/2006
For additional information:
Genstar Capital
Chris Tofalli
(914) 834-4334
ctofalli@gencap.com
SAN FRANCISCO—February 1, 2006—Private equity firm Genstar Capital, LLC today announced that as of February 1, 2006, Keith E. Oster will assume the position of managing director with the investment firm. Oster’s responsibilities with Genstar will include sourcing and executing acquisitions, divestitures and oversight of portfolio companies.
Before joining Genstar, Oster was with San Francisco-based Fremont Partners and prior to that was a general partner with Thomas Weisel Capital Partners and J.F. Lehman & Company. He began his private equity career with The Carlyle Group. Oster earned an MBA from The Wharton School and a BA from Oberlin College.
“Keith’s expertise in the industrial technology, business services, and health care services sectors directly relates to the goals and growth strategies of Genstar,” said Jean-Pierre L. Conte, chairman and managing director of Genstar Capital. “By bringing Keith onto the management team, Genstar will be able to capitalize on his seventeen years of experience in order to identify and execute the most compelling investment opportunities and guide those investments through change and growth.”
“My background and investment philosophy closely align with Genstar, including the approach of partnering with world-class management teams in targeted industries to build equity value,” said Keith Oster, managing director of Genstar Capital. “I look forward to working with the Genstar team to identify future investment opportunities and to continue to build on the firm’s successful track record.”
In the past year, Genstar Capital acquired a majority interest in Harlan Sprague Dawley, a life sciences tools and services company, and acquired laminate panel manufacturer Panolam Industries International. Additionally, four Genstar portfolio companies expanded their product portfolios and geographic reach through significant strategic add-on acquisitions.
About Genstar Capital, LLC
Based in San Francisco, Genstar Capital (www.gencap.com) is a private equity investment firm that makes leveraged investments in quality middle-market companies. Genstar Capital works in partnership with management to transform its portfolio companies into industry-leading businesses. With more than $900 million of committed capital under management and significant experience investing in businesses, Genstar focuses on selected segments of the life sciences, business services, and industrial technology sectors.