Financial Executives/LA Chapter Announces Investment Banking and Technology Survey Programs

Jim D'Aquila of The Mercanti Group to Speak


LOS ANGELES, March 12, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- The monthly meeting of the Los Angeles chapter of Financial Executives International (FEI) will feature a presentation by investment banker Jim D'Aquila, who will discuss how to grow your way out of a problem. D'Aquila, managing director of The Mercanti Group, will cover the importance of strategic planning, targeted acquisitions and patient focus on fundamentals. His talk, entitled, "If You Build It, They Will Come", will focus on having the vision to pursue a long-term growth plan - either to interest investors or suitors. The dinner program will be held on Thursday, March 18, beginning at 6 p.m. in the Reagan Dining Room on the third floor of the Jonathan Club, 545 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles.

D'Aquila founded The Mercanti Group in 2001 after he left Credit Suisse First Boston/Donaldson, Lufkin and Jenrette where he headed its Consumer Group. D'Aquila was also head of investment banking at Dain Rauscher, and was a partner with William E. Simon/Aurora Capital in Los Angeles. His notable clients include: Cabela's, Caribou Coffee, Chronimed, Eagle One, Elizabeth Arden, Empi, Graham Webb, Gucci, K2, Norwest Equity Partners, Pulmonetic Systems, Rural Cellular and Westwon Presidio. D'Aquila received a BBA from the University of Notre Dame.

The Mercanti Group is a results-oriented boutique merchant bank that embraces a commitment to client services and creative financial services. The firm, with offices in Minneapolis and Los Angeles, focuses on customized financial advisory services for small to middle market companies in the consumer, health care, technology and business services/manufacturing industries. The goal at the Mercanti Group is to bring world class Wall Street advisory services to their select group of clients.

The FEI's Professional Development Program, which will be held prior to the regular dinner meeting, presents Dewey Norton who will discuss the results of the sixth annual Technology Survey for Financial Executives. He initiated this publication in 1998 and has managed it with FEI's partner, Computer Sciences Corporation, and in cooperation with members of FEI's committee on Finance and Information Technology. Dewey is a director of finance at Instant InfoSystems, a leading provider of technology based communications solutions for business. The professional development program will start at 5 p.m. on the fourth floor of the Jonathan Club.

News media may call Roger R. Stephens, president, Los Angeles Chapter of Financial Executives International, at 323-727-0900, ext. 122, for reservations.

Attendees are urged to make reservations by visiting the FEI web site and registering at the meetings and events page at http://www.fei.org/chapter/LA/meetings.cfm

About FEI

Founded in 1931, Financial Executives International is a professional association for senior level financial executives, representing 15,000 individuals. Headquartered in Florham Park, N.J. with offices in Washington, D.C., the organization is comprised of 86 chapters across the United States and Canada and nine technical committees.

The organization's mission is to provide leadership on emerging issues concerning the financial community, personal and professional development, advocacy services and peer networking opportunities for chief financial officers, vice presidents of finance, controllers, treasurers, tax executives, and finance and accounting professors in academia. Other typical titles held by FEI members include assistant controller, subsidiary chief financial officer or controller, assistant treasurer and director of tax.

The LA chapter of FEI currently has approximately 400 members who represent a full array of industries including defense, entertainment, financial services, manufacturing, insurance and technology.


            

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