COSTA MESA, Calif., Feb. 23, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- RSM EquiCo, a global investment bank specializing in mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and capital raising for the North American private middle market, today announced that Coby Sonenshine has assumed leadership of the firm. Sonenshine, president, is replacing Richard M. Rodnick, who co-founded the firm and is continuing to serve as a consultant.
"Coby Sonenshine has played an instrumental role in the remarkable growth and success of RSM EquiCo," said Steve Tait, president, RSM McGladrey, Inc. "His impressive list of achievements include: enhancing operational processes and systems; opening an office in Chicago; recruiting several nationally recognized dealmakers; tripling the number of annual closed transactions within two years; and significantly expanding the firm's international presence and cross-border dealmaking capabilities."
Sonenshine previously was CEO of RSM EquiCo Capital Markets LLC, the firm's broker-dealer subsidiary. Under his leadership, the capital markets group achieved a noteworthy milestone: the generation of more than $1 billion in liquidity for the firm's clients.
Sonenshine joined RSM EquiCo shortly after its inception and became head of its Professional Services Group, which is responsible for completing comprehensive research and analysis on behalf of client companies. Prior to joining RSM EquiCo, Sonenshine specialized in valuing public and private businesses at two multi-billion-dollar investment companies: Farmers Insurance and Kayne Anderson. Responsible for managing more than $200 million, he developed expertise in many consumer service sectors, including gaming, advertising, media, restaurants and lodging.
Sonenshine graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor's degree in economics from the Wharton School of Business and a bachelor's degree in international relations from the College of Arts and Sciences. He received a juris doctorate from the University of Southern California's Law Center and a master's in business administration from the USC Marshall School of Business. Sonenshine holds the designation of Chartered Financial Analyst and is a member of the State Bar of California.
Sonenshine is a member of the Young Presidents' Organization (YPO) and the Association for Investment Management and Research (AIMR).
About RSM EquiCo, Inc.
RSM EquiCo (www.rsmequico.com) is a global investment bank serving private middle-market companies throughout North America. With more than 400 professionals and support staff in North America and Europe, RSM EquiCo specializes in mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and capital raising for companies with up to $500 million in annual revenue. The firm is part of RSM McGladrey Inc., a business segment of H&R Block.