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Peterson Partners Closes $50 Million Fund from Dynamic Business Leaders, Expands Leadership Team

 

  • Global Who’s Who Investors in Peterson Partners Fund VI Include World-Class Business Leaders   
  • Travis Everton, Formerly with Sorenson Capital, Joins Peterson Team as a Principal; Founding Partner Joel Peterson and Managing Partner Dan Peterson Lead a Strong Team; Brandon Cope Will Continue to Lead Sourcing and Portfolio Company Governance for Peterson Partners
  • Firm Will Use Proceeds to Expand Diverse Renowned Portfolio

 

SALT LAKE CITY (June 7, 2011)—Peterson Partners today announced the close of its Fund VI, in the amount of $50 million, with the participation of some of the top U.S. business and investment leaders. The firm also announced the addition of Travis Everton as a principal on its core investment team.

 

“We are delighted that some of the brightest business minds anywhere have combined to complete this round for us; it is hard to imagine a smarter infusion of capital,” said Dan Peterson of Peterson Partners. “We are confident that the contributions of Travis and this unrivalled set of limited partners will enable us to significantly increase the depth of the Peterson Partners portfolio, and add tremendous value for our entrepreneurs and shareholders alike.”  

 

Participating LPs in Peterson Partners Fund VI include some of the most prominent names in the U.S. business landscape, including Row Moriarty, a former Harvard Business School Professor, Staples board member and Charles River Associates board chair; David Checketts, former Madison Square Garden CEO and principal owner of the Real Salt Lake soccer franchise; Bob Nakasone, former CEO of Toys R Us, and other top investment and business leaders. Two Peterson LPs serve on the firm’s investment committee: Bob Whitman, CEO of Franklin Covey; and Row Moriarty.

 

The current Peterson Partners portfolio includes a broad array of innovative, high-value companies across multiple industries, including JetBlue Airways and Azul Airlines in the travel industry, Asurion in product insurance, and Vivint (formerly APX Alarm) in the fast-growing home automation and security industry.

 

“Peterson is not made up of drive-by investors; this team brings far more than money to the table,” said Hanko Kiessner, CEO of Packsize, a Peterson Partners portfolio company. ”These are consummate professionals with a high-touch approach and deep understanding of the value-creation process. They know what it takes to build an industry-leading company and have been extremely active using their knowledge to help grow Packsize.”

 

The Peterson Partners leadership team is anchored by Founder and Chairman Joel Peterson and Managing Partner Dan Peterson. Joel Peterson, former managing partner at Trammell Crow Company, currently serves as chairman of JetBlue Airways.  He was recently named as consulting professor at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business, where he serves as faculty director for the Center for Leadership Development and Research. Dan Peterson, with wide-ranging expertise across the investment marketplace in industries ranging from automotive to high tech and financial services, has served as managing director at Z Capital and partner at Trammell Crow. Partner Brandon Cope, formerly with McKinsey & Company and Peterson Ventures, has led numerous investments in search funds, early-stage companies and small cash-flow-positive businesses with strong growth potential.

 

In Q2 2011, Peterson Partners welcomed Travis Everton as a principal. Formerly with Sorenson Capital Partners and L.E.K. Consulting, Everton has led investments in aerospace, energy and other industries.  

 

Peterson Partners will use the proceeds of its Fund VI to target private equity investments of between $2 million and $10 million. The firm emphasizes growth capital for companies with revenue between $10 million and $50 million, but will also explore promising buyout opportunities.   

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About Peterson Partners
Peterson Partners, based in Salt Lake City, Utah, is one of the Intermountain West’s most successful private equity firms. Specializing in small to mid-sized companies, Peterson Partners has a track record of successful investments including JetBlue, Making Memories, EnergySolutions, 3form, Cranium, Asurion, Instashred, and Diamond Rental. Founded in 1995, Peterson Partners has managed over $300 million in committed capital through five funds. For more information, visit www.petersonpartnerslp.com.