Industry Analysis

• In-depth knowledge of the chemical and life science industries and companies at all levels within the Firm, including knowledge of corporate strategies, management styles, and market dynamics
• Timely communication of pertinent market trends and specific events to clients which may impact their operations or financial status

Relationships

• Consistent contact and attention which does not change constantly with changes in investment banking leadership or strategies
• No pressure from a parent investment banking organization to obtain a minimum amount of business per year from a client
• Focus on long-term relationships, not short-term fee maximization
• No internal conflicts of interest within the Firm

Idea Generation

• Superior skills for identifying financing strategies and potential acquisition targets and divestiture candidates which may offer the greatest enhancement in shareholder value
• Thorough understanding of the operations, strategies and management styles of many private and public companies
• Willingness to identify small and medium sized transactions as well as types of transactions that are not considered attractive to pursue by most investment banks (joint ventures, business swaps, etc.)

Execution of Transactions and Financings

• Senior level involvement during each step of the transaction
• All project team members have industry expertise
• Extensive contacts throughout many corporations and the ability to identify the appropriate contact points for initial discussions
• The highest level of confidentiality on all communications and better structured to control sensitive information
• Knowledge of industry specific requirements of transactions and financings
• Excellent technical investment banking expertise

Mr. Young manages the Firm and is actively involved in client transactions and financings. Under his leadership, Young & Partners has established and maintained its position as a leader in the industry. Prior to 1996, Mr. Young was Global Head of Chemicals Investment Banking at Lehman Brothers where he oversaw the worldwide efforts of Lehman in Chemicals. Previously he was head of the Chemical Groups at Salomon Brothers and Schroders. Mr. Young has been involved with the chemical and pharma industries for over twenty four years. Early in his career while with Bain & Co., Mr. Young provided strategic advice to major chemical and life science companies.

Mr. Young has been a financial advisor to a wide variety of leading chemical and pharmaceutical companies globally with regard to mergers, acquisitions, restructurings and capital raising. Some of his current and past clients include Air Products, AlliedSignal/Honeywell, Arch Chemicals, Aristech, Bayer, Caliper Life Sciences, Celanese, Chirex, Codexis, Degussa, Dow Reichhold Specialty Latex, DSM, DuPont, Eastman Chemical, GAF/International Specialty Products, Henkel, Lilly Industries, Medicus Pharmaceutical, Minerals Technologies, Mitsubishi, Mitsui, Monsanto, NL Industries, ÖMV/Chemie Linz, Perkin-Elmer, Oxiteno/Ultrapar, Philipp Brothers Chemicals, PQ Corporation, PureTec Corporation, Reichhold, Reilly Industries, Rexene, Rhône-Poulenc/Rhodia, Rütgers, Shell, Solutia, Sterling Chemicals, Sybron Chemicals, Synthon Chiragenics, TETRA Technologies, Thai Petrochemical, Troy Chemical, UOP, Wellman and Witco.

Mr. Young received an M.B.A. from the Harvard Business School (Baker Scholar with Highest Distinction), an M.S. in Accounting from the New York University and a B.A. in Economics from Yale University. He is a Certified Public Accountant and member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants. Mr. Young is a board member of Société de Chimie Industrielle - American Section, a chemical and pharmaceutical industry association and on the Editorial Advisory Board of Pharmaceutical Executive Magazine. He was also the recipient of the 2006 Commercial Development and Marketing Association Executive Excellence award at an award dinner in April 2006.