Recent News and Announcements from Centre Partners
Leading Middle Market Private Equity Firm Partners with Veteran Management Team to Acquire Nation’s Largest Military Recruiting and Consulting Firm
June 22, 2007 (New York, NY and Raleigh, NC) Centre Partners announced today that it has completed the acquisition of Orion International Consulting Group, Inc. The investment was consummated in partnership with Jeffrey Evans, a staffing industry veteran, who will serve as the Company’s Executive Chairman, and with key members of Orion International’s senior management team.
Founded in 1991 by five military veterans, Orion International is the nation’s largest recruiting and permanent placement organization specializing in individuals leaving the military. Over the course of its 16-year history, Orion has placed over 17,000 former-military personnel with over 2,000 different client corporations. Orion is primarily dedicated to finding permanent placement civilian opportunities for exiting junior military officers, enlisted technicians and military healthcare professionals. In addition to the Company’s direct placement business it also offers complementary services through its subsidiaries, including MilitaryStars, the nation’s largest military career expo provider; Velastar Solutions, which provides contract and temp-to-hire staffing opportunities for veterans; and Orion Health Professionals, which connects transitioning military health professionals with premier health systems throughout the nation. The company is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina with five additional offices located in close proximity to military bases across the country located in San Diego, CA, Cincinnati, OH, Virginia Beach, VA, Austin, TX and Sarasota, FL.
Orion Chief Executive Officer Bill Laughlin said, “I’m extremely confident that our new partnership with Centre will enable us to increase the scope of our operations, providing greater resources for our military candidates, who have served their country honorably and deserve the best possible chance at a successful and rewarding civilian career.”
“Orion’s unique operational model and strong management team offer an excellent platform for growth, both organically and through targeted acquisitions”, said Jeffrey Evans, who will serve as the Company’s Executive Chairman. “We look forward to working together to expand further in sectors like health care, energy and aviation, enabling us to provide even greater opportunities for transitioning military professionals and our client corporations.”
Bob Bergmann, Senior Partner at Centre Partners, stated, “Our new partnership with Orion’s management team is a prime example of the Centre Resource Model in action. Orion will benefit greatly from the expertise of Jeffrey Evans, a Centre Operating Partner, as we seek to expand the business. Centre also stands ready to support the anticipated growth with additional capital. Orion has an exciting future and we are pleased to be a part of it.”
About Centre Partners:
Centre Partners, founded in 1986, is a leading private equity firm with a middle market focus that seeks to make acquisitions and equity investments alongside management teams who have or desire a meaningful economic stake in the future success of their businesses. Centre Partners’ Principals have invested over $3 billion in more than 90 companies, partnering with management teams across a broad spectrum of industries. Centre Partners provides those teams with access to its unique resources, which include an extended network of experienced and proven operating executives. Centre Partners has offices in New York City and Los Angeles. The firm is cu