Former GM Group Vice President Roy Roberts Opens Detroit Office

Roberts Heads $120M Private Equity Firm that Seeks to Invest in Michigan Businesses

DETROIT, Oct. 23 -- Roy S. Roberts, former Group Vice President for General Motors Corp., today announced the opening of a downtown Detroit office for his private equity firm, Reliant Equity Investors (Reliant), to invest in Michigan/National-based businesses. Reliant focuses on buyouts of growth oriented, fundamentally sound middle-market businesses in various industries including light and heavy manufacturing, business to business services and consumer products. The new Detroit office will be located in the Penobscot Building.

"Traditionally, Michigan-based businesses are fundamentally strong and offer huge potential for organic growth coupled with strategic investment initiatives," said Roy S. Roberts, managing director, Reliant. "Despite the current economy, we see tremendous value in focusing our resources in this market and on companies that are looking for capital to grow globally."

Reliant was founded in 2001 by Managing Directors Thomas E. Darden, Roy S. Roberts, Carl T. Preston and Omar L. Simmons. Reliant's principals have more than 57 years of executive level operating experience with leading Fortune 100 companies, as well as businesses financed by private equity investors.

About Reliant Equity Investors

Founded in 2001, Reliant Equity Investors is a private equity firm based in Chicago with more than $120 million under management that invests in fundamentally sound middle market businesses. The firm recruits and invests in partnership with exceptional executives to acquire and build market leading enterprises. For more information about Reliant Equity Investors visit http://www.reliantequity.com/ .