BlackRock COO Confirmed for NAIC Private Equity and Hedge Fund Conference

Stephen J. Kelly, Managing Director, Chief Operating Officer of BlackRock Private Equity, is one of the many high-profile speakers confirmed for the NAIC Annual Private Equity and Hedge Fund Conference, October 11-12, 2017 at the Georgetown University McDonough School of Business in Washington, DC. Kelly will be joined by Obie L. McKenzie, Managing Director, Global Client Group, BlackRock, for a fireside chat during the Awardee Luncheon that will honor some of the outstanding professionals in the private equity and hedge fund industry.

NAIC Partner Releases White Paper on the Value of Emerging Managers

The NAIC recently formed a partnership with NexTier Companies, LLC, a consulting and investment advisory firm whose services are designed to help investment organizations compete and operate more effectively. These services are available to NAIC member firms. NexTier’s White Paper, Why Not the Best? Identifying Outperforming Emerging Managers and Capturing Alpha from a Long-Neglected Market highlights the alpha-generating ability of emerging managers and the need for institutional investors to look to diverse firms as a source of tap every possible source of alpha in their portfolios. For more information on NexTier or to view the White Paper, please visit http://www.nextiercompanies.com.

NAIC Welcomes Rose Hill Park Alternative Asset Managers!

Rose Hill Park (RHP), an alternative asset investment program focused on launching and building emerging private equity and hedge fund managers, has joined the NAIC. Founded in 2017, Rose Hill Park's investment strategy is to provide initial and early-stage capital to new and emerging private equity and hedge fund managers. The RHP program takes advantage of the outperformance of emerging managers and then further enhances investment returns through preferred economics. Overall, RHP aims to act as a partner and resource to investors’ broader emerging manager programs, both in manager sourcing and market intelligence.

Ernst & Young Proudly Supports NAIC Conference

Ernst & Young (EY), a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services, has partnered with NAIC to sponsor the NAIC Annual Private Equity and Hedge Fund Conference. EY seeks to build a better working world, one with increased trust and confidence in business, sustainable growth, development of talent in all its forms, and greater collaboration. The firm uses its global reach and scale to convene the conversation about the challenges facing economies and the capital markets. They do this by supporting entrepreneurs and empowering innovation, maintaining a high-performance teaming culture and using its collective intelligence to provide fresh insights, relevant approaches and efficient service. For more information about EY, visit http://www.ey.com/us/en/home

NAIC Members in the News

Clearlake Capital Completes Sale of Communications Lifecycle Management Solutions Provider

Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. announced that Calero Software, LLC, a leading provider of Communications Lifecycle Management (CLM) solutions, has been acquired by Riverside Partners. Financial terms were not disclosed. Calero is a leading provider of Communications Lifecycle Management (CLM) solutions designed to turn communication data into actionable insight by simplifying the management of voice, mobile and other unified communications services and assets. Under Clearlake’s ownership, Calero rapidly executed on an investment thesis to drive consolidation in the CLM market and establish the Company as a leading expense management software platform.

One Rock Affiliate to Acquire Leading Foam Producer

FXI, a leading foam producer, announced that it will be acquired by an affiliate of One Rock Capital Partners, LLC from Matlin Patterson Global Advisers LLC and Black Diamond Capital Management, L.L.C. Financial terms were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to close during the fourth quarter of 2017. Headquartered in Media, Pa., FXI is a leader in providing innovative foam solutions driven by consumer insights and state of the art research and development, and currently operates 18 facilities throughout the U.S. and Mexico. FXI’s foam products are used in a variety of end markets including bedding, furniture, transportation, medical, filtration and acoustics.

The Wicks Group Completes Investment in Research and Analytics Firm

Screen Engine / ASI announced that The Wicks Group has completed a majority recapitalization of the company in partnership with CEO Kevin Goetz. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Based in Los Angeles, Screen Engine is a research and analytics firm focused on maximizing market potential while assessing risk for clients in the entertainment and media industries. Working with clients to better assess and manage opportunity and risk, the company focuses its approach across all distribution platforms, including domestic and international film, television, digital and mobile.