2013 Mason Wells Announces Leadership Change

Mason Wells, a leading middle-market buyout firm, announced today that effective immediately, Thomas G. Smith will assume the role of executive managing director, replacing John T. Byrnes, who has held the position since the inception of the firm in 1998.

As executive managing director, Mr. Smith will be responsible for the day-to-day investment activities of the funds under management by Mason Wells, including the management of new investment activities and the oversight of portfolio development efforts.

Mr. Byrnes will continue as executive chairman of the board and president of the firm, where he will focus on long-term strategy and development of the personnel. He will continue to serve on the investment committee and actively manage several of the portfolio investments now held by the funds, but will no longer be initiating new investments on behalf of the firm.

The changes announced today are part of a comprehensive management succession plan that has been evolving slowly over the last few years and will continue as current portfolio investments are liquidated and new investment funds are formed.