2003 M&A Awards

2003 Winners

Recapitalization of Samsonite Corporation

U.S. Middle Market Deal of the Year

Accepting the award will be: Gregg Feinstein from Jefferies & Co.

Castle Harlan Inc. acquires Austar United Communications Ltd.

from United Australia / Pacific Inc.

International Cross-Border Deal of the Year

Accepting the award will be: Howard Morgan from Castle Harlan, Inc.

Michael E. Gibbons and Scott H. Lang

Brown, Gibbons, Lang & Company, LP

U.S. Middle Market Deal Makers of the Year

Jeri Harman

American Capital Strategies, Ltd.

Woman Deal Maker of the Year

ESOP of Alion Science & Technology

Computer and Information Technology Deal of the Year

Accepting the award will be: Richard Steingraber from Valuemetrics Advisor, Inc.

Bear Stearns and Trimaran Capital acquire Reddy Ice Group, Inc.

Manufacturing Deal of the Year

Castle Harlan Inc. acquires Austar United Communications Ltd.

from United Australia / Pacific Inc.

Media and Telecommunications Deal of the Year

Accepting the award will be: Howard Morgan from Castle Harlan, Inc.

Fubon Financial Holding Co. (Taiwan) acquires Taipei Bank (Hong Kong)

Financial Services Deal of the Year

Accepting the award will be: Dan McNamara from Citigroup

Medmark, Inc. (Highmark, Inc.) acquires Fisher's Specialized Pharmacy Services

Life Sciences Deal of the Year

Nike Inc. acquires Converse Inc. from Perseus LLC

Retailing/Consumer Deal of the Year

Accepting the award will be: Curtis Glovier from Perseus LLC

Sun Capital Partners, Inc.

Private Equity Firm of the Year

Accepting the award will be: Ralph Lynch from Sun Capital Partners. Inc.

Downer & Company LLC

Investment Banking Firm of the Year

Accepting the award will be: Charles A. Downer from Downer & Co. LLC

The Sports Authority, Inc.

Corporate/Strategic Firm of the Year

Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP

Law Firm of the Year

Accepting the award will be: John Altorelli from Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP

Golub Associates Inc.

Financing Firm of the Year

Accepting the award will be: Laurence Golub from Golub Associates, Inc.

Crowe, Chizek and Company LLC

Accounting Firm of the Year

Accepting the award will be: Mark S. Schaffer from Crowe, Chizek & Co. LLC