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  • Seller
  • Buyer
  • Type
  • Date Announced
  • Seller AUM
  • Forest Investment Associates, Inc.
  • Management
  • Real Estate Managers
  • January 31, 2008
  • $2.8 Billion

Seller Details

Forest Investment Associates (FIA), organized in 1986, is a Registered Investment Adviser providing investment management services for investors in timberland. Operating out of its Atlanta, Georgia headquarters and offices in Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Alabama, Georgia and North Carolina, the staff of FIA manages timberland portfolios for corporate pension plans, state and municipal retirement services, endowments, foundations and family offices.

Buyer Details

FIA's senior management team is led by L. Michael Kelly and includes V. Scott Bond, Samuel R. Grice, Charles L. VanOver and Marc A. Walley.

Transaction Summary

FIA will use capital provided by management, employees and Asset Management Finance (AMF) to fund an employee buyout of its founder and controlling shareholder, Charles M. Tarver. Mr. Tarver co-founded the firm more than 20 years ago and is widely considered a pioneer in the field of timberland investment management. After the transaction, the senior management team will have a controlling interest in the firm and will continue to run the organization on a day-to-day basis.

AMF offers an innovative investment technique for asset management firms seeking funding for owner liquidity, internal equity transfers, expansion efforts or other capital needs. AMF's unique structure provides capital in exchange for a limited term interest in a firm's future revenues. AMF holds passive, non-voting revenue share interests in a diversified group of asset managers. Asset managers retain complete control and the majority of their firm's revenues during the transaction term with 100% of the economic benefits reverting to the owners when AMF's interest expires.

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