Boston Ventures News

Boston Ventures Completes Acquisition of SJI

Purchase of Telecom Provider Serving Southern Louisiana Builds on Firm’s Expertise; Rich Gerstemeier Named CEO

BOSTON, December 7, 2007 – Boston Ventures, a leading middle market private equity firm that invests in the media, information and publishing, entertainment, and communications sectors, today announced that it has completed the previously announced acquisition of SJI, LLC (“SJI”), a private telecommunications and broadband services provider serving southern Louisiana.

SJI is a diversified telecommunications provider that offers a full suite of products and services to residential and business customers in southern Louisiana.  Its service offerings include local and long distance telephone service, high speed internet access, cable television, cable broadband, DSL, and web design.

To lead the company forward, Rich Gerstemeier has been appointed CEO of SJI. Mr. Gerstemeier is a seasoned executive with over 30 years experience in the communications industry. SJI’s current senior management, Tony Duet, James Callahan and Peter Louviere, will continue as integral members of the senior management team, and the company will remain headquartered in Larose, Louisiana.  

Lou Bertocci, a partner at Boston Ventures, said at the time of the initial announcement, “SJI has built a very high quality infrastructure which is uniquely positioned to provide a full range of advanced communications products and services to its customers.  Our investment will build on the company’s efforts to provide its customers the most technologically advanced communication services available today.” 

Boston Ventures has been an active investor in the communications sectors for nearly 25 years, and has made over a dozen cable television and communications-related investments. The firm most recently announced a definitive agreement to sell portfolio company Vista III Media, a regional provider of cable television, high speed internet and telephone service, to Harron Communications, LP, a multi-system cable and communications services operator.
 
Mr. Gerstemeier, said "SJI has a longstanding commitment of excellence to its customers, communities and employees, and this transaction supports that tradition. I look forward to working closely with the SJI team and the partners at Boston Ventures to continue to develop the company into a premier telecommunications provider with superior customer service."

Pat Brady, Chairman of SJI, said, “Boston Ventures is an excellent partner to continue the legacy of innovation and customer service that my father, John Brady, Sr. began when he founded the company in 1945.  We are extremely proud of what we have accomplished within SJI over the years. The new owners bring a combination of industry expertise and resources that position the company well for the future.” 

About Boston Ventures

Boston Ventures is one of the oldest and most experienced media and communications focused private equity firms in North America.  Since its founding in 1983, the firm has invested nearly $2.5 billion in over 70 companies, actively targeting investments in the media, information and publishing, entertainment, and communications industries.  For more information, please visit www.bostonventures.com.

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