Private Equity firms have had a very active role in the chemical industry for many years. The industry has been popular with private equity firms for many reasons, including its cash flow characteristics and the favorable relationship of the industry with the debt markets. This panel includes partners of two of the very active and successful firms who have invested consistently in the industry. They will share with us their perspectives about the keys to success and where they think trends are heading.

About our Panelists:

Chris Childres has spent more than 20 years in private equity investing, with extensive experience in the acquisition, oversight and divestiture of middle-market performance materials companies. He founded Edgewater Capital Partners in 1998 to continue Edgewater Group's successful investment and advisory track record and became Managing Partner in 2000. Prior to Edgewater, Chris was an attorney in the M&A department of the Winthrop, Stimson, Putnam & Roberts. Chris received a B.A. in English and American Literature from Northwestern University and a J.D. from Fordham University School of Law.

Established in 1998, Edgewater Capital Partners has focused on middle market investments in specialty chemicals, pharmaceuticals and engineered substances with a strong operating philosophy.

Scott Wolff joined American Securities in 2002. He is currently Chairman of the Board of Emerald Performance Materials, Royal Adhesives, and SeaStar Solutions, as well as a Director of GT Technologies.  Scott previously served on the Board of Directors of Arizona Chemical, General Chemical, MECS and Advanced Drainage Systems. Prior to joining American Securities, Scott worked in the Mergers & Acquisitions Group at Merrill Lynch, focusing on a variety of industries, including consumer products, food, packaging and automotive. He received a BS in Finance from Indiana University's Kelley School of Business and an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School.

American Securities is a private investment firm originally founded as a family office in 1947. Its private equity investing activities were formalized in 1994 at the same time that they brought in outside investors. The firm has had a very successful track record investing in a variety of industries, including chemicals. Some of the current and previous chemical investments include Arizona Chemicals, General Chemicals, Royal Adhesives, and Emerald Performance Materials. They have a philosophy of long term investing and internal strategic resources.