Our friend and colleague, Michael J. Myers, passed away on July 1, 2009 at the age of 69.

An executive with a long and distinguished career in private equity, Michael Myers had been a Senior Advisory Partner to Sentinel Capital Partners since its inception in 1995. He made a profound impact on Sentinel’s founders during an association that spanned almost three decades.

Mr. Myers previously served as a Director of Sentinel portfolio companies Growing Family, Floral Plant Growers, and Tony Roma's prior to the sale of these businesses.

In 1972, Mr. Myers co-founded First Century Partners, the venture capital affiliate of Smith Barney, and had overall responsibility for First Century's investment operations for 23 years. During this period, First Century invested in more than 60 venture-stage and middle market companies, primarily in the consumer, healthcare, and technology industries. In addition to serving as a Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Smith Barney, Mr. Myers was associated as an investor or director of several highly successful companies including American Health Corp., Apple Computer, Applicon, Entre Computer Centers, Colorcon, Floating Point Systems, FoxMeyer, HealthSouth, Iomega Corporation, Mobex Corporation, Office Depot, Perrigo Corporation, PhyCor, Prime Computer, Storage Technology, Summit Design, and ValleyLab.

From 1968 to 1972, Mr. Myers was associated with J.H. Whitney, a leading venture capital firm. He held an MBA from Harvard University, a JD with honors from George Washington University, and a BS from the University of Illinois.

Our loss is softened by knowing what a privilege it was to know Mike and to work with him. We miss him greatly.