HandsOn Ventures

HandsOn Ventures Acquires Meridian Consulting Group

For immediate release

Santa Monica, CA- HandsOn Ventures, a Santa Monica, CA based buyout firm today announced that it has acquired Meridian Consulting Group, an industry-leading provider of construction and surety claims, consulting services to Owners, Public Agencies and Surety Bond Companies throughout the United States and Overseas.

Meridian, with a regional office in Dallas, offers a wide array of professional services to its clients including Claims Analysis and Litigation Support, CPM Schedule Analysis, Construction Management, Contract Compliance and Surety Claims Consulting. Because of the nature of its work, Meridian also works closely with members of the legal community whose clients are in need of these services.

Meridian's extensive construction and engineering experience provides unique insight into the many problems inherent with large construction projects and has enabled the firm to provide "crisis intervention" for many of its clients, some of which are the largest insurance companies in the United States.

In making this announcement, Ron Cogburn, President of Meridian said, "We are very pleased to be part of the HandsOn Ventures team. This acquisition will allow Meridian to better serve our clients and to expand our base of business in the United States and abroad."

Meridian's clients include Capitol Indemnity, Chubb Insurance, Dallas Area Rapid Transit, Ohio Dept. of Administration, Travelers Insurance and St. Paul Insurance among others.

About HandsOn Ventures

HandsOn Ventures is a Santa Monica, CA based buyout firm that acquires profitable companies primarily in the fields of Information Technology, Business Process Outsourcing and Telecommunications.