Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC ("MDP"), based in Chicago, is one of the largest and most experienced private equity investment firms in the United States.

MDP's principals manage four funds: Madison Dearborn Capital Partners V, L.P. - a $6.5 billion investment fund raised in 2006 Madison Dearborn Capital Partners IV, L.P. - a $4.0 billion investment fund raised in 2000 Madison Dearborn Capital Partners III, L.P. - a $2.2 billion investment fund raised in 1999 Madison Dearborn Capital Partners II, L.P. - a $925 million investment fund raised in 1996 Madison Dearborn Capital Partners, L.P. - a $550 million investment fund raised in 1992 MDP invests in management buyout and other private equity transactions across a broad spectrum of industries.

MDP's objective is to invest in companies in partnership with outstanding management teams to achieve significant long-term appreciation in equity value. MDP generally seeks to invest $100 million to $600 million of equity capital in a single transaction.

MDP focuses on several specific industry sectors: Basic Industries, Communications, Consumer, Financial Services, Health Care.

Many of MDP's principals have worked together since the early 1980s and together founded MDP in 1992. Previously, MDP's principals built a $2.6 billion management buyout and venture capital portfolio at First Chicago Corporation.

The limited partners in MDP's investment funds include many of the largest endowments, public and private pension funds, and financial institutions in the U.S., as well as established institutional investors in Europe, Asia and Australia.