TM Capital took top prize at the M&A Advisor’s 2008 Middle-Market M&A Awards, winning Middle-Market Deal of the Year for the sale of the Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group

New York, NY, December 16, 2008 — The M&A Advisor revealed the winners of the 2008 Middle-Market M&A Awards to a sold out crowd on Monday, December 15th at the 7th Annual Middle-Market M&A Awards Gala at the Hudson Theatre in NYC. The event was co-hosted by FOX Business Network Anchors Brian Sullivan and Jenna Lee.

“Each winner has excelled in their field and is truly deserving of the honor,” said Roger Aguinaldo, CEO and Publisher of The M&A Advisor. “All winners should be proud of their award, especially in these tough economic times”

The Middle-Market M&A Awards Gala honored deal-teams, deal- makers, and firms whose activities set the standard for the industry. This year, 220 finalists in 37 categories were chosen. This is the biggest response since the awards began in 2002. An independent body of experts that span the M&A industry determined the ultimate recipients of the awards. Winners were revealed “Academy-Award style” at the gala. In addition, John K. Castle, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Castle Harlan, Inc. was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award.

A complete list of the winners is attached.

The M&A Advisor’s 7th Annual Awards Gala, which immediately followed the 17th Middle-Market M&A Conference, honored excellence in deal-making between $10 million and $1 billion deal-value. The gala is one of the biggest and most exclusive networking events in middle- market M&A. The all-day conference explored opportunities and challenges for the year ahead and featured speakers such as David Rubenstein and John Castle.

Since 1998, The M&A Advisor has been connecting professionals in the mergers and acquisitions, distressed investing and related financial industries through its leading conferences and awards galas, M&A Alerts newsletter and online community.