Apex Companies Expands Pacific Northwest Presence with Acquisition of Ash Creek Associates

ROCKVILLE, MD. (January 3, 2012) -Today, Apex Companies, LLC, a leading national water resources and environmental services consulting and engineering firm, announced the acquisition of Ash Creek Associates, Inc. Ash Creek is a privately held environmental and engineering services firm headquartered in Portland, Oregon. Apex is a portfolio company of Tailwind Capital, a private equity firm focused on investing in growth-oriented middle market companies. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The sale was completed on December 30, 2011.

"We are excited to be partnering with a firm of Ash Creek's caliber," said Peter Young, Chairman of Apex. "Ash Creek represents an opportunity to expand our Pacific Northwest presence to better serve our existing client base and to add new blue chip customers. Ash Creek's clients, in turn, will benefit from Apex's national footprint and broad service expertise. We are looking forward to realizing the potential of this combination."

"We have great respect for what Apex has accomplished, and we at Ash Creek are proud of our achievements. This combination works at every level - providing enhanced service to our combined clients through expanded geographic coverage and service lines, and greater career opportunities for our employees. We look forward to being a part of their team," said Herb Clough, a Principal of Ash Creek.

About Apex Companies
Apex Companies, LLC is a leading national water resources and environmental services engineering and consulting firm dedicated to providing private and public sector clients with full-service, single-source solutions for routine and complex projects. Clients depend on the Company to consistently provide the technical expertise and solutions requisite in the industry, while differentiating itself with a quick response time, professional performance, high-quality results and cost efficiency. Headquartered in Rockville, Maryland, Apex was founded in 1988. The Company currently employs over 400 professionals, consisting primarily of geologists, hydrogeologists, engineers, air quality specialists, environmental scientists, industrial hygienists, safety specialists, and field technicians, deployed across a network of over 30 offices throughout the United States. For further information on Apex, please visit: www.apexcos.com. For further information about Apex's new subsidiary Ash Creek Associates, Inc. please visit www.ashcreekassociates.com.

Contact:
Roger Nordlinger
Apex Companies, LLC
770.425.1917
rnordlinger@apexcos.com

About Tailwind Capital
Tailwind Capital is a leading private equity firm investing in growth-oriented middle market companies in business and communications services and healthcare. Tailwind partners with management teams to build value through internal growth, acquisitions, and operational and strategic initiatives. The firm currently has over $1 billion under management. Representative investments include TowerCo (wireless infrastructure), Archway (marketing logistics), Oceus Networks (government services), SDI Health (healthcare data analytics) and Optimal Solutions (IT services). For further information, please visit: www.tailwind.com.

Contact:
Nicole Tolmie
Sard Verbinnen & Co
212.687.8080
ntolmie@sardverb.com