Former Canadian Cabinet Minister Joins CAI
November 24, 2008
New York and Vancouver - November 24, 2008 - CAI Capital Management ("CAI"), a private equity firm with a North American investment mandate and a special focus on Canada, is pleased to announce that The Honourable David Emerson, P.C., formerly Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs, has joined the firm as Senior Advisor. Mr. Emerson's role will include advising CAI's portfolio companies and assisting the firm in identifying new investment opportunities, particularly in western Canada.
Mr. Emerson held senior positions in the Government of Canada prior to his 2008 appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs, including Minister of Industry, Minister of International Trade and Minister of Pacific Gateway and Vancouver - Whistler Olympics. In British Columbia, he was the Province's Deputy Minister of Finance, Deputy Minister to the Premier, and later President of the British Columbia Trade Development Corporation. In the private sector, Mr. Emerson served as President and CEO of Canfor Corporation, the first President and CEO of the Vancouver International Airport Authority, and Chairman and CEO of Canadian Western Bank. Mr. Emerson received a Ph.D. in Economics from Queen's University.
Peter Restler, Managing Partner of CAI said, "David has excelled in the private and public sectors as a CEO of major businesses and most recently as a senior minister in the Government of Canada. We are confident that his unique knowledge and experience will greatly benefit existing portfolio companies and be of great value regarding our new and future investments."
Mr. Emerson said, "I have been an investor in CAI's earlier funds and am a big fan of their low-leverage, operationally-focused style of investing. They've been able to produce strong returns and build sound businesses through two decades of private equity investing."
Tracey McVicar, who heads CAI's western Canadian operations said, "Mr. Emerson's deep experience in international trade and his involvement with public/private partnerships will be of inestimable value to our firm in these challenging times."