Future Factory News

Future Factory announces Board appointment

Thu, 1 Jul 2010 12:00:00 -0600

New Orleans, LA – Future Factory is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark R. Anderson to its Board of Advisors. The Board makes up the firm’s Investment Committee whose members contribute their financial, technical and marketing expertise in the selection of new portfolio companies and the management of existing investments.

Anderson retired as chairman of AMERISAFE, an “A-” rated (A.M. Best) publicly-traded workers compensation insurer focusing on hazardous industries. Previously, he served for several years as its president and CEO, leading the company toward record innovation and growth prior to going public in 2005. Currently, he is an insurance industry consultant.

Anderson has held positions on various insurance legislative committees and advised several state insurance commissioners and rating organizations. He also sat on several private boards and commissions and participated in numerous industry forums relating to workers’ compensation issues. Prior to entering the insurance industry, Anderson served in the U.S. Army as an intelligence officer in Western Europe. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Louisiana State University, and a Master of Business Administration earned at Boston University.

“We are honored that a professional of Mark’s caliber will be lending his expertise to our Board,” says Ed Michael Reggie, Future Factory Managing Director. “His focus and understanding of broad business issues as well as specific workplace trends will be of significant value to Future Factory and our partners as we continue to grow.”

www.futurefactory.com

Future Factory expands healthcare expertise with Board appointment

Sat, 1 May 2010 12:00:00 -0600

New Orleans, LA -- Future Factory is pleased to announce the appointment of Robert A. Ruben, M.D. to its Board of Advisors. The Board makes up the firm’s Investment Committee whose members contribute their financial, technical and marketing expertise in the selection of new portfolio companies and the management of existing investments.

Ruben is a practicing physician and senior partner in Gastroenterology Professional Association. He is board certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology. Since 1986, Ruben has been a clinical instructor in medicine at Harvard University Medical School. He is a member of the American Gastroenterological Society and the American Society for Gastroenterological Endoscopy.

Ruben received his undergraduate degree from Brandeis University and his degree in Medicine from the University of Vermont. His internship and residency were completed at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.

“The appointment of Robert as an independent director has strengthened our team with his multifaceted healthcare and medical expertise,” says Ed Michael Reggie, Future Factory Managing Director. “He has had a highly distinguished and professional career and continues to be on the leading edge of his industry. Fellow Board members and our partners will benefit greatly from his insight.”

www.futurefactory.com

Future Factory adds entrepreneur expert to Board

Mon, 1 Feb 2010 12:00:00 -0600

New Orleans, LA – Future Factory is pleased to announce the appointment of Kathryn Grantham to its Board of Advisors. The Board makes up the firm’s Investment Committee whose members contribute their financial, technical and marketing expertise in the selection of new portfolio companies and the management of existing investments.

Grantham is currently founder and CEO of Roots Remedies, a consumer healthcare products company based in New York. She has held strategic roles at Circles, a Boston-based marketing firm, and at Accretive, a New York-based private equity firm in creating, building and leading new ventures. Earlier, she founded, ran for five years and sold Bluestockings Bookstore in New York City.

Currently, Grantham serves on the leadership council for City Harvest, the Newcomb College Institute, as well as in advisory roles for numerous start-up companies. She holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard Business School and an undergraduate degree from Tulane University.

“Kathryn’s addition to our Board adds significantly to the entrepreneurial expertise we offer our partners,” says Ed Michael Reggie, Future Factory Managing Director. “She has a very successful track record in leading companies from infancy to become profitable, mature organizations thriving in their respective industries.”

www.futurefactory.com

Clinical Trial on Sambazon® Açaí Part of Mounting Evidence of the Berry’s Heart Health Benefits

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 10:29:34 -0600

San Clemente, CA – A new clinical trial investigating the health benefits of açaí, the antioxidant and vitamin-rich berry, is adding to the emerging scientific evidence of the fruit’s ability to potentially reduce some metabolic risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes and stroke. The latest study won top honors during the Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine on January 23 and revealed promising initial results for using Sambazon açaí to improve vascular health, lower fasting blood sugar levels, and lower bad cholesterol.

“This pilot study demonstrated the ability of the Sambazon açaí pulp product to significantly lower several markers of cardiovascular risk in a relatively short period of time. Given these promising results, and the biologically active components in the açaí fruit, further study is merited,” said Dr. Jay Udani, MD, CEO and Medical Director of Medicus Research, a leading contract research organization with functional food experience.

Medicus Research recently conducted a pilot study with 10 slightly overweight, but healthy adult male and female participants (representing 1/3 of the American population). Each study participant consumed 100 grams of Sambazon® açaí frozen fruit pulp twice daily for one month. Researchers measured participants’ baseline fasting plasma glucose, plasma insulin levels, lipid levels (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides), high sensitivity C-reactive protein and blood pressure. After 30 days of consuming Sambazon® açaí, participants’ fasting glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, and LDL (bad cholesterol) were significantly reduced, as compared to the baseline. In addition, post-prandial (between meals) increases in blood glucose levels were significantly reduced.

“While additional research is needed, this pilot study suggests that in otherwise healthy, overweight adults, daily consumption of Sambazon açaí reduces several markers of metabolic syndrome associated with an increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and stroke,” said Jack F. Bukowski, MD, Ph.D., a former Harvard professor and currently Director of the Nutritional Science Research Institute.

This study follows a recently published study showing that açaí consumption lowers cholesterol and raises antioxidant activity in rats. Sambazon® is committed to scientific and nutritional research about açaí and supported the Medicus clinical trial. Sambazon® Açaí Pure Pulp Packs, which were used in the Medicus study, are a top selling frozen fruit item and available in finer grocery and natural food stores.

Founded in 2000, Sambazon manufactures and distributes organic food, beverage and supplement products with Açaí, a berry that grows primarily in the Amazon rainforest. The Sambazon products are available at thousands of stores nationwide such as Whole Foods Market, Wild Oats, Jamba Juice, Safeway, Albertsons, Publix, HEB, Food Emporium, D’agastinos, Krogers, A&P and many other independent health and specialty food stores and juice bars across the country.

Future Factory is a holding company for investments made in emerging companies across a wide range of industries with concentrations in health care and technology. The firm has offices in Atlanta and New Orleans.

www.sambazon.com

www.futurefactory.com

Fifth Group Restaurants Highlighted in Page One Story in New York Times on Restaurant Recycling

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:11:33 -0600

Nudging Recycling From Less Waste to None
By LESLIE KAUFMAN
At Yellowstone National Park, the clear soda cups and white utensils are not your typical cafe-counter garbage. Made of plant-based plastics, they dissolve magically when heated for more than a few minutes.
At Ecco, a popular restaurant in Atlanta, waiters no longer scrape food scraps into the trash bin. Uneaten morsels are dumped into five-gallon pails and taken to a compost heap out back.
And at eight of its North American plants, Honda is recycling so diligently that the factories have gotten rid of their trash Dumpsters altogether.
Across the nation, an antigarbage strategy known as “zero waste” is moving from the fringes to the mainstream, taking hold in school cafeterias, national parks, restaurants, stadiums and corporations.

Sambazon Introduces Antioxidant Elixir to Product Line

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 09:11:30 -0600

Sambazon Introduces New Refreshing Antioxidant Elixir

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif., Sept. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Sambazon, the global leader in Acai, announces the launch of a powerfully nutritious premium juice line.

Antioxidant Elixir(TM) is a organic revitalizing beverage that provides powerful antioxidants and 600% DV Vitamin C, yet remains refreshingly light on calories,

sugar, and contains no fat. Sweetened naturally with agave and infused with a blend of acai, acerola, and the finest organic botanical extracts, this is truly a

powerful concoction of ingredients. Ideal for health-conscious consumers on the go, Sambazon Antioxidant Elixirs are the first products in Sambazon's line of

organic juices containing a mere 70 calories per serving.

Future Factory sells its shares in Compass Point Research

Thu, 1 Jan 2009 15:35:16 -0600

Common Stock in Discovery Alliance International (d/b/a Compass Point research)

January 2009

Repurchase of shares by founder Lori H. Nesbitt, PharmD, MBA

www.futurefactory.com

www.compasspointresearch.com

Sambazon Announces Private Equity Funding from Verlinvest

Wed, 3 Dec 2008 16:32:38 -0600

San Clemente, CA (December 3, 2008) – Sambazon (www.sambazon.com), the pioneer and global market leader in

açaí food and beverages, announced today the initial closing of its largest round of funding to date from lead investor,

Verlinvest.

Verlinvest, a Belgian based private equity group, pledges to support the Company’s exponential growth within the

organic food and beverage categories. Sambazon will use the investment to expand distribution and marketing efforts

for its premium açaí product lines.

"We are very excited about this new partnership. Verlinvest’s knowledge and relationships in the beverage industry are

unparalleled and will add tremendous value to growing our distribution," said Ryan Black, CEO, Sambazon.

"Verlinvest's international experience in building iconic brands also makes them the ideal strategic partner as we

execute our growth plan."

Since its founding in 2000, Sambazon has continued to raise the industry standard with quality organic açaí products.

They created the first vertically integrated supply chain for the açaí berry and are internationally recognized as a

“green” business leader. Guided by the Triple Bottom Line principles, which incorporate environmental, social and

economic success, Sambazon pioneered a sustainable business model in the Amazon Rainforest and created

worldwide awareness of açaí. Today, Sambazon products are found in over ten thousand supermarkets, health food

stores and juice bars.

“Sambazon is the hottest up and coming brand in the beverage space, with dynamic products and a supply chain to

reach significant scale,” says Frédéric de Mevius, Verlinvest’s Managing Director. “They have outperformed

competitors in the beverage, frozen and supplement categories and as consumers continue to look for organic,

functional and nutrition rich food and beverages, Sambazon’s future is prospected to be very bright.”

Partnership Capital Growth, a San Francisco based investment bank, is advising the transaction exclusively. Verlinvest

is the lead investor with participation by Bradmer Foods and RSF Social Finance.

Future Factory invests in Sambazon Second Round

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 16:28:12 -0600

Series B Preferred Stock in Sambazon, Inc.

November 2008

Investment by

www.futurefactory.com

www.sambazon.com

Fifth Group to Open New Mexican Restaurant

Fri, 3 Oct 2008 16:27:10 -0600

Atlanta, GA -- The owners of Fifth Group Restaurants have joined forces with Executive Chef Shaun Doty, owner of Shaun’s, to create The Original El Taco in the Virginia-Highland neighborhood of Atlanta. With the new restaurant opening October 21st, Doty is developing recipes for creative Mexican fare like tacos, tortas and salsas.

“The Original El Taco will be lively, bright, open, and - most of all - fun,” said Robby Kukler, co-owner of Fifth Group Restaurants. “We have known Shaun for years and when we found out he had been thinking about doing Mexican too, we knew it was a great partnership.” Doty will work with a chef de cuisine at El Taco when the restaurant opens, while remaining executive chef at Shaun’s.

Fifth Group Restaurants is the privately owned company that operates Atlanta restaurants South City Kitchen® Midtown, South City Kitchen Vinings, La Tavola Trattoria and Ecco, as well as Bold American®, a catering and events company.

www.fifthgroup.com

Future Factory implements Green Policy

Wed, 3 Sep 2008 16:26:00 -0600

Future Factory implements Green Policy

New Orleans, LA -- Future Factory has released a Policy Statement outlining its initiatives related to sustainability and environmental responsibility. The statement addresses various ways that Future Factory and its employees are striving to promote environmental awareness and preserving natural resources.

“While it doesn’t seem immediately obvious that a venture capital firm could have a significant impact on the environment, it remains important that all of us take a step back and look how we can reduce our consumption of natural resources and conduct our business in a more environmentally friendly way,” says Kristin Hutchins, Future Factory Managing Director.

Future Factory’s initiatives include:

implementing an office-wide recycling program;
reducing paper usage through policies against printing Web pages and emails, and creating an online phone directory;
promoting public transportation by subsidizing employee’s usage
adopting a telecommuting policy; and
offering funding preference to companies that value good corporate citizenship and environmentally responsible behavior.

Future Factory is a venture capital firm with offices in Atlanta and New Orleans.

www.futurefactory.com

Topline Solutions Acquired by Navimedix

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:21:21 -0600

Topline Solutions Acquired by Navimedix

Seattle, Wa -– Topline Solutions has been purchased by Navimedix, Inc., a technology company providing automated communication tools and other services to healthcare providers.

In an all cash transaction Navimedix has acquired the stock of Topline Solutions and will incorporate its product line into Navimedix’s current offerings. Topline founders Catherine Roth and Richard Auger, as well as other Topline employees, will continue employment with Navimedix in various roles.

Founded in Seattle, Topline Solutions is a medical software company that has created a patient payment management system providing an efficient and easy-to-implement web-based tool for collecting patient payments at the time of service and eliminating patient billing.

Navimedix is a privately held company headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

www.toplinesolutions.biz

www.navimedix.com

Future Factory Invests in Third Round in Topline Solutions

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 08:25:37 -0500

Convertible Debt in Topline Solutions

March 2008

Investment by

www.futurefactory.com

www.toplinesolutions.biz

$60M BioInnovation deal to be summer blockbuster

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 10:15:31 -0500

NEW ORLEANS - Construction will begin this summer on the New Orleans BioInnovation Center, ending a two-year delay on the high-tech, $60-million state economic development project designed to be a cornerstone of the city’s post-Katrina recovery.

Sambazon featured on CNBC’s "The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch"

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 10:13:25 -0500

San Clemente, California –- Sambazon founders, Ryan and Jeremy Black were featured last night on CNBC’s popular talk show “The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch.”

The young entrepreneurs were interviewed regarding the steps that they took to start Sambazon and tips for any entrepreneur wanting to start his own business.

www.sambazon.com

Grand Opening of New Chicago Restaurant, La Madia

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 10:12:17 -0500

Chicago, Illinois –- La Madia–Art of Pizza, Love of Wine, a new upscale pizza restaurant in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, has its grand opening Saturday, October 20th.

La Madia features artisanal, Neapolitan-style pizza, as well as risotto, pastas, a broad selection of imported cheese and an international wine list. The restaurant is housed in a 4200 square foot area, which includes a 125-seat dining room and a private wine and pizza tasting room.

Experienced restaurateur Jonathan Fox, who most recently was Chief Operating Officer for Maggiano’s Little Italy, is behind this new restaurant.

www.dinelamadia.com

Future Factory Announces Investment in Chicago Restaurant La Madia

Tue, 10 Apr 2007 10:40:17 -0500

Equity in La Madia

April 2007

Investment by

www.futurefactory.com

www.dinelamadia.com

Future Factory Invests in Second Round in Topline Solutions

Tue, 20 Mar 2007 10:38:32 -0500

Convertible Debt in Topline Solutions

March 2007

Investment by

www.futurefactory.com

www.toplinesolutions.biz

Topline Solutions Names Kristin P. Hutchins to Board

Mon, 19 Mar 2007 10:10:06 -0500

Davis, CA –- Topline Solutions has named Kristin P. Hutchins to its Board of Directors.

Ms. Hutchins serves as Managing Director of Future Factory, a private equity development firm with offices in New Orleans and Atlanta.

Topline Solutions is a Seattle-based medical software company that has created a patient payment management system providing an efficient and easy-to-implement web-based tool for collecting patient payments at the time of service and eliminating patient billing.

www.toplinesolutions.biz

Christine A. Miller named CFO of Public Relations Agency

Fri, 1 Dec 2006 10:08:16 -0500

Atlanta, GA –- Melissa Libby and Associates, a public relations firm based in Atlanta, has named Christine A. Miller as its Chief Financial Officer.

Ms. Miller currently serves as Chief Financial Officer of Future Factory, a private equity development company with offices in New Orleans and Atlanta. In addition to her other responsibilities as CFO, she often provides financial and accounting services for Future Factory’s invested companies and other clients.

Melissa Libby and Associates is a public relations firm specializing in representing the restaurant and food industry. Melissa Libby authored the cookbook “Atlanta Cooks at Home”, which was published earlier this year by Future Factory’s subsidiary CityBooks Publishing.

www.melissalibbypr.com

Fifth Group Restaurant named one of 2006 Best New Restaurants

Wed, 15 Nov 2006 10:06:42 -0500

Atlanta, GA -- Ecco, Fifth Group Restaurants’® latest addition, has been recognized by Esquire Magazine as a “Best New Restaurant 2006” in the November issue’s 23rd annual survey. One of only 20 U.S. restaurants honored by Esquire this year, Ecco’s executive chef Micah Willix and Fifth Group Restaurants were recognized by the magazine for this achievement at a dinner in New York City on October 16.

Located in the heart of midtown Atlanta, Ecco features seasonally inspired cuisine with European influences. Willix serves innovative and inspired dishes earning Ecco Esquire’s designation as “Atlanta's best Mediterranean-style restaurant ever.”

Fifth Group Restaurants is the privately owned company that operates Atlanta restaurants South City Kitchen® Midtown, South City Kitchen Vinings, The Food Studio®, La Tavola Trattoria, Sala-Sabor de Mexico and Ecco, as well as Bold American® Catering, a catering and events company.

www.fifthgroup.com

Sambazon receives Excellence Award from US State Department

Mon, 6 Nov 2006 10:04:49 -0500

San Clemente, CA – On November 6th, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice presented Sambazon’s CEO Ryan Black with the State Department’s 2006 Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE), which is given to U.S.-owned companies for outstanding corporate citizenship and best practices overseas. Sambazon won the award in the small- to middle- business category, beating out 54 other national nominees selected by American ambassadors.

The State Department presents the award to American companies that strive to effect international social and environmental change through their business practices. Sambazon, which sells various products using the Amazonian açaí berry, earned the award in recognition of its work towards sustaining the Brazilian rainforest and its inhabitants.

www.sambazon.com

CityBooks Publishing Launches Second “Atlanta Cooks” Book

Sun, 1 Oct 2006 10:02:37 -0500

Miramar, FL -- CityBooks Publishing, a venture of Future Factory, has announced release of the second cookbook in the Atlanta Cooks series.

“Atlanta Cooks at Home” features top chefs from the best restaurants in Atlanta. The chefs share menus for home entertaining accompanied by expert beverage selections by Whole Foods Market.

The book is widely available in bookstores, retail outlets and online.

“Melissa Libby has put together an exciting compilation of recipes from the best chefs of Atlanta, a city often overlooked when it comes to fine dining. The enormous success of the first book, the high caliber creative team and the participation of these fabulous chefs makes this an exciting project for CityBooks,” says President Kristin P. Hutchins.

Melissa Libby, author of the series, also operates Melissa Libby and Associates, an Atlanta PR firm specializing in restaurants and the food industry.

www.citybookspublishing.com

Future Factory Invests in Louisiana Fund

Tue, 1 Aug 2006 10:36:08 -0500

Limited Partner Interest in Louisiana Fund One

August 2006

Investment by

www.futurefactory.com

www.louisianafund.com/

Discovery Alliance International Changes Name to Compass Point Research

Tue, 1 Aug 2006 09:59:58 -0500

Nashville, TN -- Discovery Alliance International, Inc. officials announced that, along with moving corporate offices to Nashville and greatly expanding services, the company will be re-named Compass Point Research.

The ten year-old company introduced innovation and wider access to the clinical trials process. Subsidiaries now include a full service clinical trials site management organization for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, a central institutional review board, and an affiliate offering web-based clinical trial software applications.

Future Factory, a private equity development company with offices in New Orleans and Atlanta, has been a major investor since 2003.

www.compasspointresearch.com

Sambazon is New Future Factory Investment

Thu, 29 Jun 2006 10:34:32 -0500

Series A Preferred Stock in Sambazon, Inc.

June 2006

Investment by

www.futurefactory.com

www.sambazon.com

Future Factory to Fund Topline Solutions Medical Software

Fri, 9 Jun 2006 10:32:46 -0500

Series A Capital Stock in Topline Solutions

June 2006

Investment by

www.futurefactory.com

www.toplinesolutions.biz

Kristin P. Hutchins named President of Publishing House

Fri, 5 May 2006 09:58:00 -0500

Atlanta, GA –- CityBooks Publishing has named Kristin P. Hutchins as its President.

Ms. Hutchins currently serves as Managing Director of Future Factory, a private equity development company with offices in New Orleans and Atlanta.

CityBooks Publishing is an independent publishing house based in Miramar Beach, Florida. It focuses on publishing self-selected manuscripts and software. Its next project, the highly anticipated sequel to “Atlanta Cooks”, a cookbook featuring the top chefs of Atlanta, is expected to be released later this year.

www.citybookspublishing.com

Future Factory Invests in Publishing Company

Fri, 5 May 2006 10:30:33 -0500

Managing Equity in CityBooks Publishing

May 2006

Investment by

www.futurefactory.com

www.citybookspublishing.com

Future Factory Commits to Second Round in Discovery Alliance International

Mon, 27 Feb 2006 10:29:01 -0500

Line of Credit to Discovery Alliance International

February 2006

Co-Funded by

www.futurefactory.com

www.compasspointresearch.com

Second Round Investment in Fifth Group Announced by Future Factory

Wed, 11 Jan 2006 10:27:25 -0500

Series B Nonmanaging Equity in Fifth Group Restaurants

January 2006

Investment by

www.futurefactory.com

www.fifthgroup.com

MicroCredit Enterprises Names Ed Michael Reggie to Board

Fri, 1 Apr 2005 09:55:45 -0500

Davis, CA --MicroCredit Enterprises today announced the beginning of operations and named Ed Michael Reggie to the Board of Directors.

Mr. Reggie serves as Managing Director of Future Factory, a private equity development firm with offices in New Orleans and Atlanta.

MicroCredit Enterprises is a nonprofit, anti-poverty venture which leverages private capital to make small business loans to impoverished people, mostly women, in developing countries. Loan recipients generally have no credit history, no collateral and no formal education. With microloans they create and build home-based businesses.

www.mcenterprises.org

Tulane Honors Champion of Public Health

Fri, 19 Nov 2004 09:52:05 -0500

New Orleans, LA -- At a gala celebration November 17th at the Audubon Tea Room, the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine honored individuals for their commitment to global public health.

Ed Michael Reggie was a recipient of the Champion of Public Health award for his efforts as Chairman of the "Biology to Business" conference earlier this year. The conference, a collaboration between the health sciences centers of LSU and Tulane Universities, highlighted the commercialization of university research. The conference integrated the vision of the three stakeholder groups -- scientists, entrepreneurs and the investment banking community.

Mr. Reggie serves as Managing Director of Future Factory, a private equity development firm with offices in New Orleans and Atlanta.

www.sph.tulane.edu

Freedom from Hunger Board Names Ed Michael Reggie as Treasurer

Sat, 6 Nov 2004 16:51:09 -0500

Davis, CA --The Board of Trustees of Freedom from Hunger has elected Board Member Ed Michael Reggie as its Treasurer.

Reggie serves as Managing Director of Future Factory, a private equity development firm with offices in New Orleans and Atlanta.

Freedom from Hunger, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, is a nonprofit international development organization that brings sustainable self-help solutions to the fight against hunger and poverty. The program has served women in 16 countries from Bolivia to the Philippines.

www.freedomfromhunger.org

Private Healthcare Systems To Acquire American LIFECARE

Tue, 20 Jul 2004 16:45:21 -0500

Waltham MA-- American LIFECARE a leading independent PPO network headquartered in New Orleans today announced it has signed an agreement to be acquired by Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS) of Waltham MA, the nation's leading health care cost management company.

American LIFECARE has a 20-year history of providing managed care networks and services across the South. American LIFECARE operates a regional network of more than 400 hospitals, 17,000 providers and 1,400 ancillary providers in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. In 2003, the company received NCQA Certification for Utilization Management, a distinction only a handful of managed care organizations nationwide have earned.

"PHCS and American LIFECARE are both deeply committed to the integrity of our networks and services," said Ed Michael Reggie, American LIFECARE's founder and Chairman of the Board. "Our new relationship will enable us to tap into the premier resources offered by PHCS. The results to our customers will be enhanced savings and seamless national coverage."

Prior to the sale, the PHCS Network included nearly 425,000 providers and 3,700 facilities. This acquisition will create the 11th regional office for PHCS. The company will be known as American LIFECARE, a division of Private Healthcare Systems.

Kristin Hutchins, President of American LIFECARE, led the team that negotiated the sale, and will remain as Division Vice President.

www.phcs.com

Future Factory Invests in Discovery Alliance International

Fri, 24 Oct 2003 10:24:43 -0500

Common Stock in Discovery Alliance International

October 2003

Investment by

www.futurefactory.com

www.compasspointresearch.com

Ed Michael Reggie named to Board of New Orleans BioInnovation Center

Wed, 1 Oct 2003 16:39:54 -0500

New Orleans, Louisiana –- The New Orleans BioInnovation Center has elected Ed Michael Reggie to serve on its Board of Directors.

Mr. Reggie serves as Managing Director of Future Factory, a private equity development firm with offices in New Orleans and Atlanta.

The New Orleans BioInnovation Center is a technology business incubator created to foster entrepreneurship within the New Orleans bioscience community. Located in downtown New Orleans, its mission is to assist biotechnology-related companies commercializing technologies from New Orleans-based universities. The Center is intended to be a catalyst to creating a high-tech, information-based economy in New Orleans, and it is hoped that the facility will lure medical and pharmaceutical companies to the city and bring new activity to a depressed stretch of downtown.

www.neworleansbio.com

Investment in Fifth Group Restaurants Announced by Future Factory

Tue, 29 Jul 2003 10:21:30 -0500

Series A Nonmanaging Equity in Fifth Group Restaurants

July 2003

Investment by

www.futurefactory.com

www.fifthgroup.com

Ed Michael Reggie Joins Board of Freedom from Hunger

Mon, 7 Jul 2003 16:35:48 -0500

Davis, CA -- The Board of Trustees of Freedom from Hunger has elected Ed Michael Reggie as a Board Member.

In February of this year, Reggie participated in a site visit to Haiti to learn first-hand about the program. Due to his interest and involvement, he has now been asked to join the board.

Reggie serves as Chairman of the Board of American LIFECARE, a regional managed care organization based in New Orleans.

Founded in 1946, Freedom from Hunger is a nonprofit international development organization that administers microfinance and education programs in its fight against hunger and poverty in the third world.