September 17, 2004
Saber Partners Announces Appointment of Stuart Eizenstat and Robert W. Gee to Firm’s Advisory Board Thomas F. Best to Join Firm as Managing Director, General Counsel
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jennifer Thomas
The Harbour Group
202-295-8790
New York, New York: Saber Partners, LLC today announced that Stuart Eizenstat, a former senior official in the Departments of State and Treasury during the Clinton Administration, and Robert W. Gee, the former Chairman of the Public Utility Commission of Texas, have joined the firm’s Advisory Board. Thomas F. Best, a lawyer with extensive experience representing regulatory agencies in Texas and practicing administrative law, has also joined the firm as Managing Director and General Counsel.
Mr. Eizenstat served as Deputy Treasury Secretary, Under Secretary of State for Economic, Business and Agricultural Affairs and Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade. He was Ambassador to the European Union from 1993 to 1996.
Currently a partner with the law firm Covington and Burling, Mr. Eizenstat is focused on international business transactions and other international trade-related issues.
Mr. Gee is also a former Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy in Policy and International Affairs and Fossil Energy.
“Stuart Eizenstat comes to us with a long and distinguished track record of public service spanning decades,” said Joseph S. Fichera, CEO of Saber Partners, LLC. “He is widely recognized for both his integrity and his independence and I have known him personally for over 25 years and always regretted that my business commitments at the time didn’t allow me to accept a position working for him while he was at the State Department.”
“Bob Gee has worked on regulatory and energy matters from both the state and federal perspective. His dedication, commitment and integrity has permitted him to always find innovative ways for the private sector and government to work in the public interest,” Mr. Fichera continued. “We are honored that Stu and Bob have agreed to join our Advisory Board.”
Saber Partners’ independent advisory board is chaired by Alan S. Blinder, a former Vice Chairman of the Federal Reserve and Member of the President’s Council of Economic Advisors.
Mr. Best will oversee legal and research and analysis for Saber Partners and its clients. He replaces Christopher Bosland, who left Saber Partners to accept an appointment by President Bush to be the advisor to the Chairman of the Federal Housing Finance Board.
“Tom Best brings a wealth of regulatory experience to Saber Partners, and his thoughtful approach to problem solving complements his strong legal background,” Mr. Fichera said. “We are delighted to have him on our team.”
Mr. Best served as Assistant General Counsel for the Texas Public Utility Commission where he represented the State in connection with a wide range of regulatory and financial matters. He also served as the Legal Director of the Commission’s Policy Division where he advised commissioners appointed by the Governor on legal and policy matters related to the restructuring of the Texas retail electricity market. Most recently, Mr. Best served as General Counsel for the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse.
“Saber Partners commitment to the integrity and fairness of markets is evident in the firm’s recent work for public sector clients,” Mr. Best said. “I am pleased to have the opportunity to work with a firm that has made restoration of the public trust in the capital markets a top priority.”
Mr. Best began his legal career representing financial institutions in negotiations and conducting litigation concerning accounting rules and regulation. After working as an attorney for the Texas State Senate, he established a successful private legal practice in Austin, Texas representing a variety of private sector clients concerning their interaction with state government.
Saber Partners, LLC is a full-service financial advisory firm providing strategic support to a broad range of corporate and public sector clients.
Since the firm’s creation in September 2000, Saber Partners has set itself apart as an innovator in the realm of banking and finance. The firm is known for taking bold action and achieving significant results on behalf of a roster of clients that includes ExxonMobil Corporation, the Office of the Governor of the State of California, the Public Utility Commission of Texas, the Board of Public Utilities of New Jersey and an agent of the State of Vermont, as well as for other corporations interested in financings, mergers or acquisitions.
Most recently, the Securities & Exchange Commission engaged Saber Partners as an expert adviser.
More information can be found at www.saberpartners.com.
