Costa Mesa, Calif. - July 7, 2003 - RSM EquiCo, a leading global investment banking firm for the private middle market, has named dealmaking veteran A. John Dorey as a senior managing director of its broker-dealer subsidiary, RSM EquiCo Capital Markets LLC.

Mr. Dorey brings to RSM EquiCo nearly 30 years of senior-level experience in the middle-market M&A industry, most recently as a managing director at The Geneva Companies, the middle-market M&A division of Smith Barney, where he specialized in closing the firm's larger transactions.

"John's vast dealmaking experience covering a myriad of industries in the middle market, coupled with his outstanding reputation make him an immediate asset to our clients and our firm," said Coby Sonenshine, RSM EquiCo Capital Markets chief executive officer. "He has advised hundreds of business owners on the sale of their businesses, built strong relationships with leading strategic and financial buyers and been an entrepreneur himself. We are pleased to welcome someone of John's caliber to our growing organization and believe he will be an excellent complement to our existing team."

At RSM EquiCo, Dorey will be responsible for managing a team of vice presidents and associates, and will also have direct client contact overseeing deal closings.

"RSM EquiCo is the ideal opportunity because it allows me to combine my hands-on dealmaking experience, while also managing talented, resourceful and experienced dealmakers," Dorey said. "I believe the firm has succeeded in positioning itself as the premier international investment banking firm for the private middle market. I am enthusiastic about being a part of the company's future and expect to play an important role in helping RSM EquiCo meet the needs of clients and achieve new goals."

Prior to joining the Smith Barney division in 1983, Dorey was founder and president of A. John Dorey & Associates, a professional mergers and acquisitions company specializing in middle-market businesses. Mr. Dorey received a bachelor's degree in marketing from the University of California, Berkeley and a master's in business administration from the University of California, Los Angeles.

RSM EquiCo, Inc. specializes in mergers and acquisitions, divestitures and corporate finance for private middle-market businesses. RSM EquiCo is part of RSM McGladrey Business Services, a business segment of H&R Block. RSM EquiCo has approximately 350 professionals and support personnel in the United States, with additional staff and resources in London. The firm is based in Costa Mesa, California. For more information, visit www.rsmequico.com.