(Source: Business Wire)Ramius LLC ("Ramius"), a global alternative investment firm, today announced two key senior appointments to further its commitment to strategic partnerships. Effective immediately, David M. Thill, former Managing Director at K2 Advisors, has joined the firm as a Managing Director, and Daniel G. Lehmann, former Director at K2 Advisors, has joined the firm as a Director. Mr. Thill will be head of worldwide third party distribution and intermediary relationships and Mr. Lehmann will report to Mr. Thill. In addition, Steven M. Tholen, a Director at Ramius who joined the firm in March 2008 from John A. Levin & Co., will report to Mr. Thill.

Jeffrey M. Solomon, a Founder and Managing Member of Ramius LLC, said, "We are extremely pleased to welcome David and Dan to Ramius and we look forward to their contributions to our marketing and client services group. David brings extensive experience in developing global distribution networks and has an impressive track-record in creating institutional and high net worth client relationships in a broad range of geographies. Dan, among other things, brings a successful history of capital development with financial intermediaries. Working with the Co-Heads of Global Business Development, Ramius Partner David Goracy in New York and Managing Director Anthony Simpson in London, these two significant senior appointments clearly demonstrate our commitment to expanding investors' access to Ramius' diverse alternative investment businesses through the further development of institutional quality third party relationships."

Thomas W. Strauss, Chief Executive Officer of Ramius Fund of Funds Group and a Founder and Managing Member of Ramius LLC, stated, "We are strong believers in meeting the evolving demands of our clients, whether it be pooled or customized products, transparency and diligence or superior client service. By adding David and Dan to the Ramius team, we see a compelling opportunity to enhance Ramius' marketing and client services through their unique experience and global contacts and their impressive track records in developing joint ventures and distribution agreements with third parties. We are delighted to have David and Dan join the firm and look forward to their contributions."

Biographies

David M. Thill

As Managing Director at K2 Advisors, as well a member of its Operating Committee, Mr. Thill formed and directed the firm's global distribution organization and helped to diversify its client base. Previously, Mr. Thill spent three years at Meridian Capital Partners where he was a Managing Director and Global Head of Distribution. There, Mr. Thill was responsible for building and leading the firm's global intermediary distribution network and helping to expand its non-US client base. Before joining Meridian Capital Partners, Mr. Thill spent 14 years at Eaton Vance Corporation, serving most recently as Vice President, Regional Sales Director, New England. He started his career in 1985 with Merrill Lynch. Mr. Thill graduated from Canisius College with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Marketing.

Daniel G. Lehmann

Mr. Lehmann has been responsible for capital development with financial intermediaries and executing distribution agreements with numerous bulge bracket banks as Director of Capital Development at K2 Advisors and, prior to joining K2 Advisors, Director of Client Solutions at Meridian Capital Partners. Mr. Lehmann also was the Vice President of Hedge Fund Research for Deutsche Bank Securities LLC where he led sourcing, evaluation, and marketing of Hedge Fund of Funds for the firm's Private Wealth Management Group. Before joining Deutsche Bank Securities LLC, he was Vice President of Alternative Investment Advisors at Robert Stephens Asset Management, Inc. Mr. Lehmann received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and minor in Markets and Management from Duke University.

About Ramius LLC

Ramius LLC is a registered investment advisor that manages assets in a variety of alternative investment strategies. Ramius LLC is headquartered in New York with offices located in London, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Munich.

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