Washington (March 3, 2009)FOCUS LLC, a national middle market investment banking firm providing merger, acquisition, divestiture and corporate finance services, announces Stephen Harlan has joined FOCUS as a Senior Advisor in the Washington, DC office. Mr. Harlan is a partner in Harlan Enterprises LLC, a specialized firm that invests in real estate.

“We are very fortunate that Steve has agreed to join FOCUS as a Senior Advisor. His diverse business experience will be of great benefit to our firm,” said Doug Rodgers, chief executive officer of FOCUS.

Prior to joining Harlan Enterprises in 2001, Mr. Harlan was chairman of the real estate firm H.G. Smithy. And, before joining H.G. Smithy, he was Vice Chairman of KPMG Peat Marwick, responsible for international business. He served on KPMG’s International Council, Board of Directors and Management Committee. He also served as Chairman of KPMG’s International Strategic Planning Committee. Before assuming his Vice Chairman responsibilities in 1987, he served for twelve years as the Managing Partner of KPMG’s Washington, DC operating office.

Mr. Harlan serves on the “for profit” boards of ING Direct Bank, Sunrise Senior Living and Harris Interactive, and on the “not-for-profit” boards of Heroes Inc., MedStar Health, Loughran Foundation, Washington Police Foundation and the Senior Council of the Greater Washington Board of Trade. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

In 1995, President Clinton appointed Mr. Harlan to the District of Columbia Financial Responsibilities and Management Assistance Authority (D.C. Control Board). He served as Vice Chairman of the Board until his term expired in 1998.

Mr. Harlan was named a 1985 Washingtonian of the Year and, in 1988, the Greater Washington Board of Trade named him “Man of the Year.” In 1997, he was named to the Washington Business Hall of Fame and in 2002; he received the prestigious Globe and Anchor award for civic contribution from the United States Marine Corps Foundation.

About FOCUS LLC

FOCUS LLC provides a range of middle market investment banking services with an emphasis on mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and corporate finance. FOCUS is headquartered in Washington, D.C. with regional offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco. FOCUS specializes in business units with transactions or revenues in the $5-300 million range, serving entrepreneurs, corporate owners and various types of investors across a broad range of industries, throughout the U.S. and worldwide. FOCUS bankers are seasoned operating and financial executives with extensive transaction experience. Securities transactions conducted by Wm. H. Murphy & Co., Inc. registered Broker Dealer member FINRA/SIPC. For more information on FOCUS, visit www.focusbankers.com.

Kahla Cooper is the Director of Marketing at FOCUS. In this role, Ms. Cooper designs and implements the overall marketing strategy. Ms. Cooper works with each industry team leader to define programs in order to promote and brand FOCUS’ suite of capabilities.