RICHMOND, VA – September 17, 2018 – Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc. (“Matrix”), a leading, independent, investment bank, is pleased to announce the formation of a new in-house business consulting group, Matrix Consulting Services Group (“MCS”), and welcomes Melvin L. Strine as Director of the new endeavor. This specialized group will exclusively serve clients within the Downstream Energy and Convenience Retail industry.

The new group will focus on helping businesses perform better within the highly competitive Downstream Energy and Convenience Retail industry. In addition to individual consulting with business owners and industry executives, the MCS Group will also provide an opportunity to participate in an innovative and experiential program, The Principal Imperative. This proprietary, comprehensive business management system teaches business owners how to create and implement a business strategy that ultimately generates company growth and drives financial returns. The system also helps guide closely-held businesses with ownership and management succession challenges. Additional information is available at: www.matrixcmg.com/services/consulting.

Mr. Strine has over four decades of petroleum marketing and convenience retailing experience. Over the years, he has held multiple strategy, operations, real estate, talent development and executive leadership roles. His career began with Exxon Company, USA where he served in various major oil marketing staff and leadership positions. Most recently, Mr. Strine spent nearly 18 years leading the retail marketing group for the Wills Group, based in La Plata, MD. While at the Wills Group, Mr. Strine was President and CEO of four major retail subsidiaries, Dash In convenience stores, SMO dealer stores, Splash In car washes, and PEH, LLC, a former joint venture with Shell Oil.

Mr. Strine commented on the development of the new group, “I am delighted to join Matrix and offer this new opportunity to help marketers improve their business operations. We are excited about our Principal Imperative offering. I look forward to leveraging our collective talents to help enhance overall company and personnel performance, and develop better bottom line results for our clients. Our work within the MCS Group will be aligned with the overall efforts of Matrix in maximizing value for their clients, which is reflected in their work and the highly ethical way they serve their clients.”

Tom Kelso, President of Matrix and Head of Matrix’s Downstream Energy & Convenience Retail Group, added, “We are very excited to welcome a leader in the industry with Mel’s experience and stature to Matrix. Not only does his expertise complement our Downstream Energy & Convenience Retail Group, but he also brings many years of executive leadership, direct petroleum marketing and convenience retailing knowledge that will benefit all of our clients. We believe the addition of Mel and the new Matrix Consulting Services Group reflects our continued, long term commitment to provide the absolute best transaction, valuation and advisory services to our clients.”