Contreras-Sweet and Roski join together to form FORTIUS Holdings, LLC, a new venture capital firm

City of Industry CA --September 27, 2004 - The launch of a new a joint venture capital fund and commercial real estate development firm was announced today in the City of Industry. The announcement was made by its founding and principal officers, former California Business, Transportation and Housing Secretary, Maria Contreras-Sweet and noted real estate developer, Edward P. Roski, Jr. The company, FORTIUS Holdings, LLC (FORTIUS) will be headquartered in the City of Industry, California. Contreras-Sweet will serve as the company’s president, reportedly making it the first Latina-managed fund in the United States.

“I am proud to be joining such a prominent California businessman as Edward P. Roski, Jr.,” said Contreras-Sweet. “His enormous contribution to the growth and development of this great state leaves no doubt about the success of his endeavors.”

Prior to founding FORTIUS, Contreras-Sweet served as the Secretary of Business, Transportation and Housing for five years under former Governor Gray Davis. In that role, she had the distinction of being the first Latina cabinet Secretary in the country, and helped lead the fifth largest economy in the world with responsibility for a $14 billion budget and 42,000 employees. Her role as Cabinet Secretary gave her oversight of fourteen departments including the Department of Transportation (CALTRANS), Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), California Highway Patrol (CHP), Department of Real Estate (DRE), Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), and the Department of Corporations.

Contreras-Sweet also managed approximately 600 transportation projects worth a record $7 billion, including the reconstruction of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, one of the largest infrastructure projects in the country. She presided over the opening of California’s first new freeway since 1993, the Foothill Freeway in San Bernardino County. She also created the Department of Managed Health Care and the Office of the Patient Advocate through which she oversaw the solvency of the managed health care system. She also was responsible for the soundness of the state-chartered financial institutions and increased small business access to state contracting and procurement opportunities. She negotiated several large refund settlements with consumers who were targeted by perpetrators of fraud and predatory practices in the SEC’s Global Settlement. Contreras-Sweet chaired The Commission on Building for the 21st Century, which produced a comprehensive long-term plan to meet California’s growing infrastructure needs for the next twenty years.

“I am very pleased to be entering this new business enterprise with Maria, as well as the potential for our new endeavor,” said Roski Jr. “Our unique experiences and backgrounds form the foundation for a solid company and tremendous growth potential.”

Edward P. Roski, Jr. is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of one of the oldest and largest privately held commercial real estate development firms in the United States. Majestic Realty owns 60 million square feet of property located in Southern California, Atlanta, Denver, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City and Dallas.

He is the co-owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, the Los Angeles Kings, and the STAPLES Center. Mr. Roski’s dedication to cultural education, athletics, the arts and entertainment has led to his recognition by organizations such as the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, the Los Angeles Headquarters Association, the University of Southern California, and the Los Angeles Music Center. His charitable donations have made a significant impact on organizations such as the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels, Walt Disney Concert Hall, March of Dimes, and the Los Angeles Public Council Law Center.

FORTIUS is a privately held venture capital firm, committed to investing in well-managed small to mid-market companies that exemplify a unique potential for growth over the long-term. The company seeks to identify sound commercial real estate investments, and offers a full range of services from land acquisition to property management. FORTIUS is particularly interested in offering investments to companies that are either owned by or target minorities and women. The name “FORTIUS” derives its meaning from the Latin word for “stronger.”

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