Mr. Berardino began his private equity career in 1982 when he organized and managed Olin Corporation's venture capital pool. In 1989, he co-founded the International Harvest Group, Ltd., a private investment bank and, in 1992, Meridian Capital Management, Inc., a merchant bank specializing in middle-market private equity transactions. Meridian and Saugatuck merged their activities in 1998.

From 1982 to 1989, Mr. Berardino was a Corporate Senior Vice President and Group executive with Olin Corporation. From 1965 to 1982, he was with Exxon corporation in various executive positions in both international and domestic operations.

Mr. Berardino is the Chairman of American Pipe and Plastics Holdings, Inc. and The TharpeRobbins Company, and serves as a Director of PPI/Time Zero, Inc., Floor & Decor Outlets of America, Inc., and Femco Machine Company.

Mr. Berardino graduated with an A.B. in Engineering Sciences from Dartmouth College and an M.B.A. in Finance from the Columbia Graduate School of Business where he was a McKinsey Scholar.