Los Angeles, CA, USA, November 19, 2014 -- Breakwater Investment Management, LLC (“Breakwater”), a private investment firm headquartered in Los Angeles, is proud to announce the recent addition of Deborah Benton as a Partner to its investment team. Through its growing family of funds, Breakwater makes direct growth equity and debt investments in leading lower middle market companies.

Prior to joining Breakwater, Ms. Benton served as President and COO of Nasty Gal, Inc., the preeminent online women’s fashion retailer for the millennial set. At Nasty Gal, Benton led explosive revenue growth of 400%, while building the team and infrastructure to support rapidly expanding operations. During her tenure, Nasty Gal was named one of the fastest growing retailers in the country.

Prior to Nasty Gal, Ms. Benton was COO of ShoeDazzle, an online women’s shoes and accessories company, where she managed over 20 times revenue growth in just over two years. Prior to joining ShoeDazzle, Benton served as Executive Vice President, Operations and Inside Sales at Teleflora, where she managed a $100+ million P&L.

“I am extremely proud to welcome Deborah Benton to Breakwater,” said Founder and Managing Partner Saif Mansour. “Deborah is a seasoned consumer retail executive who brings operational management expertise of the highest level to Breakwater. She has also been a leading example and advocate of women entrepreneurship, who adds incredible diversity, perspective and relationships to Breakwater’s investment activities.”

Commenting on her recent appointment, Ms. Benton said, “I am excited to embark on this next stage of my professional life and support the build out of Breakwater’s growth equity efforts in the branded consumer and specialty retail sectors. My goal is to identify attractive investment opportunities in emerging growth companies and support their leadership teams to deliver outstanding value creation. I am especially excited to join the Breakwater team given its entrepreneurial spirit and its focus on partnership.”

Ms. Benton’s first role will be to serve as strategic advisor to the board of directors of Breakwater portfolio company Planet Blue. Founded in 1995, Planet Blue is a leading California-based lifestyle retailer and fashion brand that is at an inflection point in its growth cycle.

About Breakwater Investment Management, LLC:
Breakwater Investment Management is a private investment firm that provides direct equity and debt investments in leading lower middle market growth companies. The firm aligns itself with committed management teams, owners, and sponsors to help propel lower middle market businesses into their growth curve. Breakwater is a diversified alternative asset manager that offers independent and institutional investors access to multiple partnerships and investment vehicles that service the lower middle market’s myriad capital needs.

To learn more about Breakwater, visit http://www.breakwaterfunds.com or call (424) 777-4000.

Contact:
Hilary Adams
Breakwater Investment Management, LLC
1999 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 3430
Los Angeles, CA 90067
424-777-4000
[email protected]
http://www.breakwaterfunds.com