News Archive for 2005

December 28, 2005 - Ticker Magazine recently featured an interview with William Blair Small Cap Growth Fund Portfolio Manager Karl Brewer in an article titled, "Quality Growth Below the Radar."

December 20, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Caremark Rx, Inc., one of the nation’s largest pharmaceutical benefit managers, or PBMs, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Core Growth.

December 20, 2005 - William Blair & Company is pleased to announce the success of its client, Recycled Paper Greetings, Inc., in its sale to Monitor Clipper Partners, L.L.C.

December 19, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Saifun Semiconductors Ltd., whose nitride read only memory (NROM) technology has the potential to significantly alter the competitive landscape of the non-volatile memory semiconductor market, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

December 19, 2005 - William Blair & Company is pleased to announce the success of its client, Datasweep, Inc., in its sale to Rockwell Automation.

December 13, 2005 - William Blair & Company is pleased to announce the success of its client, Scitex Vision Ltd., in its sale to Hewlett-Packard Company for $230 million.

December 12, 2005 - Corporate & Executive Services at William Blair & Company is hosting a presentation entitled, “Managing Concentrated Equity Positions: Hedging, Monetization, and Diversification Strategies.”

December 9, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of NxStage Medical, Inc., which has developed a dialysis technology for treating patients with end-stage renal dialysis (ESRD), with a Market Perform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

December 9, 2005 - As the 2005 Holiday season has arrived, we realize that many clients would like to share their good fortune by gifting securities. We would like to help ease this process by offering some gifting guidelines to clients.

December 8, 2005 - William Blair Capital Partners was a sponsor of the Illinois Venture Capital Association 2005 Annual Awards Dinner earlier this week.

December 8, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Volterra Semiconductor Corporation, a high-performance analog and mixed-signal company focused on power management, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

December 2, 2005 - William Blair & Company served as placement agent on A. M. Castle & Co.’s private placement of $75.0 million, ten-year senior secured notes.

November 30, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of West Corporation, a leading provider of outsourced business services to clients in various industries, including communications, health care, and financial services, with a Market Perform rating and company profile of Core Growth.

November 30, 2005 - William Blair & Company, led by research analyst Corey Tobin, today is hosting a roundtable discussion at the Radiological Society of North America’s 91st Scientific Assembly and Annual Conference.

November 29, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Pentair, Inc., a diversified designer, manufacturer, and marketer engaged in two primary lines of business: water and enclosures, with an Market Perform rating and company profile of Core Growth.

November 21, 2005 - William Blair & Company’s Equity Research Consumer group provided its holiday retail outlook for a media-only audience today.

November 21, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of PSS World Medical, Inc., a leading distributor of medical supplies to physician offices, nursing homes, and home care agencies, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Core Growth.

November 16, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of PrivateBancorp, Inc., a Chicago-based financial holding company with $3.3 billion in assets, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Core Growth.

November 15, 2005 - William Blair & Company is pleased to announce that it served as financial advisor to Netsmart Technologies, Inc., in connection with its acquisition of privately-held CMHC Systems, Inc.

November 14, 2005 - William Blair & Company is hosting a lecture and reception today entitled, “China on the Horizon,” featuring Hedrick Smith.

November 11, 2005 - On Thursday, November 17, 2005, William Blair & Company will be hosting our Fifth Annual Market Outlook with George Greig, portfolio manager of international and emerging markets products.

November 9, 2005 - William Blair & Company’s Wealth Management Services hosted a media audience today for a presentation on changes to the tax code in 2005 and year-end financial planning.

November 9, 2005 - William Blair & Company is pleased to announce the success of its client, DePaul University, in connection with the transfer of the academic assets of Barat College to the American College of Education.

November 8, 2005 - William Blair & Company is pleased to announce the successful sale of its client, TMW Systems, Inc., to Wachovia Capital Partners and Peppertree Capital Management.

November 8, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of four leading biotechnology companies - Amgen Inc., Genzyme Corporation, Gilead Sciences, Inc., and MedImmune Inc., and reinitiated coverage of Genentech, Inc.

November 4, 2005 - William Blair & Company is hosting a women’s event today titled “Women and Investing: Making the Most of Asset Allocation.”

November 3, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of North Pointe Holdings Corporation, a property-casualty insurance underwriter, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

November 2, 2005 - William Blair Funds announced the newest addition to its mutual fund family, the William Blair International Small Cap Growth Fund.

October 31, 2005 - William Blair Funds is participating in three conferences in November.

October 28, 2005 - William Blair & Company has been included in two asset management rankings.

October 26, 2005 - In commemoration of our 70th anniversary year, we are pleased to present a luncheon discussion on our equity research in the health care sector.

October 19, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Earle M. Jorgensen Company.

October 12, 2005 - William Blair Funds is participating in several conferences throughout October.

October 10, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Global Payments, Inc. with a Market Perform rating.

October 10, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of ARM Holdings plc, a leading provider of semiconductor intellectual property, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

October 7, 2005 - William McCormick Blair, founder of William Blair & Company, was inducted into the 2005 Junior Achievement Chicago Business Hall of Fame yesterday.

October 6, 2005 - William Blair & Company is hosting a client reception in commemoration of our 70th Anniversary in London this evening.

October 5, 2005 - William Blair & Company is hosting a client reception in commemoration of our 70th Anniversary in Zurich, Switzerland this evening, preceded by a luncheon in Vaduz, Liechtenstein.

October 5, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Strayer Education, Inc., a for-profit provider of postsecondary education with more than 20,000 students enrolled at 36 campuses in 8 states and Washington, D.C., with an Outperform rating and company profile of Core Growth.

October 4, 2005 - In a comprehensive report issued today about the behavioral health care industry, William Blair & Company initiated research coverage of Psychiatric Solutions, Inc., the largest provider of inpatient behavioral health care services in the United States, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Core Growth.

September 29, 2005 - William Blair & Company is hosting a client reception in commemoration of our 70th Anniversary in New York City this evening.

September 28, 2005 - In response to the crisis brought on by Hurricane Katrina, William Blair & Company and its employees contributed over $290,000 toward the relief efforts in the Gulf of Mexico region.

September 27, 2005 - William Blair & Company is pleased to announce the success of its client, TNS, Inc., in the completion of a $201.8 million follow-on equity offering.

September 26, 2005 - William Blair Select is hosting a dinner conversation tonight with Jim Owen, author of "Cowboy Ethics: What Wall Street Can Learn from the Code of the West."

September 23, 2005 - William Blair & Company has been named one of the most prestigious investment firms in a survey of more than 580 banking professionals.

September 20, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Heartland Payment Systems, Inc., an electronic transaction payment processor, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Core Growth.

September 15, 2005 - William Blair & Company acted as placement agent and financial advisor to Certified Power, Inc. in the arrangement of a new $25,000,000 Senior Credit Facility that refinanced and restructured the Company’s existing revolver and term loan.

September 15, 2005 - In commemoration of our 70th anniversary year, William Blair & Company is pleased to present a series of equity research luncheons for our clients. Our fourth luncheon, which will take place on Thursday, September 22nd, will be hosted by analysts from our Technology Sector.

September 14, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Golf Galaxy, Inc., a leading specialty retailer of competitively priced brand-name golf equipment and pro shop services, with a Market Perform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

September 13, 2005 - William Blair & Company acted as financial advisor to National Bedding Company in its sale to Ares Corporate Opportunities Fund, L.P. and to Teachers’ Private Capital.

September 12, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc., a leading distributor of supplies and pharmaceuticals to the U.S. veterinary market, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

September 7, 2005 - In a comprehensive industry report titled “Data Analytics: Unlocking the Power of Information to Fight Fraud, Stop Identity Theft, and Mitigate Business Risk,” William Blair & Company initiated research coverage of three leading data analytics companies, Equifax Inc., First Advantage Corporation, and Intersections Inc.

September 1, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Danaher Corporation, a global conglomerate that designs, manufactures, and markets diverse lines of industrial and consumer products, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Established Growth.

September 1, 2005 - William Blair & Company acted as financial advisor to GRP Financial Services in the sale of its business to SLM Corporation.

August 31, 2005 - William Blair Funds is participating in several conferences throughout September.

August 23, 2005 - William Blair & Company acted as financial advisor to A. M. Castle & Co. in the arrangement of a new $82 million multi-currency Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility that will replace its existing $60 million Accounts Receivable Securitization facility and the amendment of a $10 million Trade Acceptance Purchase Facility.

August 22, 2005 - William Blair & Company is pleased to announce that it acted as financial advisor to SeatonCorp in connection with an investment by Leeds Weld & Company, a private equity firm.

August 17, 2005 - William Blair & Company is pleased to announce that it served as exclusive financial advisor to PharMetrics, Inc. in its sale to IMS Health Incorporated.

August 16, 2005 - William Blair & Company is pleased to announce that Karl Brewer and George Greig have been listed among the 'Top 100' fund managers in the 'Barron's/Value Line Top 100' fund managers survey.

August 12, 2005 - William Blair & Company hosted a conference call with David Brailer, M.D., Ph.D., National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, Wednesday, August 10, 2005.

August 3, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Allion Healthcare, Inc., a specialty pharmacy exclusively serving the HIV/AIDS community in the United States, with a Market Perform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

August 2, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Symmetry Medical Inc., the world’s largest provider of implants, instruments, and cases to orthopedic device manufacturers, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Core Growth.

July 26, 2005 - William Blair & Company acted as financial advisor to The Butler Company in its sale to Oak Hill Capital Partners.

July 19, 2005 - On Wednesday, July 27th William Blair & Company will be hosting a client seminar, “Planning and Executing the Sale of a Business.”

July 15, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Healthcare Services Group, Inc., the largest provider of outsourced housekeeping, linen, and foodservices solutions to the long-term-care industry, with a Market Perform rating and company profile of Core Growth.

July 14, 2005 - William Blair & Company’s Technology Analyst Group Head, Jeff Rosenberg, will be at the Information Technology of America – NASDAQ, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) event today, at the Hilton New York, to speak in a panel discussion titled, “Finding the play in RFID.”

July 11, 2005 - The June issue of Institutional Investor included an article co-published by William Blair & Company. Click to view a reprint of the article.

July 7, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that all London employees and their families are accounted for and safe, following this morning’s explosions in London.

July 6, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of RightNow, a leading provider of on-demand customer relationship management, or CRM, services to the enterprise market, with an Outperform rating and Aggressive Growth risk profile.

June 29, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of UAP Holding Corp., a leading independent wholesale distributor and retailer of agricultural products in the United States and Canada, with a Market Perform rating and company profile of Core Growth.

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June 21, 2005 - William Blair & Company, L.L.C., celebrating its 70th anniversary year in 2005, marked another significant milestone today when it kicked off its 25th Annual Growth Stock Conference, a three-day event featuring more than 180 companies and attracting investors from around the world.

June 20, 2005 - William Blair Funds is participating in two conferences this week.

June 20, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of FLIR Systems, Inc., a leading provider of thermal imaging and infrared cameras into the commercial, industrial, and government markets, with a Market Perform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

June 15, 2005 - William Blair Funds will be hosting a Webcast on Thursday featuring Emerging Markets Growth Fund Portfolio Manager, Jeff Urbina.

June 15, 2005 - William Blair Funds is participating in the Pershing Financial Products and Services Conference this week.

June 15, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Zumiez Inc., an emerging lifestyle retailer within the action sports apparel genre, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

June 13, 2005 - William Blair & Company is pleased to announce that it served as financial advisor to Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc. during its acquisition in a $400 million take-private transaction by an affiliate of Kelso & Company, L.P. and members of the current management team.

June 8, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Merge Technologies Incorporated, a leading provider of radiology information systems, picture archiving and communication systems, and/or clinical applications to imaging centers and small and midsize hospitals, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

June 7, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of DexCom, Inc., which has developed a continuous glucose sensor technology to help diabetics better manage their disease, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

June 7, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of SeraCare Life Sciences, Inc., an emerging company focused on developing biological supplies and services to the life sciences, clinical diagnostics, and biopharmaceuticals market, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

June 6, 2005 - William Blair & Company acted as financial advisor to The Holland Group, Inc. in the $113,000,000 refinancing of the Company’s senior credit facility, junior secured term loan and senior subordinated notes.

June 6, 2005 - William Blair Funds announced today the newest addition to its mutual fund family, the William Blair Emerging Markets Growth Fund.

June 3, 2005 - A special video presentation of William Blair & Company has been produced to commemorate our 70th Anniversary and commitment to client success.

June 1, 2005 - William Blair & Company is pleased to announce that it served as financial advisor to WinWholesale, Inc. in its acquisition of Noland Company.

May 25, 2005 - On May 23, Edgar D. (Ned) Jannotta, chairman of William Blair & Company, was honored by the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations at its Global Leadership Awards Dinner.

May 24, 2005 - On Wednesday, May 25, William Blair Funds is participating in the TD Waterhouse Regional Conference in Chicago.

May 20, 2005 - William Blair Capital Partners is a Platinum Sponsor of the Midwest Venture Summit.

May 20, 2005 - On Tuesday, May 17, Sharon Zackfia, Research Analyst in the Restaurant sector, presented to reporters in a MarketTrends briefing.

May 20, 2005 - Earlier this week, two William Blair & Company analysts were named in The Wall Street Journal's “Best on the Street” Research Analyst rankings list.

May 19, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Watsco, Inc., a leader in the independent wholesale distribution of air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration equipment (HVAC) and related parts and supplies, with a Market Perform rating and company profile of Core Growth.

May 17, 2005 - William Blair & Company is pleased to announce that Molecular, Inc. has been acquired by Isobar, a subsidiary of Aegis Group, Plc.

May 16, 2005 - William Blair Funds is participating in three conferences this week.

May 13, 2005 - In commemoration of our 70th anniversary year, William Blair & Company is pleased to present a series of equity research luncheons for our clients. Our third luncheon, which will take place on Thursday, May 19th, will be hosted by analysts from our Financial Sector.

May 11, 2005 - William Blair & Company is pleased to announce that it served as the exclusive advisor to Guitar Center, Inc. in its acquisition of Music & Arts Center for $98 million in cash.

May 10, 2005 - Today the Civic Federation of Chicago presented the Addams-Palmer Award for Exemplary Corporate Civic Involvement to William Blair & Company, during the Civic Federation’s annual awards luncheon at Millennium Park. Chairman Edgar D. Jannotta accepted the award on behalf of the firm.

May 9, 2005 - William Blair Funds is participating in two conferences this week.

May 6, 2005 - On Wednesday, May 11th, in commemoration of our 70th anniversary year, George Greig, global strategist for William Blair & Company’s Investment Management Department, will present his thoughts on investing in a rising interest rate environment and an increasingly competitive global economy.

May 5, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Laureate Education, Inc., a leading provider of higher education around the world, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Core Growth.

May 4, 2005 - William Blair & Company has been ranked #59 by Crain’s Chicago Business in its list of Chicago's largest privately held companies, ranked by revenues.

April 26, 2005 - William Blair & Company is pleased to announce that it acted as financial advisor to Deltek Systems, Inc. in its recapitalization led by New Mountain Capital, LLC and existing shareholders.

April 25, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of MICROS Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: MCRS $36.56), a leading provider of point-of-sale (POS) and management systems to the hospitality, restaurant, and retail industries, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

April 21, 2005 - William Blair & Company acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Aramsco, Inc., one of America's largest environmental supply companies specializing in safety products for the hazardous environment.

April 20, 2005 - William Blair & Company is pleased to announce that it acted as sole book runner and lead manager for the initial public offering of Shamir Optical Industry Ltd.

April 18, 2005 - William Blair & Company acted as financial advisor to Integrated Distribution Solutions, L.L.C. in conjunction with its sale to Retalix, Ltd.

April 12, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., a leading international provider of products and services primarily for the veterinary health care industry, with a Market Perform rating and company profile of Established Growth.

April 8, 2005 - We are pleased to announce that William Blair Global Strategist and International Funds Manager, George Greig, was recently honored with a 2005 Lipper Fund Award.

April 6, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Lifeline Systems Company, the largest provider of personal emergency response systems (PERS) in North America, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Core Growth.

April 5, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Linens ‘n Things, Inc., the second-largest home furnishings superstore operator in North America, with a Market Perform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

April 4, 2005 - William Blair & Company acted as the exclusive financial advisor to The J.M. Smucker Company in the sale of two of its business units.

April 1, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Google Inc., a leader in Internet search, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Core Growth.

March 31, 2005 - Jeffrey R. Immelt, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of General Electric, to present to William Blair & Company clients. Click for more details.

March 30, 2005 - In commemoration of our 70th anniversary year, William Blair & Company is pleased to present a series of equity research luncheons for our clients. Our second luncheon, which will take place on Thursday, April 14th, will be hosted by analysts from our Consumer/Retail Sector.

March 29, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Dolby Laboratories, Inc., a leader in premier audio technology for more than 40 years, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Core Growth.

March 22, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of FTD Group, Inc., a leading provider of floral and gift-related services, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Core Growth.

March 21, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Prestige Brands Holdings, Inc., a leading marketer of brand-name over-the-counter (OTC) drug, household cleaning, and personal care products, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

March 17, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Threshold Pharmaceuticals, Inc., which takes advantage of changes in glucose (sugar) metabolism to develop drugs treating cancer and benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH—an enlarged prostate), with an Outperform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

March 16, 2005 - William Blair & Company acted as exclusive financial advisor to St. Louis Music, Inc. (St. Louis Music or the company) in connection with its acquisition by LOUD Technologies Inc., a publicly traded portfolio company of Sun Capital Partners, Inc.

March 15, 2005 - William Blair & Company is pleased to announce that Bachrach Clothing, Inc., a leading men’s retailer, has been acquired by Sun Capital Partners, Inc.

March 8, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of optionsXpress Holdings, Inc., an online retail brokerage platform focused on the expanding listed equity options market, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

March 7, 2005 - William Blair & Company's Vice Chairman, Dave Coolidge, has been appointed as a member of the SEC Advisory Committee on Smaller Public Companies.

March 1, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Specialty Underwriters’ Alliance, Inc., a start-up commercial property-casualty underwriter based in Chicago, Illinois, focused on the specialty program business market, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

February 25, 2005 - William Blair & Company acted as placement agent and financial advisor to CNA Holding Corporation in its $48,350,000 debt recapitalization and restructuring.

February 18, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc., a leading global provider of executive search services, with about 300 search consultants in 57 major cities throughout North America, Europe, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Core Growth.

February 15, 2005 - William Blair & Company will be hosting a client luncheon today, A Post-Inauguration Look at Tax Changes.

February 14, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of TurboChef Technologies, Inc., which provides speed cook products to the global foodservice industry and is in the process of developing a residential application, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

February 9, 2005 - William Blair & Company acted as financial advisor to Superior Consultant Company in conjunction with its sale to Affiliated Computer Services for approximately $111 million.

February 9, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Interline Brands, Inc., among the larger national distributors and direct marketers of specialty maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) products, both branded and private label, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

February 8, 2004 - William Blair & Company acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Ahold USA, a subsidiary of The Netherlands-based Ahold NV, in the announced sale of two operating companies, BI-LO and Bruno’s, to Lone Star Funds for $660 million.

February 4, 2005 - William Blair & Company served as senior managing underwriter for a record volume of Illinois bond issues in 2004, completing 51 transactions that raised over $1.4 billion for capital improvements and refunding purposes.

February 4, 2005 - Shareholders who hold accounts directly with William Blair Funds, and who access those accounts through the William Blair Funds Web site, now have the ability to download their William Blair Funds 2004 1099 tax information directly into TurboTax software.

January 31, 2005 - To better serve our clients, William Blair & Company has launched a new and improved version of R*Docs^TM, William Blair & Company's online research distribution system.

January 27, 2005 - William Blair & Company served as Senior Managing Underwriter in connection with the issuance by the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, Illinois of its $100,000,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2004.

January 26, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Arbinet-thexchange, Inc., an electronic marketplace for trading, routing, and settling communications capacity, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

January 26, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Alcon, Inc., the leading ophthalmic care company in the world, with a Market Perform rating and company profile of Established Growth.

January 25, 2005 - In commemoration of our 70th anniversary year, William Blair & Company is pleased to present a series of equity research luncheons for our clients. The first in our series will be a panel discussion with analysts from our business services sector.

January 19, 2005 - William Blair & Company was highlighted in Chicago Magazine as one of the “25 Best Places to Work” this past fall. Click here to view an e-print of the article.

January 13, 2005 - William Blair & Company announced this week that it has named 13 new principals to the firm.

January 13, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Inc., a leading provider of clinical information systems to in-hospital and ambulatory physician practices as well as electronic-detailing sessions and related products for pharmaceutical and medical device companies, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

January 13, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Eclipsys Corporation, a leading provider of hospital information systems including both clinical and administrative applications, with a Market Perform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

January 7, 2005 - In commemoration of William Blair & Company’s 70th anniversary (on January 8, 2005), members of our Executive Committee rang the opening bell at the Nasdaq today. Click to see pictures.

January 7, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of SRA International, Inc., a leading provider of IT solutions to the Defense Department, the intelligence community, the National Guard, and civilian agencies within the federal government, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Core Growth.

January 6, 2004 - William Blair & Company is pleased to announce that VitalWorks Inc. has sold its Medical division to Cerner Corporation for $100 million in cash.

January 6, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Central Parking Corporation, the largest provider of parking facility management services in the world, with a Market Perform rating and company profile of Core Growth.

January 4, 2005 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of PRA International, one of the leaders in global clinical outsourcing services and among the top five or six contract research providers overall to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, with a Market Perform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.