McLean, Virginia (October 6, 2009) -- Altus Associates, a provider of buy-side M&A services to government contractors, today announced that Jack Hughes and his consulting firm, Phoenix Financial, will assist Altus in advising clients on strategic acquisition and growth programs.

"Jack established our contract acquisition advisory program in 2001-2002 before he moved to Alion Science and Technology, and thereafter served as Chairman of our Board of Advisors" said John T. Schell, President of Altus. "We are most pleased that Jack and Phoenix's extensive experience will again be available to our clients."

"Phoenix is very excited to be partnered with Altus again, and to have the opportunity to work side-by-side with John Schell to help our clients with their strategic growth and acquisition needs"said Jack Hughes.

Jack Hughes most recently served for 6 years as EVP and CFO of Alion Science and Technology Corporation, where he assisted in growing the company from $200MM to $750MM in annual revenues through 11 major acquisitions. His career includes Senior Vice President and CFO at BTG where he directed its IPO and closed 6 major acquisitions. Prior to BTG, he was a senior executive with ManTech International, where he helped grow the company from $4MM to $200MM thru 14 acquisitions. Jack has been the Chairman of Altus Board of Advisors since 2002 and worked with Altus as a consultant prior to that time. Jack graduated from Frostburg State University with a BS degree in Business/Economics and had post-graduate studies in contract law and government procurement.

Altus Associates, located in McLean, Virginia, provide advisory services to government contractors seeking strategic acquisitions that enable them to meet increasingly competitive challenges in the sector. Altus provides corporate buy-side clients one or more of a broad range of services:

• Assistance with determining the optimal business criteria for acquisition targets
• Identifying the best targets using a proven, analytically-driven research approach.
• Contacting and qualifying companies not actively seeking to sell
• Assistance with valuation, negotiations, deal structure and closing

Altus has handled over 30 acquisition engagements since 2001. Learn more about the advisory services available from Altus. www.altus-associates.com

Altus Associates
2000 Corporate Ridge Rd. Suite 165
McLean, VA 22102
Telephone: 703-893-6403
www.altus-associates.com