Steve Gelsi

Talking Top Quartile with Tim Bernardez of Evergreen Pacific Partners

Evergreen Pacific Partners II LP, the 2008 vintage fund from Seattle-based Evergreen Pacific Partners, turned in an IRR of 33.5 percent as of Dec. 31, 2012, according to performance data from Washington State Investment Board. Tim Bernardez co-founded the firm in 2003 with Thomas McGill and Michael Nibarger.

EnCap Flatrock sets $2.25 bln target for Fund III

EnCap Investments LP, the Texas-based energy investor, is raising up to $3 billion for its third midstream fund aimed at domestic oil and gas infrastructure projects, according to a person familiar with the firm.

LACERS commits to Vista V, Energy Capital

The Los Angeles City Employees’ Retirement System committed $40 million each to Vista Equity Partners V and Energy Capital Partners III in a move to stick with two existing GPs in its $12 billion pension portfolio.

Benefit Street Partners hits $1.75 bln for Fund III

Benefit Street Partners, the credit arm of Providence Equity Partners, said it closed its direct lending fund, Providence Debt Fund III LP, at its hard cap of $1.75 billion, well ahead of its $1 billion target, in a move to build up dry powder for mid-market financing deals.

CalSTRS hires Meketa to advise on allocation targets

Exclusive: Dominus Capital puts maker of brake fluids on the selling block

Dominus Capital has put portfolio company Spectrum Corp on the selling block in a transaction being handled by Lazard’s middle market advisory shop out of Minneapolis, according to two sources familiar with the deal.

CalSTRS hires Meketa to advise on allocation targets

Meketa Investment Group, the San Diego-based advisory firm founded in 1978, will advise the investment committee of the California State Teachers’ Retirement System on its allocations to private equity and other asset classes as part of a new consulting assignment.

Energy Capital Partners hits $5 bln on Fund III

Energy Capital Partners topped off Energy Capital Partners III at $1.5 billion above its $3.5 billion target as the latest in a series of big energy funds, bringing the New Jersey firm’s total fundraising tally to $13 billion in eight years.

SSM Partners makes 7x off Datacert exit

SSM Partners has scored an investment gain of 7x on the sale of its interest in Datacert to Wolters Kluwer Corporate Legal Services, according to a person familiar with the Memphis-based growth equity specialist.

Sycamore closes on $2 bln for second fund, near its target: UPDATED

Sycamore Partners held a first close at $2 billion for its second private equity fund, as the New York-based buyout shop prepares to wrap up its largest-ever acquisition, The Jones Group Inc, according to sources familiar with the firm.