Press Release
May 18, 2001
CHICAGO, IL -- Heller Financial, Inc. (NYSE: HF) yesterday announced that the responsibilities of Robert E. Radway,
40, have been expanded to include international strategy and corporate development activities. His new title is
Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Development. In this position, Radway will work with all of Heller's
businesses to take advantage of significant opportunities leveraging Heller's international franchise.
Since 1999, Radway held the dual positions of Executive Vice President, Corporate Development, and Group President,
Heller Healthcare Finance. As a result of Radway's expanded role, Howard Widra, 34, has been promoted to Group
President, Heller Healthcare Finance. Widra has served as Executive Vice President of Healthcare Finance since
1999. Both appointments are effective immediately.
``Over the past two years, all of Heller's businesses have become increasingly international in ways we never imagined,''
said Richard J. Almeida, Chairman and CEO, Heller Financial, Inc. ``Therefore, we are focusing on how we prioritize
and commit corporate resources against a broadening array of opportunities. To this end, we are very excited about
the new roles Robert and Howard are assuming.''
While serving as Group President, Radway led the growth of Heller Healthcare Finance's portfolio by more than 60
percent and successfully established Heller as the leading provider of debt financing to small and mid- size healthcare
companies. Almeida said Radway leaves the group well situated to take full advantage of its franchise position
in healthcare lending. On the corporate development side, Almeida added, Radway has done a superb job of guiding
Heller through a number of acquisition and business development opportunities.
Widra is responsible for further expanding Heller's presence in the healthcare sector and taking advantage of the
company's strong growth prospects in this important market segment, Almeida said. This effort began upon Heller's
acquisition of Healthcare Financial Partners in 1999.
Prior to joining Heller in 1998, Radway held several senior positions with The Finova Group Inc., including Executive
Vice President with responsibility for one of Finova's three strategic business units. Earlier in his career, he
worked for First Fidelity Bank Corporation and CMS, a privately held investment firm in Philadelphia. Radway received
an M.B.A. Degree from the University of Santa Clara and a B.S. from Syracuse University.
Widra was Chief Operating Officer of Healthcare Financial Partners when it was acquired by Heller. Earlier in his
career, he was a practicing attorney with Steptoe and Johnson, LLP, in Washington D.C. Widra received a B.A. Degree
from the University of Michigan and his J.D. from Harvard Law School.
Heller Financial, Inc., is a worldwide commercial finance company providing a broad range of sophisticated financing
solutions. With $20 billion in total assets, Heller offers equipment financing and leasing, sales finance programs,
collateral and cash flow-based financing, financing for healthcare companies and financing for commercial real
estate. The company also offers trade finance, factoring, asset-based lending, leasing and vendor finance products
and programs to clients in Europe, Asia and Latin America. Heller's common stock is listed as ``HF'' on the New
York and Chicago Stock Exchanges. Heller can be found on the World Wide Web at www.hellerfinancial.com
.
SOURCE: Heller Financial