Venture Capitalists Remembered…

Private Equity Week would like to extend its sincerest sympathies to the victims of last Tuesday?s horrific attacks, and to their families and loved ones.In particular, we regret to report that three venture capitalists lost their lives aboard American Airlines Flight #11:

Brian Dale of Blue Capital Management

David Retik of Alta Communications

Christopher Mello of Alta Communications.

Brian Dale, 43, was a principal and co-founder of Blue Capital, which is based in New York. A letter on the firm?s Web site describes him as a ?one man band — at once CFO, general counsel and deal professional.? He leaves behind wife Louanne, and children Jacob Earl, Rachel Therese and Russell Baily. He is also survived by his mother, Mary Steimer Dale; brother Kevin Dale; sister Lauren Rice Dale; and nephew Joseph Rice. A trust has been set up on behalf of his children. Donations can be sent to: Brian Dale Family Trust; C/O Ropes & Gray; 1 International Place; Boston, MA 02110; Attn: Christopher Leich.

Dave Retik, 33, was a general partner and co-founder of Alta Communications, having previously worked with Burr, Egan, Deleange & Co. He graduated from Colgate University with a degree in Economics and Asian Studies. He is survived by son Ben and daughter Molly, and wife Susan, who is pregnant with the couple?s third child. Dave is also remembered by parents Alan and Lynn Retik; brother, Mark Retik; sister, Susan Siegel; grandmother, Bess Shulman; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Saul and Shelly Zalesne. In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made to the New York Uniformed Firefighters Association, 204 East 23rd St., New York, NY 10010. Chris Mello, 25, was an associate with Alta Communications since 2000, having previously been a financial analyst in the media and communications group of Deutsche Banc Alex. Brown. He graduated from Princeton University in 1998, where he majored in Psychology and was Vice President of the Cottage Club, and a member of the men’s Rugby Club, Kappa Alpha Order Fraternity and the 21 Club. In addition to his parents Douglas and Ellen Mello of Rye, New York, Chris is survived by his brother, John Douglas Mello and his paternal grandmother, Alice Mello. The Mello family has asked that anyone wishing to make a donation or gift in Chris’ memory make it to the YMCA of Rye, NY. The check should be made out “Rye YMCA/In the Memory of Chris Mello” and sent to: YMCA, 21 Locust Avenue, Rye, NY 10580.

More information on both Dave and Chris can be found at the Alta Communications Web site.

Thankfully, we have been able to confirm that the entire teams from Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Private Equity and the MMC Capital Communications & Information Fund are accounted for. There are, however, still outstanding concerns over employees from other units of MSDW and MMC who have not yet been heard from. The Web site for Salomon Smith Barney, which had offices at 7 World Trade, reports that its employees were all evacuated prior to that building?s collapse. Credit Suisse First Boston also reports a successful evacuation from 5 World Trade, although it has not yet heard from a handful of employees and consultants who may have been in the area at the time of the collapses. The law firm of Drinker Biddle & Realth LLP, which works with private equity firms and had offices in 1 World Trade, reports that all of its employees are safe and accounted for. Fellow legal practice Sidley Austin Brown & Wood, which also had a 1 World Trade address, reports on its Web site that it is still waiting to hear from three of its employees. Also accounted for are the partners of Metropolitan Venture Partners, based in Two World Financial Center. A New York City Web site also reported that Vincent Ingato, senior vice president of leveraged finance with Fuji Bank, who was based on the 79th Floor of 2 World Trade Center, was accounted for.Our entire editorial team at Venture Economics, which is housed just one block from the Trade Center at 195 Broadway, was successfully evacuated. We thank those who have checked in on our well-being over the past few weeks. Our prayers are with the missing.

Our prayers are with the missing.