DALLAS, TX – Feb. 11, 2008 – COMPTEL announced today that Matrix Telecom, Inc, (“Matrix”) a Platinum Equity company, has joined the association as a service provider member.  Headquartered in Dallas, TX and operating as Matrix Business Technologies and Trinsic Powered by Matrix, the company is an integrated telecommunications provider serving consumers and small and medium size businesses nationwide. Under Platinum Equity, a global private equity investment firm specializing in mergers, acquisitions and operation of companies that provide services and solutions in a broad range of business markets, Matrix Telecom’s growth is driven through the successful integration and operation of telecommunications assets added to Platinum’s portfolio of telecommunications companies.

“We are delighted that Matrix Telecom has joined COMPTEL,” said Jerry James, COMPTEL’s President and CEO.  “Matrix brings fresh thought leadership at a time of tremendous economic, technological and regulatory change in the telecommunications landscape.” 

"Matrix is entirely committed to healthy, fair and honest competition in the telecommunications industry,” said Chuck Taylor, President of Matrix, “with the results COMPTEL has achieved through its advocacy in Washington and its effective methods of educating and informing its membership we’re thrilled to associate ourselves with such top notch people.”

Matrix and COMPTEL are joining up at the COMPTEL PLUS Spring 2008 Convention and Expo to present a special panel discussion called “Creating an Exit Strategy for Your Business” at 10:30 AM Wednesday February 27, 2008 at the Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, TN.

Moderated by Brian Gustas, Sr Vice President of Business Development and Carrier Relations at Matrix, experts including Christopher Williams, former President and CFO of recently-sold Sage Telecom, Brad Holtmeier, Vice President at Platinum Equity who oversees all financial, operating, technical and legal aspects of a Platinum transaction and Brad Mutschelknaus a Partner with Kelley, Drye and Warren LLP who has supervised dozens of nationwide campaigns for regulatory approval of major telecom transactions, and has successfully tried cases before over 30 state PUC’s will discuss the nuances of divesting all or part of your communications company, key valuation metrics and drivers, structuring the transaction, preparing for due diligence and navigating the approval process. Registration is required. Visit COMPTEL.org for details. 

About Matrix Telecom, Inc

Matrix Telecom, Inc., operating as Matrix Business Technologies and Trinsic Powered by Matrix, is an integrated telecommunications provider serving consumers and small and medium size businesses nationwide.  Matrix is licensed as a facilities-based CLEC and Long Distance Provider in 49 states plus DC.  It has 230 employees with headquarters in Dallas, TX and operations in Rochester, NY, Atmore, AL and Tampa, FL. (www.matrixbt.com).  Matrix is owned by Platinum Equity, a global M&A&O® firm specializing in the merger, acquisition and operation of companies that provide services and solutions to customers in a broad range of business markets, including information technology, telecommunications, industrials, logistics, manufacturing, and entertainment distribution. Since its founding in 1995 by Tom Gores, Platinum Equity has completed more than 70 acquisitions with more than $16 billion in aggregate annual revenue at the time of acquisition. (www.platinumequity.com)