Meson Capital and Nightscape Capital Requisition Special Meeting to Reconstitute Board of Aberdeen International Inc.

TORONTO, Dec. 16, 2014 /CNW/ - Today, funds controlled by Meson Capital Partners LLC ("Meson Capital") and Nightscape Capital (UK) LLP ("Nightscape Capital") that hold shares representing approximately 9% of the issued and outstanding shares of Aberdeen International Inc. (TSX: AAB) ("Aberdeen" or the "Company") announced that they have formally requisitioned a special meeting of shareholders to reconstitute the board of directors of Aberdeen.

Ryan Morris, President of Meson Capital, said that "As we previously indicated on November 24^th, we are fully committed to improving the governance of Aberdeen for the benefit of all shareholders.  Unfortunately, to date the Company has been unwilling to engage in any form of constructive dialogue with us and the Company's recent announcement of pending director changes merely shuffles the deck of Forbes & Manhattan closely affiliated directors.  Greater change is needed urgently."

Mr. Morris continued, "While we certainly respect the prominence of certain Aberdeen board members, historically poor performance for shareholders speaks for itself.  We are nominating a slate of highly qualified and independent directors who intend to dramatically lower insider compensation while focusing on creating value for all shareholders."

Nickolas Stukas, Managing Partner of Nightscape Capital, said "For some time we have encouraged Aberdeen's management to undertake shareholder friendly actions, which would narrow the gap between the Company's market value and the much higher value of the Company's underlying assets.  We have been disappointed with the Company's actions in this regard to date.  We believe appointing qualified and independent directors is an important first step in unlocking Aberdeen's underlying value."

Nominees include the following:

Ken Daraie is the CEO of Continental Industries Field Services, LLC, and Vice President of Mizzen Energy.  He has founded several E&P companies, and has bought and sold numerous up stream and mid-stream oil and gas assets in the US Rockies.

Andrew Green is a Partner with Jackson Hole Group and led successful turnarounds while at A.T. Kearney including as CEO of Horizon Propane.

Ryan Morris is President of Meson Capital and as Chairman of InfuSystem Holdings has overseen its successful transformation and near tripling of value for shareholders over the past three years.

Michael Kahan is the founder of North Peak Capital, is on the board of two private companies, and served as interim CEO of a leading dental practice management company after working as a director at ONEX Corporation.

Lee Matheson is a co-founder of Broadview Capital Management and has improved governance as a board member of RDM Corp (TSX: RC) and Medworxx Solutions Inc. (TSXV: MWX).

Akbar Mohamed is currently President of Prime Communications, the largest national retailer of wireless devices for AT&T and Rogers Wireless.  Mr. Mohamed is a serial entrepreneur and formerly worked for Goldman Sachs M&A and Private Equity firm Hicks Muse.

Mark Piotrowski is currently a private investor and previously as Director of CAI Private Equity, led the restructuring and sale of Country Style Food Services Inc. and Dynaplas Ltd.

About Meson Capital Partners LLC and Nightscape Capital (UK) LLP

Established in 2009, Meson Capital is a registered U.S. investment advisor based in San Francisco, USA. Meson Capital is managed by Ryan Morris, a Canadian citizen born in Toronto, Ontario. 

Nightscape Capital is an FCA regulated investment advisor based in London, United Kingdom. 

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain information in this press release may constitute "forward-looking information", as such term is defined in applicable Canadian securities legislation, about the objectives and intentions of Meson Capital and Nightscape Capital as they relate to Aberdeen and Aberdeen shareholders and other matters. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking information.  Material factors or assumptions that were applied in providing forward-looking information, include, but are not limited to, Aberdeen's future growth potential, its results of operations, future cash flows, ability to monetize assets for stated book value, the future performance and business prospects and opportunities of Aberdeen and the current general regulatory environment and economic conditions remaining unchanged. Should any factor affect Aberdeen, Meson Capital or Nightscape Capital in an unexpected manner, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, the actual results or events may differ materially from the results or events predicted. All of the forward-looking information reflected in this press release is qualified by these cautionary statements.  Forward-looking information is provided and forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and except as may be required by applicable law, each of Meson Capital and Nightscape Capital disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise

SOURCE: Meson Capital Partners LLC

Media Contacts: Ryan Morris President, Meson Capital Partners LLC, [email protected], 415-758-0365