THE RLJ COMPANIES RANK HIGH ON BLACK ENTERPRISE'S 'B.E. 100'S LIST' IN AUTOMOTIVE, BANKING, AND INDUSTRIAL/SERVICES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 21, 2009

CONTACT:
Traci Otey Blunt
301-280-7700
press@rljcompanies.com

THE RLJ COMPANIES RANK HIGH ON BLACK ENTERPRISE'S 'B.E. 100'S LIST' IN AUTOMOTIVE, BANKING, AND INDUSTRIAL/SERVICES

Bob Johnson is the First Entrepreneur to Have Three Companies Included in a Single Year

Bethesda, MD (BlackNews.com) - The RLJ Companies, founded by Robert L. Johnson, owner of the NBA Charlotte Bobcats and founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET), is pleased to announce top ranking of several of its portfolio companies in the "2009 B.E. 100s List," published annually by Black Enterprise magazine.

RLJ McLarty Landers Automotive Group, which is ranked 3rd in a category of 75 in the auto dealership rankings was founded in 2007. RLJ McLarty Landers is headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas and consists of twelve auto dealerships and one Harley-Davidson motorcycle dealership with three locations throughout Arkansas. RLJ McLarty Landers dealerships are located throughout Arkansas, Alabama, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Texas and Tennessee.

Also included in top rankings is Urban Trust Bank (UTB) which is noted 12th this year in the bank sector ranking. Urban Trust Bank's assets have grown by 500%, a growth rate which will make UTB one of the largest African American controlled banks in the United States over the course of the next year.

RLJ Development and the NBA Charlotte Bobcats are ranked 8th and 40th respectively out of 100 in the industrial/services rankings.

RLJ Development one of the fastest growing hotel investment companies in the country. While rapidly growing the portfolio of assets, the company has also strengthened its management team by attracting seasoned executives from throughout the industry. RLJ Development has made several noteworthy investments over the course of the year and has strong relationships with leading brands such as Hilton and Marriott. RLJ Development currently owns 124 hotels.

The NBA Charlotte Bobcats debuted in 2004 and is a part of the Southeast Division of the NBA's Eastern Conference. The team is the first major sports franchise to be owned by an African American.

In addition to companies listed on this year's B.E. 100s, other business units within The RLJ Companies portfolio include: Caribbean CAGE, LLC, a video lottery gaming company headquartered in Puerto Rico and operating throughout the Caribbean; Our Stories Films, LLC, a film production studio based in Los Angeles, California; RLJ Equity Partners, L.P., a middle market private equity firm; RolloverSystems, Inc., a financial services company; and the newly opened resort luxury property RLJ Kendeja Resort & Villas, located in Monrovia, Liberia.

Press inquiries should be directed to Traci Otey Blunt at 301-280-7700 or press@rljcompanies.com.