Bahram Shirazi has been with The Cypress Group since its formation in April, 1994. He began his investment and merchant-banking career in 1987, when he joined Lehman Brothers as a summer associate in corporate finance. In 1989, he became a member of Lehman's merchant banking group where he worked until his departure in 1994. Mr. Shirazi has extensive private-equity experience and currently focuses his efforts on the media, entertainment, lodging, and leisure industries. He holds an MBA from Columbia University and a BS in electrical engineering from Tufts University.