Atlanta, GA (August 23, 2011) – MSouth Equity Partners, an Atlanta-based private equity firm, announced the closing of its newest investment. In partnership with William Bradford and Gene Johnson, MSouth completed the acquisition of United Telephone Company.

United is based in Chapel Hill, TN and provides voice and data services. United has over 13,000 access lines and a state-of-the-art network that provides services to underserved rural communities located south of Nashville, TN. United provides superior broadband coverage when compared to many other rural telephone companies and plans to introduce a video service offering in the coming months.

Mark Feidler, an MSouth Partner, said, “We are delighted with our investment in United. United is uniquely positioned to capitalize on increasing video and broadband demand due to its strong presence in underpenetrated rural markets. We look forward to working with William and this outstanding management team.”

MSouth Equity Partners is a private equity investment firm that provides equity capital and expertise to support management teams in acquisitions and recapitalizations of lower middle market companies typically valued between $25 and $125 million. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, MSouth invests primarily in the South with a consistent focus on management buyouts of business services, distribution and specialty manufacturing companies. With more than $700 million under management in two active funds, MSouth is a successor to Cravey, Green & Wahlen, Inc., which was founded in 1984.