As the pitch noted: Lowes Corporation is a diversified holding company, with a large portfolio of cash, strong cash flows, and focused on long term value creation.

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Mr. Meister contributes the type of experience and qualifications the Board seeks to maintain, primarily through his significant financial expertise in the high-tech market with experience as founder and managing partner of investment management firm and as a senior executive of a diversified holding company and investment companies overseeing the investment and management of a variety of companies, including high-tech companies.

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Citigroup Inc. (C), a diversified financial services holding company, provides a range of financial products and services to consumers, corporations, governments, and institutions worldwide.

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Take, for example, Compass Diversified Holdings, a holding company that owns a controlling stake in a number of businesses, including CamelBak, American Furniture, and Liberty Safe and Security Products.

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He put together a holding company, Diversified Asset Management Group Worldwide, to exploit inefficiencies at airports run by local authorities, who can't expand a terminal without an okay from the feds--and who are forced to offer what amounts to lifetime employment to even the least-deserving employees.

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Mr Merloni believes it would be fatal to be distracted from his firm's focus on white goods. (A family holding company oversees unrelated investments, notably in energy.) Fiat diversified way beyond cars, spanning tractors to financial services.

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