ACG Announces 2010 Award Recipients to be Honored at InterGrowth 2010
Charles W. Downer honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, five Meritorious Service Awards,
President’s Award and three Chapter of the Year Awards also to be presented.
Charles W. Downer, founder of C.W. Downer & Company, has been selected as the recipient of the ACG Lifetime Achievement Award. ACG’s highest honor, it is given infrequently to individuals who have distinguished themselves in their professional lives, in community service and in service to ACG. Mr. Downer has been an active member of ACG Boston since 1979 and has served in numerous leadership positions at both the chapter and national level, including serving as ACG Global Chairman in 2003-2004.
“Charlie is a true leader and his record of achievement and service to ACG on every level is without peer,” said ACG Global Board Chairman Dennis White, senior counsel at McDermott Will & Emery, LLP. “Charlie’s pioneering efforts have helped to make our field what it is today and he is legendary for his integrity and professionalism. I can think of no one more deserving of this award than Charles Downer.”
In addition, Dan Amadori, Mark Jones, Jim Marra, Harris Smith and the late Stuart Gruskin were selected as the 2010 Meritorious Service Award winners. The Meritorious Service Award recognizes ACG leaders who have contributed to the success of ACG through extraordinary achievement and service.
Dan Amadori, founder, president and CEO, Lamerac Financial Corp., is the President of ACG Toronto. Under his leadership, the chapter has increased membership growth and retention, enhanced the ACG brand within the Southern Ontario business community, solidified its finances and launched a successful sponsorship program. In additional to his service at the chapter level, Mr. Amadori serves on the ACG Global Board of Directors
Jim Marra, director of business development, Blue Point Capital Partners, served as President of ACG Cleveland in 2007 – 2008. Mr. Marra has held a variety of leadership roles and is credited with spearheading a strategic planning process that resulted in a complete reorganization of the chapter. Mr. Marra is a recognized leader in the dealmaking community and is actively engaged in the Cleveland community, including serving on the Board of Entrepreneurship Preparatory School.
Harris Smith, managing partner, Private Equity, Grant Thornton LLP, is Immediate Past Chairman of the ACG Global Board of Directors. During his tenure as ACG Board Chair, he is recognized for leading an operational turnaround of the organization including amending the bylaws, stabilizing finances, opening a new professionally-staffed global headquarters and launching a state-of-the-art Website. In addition, ACG Kentucky and ACG China were both launched under his leadership.
Mark Jones, partner, River Associates Investments, LLC, currently serves on the ACG Global Board of Directors. Mr. Jones has served in a variety of leadership roles at the chapter and national level including serving as Chairman of ACG InterGrowth 2008. He is known as a passionate supporter of the middle-market private equity community.
Stuart Gruskin was senior vice-president at Valuation Research and served on the ACG New York Board of Directors. Mr. Gruskin’s life was cut short in a tragic accident on May 1, 2009. Remembered for his commitment and service to ACG New York he was instrumental in helping to grow the chapter membership, launch the ACG Tri-State Conference, and increase sponsorship. He is also remembered for his willingness to serve as a professional mentor. Nancy Gruskin will accept the award in honor of her late husband.
In addition to these awards, ACG also announced the winners of several chapter awards and the President’s Award.
Joan McCarthy, chapter executive, ACG Cleveland has been selected as the inaugural recipient of the ACG President’s Award for Excellence and Achievement by an ACG Chapter Executive. Given annually to a single ACG chapter executive, the award recognizes dedication to ACG over a long period of time coupled with outstanding performance as an association professional.
ACG National Capital, ACG St. Louis and ACG Raleigh Durham have been selected as ACG Chapters of the Year. This annual award recognizes overall achievement and excellence in programming, membership, governance and other aspects of chapter operations. One chapter is recognized in each size cohort: 400+ members; 151-399 members; less than 150 members.
All awards will be presented at ACG InterGrowth 2010, May 4-6, in Miami Beach, Florida, the largest global conference for middle-market dealmakers and corporate development professionals.
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