MONTHLY NEWSLETTER The President’s Letter

Corporate growth, business
development and those who bring
them to life. This is ACG Atlanta.
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
The President’s Letter
Vol. 2 • Issue 6 • March 2009
Dear ACG Atlanta members:
Photo
Next month’s theme of stimulating growth in a shrinking world seems appropriate to embrace as our economic
paradigm shifts and the world becomes flatter. Recent economic uncertainty has caused each of us to get back
to basics, both at our own places of business, and also at the Atlanta Chapter of ACG. It seems appropriate that
this year’s Board embraced initiatives to focus on our members and our community at ACG.
We will begin to introduce material and programs focused on growing your leadership talent pool. Don’t miss
this month’s featured guest, Connie Glaser, whose article on women and leadership provides us with insight on
how using non-traditional talents can help our organizations grow. Local to Atlanta, Connie is a best-selling national author and speaker,
and is considered a leading expert on gender diversity.
Branding efforts continue by members reaching out to various consulates and chambers in the
international community, enabling us to provide new programs for those focused on international
growth and expansion. In addition to our March session, summarized by Maria Saporta herein,
plan on attending our 2nd International event on April 16, jointly sponsored with M&A International,
titled “Growing Opportunities in a Shrinking World”. Held at the Ritz Carlton of Buckhead, our
April dinner meeting follows and will feature Tom Bell of Cousins’ Properties who will share how
his real estate development company has embraced sustainability to work for them.
To further complement our international theme, Tom Rosseland, who is an attorney by day and
Swedish American Chamber President by night, is featured this month to introduce you to an
ACG member who interacts daily with the international business community. With a passion
for international growth, Tom is often found at international chamber gatherings and at ACG
Atlanta’s meetings.
Look for how ACG members are giving back to the community with our Community Service
Award, provided this year to Cool Girls, the upcoming Youth Entrepreneur Award and our
continuing involvement with Junior Achievement of Georgia. Stay tuned for opportunities to get
involved in our community through ACG!
Furthered by our objectives to drive content focused on organic and M&A growth, we have
provided new program and newsletter content that contributes to help current and prospective
businesses grow. Enjoy this month’s articles and our events, as we continue to provide thought
leadership as the leading authority in corporate growth.
Very truly yours,
Katherine Morris
Tax Partner, BDO Seidman, LLP
President, ACG Atlanta
[email protected]
Calendar of Events.................. 2
Board of Directors................... 2
New Members.......................... 2
Maria Saporta’s Column......... 3
Thought Leadership................ 4
Community Service Award..... 4
Chamber News........................ 5
Member Profile........................ 6
ACG Cup News........................ 6
Announcements...................... 7
Programs Update.................... 8
Editor
Quinn Hudson
678 904 2290
[email protected]
Contact ACG Atlanta
Margie Poole - Executive Director
1631 Phoenix Blvd.
Suite 4
College Park, GA 30349
Phone: 770 991 2170
Fax: 866 534 6438
[email protected]
Calendar of Events
Board of Directors
March 19, 2009: 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. • Villa Christina
Monthly Dinner Meeting
Cypress Communications, Mr. Stephen Schilling, CEO
April 16, 2009: 2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. • Ritz Carlton Buckhead
Growing Opportunities in a Shrinking World
Sponsored by: M&A International & ACG Atlanta
Speaker: Mr. Pete Correll, Chairman, Atlanta Equity and Chairman Emeritus,
Georgia-Pacific Corp.; Panel Discussions; Beers Around the World Reception
April 16, 2009: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. • Ritz Carlton Buckhead
Monthly Dinner Meeting
Speaker: Thomas D. Bell, Jr.; Chairman and CEO, Cousins Properties Incorporated
Sponsored by: McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP
May 5, 2009: 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. • Maggiano’s in Buckhead
ACG Academy Breakfast
Women’s Leadership Panel – Challenges Faced & Overcome
Sponsored by: Alston & Bird
May 12-14, 2009: Wynn Las Vegas
ACG InterGrowth 2009
May 19, 2009: 12:00 p.m. • Country Club of the South
Golf Tournament
May 21, 2009: 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. • Villa Christina
Monthly Dinner Meeting
Going Public and Making Acquisitions in a Challenging Economy, MedAssets,
Speaker: John Bardis, CEO, MedAssets
June 4, 2009: 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Beer Tasting and Program Year Closing Reception
Executive Vice President
Allen Taylor
Bank of America
Vice President of Programs
Dom Mazzone
Mazzone & Associates, Inc.
Vice President of Sponsorships
David Duke
FD Capital Advisors
Vice President of
Corporate Member Affairs
Stephen McGaw
AT&T
Vice President of Membership Affairs
Alex Mammen
TM Capital Corp
Vice President of Awards
Kathy Harris
Noro-Moseley Partners
Vice President of Communications
Quinn Hudson
Hudson|Crane Group
Vice President of Strategic Planning
Joseph Longosz
Golub Capital
Treasurer
Bishop Leatherbury
Tatum LLC
Secretary
Wayne Bradley
McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP
Immediate Past President
Ed Fisher
SouthPointe Ventures, LLC
New Members
Zuri Briscoe - Navigation Capital Partners
Jason Coffman - Freeman Mathis & Gary, LLP
David Corbett - Resources Global
Scott Gold - BNY Mezzanine Partners, LP
Eric Hoffman - Hoffman Media, LLC
Cindy Lubitz - InTalent Consulting
Brian Meadows - Ballard Spahr
President
Katherine Morris
BDO Seidman, LLP
Yelena Portman - Habif, Arogeti & Wynne, LLP
G. Scott Rafshoon - McKenna Long & Aldridge, LLP
John Ray - BNY Mellon
Bob Reid - Protos, Inc.
Rebecca Sergay - Kilpatrick Stockton, LLP
John Southern - Care South Home Health Services
Directors
Dan Bauer
CardioMEMS, Inc.
Greg Cinnamon
Kilpatrick Stockton LLP
Rob Coble
KPMG LLP
Ezra Field
Roark Capital Group
Winston Gillum
Harbert Management Corporation
Nancy Halwig
UPS Capital Corporation
Call for Volunteers
If you are interested in getting more involved in ACG, please reach out to
Dan Bauer by calling 404-734-5867 with your interests or ideas. We are
always thankful for more involvement from our members.
– Dan Bauer, CardioMEMS
ACG Atlanta Board Member
Ransom James
Arcapita
Richard Kopelman
Habif, Arogeti & Wynne, LLP
Andy Mason
VRA Partners, LLC
Teri McMahon
Alston & Bird LLP
Ira Moreland
SunTrust Robinson Humphrey
Capital Connection Chair
Todd Wade
Bryan Cave Powell Goldstein
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ACG Atlanta Newsletter • March 2009
Maria Saporta’s Column
International Opportunities for Growth: Lessons to Learn
It’s hard to believe that an American company
could create a lucrative business by selling
T-shirts overseas.
But that’s exactly what Alternative Apparel,
a high-end manufacturer of fashion-setting
T-shirts, has been able to do.
The company developed a “nice following in
Hollywood” as a favorite among celebrities,
and then it realized the T-shirts had
international appeal overseas in markets
like Japan, according to Evan Toporek, chief
operating officer for Alternative Apparel.
“It has not been as challenging as I thought
it would be,” Toporek said during a panel
discussion at ACG’s March Academy breakfast
sponsored by Kilpatrick Stockton. Toporek
said it was easier than he thought because
English is the global language of business.
Still, it’s important for U.S. companies to have
local partners in international markets.
“We took the approach that a distributor would
be the best way to go,”
Toporek said. Alternative Apparel gives
distributors a chance to prove themselves
before entering into a longer term
relationship.
No matter what, Toporek said companies
need to protect themselves when they do
business internationally. They need to secure
trademarks, protect their intellectual property
to avoid counterfeiting and build a unique
brand with the consumer.
Global challenges do exist.
Gareth Clarke used to work with a company
that sold condoms and surgical gloves
internationally. The brand of condoms
was Durex, for durability, reliability and
excellence.
But the condom business suffered because
the Durex name didn’t work in all markets. In
Mexico, Durex meant socks; and in Australia,
it was a kind of brandy, Clarke said.
“Global branding is a big deal,” said Clarke,
who today is a senior advisor for Focus, an
investment banking firm.
From Clarke’s point of view, the two most
logical export markets for Georgia companies
are Canada and Mexico. Those nations
already are the United States’ two largest
trading partners, and they are geographically
close.
“You need to think through a global strategy,
and you need to have a template for
international expansion,” Clarke said. “Do
your research first in a market.”
Figure out the competitive risks, the political
risk and where there are unmet needs in the
market, he added. Even companies that are
not interested in going international still need
to be aware of global competitors because
they may be entering the United States.
“International companies are eyeing your
market,” Clarke said.
Global Payments, which provides behind the
scenes services for financial institutions, has
entered into a host of international markets
— from Canada to Russia, according to Jeff
Baker, senior vice president of corporate
development and strategy.
“We went global because there are
tremendous opportunities in these countries,”
Baker said.
But even in Canada, the market most similar
to the United States, companies need to be
aware of differences. Although Canadians
speak English, there also is a French-speaking
population which can’t be overlooked when
doing business in Canada.
“That was one of the pitfalls Global Payments
fell into,” Baker said.
“We fixed that shortly after we entered the
market. People want to be serviced in their
own language.”
Global Payments also has learned other
international lessons. In emerging markets,
it’s even more critical to have local partners.
But 50/50 joint ventures don’t work.
“Somebody has to be steering the ship,”
Baker said. “We always require a 51 percent
ownership interest.”
Companies interested in exporting their
products or soliciting work overseas have
ample resources they can tap to help them
prepare.
For example, both the state’s economic
development department and the Metro
Atlanta Chamber organize several trade
missions each year, and they invite local
executives along who are interested in
developing relationships in foreign markets.
The state also has dozens of foreign
consulates and trade offices as well bilateral
chambers of commerce.
Heidi Green, deputy commissioner of
the Georgia Department of Economic
Development, said 8,000 Georgia companies
are exporters. The department’s trade division
will help companies with 100 employees or
less “find new areas to export their goods.”
Local companies also can go on trade and
investment trips, said Hans Gant, senior vice
president of economic development for the
Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.
Gant said the chamber has taken design
firms, architects and other professionals
on trips where they’ve been able to make
contacts that have led to business ventures in
markets as diverse as China and India.
Alternative Apparel has demonstrated
financial opportunities do exist when entering
international markets.
As Toporek said: “The world is truly flat.”
Maria Saporta,
one of Atlanta’s
outstanding
journalists and
observers of local
businesses, will be
writing a monthly
story for the
ACG Newsletter.
She was with the Atlanta JournalConstitution for 27 years as a reporter
and business columnist. maria
currently is writing a weekly column
on Atlanta’s business community for
the Atlanta Business Chronicle.
The Georgia Department of Economic
Development and the Metro Atlanta Chamber
of Commerce both have experts on staff who
can help local firms discover international
opportunities.
ACG Atlanta Newsletter • March 2009
3
Thought Leadership
GenderTalk Works: Cracking the Gender Communications Code
By Connie Glaser
We recently had an opportunity to
speak with Connie about her latest book
GenderTalk Works: Seven Steps for
Cracking the Gender Code at Work, in
which she takes a look at communication
differences between men and women.
Q: What is the main difference between
the way men and women talk?
A: Men tend to use conversation as
a means to assert their opinion and
negotiate status. Conversation is a
medium for giving advice, directions and
information. They tend to use short sentences and be very direct. For
men, conversation is often perceived as a game of one-upmanship...
shoot, score, win.
For women, communication tends to be a more collaborative, giveand-take exchange. They use conversation to establish rapport and
connection, the subject of the conversation often being secondary
to building the relationship. Women tend to use language to
communicate feelings, as well as convey information.
Q: You state in your book that women tend to use more
qualifiers in their speech, i.e., “I might be wrong about this, but
...” or “I think.” Explain the problems with this type of talk in the
workplace.
A: In the female culture, women often try to avoid coming across
as too direct or boastful. Consequently, they tend to use qualifiers
that play down their authority or status. Men will take these qualifiers
literally and if a woman says, “This may be a stupid question, but ...,”
they’ll assume a stupid question is coming right up.
Q: Another point you make in the book is that men can’t take a
hint. What are the potential problems with this trait?
A: As women’s language tends to be more indirect, a woman
might say, “It’s really hot in here,” which translates into “Turn down
the thermostat.” Women tend to be more intuitive and typically
understand the intent of the statement. Men tend to be more literal,
and less likely to read between the lines. They probably think she’s
just complaining about the room temperature.
Q: How would you describe the different approach in
communication styles between men and women?
A: The language patterns of men and women are strikingly different.
Women subscribe to the “fairness” doctrine (“I speak, then it’s your
turn”). Men subscribe to the “if you’ve got something to say, say it
now” theory. Men can benefit by curbing their verbal enthusiasm and
hearing a woman out. Women need to stand their ground and finish
what they’re saying without allowing themselves to be interrupted.
Here are some ways both men and women can improve
communication in the workplace.
For men:
• Avoid monopolizing conversations. Hear women out. Ask for their
input. Keep interruptions to a minimum.
• Give credit for a job well done. As many women are reluctant to
boast or take credit for their good work, they appreciate recognition,
particularly in front of others.
• Invest time in building rapport. Relationships are important, and a
few minutes of small talk can reap big benefits.
For women:
• Cut to the chase. Speak in bulleted points and sound decisive.
• Eliminate self-effacing phrases and avoid qualifiers that may
weaken your speech.
• Don’t expect men to be mind readers. If you want or need
something, ask for it. And don’t dilute comments or criticisms. Be
direct, as men expect this and appreciate it.
About the Author
Connie Glaser is the country’s leading expert on gender
communications and women’s leadership. A nationally syndicated
columnist, her best-selling books have been translated into over
a dozen languages. A dynamic keynote speaker at business and
corporate events, she may be reached at www.connieglaser.com
Cool Girls Wins the 2009 Community Service Award!
One of ACG Atlanta’s initiatives to build a community for our members is to create ways for us to give back to the Atlanta community. By
providing civic leadership through educational scholarships, volunteer opportunities and member-directed initiatives aimed at improving
Atlanta’s social and community development, ACG believes we help strengthen the business community on which we all depend. To support
that effort, ACG Atlanta developed a Community Service Committee, led by Rob Coble of KPMG, Ed Fisher of SouthPointe Ventures and
Mike Bloom of Mazzone & Associates.
For three years, we have provided a $5,000 grant to a local non-profit organization nominated by our membership that makes a significant
educational and civic contribution to improve Atlanta’s business competitiveness and commercial attractiveness. In the last four years, our
grants have assisted 1) the Atlanta Day Shelter for Women and Children, 2) the ACG Chapter in Louisiana who were victims of Hurricane
Katrina; 3) the Samaritan House of Atlanta, and 4) Reach for Excellence.
After extensive research and diligence on the Atlanta area non-profit organizations nominated by our members, the Community Service
Committee selected Cool Girls, Inc., nominated by fellow ACG member Nathan Lewis, to receive the 2009 ACG Atlanta grant of $5,000.
Accepting the award this year is Cynthia Moreland, the CEO of Cool Girls.
Cool Girls, Inc. (www.coolgirls.org) was founded in 1988 as an early intervention after school program dedicated to the empowerment of
low-income girls. For more than 19 years, the organization has supported low income girls with its after school programs, field trips, summer
camps and volunteer mentors. Cool Girls is in 11 Atlanta Public and DeKalb County schools.
Cool Girls is a comprehensive approach to assisting girls in low-income communities become self assured and to break cycles of poverty,
teen pregnancy, racism and sexism. The organization offers girls grades 3rd through 8th access to each of the program components that
directly enriches the community by decreasing the number of teen pregnancies, providing meaningful opportunities to engage diverse
4
ACG Atlanta Newsletter • March 2009
populations and exposing low-income girls to a broad
range of academic, enrichment and cultural experiences.
Cool Girls continues to serve high school students through
its Girls Leadership Forum, its Cool Sisters mentoring
program as well as its academic scholarship program to
assist college bound girls.
The Cool Girls program includes:
• Cool Girls Club is a weekly after school program
comprised of academic support and life skills
development.
• Cool Scholars provides academic support to girls in all
core subject areas. Cool Girls staff and volunteer tutors
work with girls to provide after school homework help.
• Cool Tech gives girls consistent exposure to technology
and increases their familiarity and comfort using
computers in everyday life. This program bridges the
digital divide for girls who may not have access to
computers in their home.
• Cool Sisters is a one-to-one mentoring program.
Female volunteers are matched with girls to provide role
modeling, friendship and personal support. After one
year of successful participation in Cool Girls programs,
girls earn a mentor. Prospective mentors are required
to commit one year to their cool girl, on average Cool
Sisters relationships are sustained for six years.
(report provided by Rob Coble, the Southeast Partner-inCharge of KPMG’s Transaction Services.)
The ACG Cup Atlanta
CityWide Competition –
April 4th!
By Stuart Johnson, Bryan Cave Powell Goldstein LLP
([email protected])
Designed to enable local chapters
to forge closer relationships with
leading business schools, the ACG
Cup competitions introduce future
business leaders to ACG and serve
to deepen relationships with the
business community. As part of
ACG Atlanta’s community service
initiative, ACG’s national business
case study competition was initiated
in Atlanta in January 2008.
Three local business schools Georgia Tech, The University of Georgia, and the Guizueta
School at Emory University - joined 70 other schools
throughout the country and hosted ACG Cup competitions.
Each of these schools recruited student teams to engage in
a real-world investment banking case study. Participating
teams reviewed a fact pattern and made a presentation to
judges, who filled the role of executives of ‘Holdco’ on Holdco’s
strategic options.
The winning teams from Georgia Tech, University of Georgia,
and Emory will meet again on April 4th at the Emory’s Guizueta
School, and one of those teams will be crowned the 2009
Atlanta ACG Cup winner. Stay tuned…
Metro Atlanta Chamber of
Commerce News
2009 Economic Development
2009
Marketing
Activities
Schedule
Economic Developmen t Marketing Acti vities Sch edule
Name of Activity
Location
Date
GLOBAL COMMERCE
Brazil
TBD
India
TBD
Europe (Germany, UK, France, Netherlands)
TBD
Marketing Mission to China
China
March 28- April 8
Swedish-American Chamber e-Days
Savannah, GA
April 20 -22
SEUS Canada Conference
Canada
July
Marketing Trip to South Africa
Capetown
Feb 9 - 20
SEUS Japan
Japan
Oct 19- 20
Logicon 2009
Atlanta, GA
January 26 - 28
RILA (Retail Industry Leaders Association)
Dallas, TX
February 8 - 11
WERC Conference
Atlanta, GA
April 26 - 29
Eyefortransport USA 3PL Summit
Atlanta, GA
June 22 -24
Air Freight Asia
Hong Kong
Sept 7 - 10
Council of Supply Chain Management Annual Conference
Chicago, IL
Sept 20 -23
Air Cargo Americas
Miami, FL
Nov 4 - 6
Marketing Trip
Boston, MA
Jan 20 - 23
2009 Fam Tour #1
Atlanta, GA
Jan 25 - 29
Florida Venture Forum
Naples, FL
February 3 - 5
SEMDA Venture Forum
Atlanta, GA
February 10 -11
2009 Fam Tour #2
Atlanta, GA
Feb 22 - 26
Southeast Venture Conference
Atlanta, GA
March 11 -12
Marketing Trip
Austin, TX
April 7 - 9
VC Roadshow
Atlanta, GA
April
BIO 2009
Atlanta, GA
May 17 - 20
Marketing Trip
Los Angeles/San Diego
June 30 – July 2
Southern Capital Conference
Greensboro, GA
Sept
Venture Atlanta
Atlanta, GA
October
Mid-Atlantic Bio Investor Conference
Washington
Nov 4 - 6
Southern Bio Forum
Raleigh, NC
Dec 3 - 5
Marketing Trip
St. Paul, MN
Dec 15 - 17
LOGISTICS
TECHNOLOGY
OTHER
Boston
TBD
New York
TBD
Chicago
TBD
San Francisco
TBD
Washington, DC
TBD
International Consumers Electronics Show (CES)
Las Vegas, NV
Jan 8 - 11
CBRE World Congress
Orlando, FL
Feb 3 - 4
World of Concrete 2009
Las Vegas, NV
Feb 3 - 5
Grubb & Ellis Conference
Las Vegas, NV
Feb 18 - 19
Red Carpet Tour
Atlanta, GA
April 8 - 11
ULI Spring Council
Atlanta, GA
April 22 - 24
CoreNet Global Summit
Dallas, TX
April 26 - 28
IAMC Conference, Spring 2009 Forum
Asheville, NC
May 2 - 6
IAMC Conference, Fall 2009 Forum
Minneapolis, MN
Sept 19 - 23
ACI – PGA FedEx Cup
East Lake – Atlanta, GA
Sept 21 - 27
CoreNet Fall Summit
Las Vegas, NV
Oct 12 - 14
World Wide Food Conference
Chicago, IL
Oct 28 - 31
Area Development Consultants Forum
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Dec 5 - 8
ACG Atlanta Newsletter • March 2009
5
Member Profile
Thomas Rosseland
Shareholder and Principal of Bodker, Ramsey, Andrews, Winograd & Wildstein, P.C.
Current responsibilities: Tom has been
providing legal services to entrepreneurs,
business owners and corporations for
over 20 years. His specific practice areas
include recapitalization of distressed
businesses and renegotiation of debts as
well as bankruptcy issues related to those
businesses, business litigation, negotiation
of employment and severance agreements
on behalf of employees and employers,
handling of trade secret disputes relating
to misappropriation of confidential business
information by former employees, contract
drafting and negotiations, and advisory services to overseas
businesses establishing operations in the United States.
Tom is the Chairman of the Swedish-American Chamber of
Commerce, Georgia Chapter (SACC-Georgia).
What would you be doing if you were not in your current job?
Since Tom really enjoys the challenges that his career provides, if he
were not in his current job, he would find himself helping businesses
with troubleshooting and problem resolution, in whatever capacity
that would occur.
What do you get out of being an ACG member? Tom has
been a member of ACG for over 2 years. ACG provides Tom the
opportunity to interact with high quality business professionals from
various industries throughout the Atlanta area and beyond, giving
him a better insight into the current economic climate.
Where do you get most of your business leads? Tom receives
most of his referrals from existing clients, financial professionals,
business consultants and C-Level executives.
How is the economy impacting your sector of the market and
what do you see? The value proposition of a small to mid-size firm
like BRAWW is increased due to our modest staffing requirements
for handling client matters. Furthermore, a lot of Tom’s skills for
addressing financial issues for distressed businesses, dealing
with employment law and contract negotiations and enforcement
issues, and his understanding of the needs of business owners
from overseas are highly relevant in the current business climate.
Personal information: Tom has been married to his wife Donna
for 17 years. They have two sons Brent 14 and Matthew 11. On
the weekend, you will probably find Tom at the St. Andrew Rowing
Club, or perhaps on the road watching his older son participate
in a regatta, or in the stands at one of his younger son’s soccer
matches.
Hobbies: Jet skiing, hiking, automobiles and reading.
Recent book read: “Moral Intelligence: Enhancing Business
Performance & Leadership Success” by Doug Lennick and Fred
Kiel, an engaging and timely discussion of how leadership, integrity
and success are inextricably intertwined at both the personal as
well as at the organizational level.
Best advice received: Someone once told Tom that “you can
develop great relationships with people by really listening well and
becoming involved in matters of interest to them.”
Other items of interest: Before joining BRAWW, Tom was
corporate counsel for Exxon Corporation (now ExxonMobil) in
Houston. Tom’s experience as in-house counsel for a global
corporation has provided him with a unique sensitivity to the needs
of business clients and their in-house counsel.
Tom has been named a Georgia Super Lawyer by Atlanta
Magazine for 2007, 2008 and 2009. He has also been named in
the “Legal Elite” by Georgia Trend Magazine for 2009 for the area
of Bankruptcy and Creditor’s Rights.
Finally, as Chairman of the Swedish-American Chamber of
Commerce, Georgia Chapter, Tom cordially invites you to the next
International Business Matchmaking event and conference that they
are hosting in Savannah April 19-22, 2009. For more information
please visit www.sacc-edays.org/savannah.
Announcements...
Ed Fisher is named to the ACG Global Board. That makes four Atlanta members who are Global Board Members – Ed, Stuart Johnson,
Doug Tatum and Mark Jones. Please join me in congratulating Ed on this professional milestone.
Stuart Johnson is named ACG Global InterGrowth Chair for 2010.
DealWire – Need a volunteer to help capture information on recent deals. This is a new opportunity to get involved with ACG Atlanta.
Member Profile – Use an opportunity to have ACG Atlanta write a profile on you in one of our upcoming monthly newsletters.
Thought Leadership – Write an original article on a current topic in the M&A community and submit it for consideration by the editor.
ACG InterGrowth expects a large crowd of over 2,000 dealmakers in the M&A community at the annual conference in Las Vegas on
May 12 – 14 at the fabulous Wynn. Go to www.acg.org for more information and to register.
ACG Atlanta has launched a new website at www.acg.org/atlanta/ – Check it out!
6
ACG Atlanta Newsletter • March 2009
Growing Opportunities in a Shrinking World
Following a successful start to ACG’s new international program
with the March 2 Academy Breakfast, “International Opportunities
for Growth,” the next in the series will be a joint event with M&A
International during their 2009 conference being held in Atlanta from
April 16 – 19th, 2009. M&A International (www.mergers.net) offers
the unparalleled resources of over 550 professionals in 41 M&A
advisory and investment banking firms operating in 38 countries.
Their fall 2008 conference, held in Milan, attracted over 350 M&A
professionals from industry, private equity and investment banks.
If you are looking to make or to expand your connections in the
international space, this meeting represents a “must attend”,
unique opportunity.
ACG Atlanta and M&A International are pleased to present
“Growing Opportunities in a Shrinking World,” an unparalleled
event bringing together global merger and acquisition advisors,
and members of the private equity and corporate communities to
discuss cross-border M&A trends and opportunities in international
markets. The keynote speaker is Pete Correll, Chairman of Atlanta
Equity and Chairman-Emeritus of Georgia Pacific. Group Panel
topics include global interest in US acquisitions, developing and
executing an international acquisition strategy, avoiding common
mistakes in cross-border M&A, and investing in emerging
markets.
Immediately following the formal conference, please join us for
“Beers From Around the World,” a networking event featuring
the world’s finest beers representing all the major brewing
capitals. ACG Atlanta members will have the opportunity to meet
and mingle with M&A International advisors over a pint or two.
The evening will conclude with a dinner, which will also serve as
our Chapter’s April dinner meeting, and will include a presentation
by Thomas D. Bell, Jr., Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer for Cousins Properties Incorporated.
Members are encouraged to book early for what is sure to be a
very popular event.
Thursday, April 16, 2009 · The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead
2:00pm - 6:00pm: Conference
6:00pm - 9:00pm: Reception and Dinner
Register online: www.mergers.net/atlanta
This unparalleled event brings together global
M&A advisors and members of the private
equity and corporate communities to discuss
cross border M&A trends and opportunities for
growth in international markets.
Panel Sessions include:
• Invading Our Shores – Global Interest
in US Acquisitions
Featured Speakers
A.D. “Pete” Correll
Chairman,
Atlanta Equity Group
• Thinking Globally – Developing and
Executing an International Acquisition Strategy
• Landmines – Common Mistakes in
Cross Border M&A
• Beyond China – Investing in
Emerging Markets
Organized by:
Thomas D. Bell, Jr.
Chairman and CEO,
Cousins Properties
Incorporated
Gareth Clarke & Alex Mammen on behalf of: ACG Atlanta’s
International Committee
Sponsors:
Announcements... continued
ACG Atlanta Announces New Job Bank – ACG Atlanta is pleased to announce a new benefit for its membership. The ACG Atlanta Job Bank
will provide members seeking their next great opportunity a means to place their resumes into a repository. Executive Search Firms and
potential employers will have access to the Job Bank and its portfolio of resumes. We believe this service will allow the membership greater
access to opportunities that exist in the marketplace; and in addition, provide executive search professionals and potential employers’ easy
access to the resumes of our very talented members.
We are using Google and its group functionality capabilities as the technology platform for the Job Bank. Access is easy and quick for ACG
members and executive search professionals. It only takes a couple of minutes to upload your resume:
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Access the ACG Atlanta web site and follow the link to the Job Bank.
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If you have a Google account, sign in. Otherwise, apply for Google Group membership.
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Follow instructions to enter the site; and follow instructions for uploading your resume.
Executive Search professionals will follow the same instructions to enter the site. Their access will be approved by the ACG office.
Detailed instructions regarding the use of the Job Bank and posting of resumes are posted on the ACG Atlanta web site. We believe the Job
Bank will be a great benefit for our members. Give us your feedback. We want to know how we are serving you.
If you have any questions, please contact ACG Atlanta member, Jim Toopes @ 404.418.4672 or [email protected]
Please visit http://groups.google.com/group/acg-atlantajobbank
ACG Atlanta Newsletter • March 2009
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Programs Update
2009 Atlanta ACG Capital Connection
February 11, 2009 - 905 in attendance
“No Man’s Land Where Growing Companies Fail”
Book Signing and Speaking Engagement
February 19, 2009 - 126 in attendance
ACG Atlanta Academy Breakfast
International Opportunities for Growth
March 3, 2009 - 117 in attendance
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ACG Atlanta Newsletter • March 2009