Michael J. Egan, Monroe Capital LLC
Keep it Going? Definitely!
Several years ago I had the pleasure of serving as a board member of the Chicago/Midwest Chapter of the TMA. As an insider, I enjoyed a unique view of how the TMA operates and all the benefits your TMA membership really provides. I have Ray Anderson of Huron Consulting Group to thank for recommending me as a board member. Without that recommendation, I would never have experienced TMA board level involvement. The reason I mention this is I now know that the TMA is more than just a networking group. From our Pro Bono group that provides free corporate renewal services, to University Relations that provides student education and TMA awareness, to our women's group, TMA NOW, and to the NextGen group of young professionals, there is a lot going on at the TMA. Visit the TMA website (www.turnaround.org/chicagomidwest) to see what piques your interest.
If you are receiving this newsletter, then you are a TMA member. If your membership is nearing its renewal date, please renew as soon as possible via the website to continue to enjoy those benefits your TMA membership provides.
As I enter the middle third of my presidency, I am proud to say that the event committees have produced some outstanding events and are planning many more for your enjoyment. To name a few:
Our Milwaukee Committee is led by Gene Arenson of HYPERAMS and John Wirth of Mallery & Zimmerman SC. They produce some of the best and well-attended events globally. Be sure to attend an upcoming Milwaukee event. There is one almost every month. If you do business in or around Wisconsin/Milwaukee, you will want to be there.
TMA NOW produced an outstanding educational event called, "Putting Private Equity Dollars to Work." It was led by an all-star cast of speakers including: Penny Fine of FirstMerit Bank; Doug Lipke of Vedder Price; Michael Teplitsky of Wynnchurch Capital; and Suzanne Yoon of Versa Capital. This is the type of panel you only see at national conferences, but we had them right here in Chicago for a group of about 60 people as planned. That's hard to top!
This year's MidAmerica Regional Conference, or MARC as it is fondly referred to, was outstanding. The theme was "Navigating Calm Waters...Preparing for Stormy Seas." Nearly 250 attendees from the Midwest enjoyed great networking, great speakers and outstanding panels. This year’s MARC planning leadership team included:
Programs
Aaron Hammer, Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Hammer
Mike Deighan, O’Keefe LL
Gail Heldke, First Business Factors
Mike Rosow, Winthrop & Weinstine
Brendan Best, Varnum LLP
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Sponsorship
Barb Yong, Golan & Christie
Mike Wolf, MB Business Capital
Keynote Speakers
Harold Israel, Goldstein & McClintock, LLLP
Bob Koester, MSI Financial
Rhett Rowe, Great Lakes Business Credit LLC
Capital Showcase
Tom Goldblatt, Ravinia Capital LLC
Along with this group, there were many supporting committee members who assisted in the planning of this event and its great success. I would like to thank all of them for their tireless efforts.
A special thanks goes out to Tom Goldblatt of Ravinia Capital LLC. Tom and I had an idea many months ago to produce a Capital Showcase at the MARC. This event was brand new to the MARC. The Capital Showcase featured 23 capital providers for two hours in one networking room. Tom created and planned the entire event. I believe a MARC tradition has been established. Stay tuned for next year's MARC, I think Tom will have a hand in that one as well.
Our Executive Speaker Forum is really taking shape. The event will again be held at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel on November 21. As always, there will be a great program for our guests. This year's keynote highlight will be the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, John Boehner. Mr. Boehner will be joined in a question and answer format moderated by Lara Logan of 60 Minutes fame. We are really looking forward to this post-election event. Table sales are going on now and this event is always a sellout.
Check the Chapter schedule as there are many networking events on the calendar you will not want to miss. One to calendar for sure is the Annual Charity Golf Outing on its new date–August 16–at the Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
In closing, I want to mention that I recently had the benefit of moderating a panel. The discussion was largely focused on the panelists’ experience and what they are seeing in the market. The participants were Dan Wikel of Huron Consulting Group, Tom Pabst of HYPERAMS, Mike Wolf of MB Business Capital and Scott Eisenberg of Amherst Partners. These guys represent a great cross-section of our industry. The group agreed on most state of the market issues; however, there were some differences when it came to the availability of capital from banks and other capital providers. I mention this debate because regardless of the panelists’ beliefs or even yours, it seems wise to keep your "antenna up" in this lending market. Whether you see our current economic trends as a market opportunity or a time to take caution, certainly there is a TMA member's business partnership that can help you navigate your calm waters or stormy seas.