How ACG Made a Big Difference

I became involved with ACG in 1988 soon after Carl Wangman, Executive Director, began organizing a chapter in the Washington, D.C., area. The group that formed the chapter was comprised of old networking friends, and the concept of another opportunity to network with them and build a chapter appealed to me. At the time I never dreamed how far the journey would take me and how much I would receive personally and professionally from the organization. The local chapter grew rapidly as deals were being made at ACG meetings. ACG was becoming the place to be if you were part of the deal community. The ACG Mid-Atlantic M&A Conference sealed the chapter’s success at becoming the place where deals get done. No other organization in the D.C. area had ever staked a claim to this territory, and no group would dare to try to compete. A great example of the real benefit from ACG came a few years later when I was asked to represent a small company in a transaction. A meeting of all parties to the deal was held at the office of the attorney, who was an ACG member as were all the representatives of both buyer and seller. The trust and respect that were evident at the meeting and in other privately held meetings allowed a shaky deal to get done quickly and with both seller and buyer walking away confident a fair deal had been negotiated. I became a member of the ACG board in 2002 and held various positions for eight years. This relationship gave me a true appreciation for the national and global reach of ACG. The character and quality of the professionals I worked with on the board and at InterGrowth conferences during that period helped me grow as a professional and helped me contribute more to our clients in terms of enhanced knowledge and contacts throughout ACG. This network is so extensive that a member’s value is greatly enhanced by it. ACG has helped me better serve clients because of the relationships I have developed within the ACG network. It has helped me differentiate myself from all other CPAs who serve corporate clients in the D.C. area. I served on the ACG National Capital board for 10 years, two as president of the chapter. My current role is that of executive director of the local chapter. I enjoy spreading the word about ACG to clients and prospective clients as a resource for achieving their objectives. These referrals have enhanced my credibility as an adviser and someone who is “well connected” locally. ACG members have become a major source of new business for our firm. I continue to be amazed at the number of ACG members who get involved in advising the same companies. We all have something different to give, and more and more local companies are taking advantage of the many resources available through ACG. As Sid Jaffe, a former ACG National Capital board member and this year’s recipient of the prestigious ACG Meritorious Service Award, likes to say, “People do business with people they like and trust.” ACG has made a difference, not only in my role as a corporate adviser but also in developing many long-lasting relationships. Thanks for it all, ACG! K. Clark Childers Cherry, Bekaert & Holland LLP ACG National Capital [email protected] Copyright 2005 Thomson Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. http://www.thomsonmedia.com http://www.majournal.com