Making the Connection Through ACG

Make the Connection, the “brand” of ACG InterGrowth in 2005, perfectly coins my journey with ACG. What began as a simple inquiry – Which is the best networking professional organization in Orange County, California? – became one of the more important quests of my career. It began in the corporate arena, with General Dynamics. Serving as general counsel to the data systems division, I made contacts throughout the world. My network was robust, but making a connection was always difficult, and there was never enough time. My next venture was again a global experience with the law firm Bryan Cave, which had clients in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East. I left Bryan Cave to begin my own firm, ST.GEORGE & CARNEGIE. We served (and continue to serve) as the West Coast general counsel for General Dynamics, counsel for BAX Global, and several other publicly traded clients, and immediately I wanted to enhance our regional and international network. Thus began my journey with ACG. My initiation was as a member of the ACG Orange County membership committee, and me immediately into the world of making contacts and building new relationships. Next I took on chairmanship of the programs committee and launched a new network within the corporate, private equity, and service provider sectors of Orange County and Southern California. When I was elected president of the chapter, ACG became our primary professional and social activity. We continued to develop friendships and business prospects. Chairing ACG InterGrowth in 2005 unlocked a wealth of relationships with unexpected value and reward. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity gave me the chance to work with members through the backbone of our organization – our ACG chapters. Evident throughout the conference, the ACG chapters demonstrated their leadership by expressing the need for change and progress and helping to create new features and implement new programs. These leaders, who strengthen our organization every day with their dedication, were dynamic, passionate, and adaptable; they supported every step of ACG InterGrowth in 2005. I was, and continue to be, impressed by their determination to make ACG the best organization of its kind. Understanding that the diversity of professional need among corporate, private equity, intermediary, and service provider members requires special attention, ACG continues to successfully deliver enriching programs, events, and networking opportunities. I have found this demonstrated in every aspect of the organization – from chapter meetings to the regional conferences to ACG InterGrowth. The “ACG spirit” resounds throughout the organization and has enriched my professional life beyond measure. Finally, the reinvigorated leadership of ACG has leveraged the passion of the membership and focused its energy through strategy sessions, governance revisions, robust program development, and more networking opportunities. It has met challenging financial targets and set high goals to propel ACG to the next level and afford the membership high reward. As one of those members, I have gained tremendous value from ACG and the people involved – whom I am pleased to call my friends. ACG truly is the venue to Make the Connection! Ardelle St.George ST.GEORGE & CARNEGIE ACG Orange County [email protected] (c) 2006 Mergers and Acquisitions Journal and SourceMedia, Inc. All Rights Reserved. http://www.majournal.com http://www.sourcemedia.com