On Behalf of ACG Louisiana, Thank You

When I became a member of ACG, I did so at the recommendation of a friend who worked in private equity. He encouraged me to join by explaining the many benefits: networking opportunities, access to the private equity community, great speakers, and invitations to Capital Connections and InterGrowth. What he failed to mention was the level of support ACG provides its fellow members in a time of need. But how could he have known? To be aware of that benefit you have to experience it firsthand. And I have. Since hurricane Katrina forced our ACG Louisiana members from their homes, ACG chapters across the country have offered assistance and welcomed our displaced members to their chapter events. They’ve introduced us to their membership and asked what else they could do to help. At a time when some of our members have lost their homes and businesses, I’m here to tell you that your offers of assistance have been very much appreciated. And I’ve never been so proud to be a part of an organization as I am about belonging to ACG. There are many people to thank for reaching out to us during this difficult time. First, I would like to offer special words of appreciation to ACG Houston, including Jeff Geuther, president, Colt Luedde, president-elect, J.B. Dollison, immediate past president, and Dale Wilkins, administrator, for everything they’ve done. I want to thank ACG Atlanta and its board, including Ed Fisher and Mark Jones for their offers of support, and Elliot Williams, president of ACG Boston, for his help and ideas. Dan Varroney, Peter Coffey, Bill Haynes, and Judy Iacuzzi also deserve our words of gratitude for their efforts to keep our chapter operating and communicating our experience to other ACG members during and after Katrina. Efforts are under way to rebuild our chapter. We reestablished our monthly chapter luncheons in January in New Orleans and are finalizing program details for the balance of 2006. It’s a tribute to our officers, directors, and members that while working to put their lives, homes, and businesses back together, they’ve found the time to devote to rebuilding our chapter. We still have a long way to go, and only with the continued support of those outside of our region and hard work and determination of the people of New Orleans will we make this city a better place to live. ACG Louisiana will continue to participate in the rebuilding of our region, and we hope to see you at one of our chapter events soon. Les Alexander President-ACG Louisiana Managing Director, Howard Weil Inc. [email protected] (c) 2006 Mergers and Acquisitions Journal and SourceMedia, Inc. All Rights Reserved. http://www.majournal.com http://www.sourcemedia.com