Those who were among the near record number of attendees at the Spring Forum this past April were invited to ponder the question whether thirteen (as in 2013) would prove a lucky number for institutional investors and those providing them with legal counsel. The program Co-Chairs, Lisa Conmy (Foley & Lardner LLP) and Elliot Stultz (Allstate Insurance Company), and our endlessly-energetic Vice President, Hugh McCrory (Metropolitan Life Insurance Company), assembled a remarkably knowledgeable and informative group of moderators and speakers to address a series of timely and compelling topics. All who attended were “lucky” indeed to benefit from the uniformly insightful and well prepared panels.[1] Lisa, Elliott and Hugh worked tirelessly over several months to pull the conference together. They, along with their panelists and moderators, richly deserve the deepest gratitude of the College for their efforts. The Education Committee, particularly Committee Chairs, Leslie Mazza, Quinn Moss and Jane Dickson, once again provided invaluable assistance to the development of the program. They too have our sincere thanks.
I like to think I’m not alone in finding it difficult to comprehend, but nearly six months have elapsed since we assembled in Chicago. A change in season is at hand and one can sense the unmistakable first hints of fall. As always, the approach of autumn is marked by a gradual drop in temperatures, the displacement of baseball by football in the sports headlines, the visibility of Halloween candy on store shelves, and, for those of us in the ACIC, the buzz of activity in preparation for our Annual Meeting and Education Conference. Our Co-Chairs for this year’s Conference are Chris Dallas (Pacific Life Insurance Company) and Michael Renetzky (Locke Lord LLP). Chris and Michael have developed a truly intriguing program which promises to take us on a virtual tour of the Wonders of the World. For the purpose they have assembled another stellar roster of panelists who will provide guidance and instruction on an especially interesting array of topics. In addition to the customary and always invaluable general oversight of the Education Committee, Chris and Michael have had the benefit of the continuous support of Andrea Fox and Rich Wasserman, the Committee’s representatives, appointed for the first time this year, to liaise with the Annual Meeting Co-Chairs throughout the program development process. The fruit of their labors, our upcoming Conference, is sure to be an event which simply should not be missed by members of the College and other practitioners involved or who might aspire to be involved in the representation of institutional investors. A preview of the very compelling program can be found in a subsequent article in this Newsletter. As has been the case for all of our conferences in recent years, the College is offering a group discount for registration at the Annual Meeting. It is apparent from the steady increase in the number of participating institutions and law firms which have taken advantage of the discount arrangement that it has proven a highly efficient means of satisfying CLE requirements and providing focused professional training for both members and non-members. As has been noted elsewhere, for the first time this year the Annual Meeting will be held at the Intercontinental New York Times Square Hotel.
Thus far in the current calendar year a number of new members have been admitted to the ACIC, including Andrew Bobenski, Stefanie Greer, Lisa Halustick, Jason Hellwig, Michele Manha, Taiesha McBroom, Sun-Young Park, Helder Pereira, Anthony Pirraglia, Michael Robson, and Carl Wilkerson. On behalf of the College, I welcome them all to our ranks. In keeping with our long tradition and the spirit of the College, I am confident we will all look for opportunities to meet and extend personal welcomes to these new members.
The Annual Meeting will mark the conclusion of the current College year and the commencement of yet another. During the business meeting on October 11, the membership will elect new Officers for 2013-2014 and a new class of Trustees. The outgoing class of Trustees (Class of 2013), Colin Penneycooke, Kate Ashton and Tom O’Connor, have been valuable long-time contributors to the work of the ACIC. They have earned the gratitude of the College and its members. Fortunately for us all, they will be continuing on in leadership positions on our standing committees.
I have enjoyed the immeasurable professional and personal benefits of membership in the American College of Investment Counsel for over 25 years. Throughout that time I have marveled at the consistently high quality of our conferences and programs and the unstinting dedication of the almost unthinkably busy lawyers who somehow find time to produce them. For having been afforded the privilege of serving this past year as President of our unique and wonderful ACIC, I am overwhelming grateful.
In conclusion I extend my thanks to and congratulate each and every Fellow of the College for your consistent devotion to our mission. It is only your efforts that sustain the ACIC as a true wonder of our professional world.
I hope to see you in New York on October 10th.
W. Michael Kelly
Greenberg Traurig LLP
[1] During a post-conference conversation, one attendee was heard to observe, with the concurrence of another in her audience, that she hadn’t found herself so inclined to take extensive notes since law school!
