ACG Names CEO

Gary LaBranche has been named president and CEO of The Association for Corporate Growth (ACG), effective September 1. He has spent the past five years as president and CEO of the Association Forum of Chicagoland. 

PRESS RELEASE

The Association for Corporate Growth (ACG), the premier professional organization focused on corporate growth, corporate development, and mergers and acquisitions, today announced the selection of Gary A. LaBranche as President and CEO, effective September 1, 2008. 

LaBranche, a Certified Association Executive, has more than 25 years of professional experience in managing associations. Since 2003, he has served as the President and CEO of the Association Forum of Chicagoland. The Forum provides essential learning, powerful resources and compelling experiences for the 47,000 professionals employed by Chicago-area associations, whose activities contribute over $22 billion annually to the global economy and serve over 37 million members and 9 million donors. 

“We are delighted to welcome Gary as ACG's new President and CEO,” said Harris Smith, ACG Chairman. “ACG is on an extraordinary growth track and Gary's unrivaled expertise in leading international associations will ensure ACG is poised for continued expansion. He'll help expand our worldwide presence, increase membership, enhance member value and of course maintain our position as the leading authority on corporate growth, corporate development and M&A.” 

LaBranche's career has included service as Chief Executive for four organizations including CertiLearn, an e-learning provider incubated by New River Capital Partners. He has also held staff positions at the American Society of Association Executives and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. 

“I look forward to joining the Association for Corporate Growth in September,” said LaBranche. “ACG is thriving, and I am eager to contribute my experience and knowledge to accelerate that growth and continue to add value for members. ACG members unlock wealth, stimulate investment, grow jobs and build prosperity, enhancing and strengthening the global economy. That is a noble and valuable contribution to free enterprise and quality of life. I look forward to being a part of the ACG community.” 

Currently, LaBranche is Chairman of the Institute of Organization Management and Chair of the ASAE Public Policy Committee. LaBranche serves on the board of the William E. Smith Institute for Association Research and on the Executive Committee of the Charitable Organizations Advisory Committee for the Illinois Attorney General. He is also a member of the U.S. Chamber's Association Committee of 100. A contributing columnist in The Business Ledger, LaBranche has also published over 40 articles on association management and was recently profiled in the book, Hope: How Triumphant Leaders Create The Future, by Andrew Razeghi. 

In 2007, LaBranche received the prestigious ASAE & the Center for Association Leadership's Key Award, the highest award bestowed upon an association CEO. 

LaBranche earned a B.S. from Ohio State University in 1981 and was certified as an Association Executive by the American Society of Association Executives in 1986. 

ACG's executive search was successfully completed by Leonard Pfeiffer & Company of Washington, DC. 

About ACG 

Founded in 1954, the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) is a global association for professionals involved in corporate growth, corporate development, and mergers and acquisitions. Today ACG stands at more than 12,000 members from corporations, private equity, finance, and professional service firms representing Fortune 1000, FTSE 100, and mid-market companies in 53 chapters in North America and Europe. For more information, please visit www.ACG.org.