ACG Chicago names James C. Tyree 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient

CHICAGO, Jan. 7, 2008 — The Association for Corporate Growth Chicago (ACG Chicago) today announced that it has named James C. Tyree, chairman and CEO of Mesirow Financial, as recipient of the prestigious 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award. ACG Chicago – the premier professional organization focused on corporate growth, corporate development and mergers and acquisitions – is proud to honor Mr. Tyree for his unwavering commitment to the strategic growth of his firm in addition to his support of the community.

Tyree will be honored at the 2008 ACG Chicago Lifetime Achievement Award Dinner on January 24, 2008 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago. Larry Richman, President/CEO of PrivateBancorp, will present Tyree with the award on behalf of ACG Chicago.

By accepting the award, Tyree will join the ranks of past recipients Bill Wrigley, Jr. (Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company), Norman Bobins (LaSalle Bank), Larry Levy (Levy Restaurants), Gordon Segal (Crate & Barrel) and Doris Christopher (The Pampered Chef).

"Jim is not only an icon in Chicago’s financial community, he also provides active leadership and participates in numerous organizations in support of healthcare, education and children,” said James McNair, ACG Chicago's incoming president and senior managing director of Corinthian Capital Group, LLC. He added, “ACG Chicago is pleased to present him as recipient of the 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award."

Tyree stated, “It is an honor to be recognized by such an esteemed organization as the ACG, which shares my commitment to corporate growth in Chicago. I also would like to congratulate the ACG on their 40th anniversary, and I look forward to working with them to continue that commitment for many years to come.”

Tyree began his career as a research associate at Mesirow Financial in 1980. He was subsequently named president of the company in 1990, CEO in 1992 and chairman and CEO in 1994. During his more than 15-year tenure as CEO, Tyree has led Mesirow Financial to exceptional levels of growth both organically and by strategic acquisition of more than 50 companies. Acquisitions of firms such as Stein & Company, a premier real estate organization, Near North Insurance Brokerage’s Chicago office and Dann Insurance, two leading insurance agencies, and the U.S. Corporate Recovery practice from KPMG, have strengthened Mesirow Financial’s ability to serve clients with a variety of needs. Tyree currently serves as chairman of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. He has also served on more than 50 corporate, civic and not-for-profit boards of directors including the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the University of Chicago Hospitals.

Individual and group reservations for the 2008 ACG Chicago Lifetime Achievement Award Dinner will be available until Jan. 17, 2008. For tickets and information, visit www.acg.org/chicago or contact Terry Cobb at 630-455-1740 or tcobb@acg.org.

Editor’s note
Contact Jason Abrahams for a complete recipient biography, high resolution photos or to request press credentials.

Contact: Jason Abrahams
312.755.3533, jason.abrahams@kemperlesnik.com

About ACG Chicago
ACG Chicago is Northern Illinois' premier association for corporate development, investment, and merger and acquisition professionals. A leader in the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) global network, ACG Chicago boasts a membership of almost 1000 foremost authorities who form a diverse and knowledgeable network of corporate executives, capital sources, corporate advisors and service providers that all share a strong commitment to leadership in the field of strategic corporate growth. ACG Chicago, recipient of the 2006-2007 Outstanding Chapter Programming Award, provides its members with professional and business opportunities as well as the most current information through its ongoing luncheon series, breakfast seminars, regional conferences, in-depth publications and social events. Visit www.acg.org/chicago for more information or call 630-455-1740.

About Mesirow Financial
Mesirow Financial is a diversified financial services firm headquartered in Chicago. Founded in 1937, it is an independent, employee-owned firm with $31 billion in assets under management and more than 1,100 employees in locations across the country and in London. With expertise in Investment Management, Investment Services, Insurance Services, Investment Banking, Consulting and Real Estate, Mesirow Financial strives to meet the financial needs of institutions, public sector entities, corporations and individuals. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, the firm posted $451 million in revenue, with more than $200 million in capital. For more information about Mesirow Financial, visit its Web site at www.mesirowfinancial.com.

This release was published on openPR.