Chapter Committees

Below are descriptions of the current TMA Chicago/Midwest Chapter committees and the current committee co-chairs. If you’re interested in joining a committee, please complete the committee interest form.

Awards — The Awards Committee selects the annual Chapter award winners and presents the awards at a TMA Chapter event. Responsibilities include marketing the awards program to the membership and soliciting nominations, identifying criteria for the awards, selecting the award recipients, and recommending to the Board any improvements to the awards process. Typically, the incoming and outgoing committee members cooperate on selecting the award recipients.

Awards Committee Co-Chairs
Brian Stewart, The Keystone Group
Eric Welchko, Harney Capital

Communications — The Communications Committee is charged with maximizing brand recognition for the Chapter, its sponsors, and its members. The committee oversees the news and communications for the chapter including the solicitation of articles for the quarterly newsletter (The Newsletter of Corporate Renewal) as well as create and implement social media posts (Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn). The committee works closely with the Chapter’s administrative support staff to identify available technology
systems to improve communications (website, phone apps, etc.).

Communications Committee Chairs
Michael Boyer, Novo Advisors
Alex Porter, Troutman Pepper Locke

Education — The Continuing Education Committee is responsible for planning three to five workshops or seminars throughout the year – both virtual and in person – that provide education and the opportunity for members to earn continuing education credits. These events require a true team effort to develop programs of relevance along with quality speakers and information.

Education Committee Co-Chairs
Nathan Delman, Kilpatrick Townsend
Jack Shadid, Hinshaw & Culberston LLP

Entertainment — The Entertainment Committee is charged with planning a variety of networking events throughout the year including but not limited to the Chapter’s annual charity golf outing, the annual martini networking reception, and the annual holiday party.

Entertainment Committee Chairs
Adam Evans, Hilco
Kelly Desgrosseilliers, Epiq
Samantha Ruben, Dentons

Finance — The Finance Committee is led by the Treasurer (serving as chair), and committee members have dual responsibilities of assisting the Treasurer during the annual budgeting process and assisting, as necessary, the sponsorship committee, which is also overseen by the Treasurer.

Finance Committee Chair
Joe Ford, Wintrust
Jory Berg, McGuire Woods

Membership — The Membership Committee’s primary task is to assist the Chapter in meeting its membership goals for the year including retention of existing members which is a year-round process. In addition, committee members serve as greeters at certain Chapter programs, provide support in the way of personal phone calls and emails to non-renewed members, and welcomes new members as they join throughout the year.

Membership Committee Chairs
Jake Prizant, Hilco Global
Eric Schloemer, Tiger Group

Milwaukee Programs — The Milwaukee Program Committee hosts educational sessions and networking events not only to meet the needs of members who live in the Milwaukee area but also to expand networking opportunities for Chicago area members who do business in Wisconsin. Events include bi-monthly breakfast meetings, a renowned post-holiday dinner party, a private reception at SummerFest and numerous networking events at a variety of fun and interesting venues in the Milwaukee area that foster great networking. The Milwaukee Programming committee is also responsible for the annual Milwaukee sponsorship solicitation, which is done in conjunction with the Chapter’s annual sponsorship drive.

Milwaukee Programs Committee Co-Chairs
Andy Disch, Pathward
Erin West, Godfrey & Kahn

NextGen — The NextGen Committee plans three to four programs and/or networking events tailored to those members who are in the early stages of their career. Past events have included social events and networking receptions on rooftops or at local breweries, and educational workshops that provide learning tools for the Next Generation of turnaround professionals such as the 13-week Cash Flow Workshop.

NextGen Committee Chairs
Nicole Bruno, Goldberg Kohn
Katherine Holman, Plante Moran
Sophia Levinson, Aurora Management Partners

Executive Speaker Forum Event — The Executive Speaker Forum Event Committee serves a lead role planning the Executive Speaker Forum event for the Chapter. The committee members will be responsible for the development of the keynote speaker and program along with the sponsor table sales and marketing of any tickets. This committee may also propose and execute other special programming events.

Executive Committee Co-Chairs
Stephen Beriau, Eclipse Business Capital
Gordy Gouveia, Fox Rothschild LLP
Erin West, Godfrey & Kahn

Pro Bono — The Pro Bono Committee offers professional assistance to organizations who reach out to the TMA for turnaround guidance and advice. The committee is responsible for determining pro bono qualifications, identifying appropriate pro bono engagements, and connecting those engagements with members who are willing to contribute skills on a pro bono basis. The Committee is also charged with hosting an annual charity event such as volunteering to build school supply kits.

Pro Bono Committee Co-Chairs
Jack Donohue, DSI Consulting
Elizabeth Janczak, Smith Gambrell Russell

Scholarship Foundation Board — The Scholarship Foundation Board is responsible for raising funds and awarding scholarships to deserving students associated with or recommended by TMA members. The Scholarship Foundation was formed to honor and/or memorialize TMA members in a meaningful way by providing scholarships to students pursuing higher education. Depending on the year, two to three new directors will need to be appointed, with the directors expected to serve terms of up to three years, subject to the Scholarship Foundation’s bylaws.

Scholarship Foundation Board
Donna Hinrich, Sky Business Credit LLC (President)
Jamie Cote, Hilco Global (Secretary)
Dave Mack, Pathfinder Group LLC
Harold Israel, Levenfeld Pearlstein LLC (Treasurer)
Kat Parker, HYPERAMS, LLC
Jack O’Connor, Levenfeld Pearlstein
Nick Miller, McDonald Hopkins

Sponsorship — The Sponsorship Committee is charged with securing sponsors for the Chapter’s annual sponsorship program (the Platinum, Gold and Silver sponsors) in the fall of each year. They may also be asked to assist with securing sponsors for the Chapter’s annual events such as the golf outing. This effort is completed through personal emails, phone calls, and letters as needed.

Sponsorship Committee Co-Chairs
Eric Dorner, Republic Business Credit
David Gorelick, Huron

TMA NOW (Network of Women) — TMA NOW provides program and networking opportunities that are targeted to women in the turnaround industry. While mostly attended by women members and nonmembers, most of their programs and events are not exclusive, as all members are invited. The Women’s Group has hosted luncheons, wine tastings and other special programming events.

TMA NOW Committee Chairs
Jillian Cole, Taft Law
Emily Gottlieb, Angeion Group
Cynthia Smith, Shynvi LLC