Pittsburgh, PA and Greenwich, CT (December 29, 2006). James C. Bly,
Jr. and Francois M. de Visscher, Co-Chairmen of Business Growth Alliance, LLC
(BGA), today announced that BGA has agreed to support the launch of PathNorth,
LLC under the national leadership of their partner, the Hon. J. Douglas Holladay.
The Inaugural Meeting of PathNorth will be held on January 22-23, 2007 at the
Union League Club in New York, NY.
“My partner and former U. S. ambassador,
Douglas Holladay, is the person whose vision and inspiration has led to the
organization of PathNorth. He has been laying the foundation for this effort
for many years. PathNorth grew from Doug’s realization
that principal owners and CEOs of middle market companies are facing today
an unusual array of challenges that require thoughtful yet highly practical
responses” said Mr. Bly.
He continued, “While there are many business associations and organizations
that cater to middle market business owners and CEOs, none seem to adequately
address the “whole picture”, which often creates a blur among business,
family, friends, causes, and our time and life on this earth. The mission
of PathNorth is to serve as a resource for middle market business leaders to
bring meaning and fresh perspective to both their work and life.”
Reached
for comment, Mr. Holladay explained, “I have observed leaders
up close and personal for years. They are, for the most part, fine people seeking
to create value for their companies. However, a host of complex and interrelated
factors have seriously impacted America's business and professional leaders.
More CEOs stepped down last year than in any other previous time. Leaders can
feel overwhelmed, isolated, lacking supportive relationships, needing some
of the practical tools and information essential to performing at today's demanding
levels. Many long-time family-owned businesses are being sold with ownership
uprooted from their communities. As one writer observed: ‘Life is fired
at you point blank.’ No doubt, being a business owner or leader
is tougher and less forgiving today than at any time previous. As human beings,
we often make bad decisions when we are doing so in isolation without the benefit
of outside perspective.”
PathNorth, LLC was founded to
address this situation by providing regular meetings and a “safe” place
for principal owners and CEOs of middle market businesses to gather and discover
practical strategies and information to assist in navigating life and business
pressures. The sessions will be candid and personal with the aim of equipping
the participants with both the mindset and tools to be even more successful
in their business endeavors, leadership roles and personal lives.
Through their
participation in PathNorth, middle market business owners and CEOs will have
an opportunity to interact directly with some of the giants and legends of
the current world of business and, more broadly, our life and times. “Through Doug Holladay’s good works over many years, he
has been able to enlist the enthusiastic support of a broad range of business
and societal leaders who have agreed to serve as PathNorth mentors, presenters
and advisors”, commented Francois de Visscher.
Mr. de Visscher added, “In today’s globalizing economy, the proverbial ‘It
is lonely at the top’ is evermore true for the leaders of family-owned
and middle-market companies. Their personal and business lives increasingly
intertwine in a meander of concurrent global business challenges and family
shareholders expectations. By networking with other business leaders
surrounded by a faculty of world renowned thinkers, participants in PathNorth
will achieve fuller clarity of mind and greater serenity in their personal
and business decisions.”
PathNorth will draw upon the experience
of both its members as well as many of the most accomplished leaders of our day (who have
agreed to be involved based upon their conviction that vibrant middle market
businesses are a cornerstone of our great nation). Some of the many business
leaders who have volunteered to serve as presenters or advisors to PathNorth
members include, for example, Steve Case, former Chairman and CEO, AOL Time
Warner, who is currently Chairman & CEO of Revolution, LLC; Dave Ferguson,
former President and CEO, Wal-Mart Europe and Wal-Mart Canada; William B. Harrison,
Jr., Chairman JP Morgan Chase; H. Wayne Huizenga, Jr., President, Huizenga
Holdings, Inc., and John C. Whitehead, Chairman, Goldman Sachs Foundation,
former Co-Chairman, Goldman, Sachs & Co., and former U. S. Deputy Secretary
of State.
Gerry Roche, Senior Chairman, Heidrick & Struggles and another PathNorth
advisor said, “This is the toughest climate ever for leaders. It’s
not fun. Many want out. They are isolated and running their companies on the
defensive. This is not good for business or the country. Most need perspective
and support, yet they are unclear where to find it. I have known Doug
Holladay for many years, and thanks to his vision and leadership PathNorth
holds promise to become a shining light and welcome port for CEOs of middle
market companies.”
“The challenges faced by CEOs today are unprecedented. Leaders
need a way to see the bigger picture while in the pressure cooker, but how
and where to find such help? As the elusive goal of success is pursued, we
can miss the most important things if we don’t pay attention. I look
forward to my involvement in PathNorth” commented Debra S. Waller, Chairman
and CEO, Jockey International, Inc.
ABOUT PATHNORTH, LLC
The mission of PathNorth, LLC (www.pathnorth.com)
is to serve as a resource for business leaders to bring meaning and fresh perspective
to both work and life. For more information about PathNorth, LLC, please
contact Jeannie Herbert directly at 202.467.2079 or email jherbert@pathnorth.com.
ABOUT
BGA
Business Growth Alliance, LLC (BGA) is a National Network
of seasoned, professional services firms, which are dedicated to providing
growth advisory and investment banking services to middle market and family-owned
companies and their principals. In addition to their core growth advisory and
investment banking services, BGA Member Firms collaborate to address the strategic
growth, capital formation, owner liquidity, and governance needs of such businesses
and their owners. The eight Founding Affiliate Members of BGA include: de Visscher & Co.,
Source Companies, LLC, yet2.com, The Pursuit Group, Tenzing Consulting, Value
Defined Middle Market, LLC, Asher Training, and US China Business Solutions
Inc. More information concerning BGA can be found on its website: www.bgallc.net.
To Contact BGA:
Manning J. O’Connor II, Executive Director
Business Growth Alliance, LLC
1606 Carmody Court, Blaymore 1, Suite 300
Sewickley, PA 15143
Telephone (724) 933-6650
Fax (724) 933-6099
email: moconnor@bgallc.net
www.bgallc.net
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