Northwood University finance students Brendan Fox, Joseph Stefanski, and Tommy Wyza recently won the West Michigan Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) Cup awards at the organization’s Outstanding Growth Awards Banquet held in Grand Rapids, Michigan on March 17, 2015.As winners of the undergraduate category which included 18 teams from six universities, the group was required to take a real-life investment banking case and present it to a group of judges that acted as a “board of directors.”
“Judges and ACG representatives were so impressed with our presentation and analysis that they continued to compliment us on the work we did,” smiled Tommy Wyza, a Northwood University senior who is majoring in Finance and minoring in Economics. “Special thanks to professor Jennifer Luzar and alum Alex Drost for assisting with various aspects of the presentation. Words can’t describe all they brought to the table in regards to preparing us for the competition,” he said.
In addition to receiving exposure to the Mergers and Acquisitions Industry in the West Michigan region, students participating in the program benefit by acquiring career connections, gaining a clearer understanding of the diverse industries in Western Michigan, and more.
“Comments from the awards ceremony included ‘one of the best presentations we have seen in seven years’ and ‘likely better than most graduate level presentations.’ This goes to show that these guys “have what it takes,” said Drost.
Divided into MBA and undergraduate levels, the competition requires that participants be officially registered at least half-time at participating schools during the 2014-15 academic year. Undergraduate participants are generally finance, accounting, marketing, international business, and management majors.
ACG was founded in 1954. It is a global organization with 56 chapters and over 14,000 members. Doing business is at the heart of the ACG membership experience. Chapters in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Asia bring dealmakers together to help them achieve their business and professional goals. 75% of ACG members report that they have done business with fellow members. This return on investment has made ACG the most trusted and respected resource for middle-market dealmakers and business leaders who invest in growth and build companies. Face-to-face events, online tools, structured networking opportunities, exclusive member benefits and leading-edge market intelligence provide ACG members with powerful business-building resources.
Private equity professionals, investment bankers & intermediaries, attorneys, auditors & accountants, lenders, corporate development officers, company leaders and others focused on the middle market make ACG a resource for opportunities, capital and services. ACG brings together every segment of the growth community.
