Association for Corporate Growth® Announces Strategic Hires

CHICAGO, October 20, 2020 – Today, the Association for Corporate Growth announced key additions to its finance, sales and editorial teams to support the middle-market membership organization’s #OneACG strategy for continued relevance, long-term sustainability and growth.

ACG recently welcomed Lisa Harris as its Chief Financial Officer, Harry Nikpour as its Vice President of Sales, Dana Michel as its Controller and Phil Albinus as Managing Editor of Middle Market Growth® magazine. Like many organizations, 2020’s myriad crises prompted ACG to refocus its priorities on its foundation as a membership organization. ACG reorganized its finance operations, rebuilt its sales operation and expanded its editorial team. While still based out of Chicago, its entire operations team now works remotely throughout the United States.

“We are building a deep bench of seasoned M&A executives and professionals who will ensure sound finances, efficient operations, robust sponsorship and corporate opportunities, and a compelling and relevant media arm,” said Tom Bohn, CEO and President of ACG. “Our transition to a virtual workplace has allowed us to hire four exceptional people with decades of invaluable experience.”

The strategic hires are part of Bohn’s #OneACG strategy, which puts the membership experience first by creating greater efficiencies in overall operations and empowers chapter staff as vital network and relationship builders. #OneACG ensures unity, growth, consistency and a shared sense of purpose. Its execution positions ACG to sustain itself in the short term and prosper in the long term. 

Harris, CPA (inactive) joined ACG as CFO in September. A finance executive with more than 25 years of experience in fashion/CPG, e-commerce, retail and wholesale, Harris has held executive roles at large publicly held companies (Gap, Inc., Lucky Brand) as well as various founder-led start-ups in different stages of growth (Tory Burch, Zac Posen, Dolce Vita).  Harris has led numerous M&A transactions, capital and debt raises, as well as all traditional areas of finance. Harris resides in Los Angeles.

Also, new to the finance team and hailing from the LA-area is Michel who joined ACG in October and brings more than 20 years of client-focused expertise to ACG. Like Harris, Michel’s career has traversed all business growth phases from start-up, early-stage and mature companies. Operationally Michel has brought efficiency and cost-savings to her clients and employers through productivity improvements that leverage technology and increase compliance.

A veteran of M&A media and a long time ACG member, Nikpour joined ACG staff in September 2020. In the new role, Nikpour will oversee business development opportunities for strategic partnerships for ACG’s growing endorsed program, which recently added Cambridge FX. Most recently, Nikpour was Vice President of Capital Markets at Arizent, where he managed sales for a $20mm portfolio of financial B2B titles, including Mergers & Acquisitions Magazine, The Bond Buyer, Traders Magazine and a group of specialty newsletters. Nikpour brings 20 years of experience in sales and has been an active ACG member since 1999. His work in media fostered successful partnerships throughout the ACG chapter and sponsor communities. Nikpour is based out of New Jersey.

Albinus brings more than 25 years of print and digital journalism for a variety of newsstand and B2B titles. Most recently, he oversaw Employee Benefit News and Employee Benefit Adviser as its executive editor. Previously, Albinus served as editor of Waters, a financial technology publication aimed at the global capital markets; and Advanced Trading and Traders magazines, which covered news and analysis for buy-side asset managers and hedge funds. Albinus resides in Ossining, NY. Follow Phil on Twitter at @philalbinus

“The challenges that businesses and households alike faced this year are unprecedented,” said Tom Bohn, CEO and President of ACG. “Lisa, Harry, Dana and Phil join a great team that is committed to the #OneACG strategy and can streamline redundant processes that will improve the experience of our members, sponsors and partners. Our outlook is brighter, thanks to the addition of their respective expertise and talents.”

Media Contact:

Karen Craven, SVP Communications
Association for Corporate Growth
(312) 957-4268 |kcraven@acg.org

About the Association for Corporate Growth^®
Founded in 1954, ACG has 59 chapters across the globe. ACG’s worldwide network comprises 90,000 professionals within the middle market, including 15,000 members who serve as the investors, lenders, owners, executives and advisers to growing middle-market companies. ACG’s mission is to drive middle-market growth. The organization’s official publication, Middle Market Growth^®, highlights stories important to the ACG membership.