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WHAT'S INSIDE:
Life Announcements
Milwaukee's Post-Holiday Party
Meet your new Pres & VP!
Check out who's in the news
TMA Out-n-About
MARC is coming up!
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| TMA Chicago/Midwest | April 2025 | Q1 | | MILWAUKEE POST-HOLIDAY PARTY | | |
Jan: MKE's Planning Committee Throws a Wicked Holiday Party
By Virginia George, Co-Chair, Executive Speaker Forum Committee
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The Milwaukee Planning Committee, led by its co-chairs, Virginia George, partner at Swanson Sweet LLP, and Erin West, partner at Godfrey Kahn, and the 2025 MKE committee members Bill Farrar of Mesa Verde Financial Advisors, Gene Arenson of Creative Planning Business Services, Ben Woodward of First Internet Bank, Sara McNamara partner at Rinehart, Katie Mason of Quarles, Andy Disch of Pathward and Katlyn Weiler our chapter executive, hosted the annual TMA Chicago/Midwest Post-Holiday Party.
Over 125 members and their guests had a great time networking at the recently renovated Pfister Hotel in downtown Milwaukee, with musical entertainment by The Mark Davis Trio. Milwaukee sponsors were treated to an exclusive networking pre-party, which included a custom demonstration on supper club cocktails. The sponsors had no problem tasting the specialty cocktails. The party featured remarks from the MKE Committee co-chairs, with a special appearance by their “Wicked” counterparts, Glinda and Elphaba. Great food, great fun, and first-rate entertainment with awesome networking among TMA friends. Thanks to all the MKE sponsors for their support and most of all for their participation – see you next at the MARC and then at the Brewers Game on May 20th!
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CHAPTER LEADERSHIP MUSINGS | | | |
2025 Chapter Theme: "Make It Rain!"
David Levy, Summit Investment Management / Keen-Summit Capital Partners
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My TMA journey began in 2012. It was during one of my early networking lunches that Barb Yong from Golan & Christie encouraged me to join the Membership Committee, which became a great way to meet new people. The following year, I took on the role of Co-Chair, and over the next three years, I transitioned into various roles including the Breakfast Committee, Sponsorship, Communications, and eventually Vice President of Communications and Programming. As I write this letter as the Chapter President, I am filled with nostalgia—a true career honor.
Continuing our 12-year tradition of having a chapter theme, I chose “Make It Rain!” This theme has a personal origin that I’d like to share with you. Read more...
| | VICE PRESIDENT COMMUNICATIONS | | |
TMA: Listen Up!
Mark Silverman, Troutman Pepper Locke
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Hey there, restructuring rockstars! If you’ve ever found yourself singing "Wonderwall" while navigating the twists and turns of corporate restructuring, you're in the right place. With the Oasis reunion tour on the horizon (if the brothers can get along for long enough…) I thought that, today is gonna be the day that they're gonna throw it back to you. How can YOU take your career in your hands.
The Turnaround Management Association (TMA) has been the “Champagne Supernova” of my career since day one, providing the ultimate foundation for my professional network.
I'm beyond thrilled to announce that I'm stepping into the role of VP of Communications for the TMA Chicago/Midwest chapter. Cue “Supersonic” because we’re ready to take this year by storm! Read more...
| | | | Republic is proud to announce that it has hired Chris Costello as SVP, Underwriter in its New Orleans Office reporting directly to its Head of Underwriting, Brian Daray. This hiring marks Republic’s 8th new hire in the past 12 months as it continues to build out its national strategy as a wholly owned Subsidiary of Renasant Bank “RNST”. | | | | GA Group is pleased to welcome Seth Marks as SVP, Head of Wholesale Solutions. Seth is an accomplished merchant leader, widely recognized for his partner-centric and innovative approach to strategic merchandising. He brings over 30 years of experience in the off-price retail, wholesale, and liquidation sectors. Seth joins GA Group from Big Lots Stores, where he recently served as co-Chief Merchant and Head of Extreme Value Sourcing. | | | | |
David Johnson of Abraxas Group has been named interim CFO of a startup company utilizing GenAI to streamline the medical, legal, and regulatory review process for pharmaceutical companies. Additionally, David was named to the board of directors of a Chicago area startup focused on corporate gifting and rewards.
David was also interviewed on the KindWorks.AI “On Kindness” podcast, where he discussed the importance of approaching difficult conversations with compassion.
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CHAPTER NEWS: TMA OUT N' ABOUT | | | |
January 22: Economic Outlook – Insights for the Year Ahead
By Paul Musser, Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP
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The TMA Chicago/Midwest Chapter kicked off the year with its annual Economic Outlook event at the Ivy Room in Chicago. The program welcomed 75 attendees and featured expert commentary on the state of the economy and what lies ahead for the restructuring and turnaround community.
This year’s panel included:
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Jason Turner, Chief Investment Strategist and Economist, Great Lakes Advisors (Wintrust Wealth Management)
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Yelena Maleyev, Senior Economist, KPMG Economics
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Moderated by Michael Boyer, Novo Advisors
The discussion touched on a broad range of timely topics, including the macroeconomic climate, fiscal policy shifts under the new administration, inflation and interest rate expectations, labor market conditions, and sector-specific trends impacting credit availability and commercial real estate.
The panel also addressed geopolitical uncertainty and its ripple effects on global markets, as well as the implications for distressed and opportunistic investing in 2025. A focused segment offered insights into sectors most at risk, along with potential areas for growth and investment.
The event was well received and provided a valuable opportunity for attendees to reconnect, hear market perspectives, and set the tone for what promises to be another dynamic year in the turnaround and restructuring space.
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February 20: 20 Years of Martini Parties!
By Akash Amin, MorrisAnderson
| The TMA’s annual Martini Night Party was once again a smashing success as we celebrated the event’s 20th anniversary. The event boasted over 230 registered attendees with plenty of familiar faces as well as many new ones to welcome to the Chicago TMA family. The Dueling Pianos were a crowd favorite taking surprise song requests such as “Pink Pony Club”. With over $1,270 raised for the Foundation from the wine toss challenge, attendees were able to leave with some quenching gifts of all sizes and flavors. Last but not least, the event also aimed to honor the event’s original planning committee -- with special shout out to the 2005 TMA President Dan Dooley -- and their respective drinks of choice: The Vargo Vesper (Jim Vargo), The Suzy Sipper (Suzy Koenig), The Peppy Paulsen (Michael Paulsen), and the Berkhoff Classic (Neil Berkhoff). | | | February 26: NextGen Bulls Game | | | March 6: Thirteen Week Cash Flow – A Tool for Clarity and Confidence | |
The TMA Chicago/Midwest Chapter hosted an engaging and practical webinar on the strategic importance of the 13-Week Cash Flow Forecast. The session was led by Jim Keane (COO) and Mac Rowland (Managing Director) of Harney Partners, a national middle-market corporate advisory firm.
Often viewed as a tool reserved for distressed situations, Keane and Rowland reframed the 13-Week Cash Flow Forecast as a powerful resource for companies of all sizes—especially in today’s volatile environment. The webinar covered best practices for structuring a reliable forecast, evaluating data inputs, managing assumptions, and using variance analysis to drive business decisions. Attendees also learned how to leverage this tool to inspire lender confidence and identify opportunities for growth, cost reduction, or restructuring.
With 422 attendees registered, the program drew strong interest from business owners, CFOs, controllers, lenders, and consultants alike, providing actionable insights into how the forecast can be used not only as a liquidity management tool but as a strategic roadmap. The session wrapped with a lively Q&A, where participants were able to dive deeper into common challenges and real-world scenarios.
This educational event reinforced why the 13-Week Cash Flow Forecast remains a cornerstone of financial stability—and a must-have for anyone leading or advising businesses in uncertain times.
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March 20: Breakfast in Waukesha
By Erin West, Godfrey & Kahn
| Over 40 TMA members and guests mingled for a casual coffee and breakfast at Milwaukee Sponsor Waukesha State Bank’s community room in downtown Waukesha on March 20. Attendees made connections and discussed potential business. Tony Laszewski, Senior Vice President and Commercial Banking Manager at host and sponsor Waukesha State Bank, introduced his team and shared some history of the bank’s local and growing presence. Milwaukee Co-Chair Virginia George thanked attendees and shared enthusiasm for upcoming Milwaukee events. | | | | | |
