Upcoming Breakfast Program:

Execution and Opportunities in the Defense and Security Industries

May 21, 2008

Upcoming Events:

2008 Annual Dinner - Featuring Franco Bianchi

October 8, 2008

ACG is proud to announce that Haworth President and CEO, Franco Bianchi, will be the keynote speaker of the ACG Annual Dinner October 8, 2008 at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids.

Click here for more information.

Recent Events:

Outstanding Growth Award Reception - Winner Elan Nutrition

March 19, 2008

To view the presentation click here

The Challenges Facing Automotive Suppliers
January 16, 2008
To view presentation click here

ACG Western Michigan Member Profile: Jason Byrd

Jason Byrd is the Vice President of Business Development for Huizenga Group, a privately held West Michigan firm that manages a diverse family of companies involved in custom automation machine building, tool and die, electrical contracting and highly engineered automotive component manufacturing.

Jason joined Huizenga Group in 2008. Prior to joining Huizenga Group, he spent 10 years in commercial banking in West Michigan. He has a degree in finance from Michigan State University. Jason's role with Huizenga Group includes evaluating potential acquisitions and calling on and building relationships with business owners, bankers, and attorneys.

When and why did you join ACG? Huizenga Group's affiliation with ACG began when J.C. Huizenga joined in March, 2006. Our group joined ACG because we recognized the multiple benefits of networking within an influential community of executives who are growing public and private companies throughout West Michigan.

Describe the value of ACG to Huizenga Group? ACG focuses on activities that increase revenue, profits and stakeholder value for professionals who are involved in corporate growth, development and mergers and acquisitions. ACG provides value by offering access to a diverse membership that is united by a common focus and for Huizenga Group that means unparalleled opportunities for deal-making.

Can you share how ACG supports your job objectives? In my role with Huizenga Group, it is important to be in the business community and learn as much as I can about other companies, their objectives and how that might relate to our firm. Part of the group's goal is to sustain economic development in West Michigan. The ACG supports that goal and the membership gathers to talk about the important issues that impact sustainable economic development here.

Through its Deal Exchange, the ACG also provides me an opportunity to look at different companies that may be available on the market.

The bottom line is that the ACG's goals and the goals of Huizenga Group are well aligned to create economic value throughout greater West Michigan.

2008 Annual Sponsors

Gold Sponsors:

Silver Sponsors:

Bronze Sponsors:

• Aquinas College
• The Charter Group
• Clark Hill, PLC
• Comerica
• Crowe Chizek
• Dykema Gossett
• Founders Bank & Trust
• Hungerford, Aldrin, Nichols & Carter  
• JP Morgan Chase Bank
• Mercantile Bank of Michigan
• Plante & Moran, PLLC
• PR Newswire
• The Rehmann Group
• Wells Fargo
• WilliamCharles Executive Search
  
  

Media Sponsor: 

Breakfast Program Series:

• Business Review

Outstanding Growth Awards:

• MiBiz

Annual Dinner: 

• Grand Rapids Business Journal