Contributing Author: Raymond J. Horn III is a Partner with Meltzer, Purtill & Stelle LLC and President of MBBI

Meltzer, Purtill & Stelle LLC a law firm with offices in Schaumburg and Chicago. Ray concentrates his practice of law in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, contract negotiation, drafting and review, owner strategic planning through buy-sell agreements, business fractures, and secured lending. Ray is President and a member of the Board of Directors of MBBI. Ray can be reached by phone at (847) 330-2430, and by email at RHorn@MPSLaw.com. 

New Year's Greeting

First, and foremost, a very Happy New Year to each of you. I hope you enjoyed a wonderful holiday season and a very successful 2019.Looking back on 2019, MBBI experienced another very successful year, hosting numerous engaging and diverse events throughout the year. We started off the year on a very high note with our January annual conference focusing on M&A trends in the craft beverage industry, including an excellent presentation and tasting with more than 150 attendees. Following a highly successful and record-setting golf outing in 2018, we again reset the bar with 240 golfers, over 275 for dinner, as well as contributing more than $10,000 to Child’s Voice. Among other events, MBBI members and guests attended an informative presentation on the state of the banking industry in May, connected with The Enclave Association in September, enjoyed a successful Cubs’ event in September, expanded their knowledge of ethical matters in M&A transactions in October, and then enjoyed another Bears’/Packers’ game (this time at Lambeau Field) in December (with a result this time favoring our colleagues in Wisconsin). Also in December, our Wisconsin Chapter again knocked it out of the park with a very successful 9th Annual Private Equity Connection, with attendance of over 350. We have continued to build connections through marketing and website initiatives and have worked diligently to engage with members to ensure they are receiving a valuable return on their investment of time, talent and resources in MBBI.

In looking ahead for 2020, I am very confident MBBI will continue to build on 2019 successes (just as we did so in 2019). I want to encourage you to stay involved and attend as many events as possible, starting with our Annual Conference on January 23, focusing on the current economic impact manufacturing makes in Illinois and featuring a partnership with the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. If you have not already registered, please do so as soon as you can so you do not miss this exciting event. We have many more events planned for 2020, including our Golf Outing in July, and I encourage you to visit our website at MBBI.org for information and details on registration.

As is true with every organization, value received by members is directly tied to member engagement in the organization. As you have heard me say more than once, I again want to strongly encourage all MBBI members to become (or stay) involved in MBBI. MBBI is better with your guidance and input and, if I dare say it, I believe its members are better from that engagement with MBBI. From personal experience, I can state without reservation that MBBI is well worth an investment of one’s time, talent and resources.

Looking forward to seeing you at an upcoming event. All the best for a very happy and successful 2020.

Raymond J. Horn III
MBBI President - 2020

Raymond J. Horn III is a Partner with Meltzer, Purtill & Stelle LLC and President of MBBI