President's Letter
Grant T. Stein
I am still looking back on the June 2008 Annual Seminar and thinking about what a fine job was done by the Seminar Co-Chairs - Michael Goldstein, Tom Morrow, and Michael Ozawa. The educational program was one of the best ever. The Small Business Track was a big hit with attendees and speakers and the use of multiple Keynote Speakers such as Richards Gibbs, the Chief Economist at Macquarie Capital, and Steven Mayer, the Co-Head of Private Equity for Cerberus Capital Management, to provide in depth treatment of the economic variables, issues, and analytical approaches being used in the market was a creative approach that was well attended during the Conference. The ambiance of Las Vegas can’t be beat, and the trip to the Beatles LOVE show that Phelps Consulting Group sponsored could not have been a more exhilarating evening. The planning is underway for Orlando in June 2009 and three excellent co-chairs are in place to ensure that the AIRA trademark of outstanding and practical seminars continues. Of course, the economic stress that the economy is under presents opportunities for all of us in the financial restructuring business to provide order and value to chaotic situations. So, during this time of economic turmoil and opportunity, I am particularly pleased to take over the reigns from Alan Holtz, one of the AIRA’s very best Presidents. My goals over the next two years are informed by my history with the AIRA, and its predecessor in name, the AIA (Assn. of Insolvency Accountants). The AIRA broadened its focus with its name change several years ago. However, it is still, at its core, heavily influenced by accountants. This should not change. It has expanded its scope to include the full panoply of financial advisors in the insolvency arena. Today the AIRA counts as its members accountants, fraud examiners, professional fiduciaries (trustees, receivers, CROs), crisis managers, turnaround consultants, lenders, investment bankers, and lawyers. And we are pleased that all our members actively participate in the organization including attending and presenting at our seminars and CPE programs. This goal of diversifying our professional base has been at the forefront for the past several years and it has been met in large part. Our CIRA and CDBV designations and classes reflect the leaning of our founders and our current Executive Director (Grant Newton) and Scholar In Residence (Jack Williams) to ensure that what the AIRA offers is not easy, and means something to those that pay the price in time and effort to rise above the pack.
In short, I have been handed the reigns of a healthy and growing organization whose members treat and deal with the unhealthy. I ask simply that we all continue our joint efforts to ensure that the standards of the AIRA are met and the organization flourishes as it serves the needs of its members.
Grant T. Stein
Author Bio
Grant Stein is a partner in Alston & Bird’s Bankruptcy, Reorganization and Workouts Group. His diverse practice includes the representation of debtors, secured and unsecured creditors, creditors’ committees, and fiduciaries in complex and difficult out-of-court workouts, debt restructurings, bankruptcy cases, and financial transactions throughout the United States and internationally. He also regularly represents officers, directors, and other parties in bankruptcy litigation of all kinds. His restructuring experience includes manufacturing, real estate, wholesale, retail, distribution companies, health care, communications, technology and intellectual property issues.
Mr. Stein is a Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy and is identified as a top practitioner in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, The Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers magazine. He serves as a director and president-elect of the Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Advisors (AIRA). He also is a director and president-elect for the Southeastern Bankruptcy Law Institute. He recently served as a Member of the executive committee of Emory University’s Board of Visitors. He has written numerous articles on bankruptcy and workout issues and regularly lectures around the country. Mr. Stein served as law clerk to The Honorable W. Homer Drake, the senior judge of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Georgia, following his graduation, with honors, from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1981. He received his B.B.A., with high honors, from Emory University in 1978.