ACA's Pat Morris Leaves Collection Industry to Lead Mid-Market Growth Association

Dual association statements yesterday announced the impending departure of ACA International CEO Pat Morris, and his new position as CEO of the Association for Corporate Growth^® (ACG). 

In an email to staff yesterday Morris explained that he had resigned his position and his last day would be December 2nd. The announcement was shared this afternoon with all ACA members.

ACA International President Rick Perr of Fineman Krekstein & Harris, P.C. said, “ACA is sorry that Pat has decided to accept a new CEO role, but speaking on behalf of the ACA Board of Directors, we wish him nothing but the best. He has proven himself to be a tireless advocate on behalf of ACA members, and brought a calm, creative, and enthusiastic attitude to every meeting, speech, and new initiative. ACA is stronger and more prepared for the future because of Pat, and his humor and leadership will be missed.” 

Earlier today, ACG emailed an announement to its members announcing Pat as its incoming CEO. ACG is an organization comprised of over 14,500 members including private capital providers and advisers for middle-market businesses. He will officially join the Washington, D.C. based association in December. 

"Pat is inheriting an organization that is well-positioned for transformative change and ready for strategic growth," says Jason Brown, immediate past chairman of the ACG Global Board of Directors and partner at Victory Park Capital. "His leadership philosophy, fluency in public policy matters, and understanding of the strategic path forward for the ACG makes him the ideal candidate to take on the role of CEO," says Brown.

J.B. Dollison, chairman of the ACG Global Board of Directors and partner at Crutchfield Capital Corporation added, "With a need for continued growth and support of our 58 chapters, a new strategic vision to build membership, and a desire to expand ACG's public policy efforts, Mr. Morris is absolutely the right person for this role."

When asked about his new role at ACG Global, Mr. Morris said, "I am looking forward to serving the needs of the ACG's diverse and growing membership and promoting its collective voice in advocating common-sense legislative and regulatory changes for capital formation in the middle market. I am particularly enthusiastic about meeting our organization's leaders and membership to collectively advance the ACG's mission of Driving Middle Market Growth."  

Prior to ACA International, Morris served as the executive vice president of the National Association of Federal Credit Unions and the executive director of the Washington-based International Committee for Information Technology Standards. He holds a master's in public administration from the University of Kentucky and a bachelor's degree from Christopher Newport University. He began his career as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, was selected for the prestigious Presidential Management Fellows program and subsequently worked in legislative affairs for both the Secretary of Defense and U.S. Sen. John Warner of Virginia.

The ACA announcement said that the Board of Directors will announce plans for interim leadership once Morris departs in December, as well as the process and timeline for selecting a new CEO.