Outlook for Transportation, Shipping and Logistic Industries Topic at Breakfast Forum

Oct. 30, 2012 - PRLog -- On Friday,  November 9, more than 150 professionals are expected to attend "Planes, Trains & Automobiles:  The Outlook for the Transportation, Shipping and Logistics Industries.”   The breakfast forum takes place from 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. at the Standard Club, 320 S. Plymouth Court and is hosted by the Chicago/Midwest Chapter of the Turnaround Management Association (Chicago/Midwest TMA).

“Companies in the transportation, shipping, and logistics sectors continue to face challenges as a result of, among other factors, legacy costs, competition, operating challenges, and exposure to the macroeconomic environment,” says Harold Israel, president, Chicago/Midwest TMA. “Accomplishing a restructuring involves addressing difficult and complex financial and operational issues.”

A panel of experts including executives, financial advisors, and attorneys will address restructuring opportunities in this sector providing an overview of the economic drivers and challenges facing these industries, while focusing on key segments to closely watch and specific observations about the longer term outlook.  

Participating in the program are:  

•   Jeffrey Zappone, senior managing director at Conway MacKenzie, Inc.  will serve as moderator.  Zappone has more than 18 years of experience in restructuring, reorganization, and turnaround management with specific expertise in crisis management, insolvency and bankruptcy in industries including automotive, transportation, metal machining, fabrication, processing and forging, commercial finance and leasing and many other industry sectors.

•   Hugh E. Sawyer managing director, Huron Consulting Group provides strategic services to clients facing corporate turnarounds and restructurings in complex environments and leads the Operational Improvement Service Line for Huron's Financial Consulting Practice. He has more than 30 years of experience leading turnarounds, bankruptcies, operational improvement and mergers and acquisitions for both public and private companies across a diverse group of industries.


•   David L. Eaton, partner at Kirkland & Ellis, LLP concentrates his practice in the representation of debtors, financial institutions, bondholders, unsecured creditors and committees, in financial restructuring matters and bankruptcy planning, negotiation and litigation. Some of his representative clients include YRC Worldwide Inc., Flying J Inc., Sea Containers Ltd., Cardinal Logistics, Inc., Collins & Aikman Corporation, Harnischfeger Corporation (now Joy Global, Inc.) and Source Interlink Companies, Inc.

•   Brian Stewart, is a CTP, CPA and a director with The Keystone Group. For nearly 20 years he has provided leadership across all functions of his clients and has been an advisor in many different types of transportation companies servicing a variety of industries including: automotive, building products, electronics, consumer products, food, industrial equipment, steel products, and apparel.

Members may attend the program for $40 and bring a guest for $20; cost for nonmembers is $65 and $15 for students.  Register online or call the chapter office at (815) 469-2935.

TMA members include turnaround professionals, accountants, attorneys, brokers, investment bankers, private equity firms, valuation firms, private investors and business consultants.

About TMA Chicago/Midwest
The Chicago/Midwest Chapter of The Turnaround Management Association is one of the largest chapters of the only international non-profit association dedicated to corporate renewal and turnaround management. Incorporated in 1991, the award-winning 1,000-member Chicago/Midwest Chapter is celebrating its 21st year of serving its community. Its active membership participates in more than 30 events annually, including educational workshops, networking programs, forums, and conferences.  For more information about the organization and membership, visit www.tmachicagomidwest.org.

Established in 1988, TMA Global has more than 9,000 members in 40 chapters worldwide, including 28 in the US, two in Canada, and one in Australia, Finland, France, Germany, India, Japan, New Zealand, Southern Africa, Taiwan and the UK, as well as chapters forming in Hong Kong, Italy, Spain and Austria.