CHICAGO, February 18, 2009 – Patrick M. O’Keefe has been selected as an Outstanding Individual Contribution award recipient from among the nearly 9,000 members in 45 Turnaround Management Association (TMA) chapters worldwide. This award is given to individuals whose dedication and commitment have made a lasting contribution not only to TMA, but also to the corporate renewal industry. Mr. O’Keefe will be honored at the TMA 2009 Spring Conference April 28-30, 2009 at the Hotel InterContinental in Chicago.
Patrick M. O’Keefe, CPA, CTP, ABV, CFF, BVAL, possesses 10 years of experience in turnaround management consulting. Mr. O’Keefe founded his Michigan firm in 2001 to develop a team of financial professionals who would provide a resource for closely-held businesses in need of guidance through life events that impact the financial wellbeing of owners, employees and their families. O’Keefe & Associates is now a fast-growing consulting firm with offices in Bloomfield Hills and Grand Rapids, bringing success stories to the tough business environment of Michigan.
Mr. O’Keefe has been a TMA member throughout his career, becoming a board member of the Detroit Chapter in 2001 and its president from 2004-2006. During his term, the chapter nearly doubled in size and he helped initiate several new programs such as a chapter newsletter, awards program, a two-tiered sponsorship program and a spring conference. He also served as vice-chair of the TMA Chapter President’s Council while president. The Detroit Chapter earned Most Improved TMA Chapter of the Year in 2006, followed by Chapter of the Year in 2007.
A passionate advocate of the Certified Turnaround Professional program, he served on the Task Force that in 2007 orchestrated the successful merger of the Association of Certified Turnaround Professionals, which had administered the program since 1993, into TMA for broader administrative support. His leadership resulted in the popular three-day program with study sessions and testing done at the same location. He also developed a profit-sharing model with CTP to encourage chapters to host CTP study sessions, with the Detroit Chapter leading the first one. The CTP has now reached critical mass at nearly 450 and enjoys higher visibility as a result of his efforts.
Other contributions, in addition to serving on TMA International’s Board of Directors, include his company’s sponsorships of both local and international events, being part of the TMAssist team that led business recovery workshops in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina, and serving on the TMA Nominations Committee.
He is active in many other restructuring-related organizations and is the recipient of many awards. To name a couple, most recently, the Friedt Business Medal of Honor Award from Cleary University. The Cleary University Board of Trustees nominated Mr. O’Keefe in recognition of his continued success and tireless efforts in the business community assisting companies in financial distress with outstanding results in turnaround management and recapitalization strategies. Governor Jennifer Granholm presented to him the 2007 Financial Services Champion award by the U.S. Small Business Administration. He is on various advisory boards including, but not limited to the University of Detroit and Oakland University and mentors young professionals in the Detroit TMA Chapter and through the O’Keefe & Associates internship program.
Charles Moore, president of the Detroit TMA chapter, said “Mr. O’Keefe is an undeniable asset to TMA…and he has demonstrated excellence in the field of finance on the national and local basis…. His calming influence and leadership in the face of adversity produces extraordinary outcomes for ordinary business owners facing events…significant to their growth or survival.”
