ACG’s First Leader Steps Down

Dan Varroney has quietly resigned as president and CEO of the Association for Corporate Growth, a trade group that represents over 11,000 mid-market corporations, buyout firms, finance firms and professional services organizations.

The move was first disclosed in a letter to members and was said to be “by mutual consent.” Varroney is now seeking work as a lobbyist in Washington, D.C. In the meantime, ACG has named CFO Bradley Hughes as interim president, and the association is interviewing both internally and externally for a permanent replacement.

The trade group was founded in 1954 and spent its first 51 years run by an association management firm. In 2005, however, steep membership growth prompted the group’s board to search for a full-time president and CEO, and the board selected Varroney. He previously had been with the National Association of Manufacturers as senior vice president of two different divisions within the trade association.

ACG Chairman Paul Stewart, a partner at PS Capital Partners in Milwaukee, confirmed Varroney’s departure, saying: “Under Dan’s leadership, ACG experienced significant growth and brand awareness, put into place the business model and professional infrastructure needed for future success, helped restore financial stability, and brought increased visibility to ACG, which helped recruit new members, speakers and sponsors, as well as achieve record attendance at InterGrowth. Dan was highly instrumental in bringing ACG to a new level and his achievements have made ACG a much stronger, more vibrant and more connected organization. We thank Dan for his tireless efforts, strong work ethic and significant achievements, and we wish him the best in his new ventures.”