Endowment News Jun 2006

The Endowment is very important to ABI's research and education mission. The Endowment
Fund now totals over $1.6 million in cash and pledges, and enjoys nearly 100
percent participation from the ABI Board. Interest from the fund is available
for scholarly grants awarded by the Research Grant Committee, chaired by Judge
<b>Steven Rhodes</b>.
</p><p>The capacity to perform seminal research is an integral part of ABI's presence
on Capitol Hill, and an important part of the ABI mission to educate the membership
about the potential effects of bankruptcy law. The 2005 bankruptcy law presents
some unique opportunities to develop research projects that will help us assess
the effect of the law on the industry, and perhaps the future direction of subsequent
changes to the law. Yet the Endowment has only $100,000 in research funds that
are not yet committed for 2006.
</p><p>The Fund has three sources of revenue. Ten percent of the net income from the
ABI Annual Spring Meeting and Winter Leadership Conference each year is donated
to the endowment. These amounts totaled almost $90,000 in 2005.
</p><p>Second, members have the opportunity to make a voluntary contribution with
their dues renewal, now $45.00. This could total roughly $65,000 in 2005, perhaps
as much as $25,000 more than 2005 if contributions continue at the current rate.
Third, members are invited to participate in a club level recognition program.
Pledges for these donations may be paid over five years. All donations are tax
deductible.
</p><p>The Endowment Committee, chaired by raised more than $120,000 in pledges this
year through this effort. In addition,<b> Melyssa Barrett</b> of VISA has sought
and obtained a pledge of $30,000 to support a program examining the impact of
the Bankruptcy Abuse and Consumer Protection Act of 2005.

</p><p>Through the Committee's efforts, we have already doubled the new pledges receivable
from all of calendar year 2005. In addition, we have identified regional endowment
chairs who will be raising funds at the regional level. Many of you may hear
from the following insolvency professionals:
</p><p><b>Bankruptcy Battleground West</b><br>
<i> Scott Gautier</i>, Peitzman, Weg &amp; Kempinsky </p>
<p><b>Central States Bankruptcy Workshop</b><br>
<i>Doug Lutz</i>, Frost, Brown Todd LLC<br>
<i>Anne Miller</i>, Novare Inc.

</p><p><b>Mid-Atlantic Bankruptcy Workshop</b><br>
<i>Troy Taylor</i>, Algon Group
</p><p><b>New York City Bankruptcy Conference</b><br>
<i>Chester Salomon</i>, Stevens &amp; Lee
</p><p><b>Rocky Mountain Bankruptcy Conference</b><br>
<i>Carl A. Eklund</i>, Ballard Spahr<br>

<i>Gil A. Miller</i>, Price Waterhouse<br>
<i>Michael Pankow</i>, Brownstein, Hyatt &amp; Farber PC
</p><p><b>Southeast Bankruptcy Workshop</b><br>
<i>Jerry Markowitz</i>, Markowitz, Davis, Ringel &amp; Trusty<br>

<i>Luis Salazar</i>, Greenberg Traurig, LLP
</p><h3>New Lifetime Members ($10,000-$24,999)</h3>
<p> <i>McDonald Hopkins Co. LPA</i>—Shawn M. Riley </p>
<h3>New Benefactors ($5,000-$9,999)</h3>
<p><i>Jones Day</i>—Richard A. Chesley &amp; Paul E. Harner<br>
<i>H. Slayton Dabney Jr.</i>—King &amp; Spalding LLP<br>

<i>William Q. Derrough</i>—Jefferies &amp; Co. Inc.<br>
<i>Reginald W. Jackson</i>—Vorys, Sater, Seymour &amp; Pease LLP<br>
<i>Peter S. Kaufman</i>—Gordian Group LLC<br>
<i>Joseph Samet</i>—Baker &amp; McKenzie LLP<br>

<i>Troy Taylor</i>—Algon Group LLC<br>
<i>Jack F. Williams</i>—Georgia State Univ./BDO Seidman LLP
</p><h3>New Sustaining Members ($2,000-$4,999)</h3>
<p><i>Vernon E. Inge Jr.</i>—LeClair Ryan, A Professional Corp.<br>
<i>Bruce H. Matson</i>—LeClair Ryan PC<br>
<i>Suzanne S. Palmer</i>—CIT Corporate Finance<br>

<i>Jean R. Robertson</i>—McDonald Hopkins Co. LPA<br>
<i>Steven R. Strom</i>—Jefferies &amp; Co. Inc.<br>
<i>Ann vom Eigen</i>—American Bankruptcy Institute<br>
<i>Wayne R. Walker</i>—Walker Nell Consultants Inc.

</p><h3>New Donors ($100-$1,999)</h3>
<p><i>John C. Akard</i>—U.S. Bankruptcy Court<br>
<i>Douglas Bacon</i>—Latham &amp; Watkins LLP<br>
<i>Linda B. Riegle</i>—U.S. Bankruptcy Court<br>
<i>Daniel W. Sklar</i>—Nixon Peabody LLP.

</p>