 |
 |
----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Dear ARLIS/NA Members: For your information, the management company that headquarters ARLIS is under new ownership Contact: Michael F. Bumpass 336-378-6350 THE GREATER GREENSBORO MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION ACQUIRES OLSON MANAGEMENT GROUP, A RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA-BASED ASSOCIATION MANAGEMENT COMPANY January 29, 1999 Greensboro, NC The Greater Greensboro Merchants Association (GMA), a business trade association and financial service provider, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Olson Management Group, Inc. (OMG). OMG provides management services for professional and trade associations. Ralph J. Marlatt, CAE, has been hired as OMG Vice President and General Manager. According to GMA President Mike Bumpass, "OMG is a natural fit, fulfilling our strategic plan of growing our association management group, Professional Management Group. The opportunity to acquire a leading management firm with an excellent professional staff and a prestigious client portfolio positions us as a significant player." Olson Management Group, Inc., founded in 1974 by Michael S. Olson, is a client-based management firm dedicated to helping associations achieve success while providing the highest quality service possible. OMG currently has over 30 clients, ranging from local North Carolina groups to large national and international clients. Commenting on the sale of his company, former OMG President Mike Olson stated, "The association management community is one of the premiere growth fields in the service sector and the success and achievements of firms like Olson Management Group will be greatly enhanced with the resources, expertise and commitment of GMA and its leadership. I have every confidence the client trade associations and professional societies at Olson Management Group will continue to be well served and nurtured through this new relationship." Mr. Olson is President and CEO of the American Society of Association Executives in Washington, DC. Mr. Marlatt, who has worked in both the public and private sectors, was President of RJM Consultants, an International Management Consulting Company. He was President and CEO of the Insurance Federation of Minnesota from 1978 to 1994. Earlier, he had been Vice President of Government and Industry Affairs for the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents and before that worked on Capitol Hill as a legislative assistant. Commenting on his new assignment Marlatt said, "I look forward to working with GMA and OMG s professional staff, and serving the OMG client associations. OMG is engaged exclusively in the management of membership organizations and we are committed to managing our clients in the most professional manner possible. We see our growth in the growth of our clients and believe that the strength GMA brings to OMG will allow us to continue our organization."