Press Release

WSG is pleased to announce the election of the 2015-2016 new Directors to the Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting in New York City. The newly elected Directors will replace Sandy Miller- CF Accountants and Consultants, Jorge Velarde- Rodrigo, Elias & Medrano Abogados and Robert Falvey- Minter Ellison Rudd Watts.

The 14th Annual Meeting also marked the election of the 2015-2016 Board of Directors' officers including Gary Assim, Shoosmiths as Chair; Larry B. Pascal, Haynes and Boone, LLP as Chair Elect; Alejandro Antillon, Pacheco Coto as Treasurer; and Mark Harty, LCS & Partners as Secretary.

Robert Falvey, WSG Chairman 2014-2015, handed over his title to Gary Assim, Partner at Shoosmiths. Mr. Assim has been a member of WSG since 2003 and has served on the Board of Directors since 2013. Prior to becoming the 2015-2016 Chairman, Mr. Assim served as the secretary from 2013-2014 and as the Chairman Elect the following year. Additionally, he has served as the Chair of the WSG European Regional Council for the 2010-2011 term and played an instrumental role in producing the 2012 Annual Meeting, hosted by Shoosmiths.

Newly Elected Directors:

Francesco Gianni – Gianni, Origoni, Grippo, Cappelli & Partners, Italy

Francesco Gianni is the Head of the Corporate/M&A department and one of the Founding Partners of Gianni, Origoni, Grippo, Cappelli & Partners. He is one of the top experts in M&A in Italy, as well as the rest of Europe. His focus is on corporate finance transactions, particularly general public M&A and public to private M&A and also has extensive experience in the arbitration field. He is a practicing member of the Italian Bar and is a member of the New York Bar. He delivers lectures at conferences all over the world and has been a contributor to many of the most prominent legal publications.

Rand Hannun – Nabulsi & Associates, Jordan

Rand Hannun is Partner at Nabulsi & Associates and participates in some of Jordan's leading reform initiatives for economic development while maintaining her practice in corporate, taxation, finance and labor. Ms. Hannun has served on the Africa/Middle East Regional Council since 2012. She served as the Chair of the Regional Council from 2013-2014, and currently contributes as the Chair Emeritus. Her firm has been an active member of the WSG network since 2009.

Jeffrey M. Jones – Durham Jones & Pinegar, USA, Utah

Jeffrey M. Jones is a Founder of Durham Jones & Pinegar and serves on the firm’s Board of Directors. Mr. Jones has been on the WSG North America Regional Council since 2013. He currently serves as the Chair for the term 2014-2015, allowing him to contribute as Chair Emeritus in the following year. His firm, Durham Jones & Pinegar has been an active member of the WSG network since 2011. Firm professionals regularly act as speakers to contribute at Regional Meetings, and his firm recently hosted the successful North America Regional Meeting in Park City.

Yukuo Takenaka – Takenaka Partners LLC, Japan

Yukuo "YT" Takenaka is the Founder, CEO and President of the Japanese investment banking firm Takenaka Partners LLC. Mr. Takenaka has been an active member since his firm joined WSG in 2013. He has participated as an expert panelist in both the Annual and regional meetings and has been a member of the Asia Pacific Regional Council since 2014. Mr. Takenaka has successfully worked in conjunction with several of the WSG legal members and has been active in the Investment Banking task force both in recruiting and developing new members into WSG.

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Media Contact:
Jess Ferdinand
[email protected]