Kirkland honored for successfull financial career, dedication to community
ALTON, Ill., Oct. 6, 2011 – Simmons Hanly Conroy CEO Gregg Kirkland has been awarded the 2011 Distinguished Alumni Award by his alma mater Eastern Illinois University.
Established in 1973, the Distinguished Alumni Award is the most prestigious award bestowed by the EIU Alumni Association. This award is presented to individuals who have distinguished themselves in either academic or literary fields, business, public service or service to the University and have brought prestige to their alma mater.
Past recipients have included an Illinois Governor, Oscar-nominated actors, a nuclear physicist, educators at all levels, CEOs, athletes and many others. This year, EIU alumni officials said the university received a record-breaking number of nominations.
“We receive several nominations each year for very deserving alumni and are pleased to be able to count Gregg among our recipients,” said Steve Rich, executive director of the EIU Alumni Association, in the award letter.
As chief executive officer of the Alton-based Simmons Hanly Conroy, Gregg manages a staff of 200 while overseeing the firm’s daily operations. He works closely with the managing shareholder and assisted the firm in expanding from eight attorneys to more than 50 with offices in St. Louis, Chicago and Los Angeles.
He began his career as an accountant at Farmers and Merchants Bank in Carlinville before assuming responsibility as its chief financial officer. He also served as CFO for various Bank One and Chase Bank affiliates throughout the country. Prior to coming to the Firm, he served as chief operating officer for Partners Bank, a start-up bank later purchased by First Clover Leaf Bank. He currently serves as secretary of the Simmons Mesothelioma Foundation and is active in several other local charitable organizations.
Gregg and the other award winners will be honored during EIU’s annual Homecoming festivities, including a dinner held in their honor on Saturday, Oct. 22.
For more information about additional winners or to purchase tickets, click here.
