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AIRA's Distinguished Fellows Program

AIRA’s Distinguished Fellows Program annually recognizes those AIRA members who have made significant contributions to AIRA and to the art and science of corporate restructuring.

CURRENT DISTINGUISHED FELLOWS

Inaugural/2021 Distinguished Fellows »
2022 Distinguished Fellows »
2023 Distinguished Fellows »

PURPOSE

AIRA’s Board of Directors conceived the Distinguished Fellows Program as a way to recognize the significant contributions AIRA’s senior members have made to the art and science of corporate restructuring and to AIRA. The program is intended as an academic and professional honor for those AIRA members who exemplify the highest level of excellence in professional practice and whose contributions have left a significant positive legacy to our profession and to AIRA.

NOMINATION REQUIREMENTS

Elevation to the status of AIRA Distinguished Fellow is by invitation only. AIRA members who meet the criteria below are eligible for nomination by any AIRA member or an AIRA staff member. At the time the nomination is submitted, the nominee must:

  • Be an AIRA member in good standing for the previous 10 years, and
  • Have made contributions to AIRA and to the art and science of corporate restructuring which are deemed outstanding by AIRA’s Board of Directors.

A successful nominee may possess many, but not necessarily every one, of the following items. The key is to provide indications of substantial responsibilities and accomplishments that have benefited clients, AIRA, and the broader restructuring profession. Professional contributions may include:

  • Academic publications (books, articles, published presentations)
  • Leadership (AIRA board positions, or positions with other associations/organizations)
  • Educational contributions (conference leadership and participation, teaching positions)
  • Honors, awards, and recognitions
  • Significant cases/engagements

NOMINATION REVIEW PROCESS AND FORMS

Nomination forms may be submitted by a member of AIRA in good standing, or an AIRA staff member.

Nominations for AIRA Distinguished Fellow must be submitted in writing to the AIRA Distinguished Fellows Committee and must include a minimum of two endorsements, which attest to nominee’s character, professional experience, and specialized and/or diverse expertise with respect to corporate restructuring and/or insolvency matters. Only one endorsement may come from a current employer.

Nomination forms may be submitted at any time throughout the year – by email, or by regular mail sent to the AIRA office – and must be received by April 15 of each year to be considered for that current year’s class of AIRA Distinguished Fellows. Each new class will be inducted at the AIRA Annual Conference in June.

Nominations may be resubmitted the following year if a candidate is not accepted and desires to reapply. Download the nomination form here. Download the nomination endorsement form here.

RECOGNITION OF FELLOWS

Each new class of AIRA Distinguished Fellows will be announced prior to the Annual Conference in June, and the induction will be held at the Annual Conference Dinner. If new Distinguished Fellows cannot attend the Annual Conference, they may also be recognized at the subsequent annual Plan of Reorganization Conference in November.

ADMINISTRATION

The AIRA Distinguished Fellows Program will be administered by the AIRA office and the Distinguished Fellows Committee. The AIRA office will be the central point of communication to the AIRA membership, nominees, and proposers. The Distinguished Fellows Committee is responsible for program oversight and candidate selection as well as coordination with the AIRA office. The AIRA office will forward copies of the nomination forms and other items to the Distinguished Fellows Committee chair. The Distinguished Fellows Committee will review the nominations and submit its recommendations to the AIRA Board of Directors for final approval.

Questions about the AIRA Distinguished Fellow Program should be directed to Michele Michael at or (541) 858-1665.