Jason Rigoli
By Jason Rigoli, Principal at The White Oak Group
If you are an NBA fan, Earvin “Magic” Johnson does not need an introduction. The former all-star Los Angeles Lakers point guard and current team co-owner is a living basketball legend.
But, he’s more than just a former basketball star. According to a recent Washington Post article, Magic Johnson has had some great success is in the Washington region business world. Not only does he own the AMC Magic Johnson Capital Center 12 theaters in Largo, seven Starbucks in Washington and Prince Georges County, as well as home loan centers in Prince Georges County, he has added the newly refurbished Washington Hilton to his list of local business interests.
Even more interesting is Johnson’s commitment to helping small businesses seek capital. Through his newly established fund called TCW CapitalAssist Management, he provides middle market companies with capital and management expertise to help business leaders grow their companies.
According to the article, Johnson said the one thing that is missing for small- and medium-size business owners is access to capital. This is why ACG National Capital provides a forum for networking, deal making and professional development for Washington business leaders involved in building corporate value through mergers and acquisitions, strategic partnerships, organic growth, and capital funding.
I’m sure ACG National Capital members and sponsors would agree that Magic Johnson would be a great keynote speaker at the 2011 Strategic Growth Conference. This forum would provide local business leaders the opportunity to hear firsthand about how Magic Johnson has taken his leadership expertise from the basketball court to the boardroom. So, how about it Magic?
