Just finished contacting all of the nominees for the 2010 Top 50 CEO awards. Sent them all an email notification to congratulate them on the nomination, and send them their forms to fill out. The completed materials will be due back by February 5, and  then I get to send them off to the judges.

Hollis Cole

Speaking of judges, I have a third of the panel recruited already. Thanks to Hollis Cole (president and CEO, ADI Group) and Mark Surrette (president, Knightsbridge Robertson Surrette) for saying yes so quickly. It really is a tough, time-consuming job – Hollis and Mark (along with their yet-to-be announced fellow judges) both have their work cut out for them, having to minutely analyse the responses of 100-plus dynamic and accomplished nominees. Their dedication in agreeing to do this really brings home to me just how much these awards mean to the participants. As members of the Top 50 CEO Hall of Fame, both Mark and Hollis have experienced (5 times!) the recognition and respect that comes to Top 50 award winners. Their determination to share that wealth bodes well for the Atlantic business community.

Mark Surrette

Concurrent to Judge recruitment (attention Hall of Famers – ABM wants you!), I’m also working with the great gang at Zed Events to pull off another outstanding celebration of corporate leadership excellence. The theme of this year’s Gala (taking place on May 12, so mark your calendar), is: Praise Be, we’re still alive and kicking! Ok, just kidding – somewhat. I think all businesses are breathing a pretty hefty sigh of relief that 2009 is over and gone. And thankfully, our collective prospects are much rosier in the year ahead. After a year like that, heck, we deserve a party, and Atlantic Business Magazine is gearing up to deliver. Stay tuned. Mucho details to come!!

Dawn Chafe, Editor (dchafe@atlanticbusinessmagazine.com)