IPA President Elected as Vice Chairman of Operation Hope Midwestern Regional Board

Contact:
Jennifer Cumbee
IPA
847-808-5590
Jennifer.Cumbee@ipa-c.com

Buffalo Grove, Ill. (April 5, 2007) - Gregg M. Steinberg, President of IPA, based in Buffalo Grove, Illinois has been elected as founding vice chairman for the Midwestern Regional Board for Operation HOPE (HOPE), a national leader in financial literacy and empowerment. Steinberg will serve a three-year term.

HOPE Midwestern Regional Board Chairman David Mooney said, "We are pleased to have Gregg Steinberg as founding vice chairman for the Midwestern Regional Board. His experience as a skilled financial professional and proven leader will lend itself well in this pivotal new position. As a homegrown leader Gregg will be an effective champion for growing relationships and promoting financial literacy programs in the Midwest region."

In addition to serving in an advisory and support capacity, HOPE board members serve as "silver rights ambassadors" – promoting economic literacy education, economic empowerment and global dignity. HOPE’s national board and six regional boards are comprised of some of the nation’s most powerful executives, decision-makers, bankers, community leaders, government officials and economists.

"Gregg Steinberg’s professionalism and experience will maximize the Midwestern Regional Board’s ability to execute operational and programmatic changes for the area, as well as facilitate the promotion of all HOPE programs, said Banking on Our Future Program Manager, Bill Robinson.

Operation HOPE is a non-profit organization, founded by John Hope Bryant in 1992 to empower minorities in underserved communities by connecting them to mainstream, private-sector economic resources through ongoing collaborations and long-term partnerships with leading government, private sector, and community interests. To date, HOPE has raised over $350 million in inner-city investments and more than $310 million in lending commitments for low-wealth and minority small business and home ownership nationwide.

IPA, the largest privately held management consulting and professional services firm for small and medium size businesses in North America, is a leading authority on small business. With more than $250,000,000 in annual revenues, IPA is the 6th largest management consulting company in Chicago and the 61st largest consulting company in the world. IPA offers a wide range of proven and innovative methodologies to help businesses grow and prosper. Additional information is immediately available by visiting http://www.ipa-c.com. The Public Relations Department may be contacted at: telephone (847) 495-6786; facsimile (847) 495-6773.