brinker capital ceo to be honored at gala dinner

BERWYN, Penn., April 24, 2008 and ndash; Brinker Capital founder, chairman and CEO, Chuck Widger, is to be recognized for his role in pioneering the highly successful Gateway to Leadership internship program at an April 24 gala dinner co-hosted by The Money Management Institute (MMI) and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).     "Through his commitment to building diversity at America's financial institutions, Chuck Widger has opened the doors of opportunity to intelligent, dynamic and resourceful African American students who, under every other circumstance, may not have been afforded these internship experiences, " said MMI President Christopher Davis.   "For this reason, we wanted to honor Chuck with special recognition that marks our gratitude for his foresight in developing Gateway to Leadership and his dedication to the next generation of America's financial executives. "   Gateway to Leadership, which debuted in 2007, broke new ground in summer internship programs by placing outstanding African American students in summer internship positions at some of the nation's premier financial services firms.  Nineteen students graduated the 2007 inaugural class, after interning at firms including A.G. Edwards; Bank of America; Brinker Capital; Charles Schwab and Co., Inc.; Goldman Sachs; IXIS Asset Management Global Associates; Legg Mason; Lockwood Advisors, Inc., an affiliate of Pershing LLC and The Bank of New York; New York Life Investment Management LLC; Morgan Stanley; and Prudential Financial.  The program worked with a select group of historically black colleges and universities, including Bennett College, Florida A and M University, Hampton University, Howard University, Grambling State University, and Southern University.   "This is a great honor for me, received with gratitude and humility.  I'm deeply appreciative to the Money Management Institute and to the recognition from my colleagues and peers, " said Chuck Widger.   "The reality is that Gateway to Leadership would never have come to life had it not been for the tireless efforts on the part of many people, most notably the team at the MMI, and Dawn Franklin and the outstanding staff at the NAACP.  What's most important is that this program becomes a summer staple in financial America every year, so that increasing numbers of worthy students are given a chance to get an insider's view of how America's financial institutions work, and the many exciting career opportunities that await them there. "   Gateway to Leadership 2008 will debut (May 21-22) with a kick-off meeting in Washington, D.C.  Approximately 34 interns from historically black colleges and universities are expected to participate, hosted by 17 firms, including Allianz Global Investors; Bank of America; Bank of New York; Brinker Capital; Charles Schwab and Co., Inc.; Citibank / Solomon Smith Barney; Curian Capital / Jackson National; Delaware Investments; DTCC; Goldman Sachs; Grail Partners; Legg Mason and Co.; LPL Financial; Morgan Stanley; NY Life Investment; Old Mutual; and Prudential.   In addition to the sponsoring financial services firms, other companies have stepped up to support this worthy program. Jones International University is providing access to its e-global library and Extended Stay Hotels is providing housing assistance. About Gateway to Leadership Gateway to Leadership is a joint initiative of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and The Money Management Institute (MMI) to provide summer internships for undergraduate students attending America's Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) at leading financial services firms. It is the only program of its kind that promotes workplace diversity focused exclusively on the financial services industry, in partnership with the NAACP and offering career long guidance and counseling to its student participants, www.gatewaytoleadership.org       About the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, conducting voter mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors. Visit the NAACP online at www.naacp.org .     About The Money Management Institute The Money Management Institute (MMI) is the national organization for the managed account solutions industry, representing portfolio manager firms and sponsors of investment consulting programs. Organized in 1997, MMI serves as a forum for industry leaders to address common concerns, discuss industry issues and work together to better serve investors. The Institute is the leading advocate for the industry on regulatory and legislative issues. MMI's membership comprises firms that offer comprehensive financial consulting services to individual investors, foundations, retirement plans and trusts as well as related professional portfolio management firms. www.moneyinstitute.com .  

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Contact: Juliann Jaffe                                                                                          Brinker Capital                                                                         610-407-8320                                                               jjaffe@brinkercapital.com                                              Scott Sunshine Middleberg Communications, LLC. 212-354-5020 ssunshine@middlebergcommunications.com