TROY, Mich., Oct. 2, 2014 – The Marketing and Sales Executives of Detroit (MSED) will honor top executives Joseph Anderson Jr., chairman and CEO of TAG Holdings, LLC; John Rakolta Jr., chairman and CEO of Walbridge; and Toby Barlow, executive vice president and chief creative officer of Global Team Ford at the annual black-tie Gala to be held at the Detroit Athletic Club on Nov. 20.
The 21st annual black-tie fundraiser, hosted by MSED, celebrates the outstanding achievements of exceptional marketing professionals and business executives in southeastern Michigan. Net proceeds from the MSED event supports scholarships, educational seminars and charitable events.
“It’s an honor to award such prestigious business and marketing professionals for their invaluable dedication to their respective industries,” said Dave Harries, chairman of the MSED Gala and president of Spartan Marketing Services. “Each year we look forward to recognizing the accomplishments of outstanding leaders and celebrating the success of our peers.”
Anderson, a highly distinguished military veteran and subject of the Oscar winning documentary “Anderson’s Platoon”, will be the recipient of the 2014 Herb Everss Lifetime Achievement Award. Through his leadership and success in building companies in the United States and Asia, as well as serving on the boards of several other public businesses, Anderson has proven to be an invaluable asset and inspiration to both shareholders and employees.
Rakolta will receive the 2014 Executive Leadership Award. Rakolta held positions of increasing responsibility at Walbridge, where he succeeded his father John Rakolta Sr., as chairman and CEO in 1979. During his tenure, Rakolta has a history of delivering business results as evidenced by the growth of Walbridge from a regional firm to a global entity registering sales of $1.3 billion. Walbridge is recognized as an industry leader in the areas of safety, quality and lean construction.
Barlow will be recognized with the 2014 Trailblazer Award. Through his creative leadership at Team Detroit, Barlow blazed new trails for Ford as they navigated their way through the darkest time the automotive industry has ever seen. In addition, he has made tremendous efforts to make Michigan the primary source for excellent creative talent with efforts like the “Write-a-House” project.
The Gala will also recognize southeastern Michigan’s top sales and marketing professionals with MSED’s Platinum award. This year’s event will be emceed by award-winning writer, speaker and consultant, Bryce G. Hoffman.
Tickets for the black-tie event cost $150 for MSED members, $195 for non-members, $1,100 for a member’s table of eight and $1,400 for a non-members table. The price includes an elegant cocktail reception, dinner and afterglow reception. For more information on tickets, event details or sponsorship opportunities, contact Meeting Coordinators at (248) 643-6590 or visit the organization’s website at www.msedetroit.org.