Tony Banks, a director in the Dallas office of Grant Thornton LLP, has been elected to the board of directors of the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG). Banks, who was previously the president of ACG’s Dallas-Fort Worth chapter, has over 25 years of experience in private equity, business development and mergers and acquisitions (M&A). He plans to use this experience to expand ACG’s membership and enhance awareness of the organization within the private equity and investment banking communities.

“I’ve always had a passion for developing leaders within the M&A space, and having a seat on the board of this incredible organization allows me to do precisely that,” Banks said. “I’m honored and humbled by this opportunity to help lead an organization that means so much to so many professionals across the country.”

Banks has been a director with Grant Thornton’s Dallas office since 2017 — the same year he started his tenure as president of his local ACG chapter. He was previously the director of business development at Hein & Associates for more than seven years, and prior to that role, he worked in investment banking and private wealth advising for JD Ford & Company and Goldman Sachs, respectively.

“Our Dallas office is full of hardworking, talented professionals who are among the best in the nation at what they do, and Tony Banks is the perfect example,” said Nichole Jordan, managing partner of Grant Thornton LLP’s Central Region. “Tony’s commitment to mentorship has paid dividends for our firm, and he’s already making an impact for ACG and its members.”

During his two-decade career thus far, Banks has worked within a broad range of industries, including manufacturing, energy, technology and healthcare. He is one of four new members to join ACG’s board in 2022, and he will serve the organization as a board member until 2024.

Doreen Griffith, the managing partner of Grant Thornton’s Dallas office, believes the ACG board seat is the perfect fit for Banks’ business acumen.

“Tony is an exceptional, people-first leader who has a knack for elevating his colleagues and contributing to their growth,” Griffith said. “I know he has already made a significant impact on ACG at the local and national level, and I’m looking forward to seeing how he continues to drive growth for the organization and all its members.”

Meanwhile, Banks says his local business community deserves credit for the future success he and ACG will enjoy.

“Dallas’ business community has helped me become a stronger leader and advisor,” he concluded. “There’s no better place for me to continue advancing the work of ACG.”