California Philanthropist And Entrepreneur Awarded Distinguished Horatio Alger Award

LOS ANGELES, May 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --  The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc. awarded its prestigious Horatio Alger Award to Greg P. Renker, Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of Guthy-Renker.

The Horatio Alger Award is given to outstanding individuals who, despite facing adversity early in their lives, have overcome challenges to attain success.

"We are pleased to honor Greg Renker's dedication to professional success and helping others," said Tony Novelly, president and CEO, Horatio Alger Association. "His story and those of his fellow 2012 New Members are testaments to what can be achieved in America with hard work and determination."

Greg Renker learned the value of adaptability and hard work at a young age. The nature of his father's work caused Greg and his eight siblings to move frequently, forcing them to adjust to new environments everywhere they went. As a teenager, Mr. Renker began to work while attending school. He quickly developed a strong work ethic and voracious appetite for learning that would balance his studies and the various jobs he worked to pay his college tuition. After college, Mr. Renker used savings from working several jobs to found the Guthy-Renker Corporation, one of the world's largest direct response marketing companies. The company has broadened its focus into every area of electronic and digital retailing and distributes its products in 60 countries throughout the world.

In addition to Mr. Renker's success as a marketing professional and entrepreneur, he is also a well-known philanthropist. Deeply involved in his local community, Mr. Renker serves on the board of directors and is vice chairman of the Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, CA. He is a chairman emeritus of the Annenberg Center for Health Sciences and Chairman Emeritus of the ERA (Electronic Retailing Association). Joined by his wife Stacey, the pair's financial contributions resulted in The Renker Wellness Center on the Eisenhower Campus as well as The Greg & Stacey Renker Pavilion, a cutting-edge 24 -suite luxury in-patient facility. 

"My parents were the first to show me that with perseverance and faith, success can be achieved. I am humbled to have my name be part of such an elite organization like the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans and use my personal and professional history as a blueprint to help others achieve their dreams," said Renker.

Mr. Renker is part of an exceptional 2012 Class of Horatio Alger Award Recipients:

Wanda M. Austin, President and CEO, The Aerospace Corporation
James H. Clark, Founder, Silicon Graphics, Inc.; Founder, Netscape Communications Corporation
Foster Stephen Friess, Founder and Retired Chairman, Friess Associates LLC
Kenneth G. Langone, Founder, President & CEO, Invemed Associates, LLC
Howard M. Meyers, Chairman and CEO, Quexco Incorporated
Robert G. Miller, CEO, Albertson's, LLC
John A. Moran, Retired Chairman, Dyson-Kissner-Moran Corporation
Brian Mulroney, Former Prime Minister of Canada; Partner, Norton Rose OR (International Award Recipient–Canada)
V. Prem Watsa, Chairman and CEO, Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited (International Award Recipient–Canada)
John H. Weiland, President, Chief Operating Officer and Director, C.R. Bard, Inc.
Clarence L. Werner, Founder and Chairman Emeritus, Werner Enterprises, Inc.

In addition, the Norman Vincent Peale Award was given to Dennis R. Washington, Founder of the Washington Companies, for his outstanding philanthropic activities and his steadfast commitment to the Horatio Alger Association's mission.

Founded in 1947, the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans celebrates those individuals in our society whose determination and hard work enabled them to overcome life's obstacles to achieve success. As a 501(c)(3), the Association provides scholarships and mentorship to high school seniors who have demonstrated courage in the face of adversity and an unwavering desire to pursue a higher education. The Horatio Alger Association has awarded more than $90 million in college scholarships since the inception of its scholarship programs in 1984. For more information, please visit www.horatioalger.org.

SOURCE Guthy-Renker