Strategic Communications Advisor Michael Freitag Named Honorary Chair of Eleventh Annual Michael Lynch Memorial Foundation Dinner

NEW YORK, Feb. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Michael Lynch Memorial Foundation, a scholarship program that has provided $2.9 million in college scholarships to 117 children of firefighters and victims of the September 11 attacks and other fires and disasters, today announced that Michael Freitag, a Partner at the strategic communications firm Joele Frank, Wilkinson, Brimmer, Katcher, has been named Honorary Chair of the Foundation's eleventh annual dinner. The event is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at Pier 60 at Chelsea Piers in Manhattan.

The Michael Lynch Memorial Foundation began in response to a terrible tragedy – the loss of Michael Lynch, a son, brother, fiance, uncle and New York City firefighter who sacrificed his own life on September 11 in an effort to save others. Facing the ultimate loss, the Lynch family saw an opportunity to help finance the education of young people as a living tribute to the human spirit and the family's collective resolve to respond to adversity with courage, strength, compassion and hope. The goal of the Foundation is to provide the means to help change the world, one person at a time, by helping the students of today become tomorrow's stewards of peace and freedom.

"It is a special privilege to be asked to serve as Honorary Chair of the annual dinner, and I greatly appreciate this opportunity to help contribute to the Foundation's continued success," Mr. Freitag said. "At a time when families and communities throughout the region are recovering from tragedies that have impacted so many lives, the Michael Lynch Memorial Foundation shines brightly as a symbol of hope and optimism."

For more than 22 years, Mr. Freitag has provided strategic counsel and support to companies, individuals and institutions facing significant communications challenges. He has been deeply involved in a wide range of matters impacting the business community, from the restructuring of the airline and automotive industries to numerous high-profile mergers and acquisitions, proxy contests, regulatory settlements and management changes.

Mr. Freitag is a leading expert in developing and implementing communication plans related to financial restructurings and reorganizations. He has worked on more than 100 Chapter 11 cases, including A123 Systems, Blockbuster, BMHC, Delta Air Lines, General Motors, Kmart, Masonite, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Owens-Corning, Patriot Coal, Pinnacle Airlines, Polaroid, R.H. Macy & Co., Smurfit-Stone, Spectrum Brands and Winn-Dixie Stores.

Mr. Freitag joined Joele Frank in 2011. He previously served as a Partner and leader of the Restructuring and Reorganization practice at Kekst and Company. From 1986 to 1990, Mr. Freitag was on the news staff of The New York Times, where among other roles he served for two years as the news clerk to A.M. (Abe) Rosenthal, the columnist and former executive editor. He is a graduate of Yale University.

Mr. Freitag and his firm have provided their services to the Michael Lynch Memorial Foundation on a pro bono basis for several years. He is a past recipient of the Foundation's annual Service Award.

"Having worked closely with Michael to help raise awareness of the Foundation's mission and activities for nearly five years now, I am very pleased that he is serving as Honorary Chair of this year's annual dinner," said Jonathan Henes, a Partner at Kirkland & Ellis and member of the Foundation's Board of Directors. "By taking on this role, Michael also helps to continue our efforts to further strengthen the close connection between the Foundation and the business community."

"My family and I want to thank Michael Freitag for his continued service to the Foundation and for serving as Honorary Chair of this year's dinner," John Lynch said. "We particularly appreciate his ongoing efforts to generate publicity and support for the Foundation's activities, which have helped ensure that the Foundation's mission carries on."

Details about the Michael Lynch Memorial Foundation and the Annual Dinner on April 2, 2013 are available online at www.mlynch.org.

SOURCE Michael Lynch Memorial Foundation