February 14, 2007

Contact: Mary Williams
734-769-8520, ext. 244

For Immediate Release

Ambassador Ronald N. Weiser Receives Prestigious Woodrow Wilson Award

The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. recently awarded the distinguished Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service to Ambassador Ronald N. Weiser, founder of McKinley Associates.

The Award was presented to Ambassador Weiser for serving his country, state and community for much of his adult life.  In 2001 Ambassador Weiser was appointed by President Bush as Ambassador to the Slovak Republic.  In addition to his diplomatic responsibilities, he worked with the Embassy to organize three international investment conferences attended by investors from hundreds of companies.  In 2004 he received The White Double Cross from the President of the Slovak Republic, the highest award given to non-Slovaks, for his work in furthering the Slovak economic and political relationship with the United States.

He has served on the Board of Directors of numerous domestic and foreign companies and non-profit organizations including the University of Michigan President’s Advisory Board, the University’s Ross School of Business National Development Board, the Ross School of Business Samuel Zell and Robert H. Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies, and the U of M Board of Inter-Collegiate Athletics.

Ambassador Weiser has chaired or co-chaired the National Board for Ginsberg Center for Community Service and Learning at the University of Michigan, the United Negro College fund of Washtenaw County, the Michigan Theater, Artrain USA, and was the Treasure and Finance chair of The Henry Ford.  He is also a member of the Endowment Committee of the Detroit Institute of Arts and the National Symphony Orchestra.

Previous honorees of The Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service include: The Honorable James A. Baker III, Vice President Richard Cheney, The Honorable John Dingell, Betty Ford, Senator John Glenn, Dr. Henry A. Kissinger, General Colin L. and Alma Powell, and Ambassador Andrew Young.

The Board of Directors, Executive Committee and the entire McKinley family joins in recognizing Ambassador Ronald N. Weiser for his many outstanding contributions of time, talent, philanthropic support and leadership to the community and country.

McKinley, founded in 1968, is a well respected national real estate investment firm that owns and operates $1.5 billion in assets in 103 properties for its own account and for select clientele.  This includes 16,447 apartments and 5 million square feet of commercial space located in 9 states.  Headquartered in Ann Arbor Michigan, Albert M. Berriz serves as Chief Executive Officer with 712 full-time employees nationwide.