ABI Leadership Profile: John Penn (Chairman of the Board)
We are pleased that John Penn, ABI’s current Chairman of the Board, agreed to be interviewed for this issue of the Young & New Members Committee newsletter. Mr. Penn graduated from Baylor University Law School in 1982 and is a partner at the law firm of Haynes & Boone LLP in Fort Worth, Texas, where he focuses on business bankruptcy cases.
Describe an interesting recent life event.
I am the den leader for the Cub Scout den of one of my sons and the assistant scoutmaster for my other son’s troop. I spent a week at Boy Scout summer camp—first time in 30 years. It was quite an adventure.
What are some of the recent cases that you have been involved in?
Delphi, Adelphia, WorldCom and several other Texas cases.
When did you become a member of the ABI?
During the late 1980s.
How did you first get involved in the ABI?
Volunteering for the professional compensation survey.
Describe your past and current involvement in the ABI.
Over the years, I have been a speaker at various committee meetings and conferences. On the Unsecured Trade Creditors Committee, I worked on its publications, becoming the first editor of the first committee newsletter that ABI produced. I also helped launch both ABIWorld.org and its pre-Web predecessor. Eventually, the publication contributions led to my becoming a contributing editor for the ABI Journal, writing for two of its columns (Last in Line and Beyond the Quill). That led to the position of Vice President—Publications and eventually to being named the president of the ABI (2005-06) and then Chairman of the Board (2007-08).
How did you advance in ABI, and what advice do you have for young or new members who want to get more involved in ABI?
I advanced by seeing opportunities to contribute toward ABI projects and joining in with others. In terms of advice, I'd say that it is critical that you follow through with your commitments by being on time with whatever task is assigned. Becoming someone that others can count on and always doing what you say that you will do is the best way to advance.
Other comments/background that should be shared with young and new members.
ABI is a great place to advance both personally and professionally, but you only get out of it what you put into it. The people you see in leadership positions and speaking at conferences have invested a significant amount of time and effort—much of which was spent doing things behind the scenes. There are always ways to contribute. If you look for them and follow through when you find them, you will make the most of your investment.