Contact: Chelsea Cummings
Qorvis Communications
(202) 683-3106
cummings@qorvis.com

Frederic V. Malek Named 2011 Horatio Alger Award Recipient
Founder and Chairman of Thayer Lodging Group to be Inducted this Spring for Overcoming Adversity

WASHINGTON, February 4, 2011 – The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans is pleased to announce that Frederic V. Malek, founder and chairman of Thayer Lodging Group, will receive the 2011 Horatio Alger Award in recognition of his personal and professional success despite humble and challenging beginnings.

Malek will be formally inducted into the association when he accepts the Horatio Alger Award on April 8, 2011, in Washington, D.C. Recipients of the award have overcome great adversity to achieve admirable accomplishments, to serve as examples of achieving the American Dream, and to offer countless hours and resources to help others in need.

“We are pleased to induct Frederic V. Malek into the Horatio Alger Association and pay tribute to his success in the face of hardship,” said Tony Novelly, president and CEO, Horatio Alger Association. “The 2011 members are extraordinary role models of strength, resolve and achievement and will help to continue our mission of helping young people achieve similar success.”

Frederic V. Malek was born and raised in Berwyn, Illinois, where his father, the son of Czech immigrants, worked as a truck driver. When Malek was older, he worked at a brewery, bakery and meat packing plant. Unable to afford going away to college, Malek spent one year at Morton Jr. College, before receiving an appointment to West Point. Malek was the first person in his family to attend college. He graduated from West Point in 1959 with a degree in engineering. After West Point, Malek served three years as an Airborne and Ranger-qualified infantry officer, and was assigned to a special forces unit in Vietnam. During his final year in the Army, Malek sold encyclopedias door-to-door to save money for his graduate degree from Harvard Business School.

In 1968, Malek and two business school friends bought Utica Tool Company. Malek also joined the Nixon administration as deputy under secretary of health, education and welfare. In 1970, he became special assistant to the president and head of White House personnel. In 1973, he served as deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget. He joined Marriott Corp., and during his tenure as president of Marriott Hotels, profits grew fivefold. Malek later served as director of the 1988 Republican Convention. During the next few years, Malek was Co-Chairman of CB Richard Ellis, President of Northwest Airlines, and served as the campaign manager of George H.W. Bush’s 1992 presidential campaign. Malek is the founder and chairman of Thayer Capital Partners and Thayer Lodging Group. Malek led the Finance efforts for John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign, and he is the current chairman of Governor McDonnell’s Commission to Reform and Restructure Government.

Malek will be honored among 11 other remarkable individuals who will receive the 2011 award for their hard work, self-reliance and perseverance:

• Roger Eugene Ailes, Chairman and CEO, FOX News and Chairman,  Fox Television Stations Group
• Anousheh Ansari, Co-Founder and CEO, Prodea Systems, Inc. and Spaceflight Participant, Russian Space Program
• Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor, City of New York and Founder and Owner,Bloomberg, L.P.
• Leonardo DiCaprio, Actor and Film Producer
• Harry S. Patten, Founder, Chairman and CEO, National Land Partners, LLC and Inland Management
• Josue “Joe” Robles Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer, United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
• James E. “Jim” Rohr, Chairman and CEO, PNC Financial Services Group (PNC Bank)
• Glenn Stearns, Chairman and Owner, Stearns Corporation
• Byron David Trott, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer, BDT Capital Partners, LLC
• Rick Waugh, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director, Scotiabank (International Award Recipient–Canada)
• Herbert A. “Herbie” Wertheim, Chairman and CEO, Brain Power, Inc., Chairman, Dr. Herbert and Nicole Wertheim Family Foundation, and Founding Chairman, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine Florida International University

In addition, the 2011 Norman Vincent Peale Award will be presented to Doré Energy Corporation President William J. Doré. The Norman Vincent Peale Award is annually conferred on an association member who has made exceptional humanitarian contributions to society, who has been an active participant in the association, and who continues to exhibit courage, tenacity and integrity in the face of great challenges. The award is named in honor of Dr. Peale, who has been an outstanding leader of the association for more than 40 years. 

The 2011 members will receive their awards at the 2011 Horatio Alger Awards Induction Ceremonies in Washington, D.C. Activities include three days of meetings and celebrations in some of the nation’s most historic buildings. The Horatio Alger National Scholars, remarkable high school seniors who have excelled despite adversity, also will be formally honored during the three-day gathering.

A complete list of all of the Horatio Alger Members can be found at http://www.horatioalger.org/members.cfm.

About The Horatio Alger Association
Founded in 1947, the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans continues to fulfill its mission of honoring the achievements of outstanding individuals in our society who have succeeded in spite of adversity and of encouraging young people to pursue their dreams through higher education. The Horatio Alger Association offers three annual scholarship programs: the National Scholarship Program, state scholarship programs, and graduate grants. The association will have awarded more than $87 million in scholarships through 2012 to at-risk students determined to earn college degrees. The association is a Combined Federal Campaign participant; # 77062. For more information, please visit www.horatioalger.org

###