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SKILLMAN, NJ — Lynn Tilton, alumna of the Yale University Class of 1981, will receive the highest honor bestowed by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association when she is presented with the 2014 ITA Achievement Award on Friday, Sept. 5, at the ITHF Board of Directors Meeting at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York. The ceremony will be hosted by the International Tennis Hall of Fame (ITHF) and presented by Rolex Watch, U.S.A.

Stan Smith, President of the ITHF, will present the award along with David A. Benjamin, ITA Executive Director, and an executive from Rolex Watch U.S.A., who will present a distinctive, personally engraved, Rolex timepiece to Tilton. In addition to this special gift, Tilton and a guest will be invited to watch a session of the 2014 U.S. Open from the President’s Box, courtesy of the USTA, and will also be recognized during the ITHF’s Legends Ball on Friday evening. The Yale University women’s varsity tennis program will also receive a $1,000 donation from the ITA in Tilton’s honor.

Now in its 21st year, the ITA Achievement Award pays tribute each year to past participants in the world of varsity tennis who have achieved excellence in their cho­sen careers. The spirit of the award honors both professional success and contributions to society, made either as a direct result of a career, or through humanitarian efforts.

Tilton has made it her mission to save jobs and through her company, Patriarch Partners, she works to end joblessness in America by saving companies in danger of liquidation. With revenues in excess of $8 billion and employing more than 120,000 people, Tilton’s platform is the largest woman-owned business in the country. Since she founded Patriarch in 2000, Tilton has owned and restructured 243 companies, saving more than 675,000 jobs along the way. Tilton currently owns 75 companies across 14 industry sectors.

As a teenager, Tilton was a nationally-ranked tennis player and went on to play varsity tennis for three years at Yale Uni­versity. She graduated with honors in 1981 with a B.A. in American Studies and after graduation was accepted into Mor­gan Stanley’s analyst program – an event that served as the launching pad to her career in finance. After later receiving her MBA in Finance from Columbia University, Tilton worked at a number of investment banking firms, including Goldman Sachs and Merrill Lynch, before launching Patriarch Partners.

Tilton’s many honors and awards for her work include the 2009 Turnaround Atlas Leadership Achievement Award for her work in distressed investing, 2011 Entrepreneur of the Year by the Living Legends of Aviation and the 2011 Luminary Award presented by Womensphere which is “given to a woman whose leadership, innovation, and personal commitment has illuminated and inspired the lives of millions, and positively transformed the world.” Recently Tilton was inducted into The Living Legends of Aviation Hall of Fame by the Kiddie Hawk Air Academy, which recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions in aviation. In addition, CNBC and its viewers recently named Tilton one of the 100 Most Influential Names in Business over the last 25 years.

Tilton was interviewed on Barbara Walters’ “20/20” in 2011, where she discussed her mission to save American jobs and rebuild American manufacturing. Her humanitarian work includes efforts in support of US troops and funding scholar­ships for the Wounded Warrior Foundation. In December 2013, she embarked on a national tour of women’s shelters to provide makeovers for women in need. As a part of a nationwide launch of Jane Cos­metics, “The Gift of Confidence & Care” campaign was created by Tilton to give women a sense of empowerment, in addition to a makeover and complete wardrobe to begin a new life.

When not working, Tilton enjoys fitness, reading, and spending time with her daughter, Carly.

PAST ITA ACHIEVEMENT AWARD LAUREATES

2013 Roger Crawford — Loyola Marymount University, 1982

2012 General Ann E. Dunwoody — State University of New York at Cortland, 1975

2011 Jon D. Erickson — University of Michigan, 1959

2010 Robert A Swift — Haverford College, 1968

2009 John L. Thornton — Harvard University, 1976

2008 Sheridan Snyder — University of Virginia, 1958

2007 Dr. Geoffrey Tabin — Yale University, 1978

2006 Thomas Cundy — Florida State University, 1955

2005 Steve Appleton — Boise State University, 1982

2004 Dr. George Fareed — University of California, 1966

2003 Gene Sperling — University of Minnesota, 1982

2002 Jack Blanton, Sr. — University of Texas, 1947

2001 Patricia Beckford Acheson — Queens College, 1972

2001 Judge Gerald E. Rosen — Kalamazoo College, 1973

2000 Dr. Ruth M. Haude — Indiana State (PA), 1958

2000 Dr. Michael P. Johnson — Clark University, 1979

1999 Christine Grant — Swarthmore College, 1969

1999 Governor Pedro Rossello — University of Notre Dame, 1966

1998 Lieutenant Colonel Gail Allen — Air Force Academy, 1982

1998 Dr. William Bowen — Denison University, 1955

1997 Dr. Bert Vogelstein — University of Pennsylvania, 1981

1997 Lisa Hoffstein — University of Pennsylvania, 1981

1996 Roger B. Porter — Brigham Young University, 1969

1996 Wilma A. Lewis — Swarthmore College, 1978

1995 Dr. Rebecca Birchmore Campen — University of Georgia, 1963

1995 Senator John Breaux — University of Southwestern Louisiana, 1964

1994 Judge Peggy Brenden — Luther College, 1976

1994 Athan James Shaka — Harvey Mudd College, 1980