Events: celebrating FEI's 75th and Hall of Fame inductees.

It was festive and celebratory, and marked a significant chapter in the history of Financial Executives International (FEI).

"A night to remember," "elegant," "impressive," and "prestigious" were among the comments heard at the first Financial Executives International Hall of Fame Gala, a black-tie event held on November 15, on the eve of the Current Financial Reporting Issues conference.

Indeed, as Financial Accounting Standards Board Chairman Robert Herz reminisced about the site--the famed Rainbow Room in New York City--and its meaning for him to be there, even more history was made in that room. On this night, more than 250 people gathered 65 stories high to celebrate both the 75th anniversary of FEI and the inaugural class of FEI's Hall of Fame. And although the usual spectacular view was clouded by a dense fog, inside the storied room there was great clarity.

Inducted into FEI's Hall of Fame were five gentlemen who--through their careers--exemplify the best of those in corporate finance: Dennis R. Beresford, Frank J. Borelli, F. Gorham Brigham Jr., Robert W. Moore and Charles H. Noski. Four of the inductees were present, surrounded by their families and colleagues, former FEI chairs and FEI sponsors and supporters. Gorham Brigham, aged 92, was not in attendance, and was shown accepting his award via a video presentation.

The event began with the group converging at the New York Stock Exchange, where they gathered on the platform as FEI Chairman Richard Schrader rang the 4:00 p.m. closing bell. Schrader is executive vice president and CFO of Parsons Brinckerhoff Inc. in New York. Later, in her opening comments at the Rainbow Room festivities, Colleen Cunningham, FEI president and CEO, noted that it was serendipitous that the NYSE enjoyed a record high close the day FEI's Hall of Fame honorees rang the bell.

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The group was rushed uptown--given the vagaries of holiday-season traffic in New York--to prepare for 6:00 p.m. cocktails at the Rainbow Room. Dinner was followed by the showing of a specially developed video depicting the history of FEI and the U.S. After the video came the induction of the five into FEI's Inaugural Hall of Fame, hosted by Cunningham and Schrader.

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Among the comments from the inductees:

Beresford said he was "extremely proud to be included," and that he hopes to continue to contribute to the profession.

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Borelli said it was "magnificent," and that the honor belongs to those who helped him get here--his family and colleagues at both FEI and those he's worked with over the years.

Brigham said it is a "privilege to be a member of FEI" and that FEI has been an important part of his life for the past 42 years.

Moore cited his decade-plus as president of FEI as "the finest years of my life," and said that "foundations are broadened by education and then by profession, community and, in my case, FEI."

Noski said he was honored to be a member of the inaugural Hall of Fame, crediting those he's worked with for his learning three things in his career: "remember who you work for; do the right thing; and do it to the best of your ability."

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The event's prime sponsors were Robert Half Management Resources and Deloitte & Touche USA, with Forbes as the media sponsor. Robert Half and Deloitte both made contributions to a university/school of the inductee's choice in honor of this recognition.

It's often said that a picture is worth a thousand words; the photos on these pages tell the story of a truly memorable evening.