Alex Sutton will be honored by the Commercial Finance Association (CFA) with the 2015 Harry H. Chen Memorial Instructor of the Year Award at its National Convention in November. Sutton leads Gordon Brothers-AccuVal’s Industrial Inventory Valuation practice, the largest of its kind in the industry. Gordon Brothers-AccuVal is the valuation division of Gordon Brothers Group, a global advisory, restructuring and investment firm specializing in the industrial, consumer products and retail sectors.

Each year, the CFA recognizes an industry leader who has made powerful contributions to the association’s education programs. In recent years, Sutton has taken an active role in improving several programs including revamping its two and a half day, in-depth inventory workshop for asset-based lenders which has been presented in the U.S. and Canada. He also taught the Advanced Collateral Control Virtual Workshop and created the webinar 10 Critical Inventory Monitoring Points. Sutton has built a reputation internationally as an expert in appraisal and is recognized for his deep expertise in industrial inventory valuation and disposition strategies.

“Educating lenders how to effectively lend against inventory is a passion of Alex’s,” Rick Schmitt, president of Gordon Brothers-AccuVal said. “This award is recognition of how he has put that to work along with his innate ability to teach to benefit the asset-based lending community. I am extremely proud of Alex and the positive impact his teaching efforts have had on the industry.”

This award is named for Harry Chen, who was a field exam instructor during his time that believed strongly in continuous learning and gave generously of his time to teach others. Upon his death, this award was created in his honor. Past recipients include Matthew Davis of RMP Capital and Kevin P. Durkin of Durkin Group.