ADISA Honors Bowman Law Firm, MDS Energy, Concorde in New 2026 Awards

The Alternative & Direct Investment Securities Association named The Bowman Law Firm, MDS Energy Development, Concorde Investment Services, and Douglas Blake of Kingswood U.S. as the first winners in four new award categories Monday evening at its annual conference and trade show in Las Vegas. More than 1,000 professionals attended the event, where the trade association for the alternative investments industry, known more commonly as ADISA, announced its 2026 industry awards.

The new categories honor product sponsors, allocator firms and professionals, and individuals or firms whose innovations have meaningfully affected the industry.

“The alternative investments industry is made stronger by contributions that take many different forms, from thoughtful product sponsorship and rigorous due diligence to education, advocacy and innovation,” said Jade Miller, chief executive officer of ADISA.

Winners in the four inaugural categories are:

Difference Maker of the Year: The Bowman Law Firm
This award recognizes those behind an idea, structure, technology, or process that has meaningfully changed how the industry operates, with emphasis on adoption and impact.

Sponsor Champion of the Year: MDS Energy Development
This award recognizes a product sponsor demonstrating leadership, engagement, transparency, investor stewardship, responsiveness to due diligence and adviser inquiries, and commitment to industry education.

Allocator Champion (Firm): Concorde Investment Services
This award recognizes an allocator firm that has advanced the evaluation and delivery of alternatives through due diligence infrastructure, adviser education, and industry engagement.

Allocator Champion (Individual): Douglas Blake, Kingswood U.S.
This award recognizes an individual who has advanced the thoughtful use of alternatives through advocacy, education, industry involvement, and mentorship.

Runners-up in the four inaugural categories were:

• Difference Maker of the Year: VENTURE.co; American Estate & Trust; Prospect Capital Management; Creative Capital Wealth Management Group; Prospect Capital; and Cove Capital Investments.
• Sponsor Champion of the Year: CEDARst Companies; ExchangeRight Real Estate; Griffin Capital Company; Sovereign Partners; Veritas Group; Sterling Group; U.S. Energy Development Corporation; and Hamilton Point Investments.
• Allocator Champion (Firm): Arete Wealth Management; Alexander Capital; Independent Financial Group; and Legacy Wealth Management.
• Allocator Champion (Individual): Brandon Bruckman, Insight Investment Advisors; Jamie Furlong, Legacy Investments & Real Estate; and Rizwan Ibrahim, Magnolia Private Wealth.

Recipients of the President’s Award are selected by the president of ADISA’s board of directors. The award recognizes an individual or organization for outstanding contributions in their field, service in local, state, or national affairs, or support of ADISA’s advancement and continued excellence. This year’s recipients are Sydney Hockaday of Concorde Investment Services and Katie Shook of Eagle Point Securities.

The Foundation Award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated significant support for the ADISA Foundation, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit that assists with scholarships and special projects to grow the study and appreciation of the alternative and direct investment space. This year’s recipient is Dobbs Ackermann of Ackermann Group.

“These awards give ADISA an opportunity to recognize individuals and organizations across our community whose work is helping advance the industry. We are proud to congratulate each of this year’s honorees,” Miller said.

ADISA bills itself as the nation’s largest trade association representing the nontraded alternative investment space. ADISA’s members are typically involved in nontraded real estate investment trusts, business development companies, master limited partnerships and private and public funds, 1031 exchange programs, energy and oil and gas interests, equipment leasing programs, or other alternative and direct investment offerings.

For more ADISA news, visit its directory page.