Each year, The Capital District Business Review announces its “40 Under Forty” class, honoring the achievements of forty outstanding Capital Region business people. We are proud to share that CRHRA Board Member, Mario Pecoraro, was named to this list in 2011! Mario is the founder and CEO of Alliance Risk Group., (AWIG) a fully-licensed, bonded and insured corporate investigative firm. Founded in 2005, AWIG offers due-diligence-based pre-employment screening and background investigative services, as well as complete insurance fraud investigation services. He is currently serving on the Board of CRHRA as the Marketing Co-Chair.

For Mario, working in the investigative business is in the blood. He grew up working in a small family-owned investigative company that performed a range of services and developed a passion for the industry. Working daily after school and throughout college in the same industry helped Mario become proficient in comprehensive investigative practices. After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from SUNY Albany and continuing to work in this field, Mario decided to launch his own company in 2005 to help businesses manage their losses through due-diligence based investigations.

Mario has seen the investigative business change since his company’s founding. In just six years, AWIG has grown from a startup with no employees to an operation with over 25 employees in multiple jurisdictions. AWIG is now licensed in New York, New Jersey, Vermont, Connecticut and Florida and Mario continues to look to grow the business through acquisitions throughout various geographic regions. In addition, government regulations have increased over time and complying with these regulations has been an ongoing challenge. As an entrepreneur, however, Mario has found that such challenges can often represent opportunities for AWIG.

When asked what this recognition means to him, Mario said he feels honored to be named to such a prestigious list. He feels there are many equally deserving individuals in the Capital Region and he is humbled to be included.

Congratulations Mario on this achievement!

By Kristianna McWilliam, Public Relations, CRHRA