New Jersey businessman named Alumnus of the Year for his dedication to mentoring the next generation

As a distinguished corporate attorney and business owner who knows firsthand the value of a Christian education, Liberty University alumnus Greg Petroff, Esq. (’91) is constantly finding ways to support the next generation of Champions for Christ and equip them for their future careers.

In recognition of his present and future engagement with his alma mater, Petroff was named Liberty’s Alumnus of the Year at Saturday’s Alumni Breakfast during Homecoming.

“His dedication to Training Champions for Christ, in both the professional and spiritual arenas, exemplifies the very best of Liberty’s alumni community,” said Dr. Greg Tilley, executive director of alumni engagement for the Office of Alumni Relations. “We honor Greg Petroff for his leadership, generosity, and unwavering commitment to advancing (Liberty founder) Dr. Jerry Falwell’s vision for generations to come.”

Petroff was also recognized a day earlier during Friday’s Convocation.

When Petroff first arrived on Liberty’s campus, he wanted to be a preacher. He deeply admired the work of Falwell and was as an avid viewer of his television program, “The Old-Time Gospel Hour.” He knew a Christian college environment was best for him. At Liberty, he discovered an interest in the world of law and business, and he completed a pre-law degree in 1991.

“When I came to Liberty, I started to look to the Lord for where He wanted me to be in my life, and I felt that He wanted me to go into law,” he said. “I wound up doing a pre-law (program) here and took some business classes. I ultimately went on to law school after Liberty, and I became a corporate transactional lawyer. I’ve been doing that now for the last 28 years and some change.”

Petroff is now the managing partner of the Princeton, N.J., office of Reitler Kailas & Rosenblatt LLP, a national corporate transactional law firm. He is a seasoned corporate lawyer and skilled negotiator who centers his practice on mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, and general business and corporate matters. Petroff is also a seasoned entrepreneur and owner of several businesses, and he is a frequent speaker on topics relating to venture capital, private equity, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate tax. One of his most recent speaking opportunities came at Liberty’s CEO Summit, held on Oct. 15-17.

Petroff said Jesus and Jerry (Falwell) — in that order — are the reasons he is where he is today.

“Dr. Falwell had a tremendous ability to motivate and allow you to build confidence in yourself, along with confidence in your faith and your identity in Christ,” he said. “But there was a lot that I gained inspiration from, including watching him and how he (followed) his vision for the university, that I have embraced since then throughout my career and in my home. There’s probably not a day that’s gone by where I haven’t thought of something that Dr Falwell said. Liberty really launched me into where I am.”

As an alumnus with notable success in his field and an enthusiasm for helping the generations behind him, Petroff has been a familiar visitor to the School of Law, School of Business, and other programs at the university for many years. What began as a guest speaking opportunity in a law class has expanded into more opportunities to address business students, meet with deans and faculty members of both schools, and to serve as a featured panelist for multiple CEO Summit events over the years.

“A big motivating factor for me wanting to get more involved in the university was the ability to come back and see what I can do to help the students,” he said. “I give them a little bit more information on what they’re in for and what the benefits and the burdens are of their career choices. I’ve met with countless students at this point, just to go over résumés, do a mock interview with them, help them sell themselves, and give them the perspective of an employer.”

He said his interactions with Liberty students and the university as a whole have also benefited him, as he gets to be a witness to their faith-led ambition and the continued mission that Liberty has held fast to since its founding.

“I love coming down here. I get inspired and refreshed,” he added. “At the heart of why I love Liberty is that I love these students, and I wholeheartedly believe that they are examples of — with everything that’s going on in the world — being different and putting Jesus first. I am pleased that Liberty is still true to the very mission upon which it was built. If anything is going to change this world, it’s going to be these students with Jesus’ leading.”

On being named Alumnus of the Year, Petroff said he appreciated the gesture but wants the glory to go to God and hopes it inspires other alumni to get reconnected with Liberty in whatever ways they see fit.

“I hope it inspires our alumni to think, ‘What small part can I do to give back?’” he said. “It doesn’t need to be in the way I’m doing it. It could be in giving generously, or it can be in simply acting as a sort of ambassador for Liberty at their church or within their sphere of influence, saying to young people and their parents, ‘Have you heard about Liberty? You should consider it. It changed my life, and it continues to be a place that changes lives.’”