Event Details

Wednesday, June 7, 2023
2:00 – 6:30 PM
Brookfield Conference Center

Family & Closely Held Business Summit

Join other family & closely held companies as we navigate the complex issues of maintaining a successful, sustainable family or closely held business. It’s your opportunity to learn and network with others who are on the same journey as they strive to build wealth and create a lasting legacy.

Leadership, culture and growth for the next generation

Join BizTimes Media and a panel of family and closely held business owners for idea sharing and hands-on learning to help you navigate your way through the challenges of growing and leading your business.

The program begins with a keynote conversation, followed by a panel discussion, concurrent breakout sessions and a networking and cocktail reception.

KEYNOTE CONVERSATION

  • Richard Bemis, Director and Past Chairman / CEO, Bemis Manufacturing Company (1)
  • Vesla Hoeschen, Chair of the Board, Bemis Manufacturing Company (2)

Moderator: Bill Edstrom, owner, Edstrom Consulting Group (3)

PANEL DISCUSSION

  • Anne Cookson, Co-Owner, Baker’s Quality Pizza Crusts & Crustology – 3rd generation (4)
  • Jeannie Cullen, Co-President, JP Cullen – 5th generation (5)
  • Matthew Powell, President, Century Fence – 4th generation (6)

Moderator: Arthur Thomas, Managing Editor, BizTimes Media (7)

Breakout Sessions

Raising Outside Capital: A Guide for the Next Phase of Your Company’s Growth
Raising outside capital from investors can be a daunting task, but it can also provide the necessary funds to grow your business. Meissner Tierney Fisher & Nichols s.c. attorneys will guide you through the otherwise complex process and steer you clear of potential pitfalls and landmines that subject you to risk.
Presenters:
  • Randal J. Brotherhood, Shareholder, Meissner Tierney Fisher & Nichols S.C.
  • Adam J. Tutaj, Shareholder, Meissner Tierney Fisher & Nichols S.C.
  • James M. Sosnoski, Attorney, Meissner Tierney Fisher & Nichols S.C.
  • Mark R. Hamilton Jr., Attorney, Meissner Tierney Fisher & Nichols S.C.

Navigating Cultural Continuity in Family-Owned Businesses
Join Mike Gryczka and Jerry Weidmann, President of Wolter, Inc., for a breakout session exploring the challenges and opportunities of cultural continuity in family-owned businesses during ownership succession, business acquisition, and organic growth. Discover how recognizing and respecting cultural differences can lead to successful transitions and growth for family-owned businesses. Walk away with practical strategies for preserving cultural identity while adapting to changing business environments.
Presenters:
  • Michael Gryczka, Vice President, Commercial Lending, National Exchange Bank & Trust
  • Jerry Weidmann, President, Wolter, Inc.

Exit Planning Options: Internal Sale, External Sale, Private Equity – Is an ESOP Right For You? An ESOP, or Employee Stock Ownership Plan, is one of many different ways to sell your business. This program will explore these options and educate you on creating an exit strategy for business owners looking to both sell their business and provide a tremendous benefit to their employees. We’ll discuss how an ESOP can allow you to sell all or a portion of your company at fair market value, indefinitely defer all capital gains taxes, leave behind a completely tax-exempt company to the employee owners, retain the ability to capitalize on the future growth of the business post sale, and improve employee retention, productivity, profitability, recruitment, and culture. Presenters:

  • Rick Jaye, AIF, CRC, Managing Director, Business Transition Advisors
  • Kevin Perlberg, CFP, Managing Partner, Blackhawk Capital Partners
  • Donald (Trace) Tendick III, MBA, CFP, Partner, Blackhawk Capital Partners

Presented By

Sponsor

Supporting Sponsor

Interested in sponsoring an event? To reap the benefits of the ultimate in-person marketing opportunity contact Linda Crawford, Director of Sales, to discuss opportunities. Event sponsorships are limited.