While the media often highlights family business failures, our
clients have been in the media spotlight for their successes. It
is our special privilege to work day in and day out with hundreds
of business families in helping them prepare for generations of
success.
Brubacher Excavating, Inc.
The Brubacher Family
First moving to second generation family business; providing excavating,
pipe and utility installation, roadway construction, and general
earth moving activities.
“We have been working with the DVFBC since 2005 through
family ownership transitions, family business policy development,
and the establishment of an outside board. The exposure to best
practices and the real life accounts of other family businesses
at the quarterly forums is another asset to our family. I look
forward to seeing the next generation benefit from the framework
we now have established to guide us through the intersection of
business and family."
Keith Brubacher, 2nd Generation President, Bowmansville,
PA
Keith and his family presented some of their family's transition
experiences at our Family Business Forum in 2006, "Ownership
Transfer: How We Honored Both Generations and the Business."
Read
about the Brubacher Family Council chaired by an in-law, as featured
in Family
Business magazine in 2006.
Laminator's Inc.
The Thompson Family
Second generation sibling partnership; specializing in branding
business images.
"We have worked with Henry Landes and Sally Derstine at the DVFBC
for over 10 years. Our ability to successfully move through ownership
transition was largely due to:
1. Preparation work done in Leadership
Labs to help build business maturity and leadership within
the sibling partnership.
2. Succession advice and guidance to lay a foundation for the
deal within G1 ownership.
3. Partnership meetings to discuss how we would work together
after the deal was done and to craft our Shareholders’ Covenant.
4. Family Council meetings to work on our family relationships.
5. Succession Team meetings where we brought together Deal Architect,
Financial Planner, Legal Advisor, and Relationship Shepherd (Henry)
to finalize a comprehensive Transition Plan which honors our family
relationships and our business.
Ownership transition to the next generation is truly an odyssey
filled with emotional highs and lows, a sea of intricate details,
mountains of emotionally charged decisions, and winding roads
through deep dark places created by the fears of the unknown that
retiring G1 owners and the next generation must traverse. This
is NO journey one should undertake without
a formidable guide to encourage your family and hold you all accountable
to each other!"
David Thompson Jr., 2nd Generation President, Hatfield,
PA
The Thompson family presented some of their family's transition
experiences at our Family Business Forum in 2008, "Building Family
Muscle while Transitioning the Business: An Intergenerational Adventure."
 B.R. Kreider & Son, Inc.
The Kreider Family
Fourth generation family business; excavating, paving and site management
"Words cannot express my gratitude for the leadership and
help you provided our family through this transition. You guided us
to a strong and healthy cousin partnership in Generation 4 and we
emerged as a stronger family unit. Thank you so much. You have been
a blessing and I cherish the time learning from you."
Brent Kreider, Vice-President of Operations, 4th Generation Shareholder,
Manheim, PA
 Weaver
Companies, Inc.
The Weaver Family
First moving to second generation family business; providing residential
& commercial construction, remodeling and roofing.
"During monthly family meetings facilitated by Henry Landes,
our family developed a Code of Conduct, a Family
Learning Policy and a Crisis Plan. These meetings
taught us a lot about communication. We discussed our goals, dreams
and struggles, which has helped us avoid blindly forging ahead."
Ken Weaver, President, 2nd Generation President, East Earl,
PA
Ken Weaver, second generation president, attributes his participation
in a Leadership Lab
since 2002 in helping him gain his identity as a next generation
leader through the executive coaching, peer accountability and support
and outside objectives.
Four Seasons Produce, Inc.
The Hollinger Family
First moving to second generation family business; wholesale fresh
produce distributors.
"Henry is a superb listener who has
the ability to grasp the spoken as well as the underlying issues.
He offers thoughtful counsel and feedback based on his deep knowledge
and varied experience of family business issues. An excellent
facilitator of our family meetings, Henry keeps us focused; and
I count on him to keep me on track with where I/our family needs
to go.
David Hollinger, Founder/Chairman, Ephrata, PA
 Ateeco, Inc. (Mrs. T’s Pierogies)
The Twardzik Family
Second generation sibling partnership; Mrs. T's Pierogies.
"As a result of our involvement with the Forum and the Center
over the years, we have been able to confront difficult family
issues, implement an acquisition plan and develop a strong board
of directors, some of whom are members of the Forum. As a member
of the Forum, I have also forged many valuable relationships which
have been instrumental in my professional and personal development."
Tom Twardzik, 2nd Generation President, Shenandoah, PA
 Byers' Choice Ltd.
The Byers Family
First moving to second generation family business; providing handcrafted
gifts and Christmas figurines.
"There's six family members in our business. Our family
circle is strong. We owe much of that strength to our active participation
in the Center's programs... the Family Business Forum and the
TEC group have allowed us to build a family business bond we never
dreamed possible."
Bob Byers, Sr., Chairman, Chalfont, PA
Otterbine-Barebo, Inc.
The Barebo Family
Second generation sibling partnership; manufacturing aerators and
fountains; lake and pond products.
"I'm grateful for the vital role the Delaware Valley Family Business
Center played in helping us work through some difficult family
issues as well as helping to define some key aspects of our organizational
culture."
Chris Barebo, 2nd Generation Owner, Emmaus, PA
 Piper Classics
The Chittick Family
First moving to second generation family business; providing country
home decor and furnishings.
"We've been nudged to discuss the stuff that counts. Our family
has done more honest thinking and talking about critical issues
as a result of our involvement in the Center's process. All I
have to do is see the Center's newsletter and I know Henry is
thinking about us. It reminds us of the commitment we have to
each other."
Dave Chittick, President, Pipersville, PA
George Didden Greenhouses, Inc.
The Ruch Family
Fourth moving to fifth generation family business; wholesale grower
supplying garden centers and landscapers.
"Genuine and authentic are words that describe Henry. Henry
brings deep understanding and wisdom from years of experience
with business families and his own continual personal growth.
Willing to wade into difficult territory and deal with tricky
issues, Henry offers choices and lasting peace. Speaking the truth
in love, Henry brings fresh, non-emotional perspectives as well
as humor to difficult situations."
Ken Ruch, 4th Generation General Manager, Hatfield, PA
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