Family Business Magazine

01/16/2026

Retiring from or selling a business can be an exciting time of reflection for business owners — many of whom say they’re looking forward to their next chapter. It’s a time when many anticipate how they will give back, increase community involvement alone or with family, and imagine how their skills can be used to solve any number of problems.

Of course, planning for a business exit can be all-consuming, leaving little time to think about what’s next. Refining one’s purpose and evaluating the methods to execute on them can be a time-intensive and dynamic process itself, and it’s best to consider them well in advance of exiting the business.

For those planning to engage in a purpose-driven life beyond business, which often includes philanthropy, Avery Fontaine, senior vice president and head of purpose for PNC Private Bank, offers some important considerations to keep in mind:

With changes to charitable giving coming in 2026, the time to act is now.

01/15/2026

When a family business is sold or handed off to non-family executives, the family’s deep connection with the business often becomes less essential as wealth migrates to passive investments administered by a family office.

When that happens, do family members then simply become business partners who happen to be related? Can they remain a meaningfully connected family?

As Family Business Magazine Contributing Editor Dennis Jaffe writes in his latest column, this is the classic challenge for a family enterprise as it crosses generations. Here, he offers some advice for keeping the family intact.

Confronting the classic challenge for a family enterprise as it crosses generations.

01/14/2026

🎥 Watch Episode 3: Innovation in Family Businesses
https://familybusinessmagazine.com/video/family-business-focus-innovation/

We’re excited to share the third episode in Deloitte Private's Family Business Focus video series, where Deloitte leaders explore the topics that matter most to family enterprises.

In this installment, Kirsten Vosen, U.S. Deloitte Private Audit and Assurance Leader, sits down with Laura Pearson, Deloitte Private’s U.S. Family Enterprise Leader, to examine why innovation has become an essential advantage for family-run companies. From the agility that allows families to bring ideas to life quickly, to the strategic use of emerging technologies like generative AI, this conversation highlights how family enterprises can drive growth and resilience in an ever-changing business landscape.

In this episode of Family Business Focus, Kirsten Vosen and Laura Pearson examine why family enterprises are uniquely positioned to be innovation leaders—and why innovation is no longer optional. They explore how agility, close-knit decision-making, and long-term thinking allow family businesses t...

01/13/2026

[WEBINAR] Register here: https://globalmeet.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1747708&tp_key=13bfe813cb

The term family office is everywhere — but what does it really mean?

Private banks, RIAs and advisory firms often promote “family office services,” yet few operate as a truly integrated family office. In this webinar, we’ll break down what a real family office looks like, the structures in use today, and what actually drives better outcomes for families.

You’ll learn:

✔ Why offering “family office services” ≠ being a true family office

✔ How the best family offices are built around the family’s goals and balance sheet

✔ Why integration—not the number of services—defines success

✔ How alignment across investments, tax, estate and operations improves results

✔ What a properly integrated family office delivers: clarity, efficiency and peace of mind

Join Justyn Volesko, Andrew Cooper and Jennette Brilliant of Cerity Partners, with David Shaw, Publishing Director of Family Business Magazine, for a practical discussion on what truly defines a family office.

Register now!

01/12/2026

Early registration ends Monday, Jan 19! Discounts for additional family members are also available. Register today: https://events.familybusinessmagazine.com/event/TS26/register

01/09/2026

Discover what truly defines a in our upcoming with Cerity Partners. Join Justyn Volesko, Andrew Cooper, and Jennette Brilliant for an engaging webinar on what a family office actually is, why “family office services” aren’t the same as a fully integrated model and how the most effective family offices align investment, tax, estate, and operational decisions to drive better outcomes. Join us on January 20 at 2PM!

Register now: https://globalmeet.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1747708&tp_key=13bfe813cb

01/07/2026

Not every engages with the family enterprise on the same path or timeline. At Transitions Spring 2026, Paul Darley, President & CEO of W.S. DARLEY & CO., explores "A Menu of Opportunities: Getting NextGens Involved on Their Terms" — sharing how families can create age-appropriate pathways that build agency, honor individual strengths and prepare NextGens for meaningful careers, inside or outside the family business. Join us to learn how mentoring, internships and clear policies can turn into long-term stewardship.
Register now: https://events.familybusinessmagazine.com/Ya8xRY?utm_source=social&utm_campaign=SpeakerPost&utm_medium=social&RefId=TS26

12/31/2025

Get to know our 2025 CEOs to Watch!

Since co-founding Employco USA, Inc. in 1996 alongside his brother and father, Robert Wilson has grown the company from a small family start-up into a highly successful HR outsourcing firm with more than $600 million in sales.

“What really sets Rob apart is his ability to combine big-picture vision with a people-first approach,” says his son, R. Griffen Wilson, who serves as Employco’s vice president. “He’s always kept Employco ahead of the curve by embracing new technologies and creating innovative solutions that make life easier for clients and help them navigate the ever-changing regulatory landscape.”

Wilson’s leadership has been tested — and proven — through several major challenges. Each time, he found ways to pivot, enter new markets and build strategies that kept both clients and employees secure. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, he personally led more than 45 webinars to guide clients through the uncertainty and help them secure PPP loans, demonstrating just how deeply he cares about the people he serves.

Wilson is known for his open-door policy and his genuine belief that employees are the company’s greatest asset. Griffen credits his father with building a culture where everyone feels empowered, motivated and valued. “Rob’s journey — from starting out with just $5,000 in sales to leading an industry powerhouse — is a testament to his grit, integrity and unwavering commitment to his family and his team.”

https://familybusinessmagazine.com/ceo-to-watch/family-business-ceos-to-watch-2025-robert-wilson/

12/30/2025

Get to know our 2025 CEOs to Watch!

Under the leadership of Justin White, K&D Landscaping, Inc. has grown from a small family business into a powerhouse projected to reach $30 million in revenue by 2026. Since taking the reins in 2015, White has focused on raising the bar in the landscape industry by investing in people, building scalable systems and creating career opportunities for his team, all without outside investment or private equity involvement. Instead, he has relied on operational excellence, clear long-term planning and a deep investment in the people around him. He has built leadership teams from within, developed apprenticeship programs and created career pathways that give employees a reason to stay and grow.

“His emphasis on company culture is not a slogan,” says Drew Etling, White’s executive assistant. “It is a daily practice backed by coaching, mentorship and team engagement at every level.”

Beyond his work leading K&D, White created JW Group and The Disruptors, a coaching and peer-to-peer platform, where other business owners in the trades come to learn, connect and grow. “Justin gives away his playbooks and frameworks to others with transparency and zero ego, believing the rising tide lift all boats and he actively mentors young entrepreneurs and leaders throughout the green industry,” Etling says.



https://familybusinessmagazine.com/ceo-to-watch/family-business-ceos-to-watch-2025-justin-white/

12/26/2025

As CEO of APR Supply Co., Scott Weaver has spent nearly three decades leading the fourth-generation, family-owned HVAC and plumbing distribution company through transformative growth.

Weaver, “exemplifies exceptional family business leadership through his rare combination of business acumen, people-first mentality, and forward-thinking governance,” says his daughter, Jenna Hoertz, who serves as APR’s director of strategic initiatives & project management. “He doesn’t just talk about family values; he embodies them by treating team members like extended family while still driving excellence and maintaining high standards,” Hoertz says.

Since becoming CEO in 1996, Weaver has led APR through 19 successful acquisitions, reshaped its go-to-market strategy and executed a bold long-term vision for sustainable growth. The company has doubled in size six times over the past 30 years, a trajectory driven by strategic ex*****on and strong cultural alignment. Under his leadership, APR has undergone salesforce reorganization, digital transformation and operational streamlining — all while fostering a people-first culture rooted in trust, service and innovation.

“One of my proudest contributions is the culture we’ve built, a culture of ownership, innovation, and heart,” Weaver says. “I believe in creating an environment where people are empowered to lead at every level. That’s what fuels our growth and keeps us agile. We strive every day to create enthusiastic customers. That mission is what drives everything from how we stock our shelves to how we show up for our teams.

https://familybusinessmagazine.com/ceo-to-watch/family-business-ceos-to-watch-2025-scott-weaver/

12/23/2025

Work on Your 2026 Family Business Goals at Transitions Spring
March 18-20 | The Vinoy | St. Petersburg, FL
https://events.familybusinessmagazine.com/event/TS26/home

As we head into this holiday week, many of you are using this time to step back and focus on what’s ahead — not just for the business, but for the family behind it.

Transitions Spring 2026 is designed to help you do exactly that. We'll be examining how families can restore balance between personal identity, family culture and business responsibilities — ensuring that everyone has a voice and a clear sense of belonging in the enterprise.

As you plan for the new year, we invite you and your family to attend Transitions Spring as a productive way to bring the family together around the issues that matter most.

Warmest regards for a wonderful holiday,
The Family Business Transitions Spring Team

12/17/2025

Get to know our 2025 CEOs to Watch!

Ross Treleven’s career mirrors the legacy and evolution of Sprague Pest Solutions, a company with roots dating back to 1926. Since joining the company in 1998 as the fourth generation, Treleven has immersed himself in every facet of the business, ascending through roles from technician to sales, branch management and executive leadership. This comprehensive experience has equipped him with a profound understanding of Sprague’s operations and culture.

Under Treleven’s leadership, Sprague has achieved significant milestones. As president, he spearheaded the development of the company’s internal operations center, enhancing efficiency and service delivery.

He also led the company’s expansion into new markets, including California, Arizona, Idaho and Montana, solidifying Sprague’s presence across the Western United States.

Treleven turned Sprague’s Seattle branch into a high-performing office and integrated the company’s Colorado acquisition (its ninth office and largest expansion ever), which directly led to Sprague’s strategic decision to focus 100% of its business on commercial customers. Later, he developed the company’s operations center, led its expansion into California, Nevada and Arizona and helped develop Sprague’s core principals.

“Ross’s leadership style is characterized by collaboration, inclusivity, and a focus on community engagement,” says Niki Campbell, Sprague’s director of marketing. “His dedication to both professional excellence and social responsibility makes him a model for sustainable leadership in today’s business environment.”

https://familybusinessmagazine.com/ceo-to-watch/family-business-ceos-to-watch-2025-ross-treleven/