Family Business/Business Family

In this episode, Suzanne Sengelmann, the new CEO of Lundberg Family Farms, talks about how experiences both inside and outside the company prepared her to step into the top role somewhat unexpectedly. This episode also features part 1 of our conversation with Rich and Brian Rogenski of Youngstown, Ohio-based Legacy Tire & Auto Repair, who discuss rebuilding a family business after splitting from a previous venture, bringing the next generation into leadership and balancing old-school instincts with new ideas and technology investments. We also continue our conversation with Peter Stenehjem, G4 CEO of Watford City, North Dakota-based First International Bank & Trust. Peter discusses the leadership transition at FIBT, the family’s decision to appoint a next-generation family member as CEO and how the bank’s western North Dakota roots continue to shape its culture more than a century after its founding. He also explains why the family has expanded beyond traditional banking into other entrepreneurial ventures.

In this episode, Peter Stenehjem, CEO of First International Bank & Trust, reflects on leading a fourth-generation, $6 billion family bank founded in 1910. This episode also features part 2 of our conversation with Brent Thomas of Tepi Naturals, who talks more about building a family-owned natural skincare business from the ground up and gives his perspective on scaling the business while maintaining quality, sustainability and long-term family ownership. In addition, we chat with Jamie Shah, G2 president of Chem-Impex and an adjunct faculty member at The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, about the latest entry in her “For What It’s Worth” advice column. She discusses how NextGen leaders can determine if they’re ready to step into leadership roles within their family enterprises. Need some guidance on a family business issue? You can anonymously submit a question to Jamie right here.

In this episode, Brent Thomas, co-founder and CEO of Tepi Naturals, shares the company’s unconventional founding story of a son-led startup-turned-multigenerational family business. Thomas discusses how the family turned a discarded coffee byproduct into a skincare business built on shared purpose and complementary strengths. We also hear more from sibling co-leaders Micaela Tuohey-McDonald, Sean Tuohey and Mary Tuohey-Fahy of The Collins Companies, who reflect on growing into their roles with the help of mentorship from family and non-family leaders, building trust across the organization and preserving culture as they grow the business. This episode also features a conversation with Contributing Editor Dennis Jaffe, who discusses how families can run more effective meetings by focusing not just on what they talk about, but how they communicate.

In this episode, Kala Tuohey-McDonald, Sean Tuohey and Mary Tuohey-Fahy discuss the next-generation leadership transition at The Collins Companies, a family-owned industrial distributor of pipe, valves and fittings and engineered specialties with more than a century of history. The siblings reflect on the 15-year succession planning process that culminated in them taking over for their father, how they divided leadership responsibilities based on their strengths and what it means to step into executive roles together after initially resisting the idea of joining the family business. This episode also features more of our conversation with Mitchell Kaneff and his sons Josh and Max of fourth-generation luxury packaging company Arkay, who talk more about their own succession plan. We also continue our conversation with Heath Ochroch, president of Werner Bus Lines, who discusses modernizing the transportation business while honoring his dad's legacy. 

In this episode, Mitchell Kaneff, the third-generation chairman and CEO of premium packaging company Arkay, and his sons Josh and Max, discuss the evolution of the company and its approach to succession. Also in this episode, Heath Ochroch, president of Werner Bus Lines, reflects on the history of the business and stepping into leadership after his father’s passing. In addition, this episode features Part 2 of our conversation with Ed Dikes, founder of Weston Jewelers, and his daughter Danni Dikes, who discuss growing the business while preserving its family-centered customer experience.

In this episode, father and daughter Ed and Danni Dikes, of Florida-based Weston Jewelers, discuss growing their second-generation company from a 1,000-square-foot store in 2001 to a multi-location luxury brand preparing to open a 40,000-square-foot flagship on Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale. This episode also features part 2 of our conversation with Clarissa Surianello, third-generation president of Surianello Concrete, who reflects on stepping into ownership without a formal roadmap, modernizing operations while honoring craftsmanship and defining success. Also in this episode, we hear more from Kristin Anthony and her father, M. Pope Anthony Jr., of Anthony’s Ladies Apparel, who discuss a culture built on one simple principle: “It’s nice to be nice.”