Family Business Program
The Family Business Program at the Βι¶ΉΣ³» is a unique effort that supports the entrepreneurial spirit and family values of University students, alumni, friends, and the broader community of Northern Βι¶ΉΣ³». The program provides learning opportunities and assistance to existing and aspiring family businesses, helping them to grow, innovate, and succeed in today’s competitive market.
The program also leverages University’s substantial capability in innovation commercialization to help family businesses incorporate innovation into their operations in a variety of ways. Whether it is developing new product lines, finding new uses for existing books of business, or adopting new technologies, the Family Business Program enables family businesses to stay ahead of the curve and create greater value for their customers and key stakeholders.
We offer a range of services and benefits to its members, including:
- Educational workshops, seminars, and webinars on topics relevant to family businesses, such as succession planning, governance, leadership, finance, marketing, and more.
- Networking opportunities with other family business owners, leaders, experts, mentors, and advisors.
- Resources and support to University students who come from family businesses.
- Exposure to best practices and real-life success stories from leading family businesses in different industries and from both within the local community and beyond.
- Thought leadership, research, and other valuable resources for family businesses.
These services are open to all family businesses, regardless of size, sector, or stage of development. The program also welcomes non-family businesses that are interested in learning from and collaborating with family businesses.
Advisory Board
The Advisory Board provides strategic guidance, feedback, and resources to the program, helping it achieve its mission and vision. We also serve as ambassadors and advocates for family businesses, promoting programs and services to potential members, partners, and sponsors.
Dr. Jeremy Lurey is a talented family advisor, executive coach, and business consultant. Jeremy is the founder of . He enables business owners and CEOs to improve performance and create greater value for their shareholders. For more than 25 years, he has served clients ranging from families of significant wealth to mid-market companies to Fortune 500 corporations. Jeremy now supports family offices and family businesses with the critical leadership and governance practices required to create more sustainable futures. He is passionate about helping established families transition their businesses and transfer their wealth to the next generation. He excels at supporting Baby Boomers transitioning into retirement and their NextGen successors accepting increased responsibilities as well as facilitating better communications between family leaders so they can focus on what matters most in their lives.
Jeremy serves as a US Ambassador and Member of the Family Succession and Governance Expert Council for the Global Family Office Community. He frequently presents at professional conferences and delivers keynote addresses at trade association industry events as well as more intimate family office forums. He has also authored countless publications on family business, Board governance, succession planning, organization development, leadership, and family legacy. With a PhD in Organizational Psychology, Jeremy previously worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers and Andersen Consulting.
Chris Yount is the former CEO of Fortifiber Corporation, a 3rd-generation family business that manufactured waterproofing products for the construction industry. He took the company from near bankruptcy to the highest profitability in its 80-year history, facilitating a successful sale to Henry Company in 2018.
Chris serves on several corporate boards, sharing his wealth of experience in construction, manufacturing, and family business. Chris also writes articles for Family Business Magazine and holds the position of Entrepreneur in Residence at the Βι¶ΉΣ³» where he teaches.
Chris received his MBA from University of California at Irvine and bachelor’s degree from the University of San Diego. He has called Reno home for over 20 years with his wife and their two children.
Sponsors
The program benefits from and enjoys incredible support from several corporate sponsors. These organizations not only make our programs possible but also provide direct consulting and advisory services to family businesses throughout our community.
If you and your business would like to become a sponsor and support our programs, please reach out to our Co-Chair Chris Yount for more information.
While a successful family business can create a lasting legacy that offers tremendous wealth-generating potential, the reality is that the overwhelming majority of family-owned and operated companies fail to succeed from one generation to the next. enables family business owners and family office principals to create greater value and address the complex dynamics that impact their families. Whether it’s simply coaching a Rising Gen leader in your family business or leading a more complete governance project in your family office, Family Legacy 1st guides your family to preserve your legacy and truly prosper from generation to generation.
, a PCF Insurance partner, specializes in providing personalized risk management and insurance solutions for high-net-worth individuals and family offices. Their expert team focuses on protecting every aspect of the client's unique lifestyle. Combining deep industry expertise with unparalleled service, Premier Private Client ensures that discerning individuals and families receive the protection and peace of mind they deserve.
’s mission is to build and sustain an accomplished, successful, and talented organization that is expert in guiding families through multiple generations–protecting and enriching a family’s legacy through diligence and integrity while educating the family’s future generations about their stewardship and the opportunities it encompasses.
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