Center for Family Business

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"We joined the Center for Family Business (CFB) in 2004 in hopes of gaining insight, guidance and council as to how best to bridge the gap and avoid the pitfalls as we transition ownership from first to second generation. Through steady leadership and access to many resources including other family businesses in similar situations we found our membership extremely beneficial in easing the pain of generational ownership. I would highly recommend CFB to any and all family owned businesses."
            —Jessica Michie, Michie Corporation

"Our participation in the Center for Family Business provides an opportunity for family members of different generations to share in a strong learning, team building, and growth experience."
            —Bill Harris, Harris Family Furniture

"The CFB has brought me valuable relationships with people in similar succession situations and has connected us with resources that has made our transition from the third generation to the fourth much, much more enjoyable."
            —Amanda Grappone, The Grappone Companies

For the current Program Schedule,
Click Here.

For information about the CEO Forum,
Click Here.

For information about the
Leadership Development Program,
Click Here.

For information about the
Leadership Peer Group,
Click Here.

Become a Member Now,
Click Here.

"It is helpful as we navigate the family business waters to receive insight and suggestions from other business leaders who have experienced similar issues. I normally come away from a session with several new ideas. It is never easy to go it alone, in life and business. Having the wealth of experience and knowledge in the Family Business membership to draw on is a great resource."
Tom Brown, CEO, New Hampshire Distributors

Become a Member

Members of the program are family businesses --large and small--, ranging from first to seventh generation, representing all sectors of the economy, from New Hampshire, Maine, Northern Massachusetts, and Vermont.

Membership Benefits:

All benefits are available to each of the family members, both active and inactive, as well as professional managers. Yearly membership includes:

• Participation by all family members and key non-family employees in several programs and seminars a year.
• Special access to the Leadership Development Program Elective.
• Networking with other business owning families.
• Introduction to family business experts and resources.
• 10% discount for Business and Industry workshops and seminars at Pease and Manchester.
• Exposure to University of New Hampshire faculty and resources.
• Optional on-site visits by sponsor(s).

Annual Membership Fee:

Membership fee for the year is $1,250 for a family.

Attend a Sample Program:

Prospective members may attend a program, as a "trial run," at a per program fee which can be applied to their membership.

What Members like Best
about the Center & its Programs...
(from the latest survey)

1. Being associated with other family businesses with similar problems and learning from their solutions or approaches.
2. Networking, hearing stories about what businesses have been through.
3. Sharing and learning from other family business members.
4. Realizing that our challenges in running a family business are something that all members share.
5. Dealing with succession and management issues. It compels discussion of matters otherwise left unsaid.
6. The sharing of issues and knowledge.
7. Getting some different perspectives from other small business owners.
8. The tips on how to continue company growth.
9. All the great speakers.
10. Knowing that we are not alone in facing the issues and challenges of operating a family business.
11. The support and discussion with others is very encouraging.

To download a PDF of the Brochure describing This Year's Programs,
Click Here.

To download the Membership Application Form,
Click Here.

For More Information

If you would like more information about the Center for Family Business and its programs, or know someone who is interested in joining, please contact the office at (603) 862-1107, or email barbara.draper@unh.edu.