Events and Programs

Growing and Prospering in 2010 by Learning, Mentoring and Sharing

Upcoming Program

October 14, 2010
3rd Annual "OktoberFest"
Topic: “How Family Businesses Make Decisions – Alternative Governance Systems”

Sierra Nevada Brewery, Chico, California
3pm - 5pm

This special program begins with a tour of the nation’s leading craft brewery followed by:

A presentation of governance practices of a number of our family business members
Panel of Lundberg family members discussing Lundberg Family Farms family council experiences
A family business consultant’s experiences working with family businesses on governance issues
Open dialogue among audience about their experiences and Q&A.

Sierra Nevada brews and light appetizers will be provided for our attendees, complimentary of our host, Ken Grossman and the Grossman family.

Note: The Family Business Center has arranged for a chartered motor coach from Sacramento to Chico and back - leaving at 1pm. (Departure point TBD).

Reserve your space at the event and your seat on the coach by contacting Raquel Altavilla, (916) 715-5939 or raltavilla@comcast.net

Add this Event to your Outlook Calendar

Future Programs

October 28, 2010
Golf Outing
Noon, Northridge Country Club

Details: TBA

December 9, 2010
Holiday Social
Details, venue, time TBD

Past Programs

August 5, 2010
"Family Business Dynamics - Tools to Work With One Another"

The keynote speaker and program facilitator was Carmen Bianchi, a Family Business Consultant since 1991 and expert in family systems and the relationship between family, business ownership and the professional roles within a family firm.

Ms Bianchi addressed a number of family business issues including management and ownership succession, fairness in dealing with children, employment policies for family members, and much more.

May 5, 2010
"HOW TO PERPETUATE YOUR FAMILY BUSINESS IN THIS ENVIRONMENT -
A Sea of Change: Navigating anticipated tax and legislative proposals for 2010 and beyond.”

The keynote speaker was Andrew Prior, from Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Washington DC National Tax Services. Attendees heard about the anticipated and/or recently enacted tax and legislative changes, and listened to a panel of experts discuss the practical implications on local family businesses.

January 27, 2010
“Why I Want to Perpetuate My Family Business”

A panel discussion featuring leaders of prominent family businesses in the region. Attendees learnt why these leaders want to perpetuate their family businesses and what they’ve done to get the businesses ready for the next generation.

December 3, 2009
3rd Annual Holiday Social, hosted by The Fat Family at Fats Catering and Banquet Facility

The Fat Family, Fat's Restaurants and The Capital Region Family Business Center hosted members, their family, spouses and significant others at the 3rd Annual Holiday Social.

The event featured:

A bit of history about the Fat Family and Fat's Restaurants
A preview of what's in store for The Capital Region Family Business Center in 2010
An opportunity to enjoy each other's good company and some very fine food, together with a hosted wine and beer bar.

October 14, 2009
“Octoberfest” at Sierra Nevada Brewery, Chico
featuring Charley Ansbach’s presentation entitled "The Challenges of Effective Philanthropy"

One of our "Founding Family" businesses, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, hosted a wonderful evening at one of the nation's leading "craft breweries." It was a great program with a variety of wonderful craft beers accompanied by light appetizers.

Charley Ansbach's presentation entitled The Challenges of Effective Philanthropy discussed the creation of an effective focus and procedure for family giving and a sample process for passing that legacy on to the next generation.

Charley has worked for over 30 years in philanthropy in Sacramento, nationally and around the world as an organization founder, board member and manager, campaign consultant for large capital projects, guide to developing social enterprises and public/private partnerships, not-for-profit organizational management consultant and a speaker at such venues as UN sponsored conferences on non-profit sustainability in Geneva. Charley shared his insights into how to make philanthropy a successful, rewarding and multi-generational part of the family and family business.

We also heard from some of our own family business members about how they've approached philanthropy, both structured and unstructured.

September 10, 2009
“How a Family Passes Values about Wealth and Stewardship Across Generations”
Presented by Dennis Jaffe

Dr Jaffe’s presentation and interactive program looked at the positive and helpful ways that it could transfer family “wealth” across generations. By family “wealth,” we mean not just financial wealth, but the other sources of value that a family passes between generations, such as shared values, opportunities and capabilities.

The presentation was followed by a hosted social hour featuring wines by Lava Cap Winery, Amador Ridge Winery and Obscurity Winery.

June 26, 2009
A Morning Update on the State of the State - featuring Assemblyman Roger Niello

This event honed in on the effects our state’s budget process will have on family businesses. Assemblyman Roger Niello spoke to our family businesses and sponsors about the current state of the budget process and some of the intricacies and intrigue of working inside the capitol dome.

May 28, 2009
Realities and Consequences of the Present Economic Situation and Future Tax Laws that May Affect You and Yours

A panel of experts discussed changes in Washington and Sacramento, with particular reference to expected tax law changes that will likely affect your business, your estate and your heirs. Gregg Muresan, PriceWaterhouseCoopers Director, Washington National Tax Services, delivered a special key note address on the subject.

March 17, 2009
A “Fireside Chat” with Michael Mondavi
Moderated by Professor Robert Smiley, Director, Wine Industry Studies.

Michael Mondavi is the founder and coach of Folio Wine Partners and a leading wine industry executive, innovator and entrepreneur who has grown a successful new wine venture since the sale of his family’s legendary winery in Oakville, five years ago.

February 17, 2009
Family Business Governance - Teaming Up For Success : Bringing It Home

Follow-up round table discussion to our highly successful seminar on Family Business Governance.

January 28, 2009
Governance – How Family Businesses Make Decisions

This highly informative one-day seminar addressed the topic of “Governance” for family business - a process that promotes trust, family cohesion and higher business performance. The seminar presented the best practices that give family businesses the path to higher performance and longevity through the use of boards, either informal, advisory or fiduciary and family councils that, among other functions shape family input to the direction of the family business.

December 3, 2008
Second Annual Pre-Holiday Social

The Fat Family, Fat's Restaurants and The Capital Region Family Business Center hosted members, their family, spouses and significant others at the 2nd Annual Pre-Holiday Social.

The event featured:

A bit of history about the Fat Family and Fat’s Restaurants
A preview of what’s in store for The Capital Region Family Business Center in 2009
A chance to enjoy each other's good company and some very fine food, together with a hosted wine and beer bar.

October 16, 2008
A Presentation by Julia Flynn Siler

Featured author and Wall Street Journal writer, Julia Flynn Siler who discussed her new book, The House of Mondavi, The Rise and Fall of an American Wine Dynasty.

September 24, 2008
“Oktoberfest with Sierra Nevada”

The Grossman family invited all members to join them for a harvest celebration. An executive motor coach was provided to transport members and guests to the Sierra Nevada Brewery.

July 17, 2008
“Governance --- How Family Businesses Make Decisions”

A panel of Sacramento region family businesses addressed the topic. The diverse panel for this highly interactive program was:

David Nickum, President & CEO, Valley Aggregate Transport, Inc
Dave Pringle, Executive Vice President, Pacific Coast Building Products
Lane Steinmetz, President/CFO, Norquist Salvage Corporation

Our moderator for the panel discussion was Carey Berger, President of Business Service Resource Group, Lawrence, Kansas. Carey has worked with numerous companies for several years and lent his expertise to the discussion.

April 30, 2008
“Assessing Talent, Knowledge and Skills of the Next Generation - Acres of Diamonds”

Dianne Miller, President, Wilcox, Miller and Nelson (a local executive search firm) facilitated a panel discussion of business owners addressing the emotional and family issues they have faced in evaluating, counseling and redirecting family members.

March 20, 2008
"Cultural Intelligence: Understanding Rapid Adaptation (Thinking In The Future Tense: Making Sense of the World)"
Jennifer James,Ph.D.

The current rapid and pervasive globalization of the world through communications technology is forcing us to adapt at warp speed. ... We are skilled at managing new technology and economic transitions. We can accommodate shifts in populations and increasing diversity. We get stuck when it comes to culture – our belief systems about the ways things “ought to be.” ...

This presentation gave the audience a greater understanding of the nature of adaptation and the world they are in (as families, generations and leaders) and how to manage it.

November 15, 2007
First Annual Pre-Holiday Social

Fat Family, Fat Restaurants and The Capital Region Family Business Center invite all members, their spouses and significant other to a pre-holiday social where we will celebrate the upcoming holiday season with good friends, good food, good drink and a short presentation by Lois Lang on how to take the stresses of the holidays in stride.

September 27, 2007
“Perpetuation Desires & Estate Tax Realities”

Dave Lucchetti (CEO Pacific Coast Companies), Jim Errecarte (CEO SunWest Foods) discussed how they have achieved success in the perpetuation and tax planning aspects of their business. In addition, legal and accounting experts offered brief overviews n current estate tax matters.

June 21, 2007
“It’s Our Turn Ready or Not”

Neil N. Koenig, Ph.D. (Family Business Consultant) facilitated a panel discuss on next generation business owners who shared their challenges and issues they faced while preparing for succession of leaders, owners, managers and shareholders. The panel: Diane Teel Perry (Raleys), Scott Berger (Tony’s Fine Foods) and Steve Bender (Warren G, Bender Co).

April 26, 2007
“It’s Not Your Father’s Workplace Anymore - Growing a Family Business During Generational Shifts”

Carolyn Martin, Ph.D., a world class educator, author, key note speaker discusses generational differences in the workplace and leading management practices especially related to multi-generational family businesses.