For more information Contact:
Susan Schierstedt, schierss@uwosh.edu 920-424-2257
Since 1996, the Wisconsin Family Business Forum at University of Wisconsin Oshkosh has been working with families and their businesses to foster their continued health through programs, information, networking, resources, research, and life experiences. Housed in the College of Business the Forum has assisted hundreds of family businesses.
The Forum’s innovative approach to family business support led it to launch the Family Business Education (FBE) Certificate Program, the first of its kind in the state and possibly the country. FBE is designed to provide the basics of family business ownership, leadership, and family dynamics primarily to next generation family members. In the span of seven full-day sessions, the FBE program introduced a cohort of participants to the essentials of family business while building a strong network of peers among the classmates.
In May 2010, the Forum graduated the first class representing family businesses from throughout the New North, Illinois and Kansas, as well as family business professionals who sought to better understand the dynamics of family business. Although the majority of participants were next generation family members, the class was enhanced by the enrollment of senior leaders as well as family business professionals.
Class Attendees:
Bremer — Deanne — Badger Mining Corporation — Berlin
Gonyo — Heather — Badger Mining Corporation — Fairwater
Wuest — Jason — Badger Mining Corporation — Berlin
Beno — Matt — Beno Plumbing — Green Bay
Faulks — Jon — Faulks Bros Construction — Waupaca
Brown — Rebecca — Fox Cities Records Services — Appleton
Janes — Phil — Janesco — Neenah
Tushar — Mark — Janesco — Neenah
Kobussen — Scott — Kobussen Buses Ltd — Oshkosh
Mullins — Benjamin — Mullins Cheese — Mosinee
Schaupp — Joan — P&S Investment Company — Green Bay
Schaupp — Mary — P&S Investment Company — Chicago, IL
Lahde — Ann — Schenck S.C. — Appleton
Van Zeeland — Ruth — Van Zeeland Manufacturing — Little Chute
Nelson — Donna — Wisconsin Family Business Forum Oshkosh
Mahoney — Randy — Wipfli LLP — Appleton
Wenzel — Beth — Zander Press, Inc. — Brillion
Cathy — Regnier — Johnson County Management — Kansas City, KS
Focused and highly relevant content was delivered by experienced educators, family business professionals/advisors, and business owners. Topics included business management, family governance, evolving leadership, managing culture, change & conflict, evolving ownership and strategic planning in a family business.
Leaders included:
Lori Phillippi — 1st National Bank — Berlin
Bradley Berndt — Auto Haus on Velp — Green Bay
Tom Stark — Badger Mining Corporation — Berlin
Gary Adams — College of Business — UW Oshkosh
Ashay Desai — College of Business — UW Oshkosh
Dale Feinauer — College of Business — UW Oshkosh
E. Alan Hartman — College of Business — UW Oshkosh
Phil Janes — Derby Molded Products — Neenah
Mike Schmidt — First National Bank-Fox Valley — Oshkosh
David Gneiser — Fond du Lac Bumper Exchange — Fond du Lac
Tim Feldhausen — Godfrey & Kahn s.c. — Green Bay
Jane Sweasy — Jag Outdoor Advertising — Algoma
Jim Janes — Janesco — Oshkosh
Curt Ignacio — Marion Body Works — Marion
Anne des Marais Vought — Menasha Corporation — Neenah
Mike Rekitzke — N.E.W. Plastics — Luxemburg
Spencer Bonnie — Pathmakers, Inc. — Oneida
Thom Cody — Pathmakers, Inc. — Oneida
Ron Altenburg — Schenck s.c. — Appleton
Sandy Friess — Wipfli LLP — Appleton
Julia Johnson — Wipfli LLP — Appleton
The knowledge and understanding gained through participation in FBE is designed to prepare individuals for leadership and ownership roles in their businesses and for strengthened planning and communication in their families and businesses.
Comments from participants include:
The class was “a growth opportunity.” The class “helped to build the confidence of the next generation, our generation.” “Each session provided nuggets to share with our family.”
Comments from a family who had next generation members in the class:
Our next generation family members “have come back to us with so many questions from the education series, which has helped us in determining next steps in what to share with them at our meetings to prepare them for the future.”
Contact information:
Program coordinator: Dale Feinauer, Wisconsin Family Business Forum, College of Business UW Oshkosh; Professor of Human Resource Management; feinauer@uwosh.edu 920-424-4152
Forum Executive Director: Susan Schierstedt, schierss@uwosh.edu 920-424-2257
