Family and Nonfamily CEOs

According to the 2017 PwC family business survey, 61% percent of family firms are planning to bring in external managers to help run the business. Sometimes that means going all the way to the top and bringing in a nonfamily CEO. On November 15th, the Austin Family Business Program will present one panel of top professional advisors and another panel of family business executives to share their insights and experiences related to the topic of "Family and Nonfamily CEOs." 

Family business shareholders, professional advisors and consultants, and next generation family business leaders should not miss this opportunity to network and learn from some of the top businesses in the northwest. 

Thursday, November 15th
1:00 pm to 3:45 pm (before the Excellence in Family Business Awards)
Sentinel Hotel, 614 SW 11th Ave, Portland 97205
 

This event has concluded.

 

Panelist Information

 

Family Executive Panel


René Ancinas, Chairman and CEO, Port Blakely

As Chairman & CEO, René’s leadership skills guide the strategic direction of the company, setting the tone of Port Blakely’s multi-national operations. After joining Port Blakely in 2005, René served in the company’s Forestry and Real Estate operations, becoming Chief Operating Officer in 2008. In 2010, he became CEO and, in 2015, Chairman & CEO. A descendant of Port Blakely’s founders, he helped establish the Eddy Family Council, creating a sustainable family business governance structure. 
 


Greg Waggoner, Board Member, Leupold & Stevens

Greg Waggoner is currently serving on the Leupold & Stevens Inc. board of directors. Greg has worked in the family business for close to 22 years, starting in the machine shop and working his way up through various leadership positions. As a fourth-generation owner, Greg has been involved in several transitions of the family business. He was instrumental in helping the family develop the Family Charter, Family Council, Family Foundation, and Family Office.


Brian Harris, Chairman, Harris Holdings Co.

Brian Harris is a 3rd generation business owner that has been involved in every aspect of petroleum distribution business from wholesaling to retailing to trucking. He was most recently President and CEO of Harris Transportation Company, LLC, once the leading transporter of refined fuel in the Pacific Northwest. Brian has served on the Oregon Trucking Associations Board of Directors which he has held several officer positions including Chairman. He also served on the Oregon Petroleum Association’s Board of Directors.  

 

Professional Advisor Panel


June Wiyrick Flores, Partner, Miller Nash Graham and Dunn LLP

June Wiyrick Flores is an experienced attorney who works with families, family businesses, and closely held businesses to develop and implement succession strategies. Her clients range from individuals to closely held corporations to family offices and large family-owned businesses. June provides sophisticated and highly personalized estate plans to meet her clients’ objectives. She is also experienced in estate and trust administration and assists both fiduciaries and beneficiaries.
 


Clint Bentz, CPA, Business Navigators LLC & Blue Den Farm

Clint is a family business consultant with expertise in family succession and estate planning issues. He is a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Management Accountant, and is a graduate of the Cannon Trust Tax School. A large part of Clint’s practice is devoted to serving the special needs of agricultural and timber clients. He has served as a member and technical advisor to several Oregon Board of Forestry working groups, and was instrumental in the rewrite of Oregon’s inheritance tax law in 2011 and Oregon’s property tax program for small woodland owners in 2003. He is also a managing member of the Blue Den Ranch LLC, a 700-acre family tree farm partnership.


John Amato, Managing Director, Cascadia Capital LLC

John Amato is a Managing Director at Cascadia Capital and together with Michael Butler and Felix Herlihy leads the firm’s Private Capital practice. For over 20 years John has worked closely with investors, owners, managers and companies to design and implement solutions to address challenges and maximize opportunities. Prior to joining Cascadia, John was Chief Investment Officer of Istithmar— an investment arm of the Government of Dubai.  Previously he was a Managing Director of IFIL USA – the US investment vehicle for the Agnelli Family of Italy.

 

Program Moderator


Grant Jones, CFO, Day Wireless Systems

Grant is an effective and experienced leader with diverse background in both family business and professional advising. Grant started his career in financial advising before he returned to his family’s manufacturing business, Willamette Graystone Inc., and rose through successive leadership roles to become General Manager. After the sale of the business, he worked for Seattle-based investment bank Exvere as a director in the Mergers and Acquisitions Advisory group. Today Grant serves as CFO for family-owned Day Wireless Systems.