Workshop Offers Keen Insights into Family Business Leadership
The Family Business Initiative at St. John Fisher College will offer family business owners and next generation family employees keen insights into the ownership and leadership of Gorbel, Inc. during the workshop, “The Gorbel Story: How A Family Business Defies Gravity.”
The workshop runs from 7:30 to 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 29, at the Country Club of Rochester (2935 East Avenue) and is open to family business owners and partner advisors. Tickets are $75 per person. To register, please email Paula Essler, Office of the Dean of the School of Business, at pessler@sjfc.edu or call (585) 385-8446.
Gorbel, Inc. has a rich history, and CEO Brian Reh has helped propel his family’s company to new heights. After 20 years with the business, Reh decided to transition the presidency to a non-family manager, David Pritchard, allowing him to focus on the future growth of his enterprises. During a presentation and discussion moderated by Stefani LiDestri, co-president and chief marketing officer of LiDestri Food and Drink, Reh and Pritchard will share insights into ownership and leadership of Gorbel.
“Brian Reh has demonstrated what it takes for a family business to thrive during transitions, including thoughtful strategic planning, family meetings with his dad, and peer networks and advisory boards. Multigenerational family firms will have many take-a-ways from his story that will help them think about planning for their future decisions,” said Dr. Carol Wittmeyer, interim associate dean of Fisher’s School of Business who also directs Fisher’s Next Generation Leadership Peer Network. “Our next gens will particularly be interested in hearing how Brian journeyed from outside experience to deciding he wanted to lead—and own—his family firm and how he framed important and often-times potential difficult conversations with his father.”
During the event, Holly Rund, human resources and retail manager at Kittelbergers, will share details on the peer networking and educational program. A fourth-generation member of the Webster-based floral company, Rund will discuss how the facilitated inter-generational sessions have helped her navigate life in family-owned company.