Foundations for Family Business Success

Foundations for Family Business Success: Join us as we dive into what it takes to build a foundation for a successful family business through an overview of best-practices coupled with real world applications. Attendees will gain insights into key findings from two recent studies designed to understand the motivations, experiences, and interests of the next generation. Now and Next Generation panelists will offer their perspectives and experiences as we explore topics on:
 

• Early Involvement and Emotional Connections to the Business
• Training and Preparation of the Next Generation
• Advantage and Benefits of Mentoring and Roles of Peer Professionals 
• Finding the Right Role 

Panelists:

Lindy Vailler, Materials Supervisor, Silver Creek Manufacturing
Lindy grew up in Grand Haven and graduated from Michigan State University in 2017. She has had the privilege of working in her family's business, Silver Creek Manufacturing, for 6 years. The company was founded in 1998 by her parents and specializes today in the manufacturing of technically sophisticated metal components for the automotive, military, and agriculture industries. Having had the benefit of holding several roles in the organization over the years, she currently serves as the Director of Purchasing.

Grant Bolhuis, Vice President, Beacon Recycling
Grant Bolhuis is the Chief Operating Officer of Beacon Recycling, a family-owned business he runs alongside his two brothers. As a second-generation leader, Grant has been deeply involved with Beacon since its founding in 1999, gaining firsthand experience working at Beacon during summer and holiday breaks throughout high school and college.

He earned a degree in finance from Michigan State University before moving to Chicago, where he spent six years working for the world's largest publicly traded metal recycling company. In 2012, Grant returned to West Michigan to bring his expertise back to Beacon, helping drive the company’s continued growth and success.

Park Kersman, Owner, Lorin Industries
Park is the 3rd generation owner of Lorin Industries. He has had many roles over the years at Lorin that started at a young age tending to the landscaping. His rolls expanded over the years turning into a full time position as a shift Supervisor in manufacturing following earning a degree at Hope College and working for two other organizations. He feels fortunate to have worked in a variety of capacities at Lorin before and after purchasing the company in 2006. He and his wife Kacey live in Muskegon and have 5 children.