Center for Family Business celebrates 25th anniversary

The University of Toledo Center for Family & Privately-Held Business celebrated its 25th Anniversary of service to area companies on Tuesday, November 14 at the Toledo Club.

Established in 1992, the UT Center for Family & Privately-Held Business is dedicated to serving the specific needs of family businesses, primarily in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. It received its start due to a generous endowment by The Stranahan Foundation and the continual support of family businesses.

“The fun-filled evening included stories about the past and reflections on the future,” explained Debbie Skutch, Center Director. “We honored Center leadership past, present and future; and had some other fun activities planned. The Center has thrived for 25 years because of our members, sponsors and community partners, and we wanted

to spend the evening celebrating them.”

“We have always strived to be attentive and responsive to the changing needs of our members,” noted Angie Jones, the Center’s Assistant Director. “Their businesses are not static, but always evolving. They change as the economy changes, as world markets shift, and as dynamics change in their own businesses.  We truly believe it is our responsibility to be there with pertinent answers to as many of these issues as we can. We have done that, which is why our members stay with us and new members join us all the time.”

Today, with nearly 200 family businesses as members, the Center membership benefits that include:

•           Attendance at events and forums sponsored by The UT Center for Family & Privately-Held Business

•           Monthly mini-forums available to current member companies only 

•           Interaction with family business peers through affinity group participation

•           Access to local, regional and nationally recognized business experts

Thirteen companies have been members since the Center was established, including The Andersons, The Appliance Center, Gross Electric, Hart, Kuhlman Corporation, Shrader Tire & Oil and Walt Churchill's Market.

Skutch observed, “Over our first 25 years of service, we estimate that the information, resources, programs, networking and more has resulted in a positive impact worth millions of dollars to these regional businesses. The viability of our members is the reward we seek, and together we will continue to make a meaningful difference in their future success.”

At the event, Skutch also announced the new name for the program, the UT Family Business Center.