Generation Excellence Podcast Jamie Michelson

Emily Korotkin can trace back five generations to founding roots of her family’s insurance agency operation. We met at the Korotkin Insurance Group (KIG) offices where the main boardroom has portraits back to 1913. I hope listeners appreciate how Emily gained experience in every aspect of the insurance operation and can bring that first-hand perspective to helping KIG evolve into the ever-changing future. Emily shares timeless and timely thoughts in this our 54th episode of GENeration EXcellence.

Tricia Ruby is president and CEO of Ruby + Associates a renowned steel construction and engineering firm based in the Detroit area. Ruby + Associates is staffed with engineers, designers, and planners who are instrumental in the building of some of the most complex steel structures in North America. Ruby + Associates was founded by Tricia’s father and over 40 years grew as a family enterprise based on the classic components of hard work, hustle, experience, and excellence. In our wide-ranging conversation Tricia talks about the Ruby + Associates roots, her unique path into the business, and the moves they’ve made to set the business up for a long road ahead. Please enjoy our 53rd episode of GENeration EXcellence with Tricia Ruby.

Laurie Mikes (pronounced mike-us) is the Chief Operating Officer of Second Wind, a unique Wyomissing, PA headquartered consultancy serving the marketing communications industry. Second Wind is a distinguished second-generation, family-led organization and SMZ is proud to be associated as a Second Wind member. In this longer-form conversation format, Laurie talks about how Second Wind brings a high-touch attitude to an ever more high-tech world. For 35 years, Second Wind has helped business leaders tap into the power of shared thinking and information. That "collective" power is available here for GENeration EXcellence listeners in this 52nd episode with Laurie Mikes.

Stanley Chen is the CEO of Telamon Corporation in Carmel, Indiana in suburban Indianapolis. Stan (as he prefers to be called) is a leader, a thinker, a father, and a teacher. On this 51st episode of GENeration EXcellence Stan talks about how his father and his mother built what is now one of the largest privately-held businesses in Indiana. As the business has transitioned into the second generation, Stan along with his sister, Stephanie are serving wireless providers, data centers and original equipment manufacturers of the technology that keeps us all connected and “enables life.” I appreciated using technology to connect with Stan and to learn how Telamon embodies a generational family business that can do good by doing well. Thank you for plugging into this episode of GENeration EXcellence.

Edmond Hagopian and I sat down in his company’s award-winning Novi, MI showroom and operations center to talk about the founding of Hagopian rug and carpet cleaning services in Detroit. Edmond takes us on a magic carpet ride across the organization’s 84 years from its roots in chemistry to post-WW II expansion in retail to multiple growth periods to family fractures all while landing gracefully with innovation that promises a bright future. Listeners will both learn and be entertained by how Edmond weaves (had to do it) his personal history and the business history. Please enjoy this 50th episode of GENeration EXcellence.

Scott Snider is president of the Cleveland based Exit Planning Institute (EPI). EPI regularly counsels generational businesses and in fact they are one as well. Scott works closely with his father as the second generation leader of the Institute’s business operations. I was introduced to the Exit Planning Institute via a webinar they conducted to educate family businesses on employee ownership plans. Since then I have been on their email list and radar. In a good way. In our conversation Scott lays out an intriguing concept called the family business blueprint and much more that should prove relevant to listeners of GENeration EXcellence. Enjoy our 49th episode with Scott Snider.