The Family Biz Show Family Wealth and Legacy LLC

 

 

Ep 94 - From Bricks to Community Engagement in a Multi-Generational Family Business 

 

On this episode of The Family Biz Show, Andy Breuer from Hueber-Breuer Construction Company. Andy shares his journey of joining the family business and the company's 151-year legacy and we discuss the importance of maintaining a good reputation, the significance of company culture, and the role of managing a construction business. Andy highlights several community-oriented projects and the company's focus on sustainability, succession planning, leadership development, community involvement, and the challenges of running a construction business in New York State. 
 

OUR GUEST 

ANDREW BREUER* 
Andy Breuer, President of Hueber-Breuer Construction Co., Inc., represents the sixth generation of Central New York’s oldest, continuously operating construction company. Andy displayed an early interest in the family business and throughout his adolescence spent his summers immersed in Hueber-Breuer projects. He graduated from Emory University in 2000 and returned to Syracuse from Atlanta in 2002. Since that time, Andy has been at the helm of many projects for Hueber-Breuer, in the capacity of Project Manager, Project Executive, and now President of the 151-year-old business. 

The origins of Hueber-Breuer date back to the Hueber family’s arrival as stone masons who immigrated from Europe and ultimately found work in Central New York with the construction and ongoing maintenance of the Erie Canal. The earliest records of Hueber Brothers performing as independent contractors date back to 1872, and the family has been consistently building and developing Central New York ever since! Today, Hueber-Breuer’s offices remain on the south side of Syracuse, within blocks of where they have been for nearly one hundred years. The roots of the family business in Syracuse run deep and remain central to the values, vision, and operations of the company. Andy leads Hueber-Breuer with an eye towards building on the legacy of his family through a culture of community, caring, and innovation.  

Some of Hueber-Breuer’s recent projects delivered under Andy’s leadership include the Nexus Center, NYS Fairgrounds EXPO Center, the SUNY Poly Hilltop Residence Hall, the Lakeview Amphitheater, and the Destiny Embassy Suites Hotel. Hueber-Breuer consistently reaffirms their commitment to build to the benefit of both client and community; presently this includes the Syracuse Community Health Center project, which will bring a state-of-the art facility providing affordable healthcare to the south side of Syracuse. Also currently under construction is the revitalization of the Moyer Carriage Lofts, which will provide 128 quality, affordable housing units to the north side of the city.  

Andy’s numerous charitable and philanthropic passions include recent terms as board president of both the Central New York Community Foundation and the Syracuse Area Landmark Theatre. When he’s not working, you can likely find him with his family enjoying live music or exploring the ski slopes, woods, or rivers of Central New York. 

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If you’re a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form! 

CRN-6050488-102523 

*not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. 

Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financ

Ep 93 - The White Brothers' Recipe for Family Business Resilience 

In this episode of The Family Biz Show, we sat down to talk to twin brother owners Eric & Scott White of Denver Machine, a family business started by their great grandfather in 1910. The brothers share their journey into the business, their outside experiences, the company's growth and diversification into various industries, and the challenges they faced, including a severe recession and a lawsuit threat. The brothers also share their future priorities, the benefits of being part of a CEO roundtable group, and the importance of industry associations. Don’t miss this episode and share with other family business owners who might enjoy! 

OUR GUESTS 

ERIC WHITE* 

Eric White, alongside his twin brother Scott, has co-owned Denver Machine Shop for over 20 years. Together, they expanded their business by acquiring three more companies, leading to a sixfold revenue growth since taking over from their parents. 

Before venturing into entrepreneurship, Eric served as a Captain in the US Army Corps of Engineers for five years, including a deployment to Germany. He then worked in Caterpillar's Marketing Group for Large Mining Shovels for four years. Returning to Colorado, he managed airbag inflator production at Autoliv, Inc. Eric holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Mining Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines and is proud to be an Eagle Scout. In his community involvement, Eric serves as a Board Member of American Legion Post 17 in Edgewater, Colorado. During his leisure time, he enjoys exploring destinations like Key West. He has been happily married for 30 years and has two accomplished adult children. 

SCOTT WHITE* 

Scott White has been co-owner of Denver Machine Shop, a fourth generation family business for the past 21 years with his twin brother Eric White.  Together, they have acquired three additional businesses and have grown the total revenue in their operations by six times since buying the company from their parents.  Previous to this, Scott worked for 13 years as a Manufacturing and Metallurgical Engineer for Caterpillar and at Autoliv.  Scott is a graduate of the Colorado School of Mines, a former officer in the Army Reserves where he served for 8 years, and an Eagle Scout.  He enjoys serving others through Rotary and his industry association, the National Machining and Tooling Assn.   

 

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If you’re a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form! 

CRN-5972743-092523 

*not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. 

Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances. 

Ep 92. Reflection, Swim Lanes & Visual Hammers: The Keys to Success in Family Business Branding 

In this episode of The Family Biz Show, Agency 29 owner Maureen Ballatori joins us to discuss branding and marketing in family businesses. Maureen shares her background and journey into the world of branding, emphasizing the importance of clear communication and articulating a family business's value proposition. We explore the process of helping family businesses bridge the gap between generations and the role of brand strategy in adding clarity and direction. The conversation also touches on standing out in the market, financial considerations of branding, and the services offered by Agency 29 and discuss the importance of reflection, goal-setting, and effective communication in family businesses. 
 

OUR GUEST 

Maureen Ballatori* 

Maureen Ballatori is the founder and CEO of 29 Design Studio, an award-winning creative agency for food, beverage and agriculture brands. Her experience in brand strategy helps companies scale business growth, define their unique marketing message, and attract their ideal audiences. 

Maureen’s rural roots are the source of both her passion for agriculture marketing and food. She is an active member in the startup community, participating in a number of entrepreneurship incubators and accelerators and playing a key role in Upstate NY economic development.  

Maureen was nominated for an ATHENA award in 2019. She is a graduate of Nazareth College of Rochester with a degree in Graphic Design and Illustration and has won multiple international awards for branding and design. 

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If you’re a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form! 

CRN-5972728-092523 

*not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. 

Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances. 

Ep 91- The Power of Vulnerability & Authenticity in Family Business Leadership 

Ben Brandstetter from Brandstetter Carroll joins us on this episode of The Family Biz Show to  share his personal journey and how he joined the family business after obtaining his professional engineering license, the importance of succession planning and exit strategies for business owners, the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and the significance of vulnerability and authenticity in leadership. We also enjoyed dispelling misconceptions about family-owned businesses and the importance of celebrating successes and fostering collaboration within one’s family business.
 
OUR GUEST 

Ben Brandstetter* 

Mr. Brandstetter is a Professional Engineer with over 20 years of experience in the industry.  He currently serves as the President of Brandstetter Carroll Inc. (BCI).  BCI is a regional Architecture, Engineering, and Planning firm based in Lexington, KY with additional offices in Cincinnati, OH, Cleveland, OH, Dallas, TX, and Norman, OK.  The firm was founded in 1979 by Larry Brandstetter and Mike Carroll.  In 1982 Larry’s brother Bruce joined the firm and opened their Cincinnati office to focus on Engineering services.  Since the founding, the firm has had a focus on serving units of local government such as Townships, Villages, and Cities.  Over time, the firm has grown to also serve State, Federal, and private clients.   

Currently the firm has approximately 80 employees and has enjoyed consistent growth over the history of the firm.  Gross revenue for 2023 is projected to be greater than $20M which constituted a doubling of revenue from five years ago.   

Since its inception, the firm has had “family” and “non-family” members in leadership and ownership roles.  This has continued as the firm has transitioned from the “first generation” of Larry, Mike, and Bruce to the “second generation” that Ben is currently leading.  Ben and his partners completed their ownership transition on March 1, 2020 and are currently in the process of bringing on another partner this year.  

The firm’s Mission is to “Enhance Community and Quality of Life” and this is implemented on every project that the firm works on.  In some way the work of BCI impacts people on a very local level.   

Because of that Mission and the underlying values of the family, Ben has been engaged in a number of different community efforts where he lives in Kentucky.  He has served on the Boone County Planning Commission for six years.  He was appointed by the Governor to the Council on Postsecondary Education which oversees all public Higher Education Institutions across the State.  While on the Council he served as Chair of the Finance Committee, Vice Chair, and ended his term of Chair.  He currently serves on the Executive Committee of BE NKY which is the Economic Development organization for Northern Kentucky.  In addition, he also serves on the Northern Kentucky Port Authority.   

Ben lives in Hebron, KY with his wife Karen whom he met while at Georgia Tech where they both studied Engineering.  He studied Civil Engineer while she earned a degree in Industrial Engineering.  They have two sons.  Adam is a Senior and Tyler is a Sophomore in High School.  Both boys play golf, basketball, and baseball for their school.   

In his spare time Ben has built a real estate portfolio consisting of office, restaurant, and industrial properties as well as urban surface parking.  Some of which have a family business component. 

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If you’re a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form! 

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Ep 90 - Building Trust and Communication in a Family Business 

On this episode of the Family Biz Show, President of NetCom Inc. Johny Roumanidakis shares his journey into the family business, initially starting as an accounting intern but falling in love with the company's culture and opportunities. He discusses the history of Netcom, the lack of a formal succession plan, and the breakdown of family and non-family members in leadership roles. Johny emphasizes the importance of trust, communication, and adaptability in a family business & shares insights on decision-making, employee accountability, and the values his grandfather instilled in him.  
OUR GUEST 

Johny Roumanidakis 

Johny Roumanidakis is a finance expert and visionary leader currently serving as President at Netcom, Inc. With a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration in Finance from the University of Iowa and a Master's of Science in Finance from DePaul's Kellstadt Graduate School of Business, Johny brings a formidable blend of academic acumen and real-world experience to his role.  

At Netcom, Inc., he spearheads a global force in RF and microwave innovation, supplying top-tier RF tunable filters, amplifiers, and integrated assemblies. Under his guidance, Netcom supports mission critical systems in defense, aerospace, wireless communications, and medical applications, pioneering high-quality, compact designs for extreme conditions. 

Johny's leadership focuses on optimizing customer experience, operational excellence, and cultivating a dynamic work environment. With a strategic direction and commitment to innovation, he is propelling Netcom to exceed expectations and embrace new technologies, shaping the future of RF and microwave technology. 

 Stay updated on Johny Roumanidakis' insights and contributions by connecting with him on LinkedIn. 

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If you’re a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form! 

CRN-5886999-081623 

*not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. 

Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances. 

Ep 89. The Future is Now: Talking Next Gen Family Business Readiness 

In this episode of The Family Biz Show, Shelley Taylor of Aspen Family Business/ABARTA joins us to discuss the importance of planning for the future of a family business, including the need for control and financial planning, the challenges of giving up control and the emotional attachment entrepreneurs have to their businesses. Shelley shares her experience of involving spouses in family business discussions and the value of seeking outside expertise, her thoughts on the importance of education and learning opportunities for the rising generations in family businesses. Listen in now! 

OUR GUEST 

SHELLEY TAYLOR 

Shelley Taylor* is a Family Business Advisor who works with business-owning families on matters pertaining to governance, structure, role clarity, next generation development, generational transitions, and family councils. 

Shelley joined the Aspen Family Business Group in 2018. Until December 2017, she was the Peer Forum Director at the Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence (IEE) at the University of Pittsburgh where she has worked since 2000, previously serving as both Education Program Director and Membership Director.  Shelley continues her affiliation with the IEE as their Family Business Consultant. 

Shelley is the Family Council Chair for ABARTA, Inc., a third and fourth generation family business that owns and operates the tenth largest Coca-Cola distribution company in the United States.  The owning family of ABARTA began its strategic family process in 1990 prior to the leadership and ownership transition from the second to third generation. The family process is currently focused on education and development of the fourth generation. 

She is an independent director for c3controls, a private family business in Beaver, PA; is a former Chair and currently serves on the board of the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre; and is past Chair and a board member of the Adams Foundation, a family philanthropy.  Shelley graduated from Cornell University (’83 Linguistics, with Distinction).  She holds an advanced certificate in family business advising (ACFBA) from the Family Firm Institute and is an FFI Fellow. 

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If you’re a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form! 

CRN-5868088-080823 

*not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. 

Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances.