Family Business Alliance

06/15/2026

On June 23, join us for a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes of two family-owned businesses! Come see JED Pool Tools and Northeastern Plastics hear the story of these great business whose products are used around the world.
Plus, enjoy some delicious Old Forge pizza while connecting with fellow businesses. leaders
This is a unique opportunity that should not be missed. Sign up here: https://fballiance.glueup.com/event/tour-jed-pool-tools-and-northeastern-plastics-183554/

06/10/2026

AI is rapidly changing the way businesses operate, making it important to stay curious and informed about its potential. One of the best ways to learn is by hearing directly from other businesses that are experimenting with and implementing AI in their daily operations. Tomorrow's webinar features Fred Aebli, Penn State Scranton, Katharine Spanish, Dempsey Uniform and Linen Supply
and Charles J. Copley, Golden Technologies discussing practical examples, lessons learned, and ways AI is improving efficiency, communication, marketing, customer service, and decision-making. Register here: https://fballiance.glueup.com/event/ai-is-everywhere-but-how-can-family-business-actually-use-it-181685/

06/08/2026

Join us Thursday for a virtual session on AI. Explore how family and privately held businesses are using AI in their everyday operations. Fred Aebli, Penn State Scranton, Katharine Spanish, Dempsey Uniform and Linen Supply Company and Charles J. Copley, Golden Technologies es will be discussing practical examples, lessons learned, and ways AI is improving efficiency, communication, marketing, customer service, and decision-making. Register here:https://fballiance.glueup.com/event/ai-is-everywhere-but-how-can-family-business-actually-use-it-181685/

06/03/2026

Summer gives us the opportunity for family get togethers at the beach or in the backyard. Sometimes these outings are not your first choice for your Saturday evening, but they are more important in the big picture. Making the effort to stay connected can strengthen understanding, preserve trust, and reinforce the values that hold a family together over time. This article shows the benefit especially in a family business.

As NextGens, we have a responsibility to keep showing up for each other, inside and outside the business.

05/28/2026

Join us for our first in a virtual series exploring how family and privately held businesses are using AI in their everyday operations. FredAebli, Penn State Scranton , Katharine Spanish, Dempsey Uniform and Linen Supply and J. Copley, Golden Technologies will be discussing practical examples, lessons learned, and ways AI is improving efficiency, communication, marketing, customer service, and decision-making. Find more information here: https://fballiance.glueup.com/event/ai-is-everywhere-but-how-can-family-business-actually-use-it-181685/

05/22/2026

A big thank you to Olivia Lindberg for the terrific work you did as a graduate assistant for the Family Business Alliance this past semester. Congratulations on earning your MBA at Wilkes University. Your curiosity about family business, technical savvy, and strong business instincts were an incredible benefit not only to me, but to the entire association. We truly appreciated your energy, professionalism, and willingness to jump in wherever needed. Wishing you all the best in your future career — we know great things are ahead!

05/19/2026

The membership benefited from an engaging program "The Trust Shift: how Great Leaders Build High Performing Teams" with Kaitlin Wolfert, PhD Wolfert from Compass Point Consulting LLC.

Participants explored how trust influences communication, accountability, and team performance while identifying opportunities to strengthen trust within their own organizations. The discussion encouraged meaningful interaction not only within their own teams, but also among fellow family businesses facing similar challenges.

Attendees left with practical strategies—including a Team Trust Visualization exercise and personal leadership commitments—to help build stronger relationships and more effective teams.

05/15/2026

Family businesses don’t just navigate business decisions — they navigate family relationships at the same time. This article takes a thoughtful look at how communication, emotions, and family dynamics can quietly shape the future of a business across generations.

It’s a great reminder that long-term success in a family business is often about more than strategy and operations. Worth the read for anyone working with family, planning a transition, or trying to strengthen both the business and the relationships behind it.

Read more here: https://aspenfamilybusiness.org/family-dynamics-essay/

05/11/2026

You still got time to sign up!

Upcoming Event🌟

Join us for an engaging session on “The Trust Shift: How Great Leaders Build High-Performing Teams” with Kaitlin Wolfert from Compass Point Consulting LLC

In today’s workplace, trust is everything. This event will explore how emotional intelligence and psychological safety impact communication, decision-making, and accountability within teams. You’ll also gain practical tools and take part in exercises you can bring back to your own organization to strengthen relationships and build high-performing teams.

📅 Wednesday, May 13
⏰ 1:00 PM – 3:15 PM
📍 Wilkes University, Henry Student Center
🍴 Lunch will be provided

Don’t miss this opportunity to grow as a leader and connect with others in our FBA community.
👉 Register here: https://fballiance.glueup.com/event/the-trust-shift-how-great-leaders-build-high-performing-teams-174844/

05/08/2026

Thank you to Michelle McGough and Dempsey Uniform and Linen Supply for leading an engaging HR Roundtable on “Asking the Right Questions in Performance Reviews.”

Some key takeaways from the session included:

• Performance reviews should go beyond evaluation and focus on employee growth
• Open-ended questions create stronger communication and engagement
• The right questions help managers better understand employee goals and challenges
• Constructive conversations build stronger teams and workplace culture

We appreciate everyone who joined us for another great Family Business Alliance discussion.