8:00 a.m.
Breakfast and Registration

9:00 a.m.
Welcome and Introductions

9:15 a.m.
Opening Workshop: Mindset Lens
Retirement Reality: Walking in Their Shoes
Step back with Scott to prepare to envision a business continuity plan by standing in the shoes of a soon-to-be retiree.  

Featuring:
Scott McLagan, Emeritus Professor of the Practice in Management at the University of Denver, Daniels College of Business

9:45 a.m.
Opening Keynote: Economic Lens
Retirement Reality: Aging, Tariffs, and Turbulence
The past few years have been truly unprecedented for family businesses. The longest economic recovery on record ended abruptly in 2020 when COVID-19 shutdowns disrupted businesses of all sizes, including family enterprises. The resulting recession—the steepest and shortest in history—prompted major fiscal and monetary interventions that reshaped the economy. On top of that came aging demographic shifts and multiple policy changes. Strider Elass will help you make sense of today’s economic landscape and explain how aging and tariffs intersect to impact your business plans.

Featuring:
Strider Elass, Senior Economist, First Trust Economics
Introduction: Tom O'Brien, Vice President, First Trust Portfolios

10:30 a.m.
Networking Break

10:45 a.m.
Panel 1: Reality Lens
From Handshake to Next Generation: The Bush Family’s Transition Story
A father-son duo shares how a handshake retirement agreement between two brothers has played out over time, highlighting the evolving management transitions.

Featuring: 
Greg Bush, Shareholder and CEO, McCarthy-Bush Corp.
Mike Bush, Shareholder, McCarthy-Bush Corp.; President, Linwood Mining and Minerals
Moderated by: Anne Smart, former Director, Loyola Family Business Center

11:30 a.m.
Panel 2: Governance Lens
Retirement’s Impact on Structures & Safeguards
Navigate the critical decisions that define organizational success: evolving governance frameworks, balancing protection with growth, and fostering fairness across leadership transitions. Gain insights into the forward-thinking strategies current leaders are embracing.

Featuring:
Jeffrey Patt, Partner, Katten
Kevin Costello, Vice-Board Chair, Perrino Group/Home Run Inn Pizza
Michael Suprick, Retired CEO, Johnsonville Holdings

12:15 p.m.
Networking Lunch

1:00 p.m.
Panel 3: HR Lens
We’ve Seen it All: Lessons from CHROs on the Culture Lens
See how some family businesses prepare NextGen leaders.

Featuring:
Moderated by: Anju Jain, CHRO Peer Group leader
Anne Harney, Senior VP of HR, Collins Engineers (longtime non-family executive)
Dr. Denitra Griffin, Founder, Drink Some Water, LLC | Former President, AGB Investigative Services (family-owned security firm)

1:45 p.m.
Panel 4: Multigenerational Lens
Next Gen Meets New Leadership: How Hallstar Keeps Evolving
Hear how the youngest shareholder of an entrepreneurial venture became the sole owner and why it became a family business adventure. Appreciate how the recently appointed non-family CEO/President ensures its continued evolution and how the next generation views its emerging role. Prepare to make your own plans!

Featuring:
John Paro, CEO and Chairman of the Board, Hallstar
Ashley Gertz, CHRO and Vice Chairman of the Board, Hallstar
Moderator: Carlos M. Alarcon, Wealth Strategies Executive, Bank of America

2:30 p.m.
Closing Workshop: Crafting Your Family Business Plan for Navigating Mass and Key Management Retirements
Scott guides the day’s insights toward action, helping you identify your “just one thing” to focus on. You’ll leave with clear ideas to evolve your organization.

Featuring:
Scott McLagan, Emeritus Professor of the Practice in Management at the University of Denver, Daniels College of Business

3:00 p.m.
Closing Remarks & Adjourn