Zack Needles

2 weeks ago | familybusinessmagazine.com | Zack Needles

A recent report by Truist Wealth's Center for Family Legacy (CFL) found that while the vast majority of families understand their legacies depend on things like strategic planning, mentoring and healthy communication, only a fraction of them are giving these areas the requisite attention. With a projected $16 trillion wealth transfer on the horizon, that's a problem. But the CFL study also reached another conclusion: it doesn't have to be that way.

3 weeks ago | familybusinessmagazine.com | Zack Needles

Torri Hawley is a seventh-generation member of the Vollrath Company and the chief learning officer (US) for Tamarind Learning. Peter Begalla is the conference chair at MLR Media and founder of JPB Consulting Group. Together, they discuss how family businesses can better solicit honest, actionable feedback from their shareholders. (For more from Hawley and Begalla on this topic, check out their recent article on gauging shareholder sentiment).

3 weeks ago | familybusinessmagazine.com | Zack Needles

In this episode, we sit down with David Savir, co-founder and chief executive officer of Element Pointe Family Office, to discuss key considerations in preparing for a family business sale. David also discusses how families can remain engaged in legacy building after a liquidity event. We also chat with Ron Attman, CEO of Maryland-based Acme Paper & Supply Company, which celebrates its 80th anniversary next year.

3 weeks ago | familybusinessmagazine.com | Zack Needles

Despite challenging global economic conditions, nearly half of the world's 500 largest family-owned businesses remained active in dealmaking over the past two years, achieving impressive growth in the process. That's according to the 2025 EY and University of St.Gallen Global 500 Family Business Index, which found that 47% of the businesses in the index have engaged in one or more M&A transactions in the last two years. Of the disclosed deals, 34% exceeded $250 million.

3 weeks ago | familybusinessmagazine.com | Zack Needles

Mayumi Allison, CEO and second generation owner of Hosa Technology Inc., did not initially envision a career in the company her father founded: a leading supplier of cables and adapters to the musical instrument and professional audio industries. Eventually, however, she came to see how her mortgage banking background could be applied to leading the family business. A portion of this interview originally appeared on an episode of the Family Business/Business Family podcast.