Sandy Rosen, CEO, Great Lakes Recycling
I had seen a lot of struggle in other family businesses and thought it could never happen to our family – we all got along so well. But all it takes is for one person to destroy that balance, and when it happened to us, I sought help and found Rick.
We often think we can manage everything ourselves without outside assistance. The truth is that Rick brings a process and tools that most people would never consider and, even if they did, they couldn’t apply them with the complete objectivity that Rick offers. With Rick’s help we were able to openly and calmly communicate, and then move forward from the issues that were holding us back. He also helped us look into the future for other issues that might pop up and offered solutions to prevent them.
Sandy Rosen can be reached via his LinkedIn profile.
Bruce Schmitt, President and Owner of R.L. Schmitt Co., Inc.
It has been six weeks since you have helped resolve the dispute between my brother and myself. Your unbiased view of our situation, and your suggestions allowed us to eventually make the split, a painful split, but necessary. I had attended a “family succession” seminar held by Michigan Economic Development Corporation about a year ago. Their approach to the issue was too “theoretical”, whereas your approach was really a common sense approach. For that, I am thankful.
Bruce Schmitt can be reached at 248-345-1877
Jim Evola, President and Owner, Evola Music
My father hired Mr. Segal to mediate an economic program with specific guidelines as part of an ongoing succession plan for my brother and I. The ultimate family goal was to acquire, from my father, the ownership of Evola Music Center’s Inc. and move the company into the third generation. From the onset, I was of the opinion that we were all family and we could put in place a program that we could all agree upon with fair compensation and shared responsibilities.
With respect to my father’s wisdom, I agreed to attend the first meeting with an open mind. Rick hosted a series of meetings designed to uncover our commonality and differences creating a plan that all members of our family could agreed upon. With Rick’s guidance, we reached our goal quickly and concisely. Since January 2004, Evola Music is operating soundly with third generation family ownership.
Jim Evola can be reached at 248-334-0566
Steve MacKellar, President and Owner, MacKellar Associates
I became involved with Rick Segal and the Family business Council during some very difficult times within our 85 year old family business. The turmoil was not confined to the walls of the business, but spread a poison throughout the entire family whether they were involved in the business or not.
Rick became involved and thoroughly evaluated our situation and helped our company put together a formal governance process to not only get through those times but also should help avoid the same mistakes for future generations.
Steve MacKellar can be reached at 248-310-2270
Jeff Novick, President, Executone Communications
Rick has been an invaluable resource for my brothers and me. His ability to facilitate communication between family members was vital in creating a positive working environment. Also, Rick’s business insight gave us an alternative point of view so we could make decisions with a better knowledge base.
Jeff Novick can be reached at 313-418-1217
Marty Corcoran, President, Wolverine Fire Protection
Rick helped my mother, father, cousin, and ten brothers realize that our current planning would leave the last man standing with our family business.
He then organized a process to develop a new Buy/Sell agreement that was extremely innovative.
The process took a year, but the agreement was ratified without any revisions.
I still call on Rick for advice and counsel.
Marty Corcoran can be reached at 810-499-7151
Jon & Sherry Kirsch, Owners of P&P Manufacturing & PATCO Air Tools
When we hired Rick to enter our family business system we had doubts about being able to calm the turmoil that existed. We were seriously considering selling the businesses. Rick was able to diagnosis the major issues and get us to address them in short order. Since then he has helped us with our governance and communications.
Although the past few years have been a difficult business climate, we have managed through them without any major new conflict. And, we are very close to inking a succession plan to turn over the businesses to the next generation…something a few years ago we seriously doubted would ever happen.
Jon Kirsch can be reach at 248-762-4851 and Sherry Kirsch can be reached at 248-762-4852
Doug Reid – President, Flexible Products
Rick understands the unique dynamics involved in running a family business, and provides methods that can help prevent or reduce issues caused by them. It is my experience that having someone help facilitate implementing the various solutions, will create the best chance for success.
Doug Reid can be reached at 248-293-8620
Kenneth Snow, President, Hagopian Cleaning Services
I have known and worked with Rick Segal on family business issues for over 10 years. He challenges the status quo with compassion and tact while working hard to help the family resolve or mitigate the dynamics that can hold a family firm back. I would highly recommend Rick for his understanding of business & family.
Kenneth Snow Past President, Hagopian Cleaning Services, June 19, 1959 – September 1, 2013
Richard (Dick) Harding, President, IBC North America
Being part of a family business can sometimes be very difficult and emotionally stressful, navigating through issues that cross family and business lines can be extremely difficult. Rick Segal has helped us in dealing with those issues so that we could bring harmony to our family and our business.
Dick Harding can be reached at 248-705-5873
