3rd Annual “It’s All Relative” Family Business Symposium

Mission Statement

While facing unique challenges, family businesses are vital to the economic and social fabric of Mississippi. As a part of the UM CIE Legacy Leadership Program, the It’s All Relative Family Business Symposium aspires to be an open forum where Family Business owners, leaders, family members, and employees from a variety of industries can share challenges and opportunities in order to learn best practices from knowledgeable industry leaders.

From case studies to networking opportunities, the It’s All Relative Family Business Symposium inspires attendees to grow and to continue their family businesses for generations to come. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, learn from industry experts, and gain a deeper understanding of the significance of maintaining family business traditions.

Symposium Agenda

Tuesday, September 10 | Sheraton Flowood Junior Ballroom

10:00 am     Check-In 

10:20 am     Opening remarks from Clay Dibrell, Co-Director of the Ole Miss CIE, and Steve Grantham, Jr., President of J&R Restaurant Group 

10:45 am     Estate Planning - Trip Barnes, President and Shareholder of Barnes, Bailey & Janoush, P.A 

11:30 am      Lunch 

1:00 pm       Keynote Speaker - Ken Williams, President and COO of Corinth Coca-Cola Bottling Works 

2:00 pm       Coffee Break 

2:30 pm       Case Study (I) with Webb Wilson, CEO of Kemmons Wilson Companies, and Tate Wilson, CEO of Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation

3:30 pm       Coffee break          

3:45 pm       Women and Family Business Discussion - Facilitated by Amy Walker, Area Sales Manager at Ergon, Inc.  Discussion panelists include Emily Fordice Payne, Beth Pickering and Shelley Brown Floyd

4:30 pm      Successful Intergenerational Wealth Transfer - George Hester, Managing Partner and Founder of Navitas Wealth Advisors, LLC

5:30 - 7:00 pm           Reception

Wednesday, September 11 | Sheraton Flowood Junior Ballroom

8:00 am       Check-In and Breakfast

8:45 am       Revisit Day One Learnings - Liza Cirlot Looser, Founder, CEO and Chairman of The Cirlot Agency, and Dr. Allyn Cascio, CIE Director of Strategic Partnerships

9:00 am       Case Study II - Mark Jansen, Melanie, Preston, and Walker Dowell, The Dowell Group at Morgan Stanley

9:45 am       Coffee Break

10:00 am     Family Business Research w/ Dr. Clay Dibrell

10:45 am     Coffee break

11:00 am      Keynote Speaker - John Stephenson, Vice President & Head of the Cathy Family Office at Chick-Fil-A Corporate Support Center

12:00 pm      Departure (Lunch To-Go)