Sponsor Firms

1st State Bank

A locally-owned, locally-managed bank doing business in the Great Lakes Bay Region. We have a full line of banking services for businesses and individuals and offer local decision-making, advice and personal service from bankers who have a commitment to quick decisions and high-quality service. We offer competitive deposit rates and creative loan structures designed to meet the needs of local business owners.

 AKT Peerless Environmental Services

We are environmental consultants and engineers, building scientists and redevelopment experts helping to build sustainable communities. Since being founded in Saginaw, Michigan in 1989, AKT Peerless has added locations throughout Michigan and has grown to include offices in Illinois, Ohio, Georgia and California, while serving clients nationwide. Our focus is on being responsive to the goals of our public and private sector clients, many of whom are family-owned businesses, and we build trust by leveraging our experience and by simply doing what we say we will do. From environmental site assessments and remediation to vapor intrusion mitigation systems and brownfield redevelopments, we have the knowledge and service drive to develop environmental and/or redevelopment solutions that deliver real value while meeting or exceeding client expectations. At AKT Peerless, we know that our success depends on your success. Call us at 800.985.7633 – we will deliver practical, cost-effective solutions for your environmental and redevelopment needs.

 Braun Kendrick

The region’s largest law firm offering clients a wide range of expertise. Our attorneys have experience in over 14 practice areas, including tax and estate planning, probate and trust administration, business succession planning, and all facets of business/corporate formation and reorganization. Our experience and teamwork allows us to provide the highest quality legal services, giving you greater efficiency, cost-effectiveness and better results. We are conveniently located throughout mid-Michigan with offices in Saginaw, Midland and Mt. Pleasant.

Dale Carnegie®

In its 100th year in business as a family business, is a global provider of locally delivered customized on-site and open enrollment public training and consulting in leadership, teamwork, interpersonal, customer service, communication and sales skills essential to improving performance of individuals, teams, and organizations. We have many years of experience working with family businesses. Dale Carnegie ® presents training & consulting in over 80 countries with over 8 million graduates of these proven programs. Join the many successful organizations in the Great Lakes Bay Region and throughout the world utilizing Dale Carnegie services to improve their performance and competitive advantage. Contact us at Dale Carnegie of Mid & Northern Michigan at 989.799.7760 or email Dan Handley.

Fifth Third Bank

Fifth Third Bank is a diversified financial services company operating in 12 states across the Midwest. We focus on serving consumers through our extensive branch network and online and mobile platforms. We also understand that vibrant, family-owned businesses help fuel economic prosperity. We provide a deep expertise for business owners – including access to working capital, cash management solutions, risk management, employee benefit banking and succession planning. With more than 3,600 employees living and working in the Great Lakes Bay region and throughout Michigan, we will live up to our promise of putting 166.7% into everything we do for you. For assistance, please contact Ed Lesniak at (989) 839-2598.

Frankenmuth Credit Union

At Frankenmuth Credit Union we are growing trusted relationships by providing personalized financial solutions for our members and financial services that empower our communities.

Huntington Bank

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated is a regional bank holding company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, with $105 billion of assets and a network of 968 branches and 1,831 ATMs across eight Midwestern states (as of September 2018). Founded in 1866, The Huntington National Bank and its affiliates provide consumer, small business, commercial, treasury management, wealth management, brokerage, trust, and insurance services. Huntington also provides auto dealer, equipment finance, national settlement, and capital market services that extend beyond its core states. Visit huntington.com for more information.

Independent Bank

Independent Bank has been banking in Michigan for over 150 years. Although some things have changed, one thing has remained the same—they have always put their customers and communities first. They provide a full range of financial services, including commercial banking, mortgage lending, investments and insurance. They serve their customers as more than just bankers, but also as their friends and neighbors, locally invested the same way they are. To learn more about all of the benefits of banking with Independent Bank, visit an Independent Bank branch or IndependentBank.com. Member FDIC.

Morgan Stanley

Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, a global leader, provides access to a wide range of products and services to individuals, businesses, and institutions, including brokerage and investment advisory services, financial and wealth planning, cash management and lending products and services, annuities and insurance, retirement, and trust services.

The Pendleton Baumgartner Group at Morgan Stanley
4760 Fashion Square Blvd | Saginaw, MI 48604
Direct: (989) 790-1014
CRC 5933555 09/23

Phimation

Phimation Strategy Group provides strategy and management insight to leadership teams who want help managing their growth or preparing for a change in leadership. Phimation works with the team to clarify its strategy, and then implements management practices to ensure the team takes action. Phimation provides board-of-directors-level strategic insight, and in-the-trenches practical guidance. Contact Dave Haviland at 734.717.4955 to learn more.

Plante Moran

Plante Moran is one of the nation's largest certified public accounting and business advisory firms, providing clients with financial, human capital, operations improvement, strategic planning, technology selection and implementation, and family wealth management services.

PNC Bank

PNC Bank, National Association, Member FDIC, is committed to giving family owned businesses the innovative banking products and services they need to grow their businesses and provide for their employees. PNC provides deposit, lending and investment services to more than 5 million consumers and small business owners across 15 states and the District of Columbia. Along with checking and savings accounts PNC provides specialized lines of credit, online banking and payroll services, employee benefit packages, flexible leasing programs, and Business CheckCards through more than 2,500 branch locations and 6,600 ATM's.

Poznak Dyer Kanar Schefsky Thompson PLC

A broad reach with a local touch. Poznak Dyer Kanar Schefsky Thompson PLC is a regional firm serving the Great Lakes Bay Region and beyond. Collectively, we have a long history of providing the right expertise to meet the changing requirements of our clientele for modern and effective legal services. Whether a business matter or personal matter, our firm addresses your legal needs with a wide range of professional services. We volunteer our time and resources to numerous endeavors including the arts, health and human service groups, community foundations, economic development organizations, nature conservancies, and chambers of commerce. We believe this service enriches each of us individually as well as helping the communities in which we live and work. We are your neighbors, friends and professional colleagues. As your law firm, we stand ready to be your legal advocates as well. (989) 832-1770.

Rehmann

Empower Your Purpose

Rehmann is a fully integrated financial services and business advisory firm that provides accounting and assurance, business solutions and outsourcing, specialized consulting, and wealth management services. For 80 years, Rehmann has provided forward-thinking solutions to our clients. With nearly 900 associates in Michigan, Ohio, and Florida, we are the momentum behind what’s possible. We focus on the business of business – allowing companies and individuals to focus on what makes them extraordinary. We help you look to the future with confidence, thanks to our unrivaled expertise and integrity. Through our partnerships with our clients and communities, we drive impact that empowers our world. Rehmann is an independent member of Nexia International, offering clients a global approach. Find us online at rehmann.com.

Saginaw Bay Underwriters

Saginaw Bay Underwriters has assisted family-owned businesses in the Great Lakes Bay Region in their insurance decisions for 150 years. Positioned for continued growth and success, SBU looks forward to helping your family-owned business with your insurance program. Through our unique 4-step process, called The Clear Advantage, SBU will work with you to develop a plan for your business, group health, life, home and auto insurance needs. Contact us at 989.752.8600.

Tri-Star Trust Bank

Tri-Star Trust Bank provides the warmth and personal service of a boutique firm along with the sophistication and comprehensiveness of a larger corporation. We offer a number of services:

• Comprehensive wealth management, which includes financial, tax, estate and investment planning;
• Employee benefits for corporations from 401(d) plans to all other pension arrangements; and
• Philanthropy solutions for individuals and nonprofits to accomplish charitable goals and use tax and other laws to their advantage.

Tri-Star is Michigan owned and operated. With over $1.4 billion in assets under management, Tri-Star services its clients from Midland, Saginaw, Greater Lansing, and Frankenmuth.

Warner Norcross + Judd

Deeply embedded in the Saginaw-Bay City-Midland communities, Warner Norcross + Judd is one of the largest full-service law firms in Michigan with offices in Midland, Southfield, Macomb City, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Muskegon, Lansing and Holland. We provide family businesses with legal services, including tax strategy, estate planning, entity formation and governance, private equity and transaction evaluations, charitable and asset protection arrangements, risk management, real estate and corporate services, dispute resolution and litigation services and more. Our family business clients range from multimillion dollar organizations with little to no staff to complex and multifaceted organizations with full-time employees and billions of dollars in net worth. Whether you need a single issue addressed or an outsourced Chief Legal Officer, we can provide the very best service at the very best value.

Weinlander Fitzhugh

With over 75 years of experience working with family-owned businesses, we have the expertise and insight to assist in the many challenges you face. As a full-service accounting firm, our consultants provide a range of services including accounting, auditing, tax planning and preparation, payroll preparation, management consulting, retirement plan administration and financial planning. With locations in Bay City, Clare, Gladwin, and West Branch, Weinlander Fitzhugh delivers in-depth and personal service to our wide range of clients. For more information contact us at 800.624.2400.

Yeo & Yeo CPAs & Advisors

Yeo & Yeo CPAs & Advisors is a Michigan Accounting Firm that understands the complex issues family business owners face such as wealth management, estate planning, buy/sell agreements, insurance, financing, restructuring, and strategic planning. For over 100 years, Yeo & Yeo has helped family business owners navigate these challenges and advance the goal of building a strong legacy for future generations. In addition to traditional audit, accounting, and tax, our services for family businesses include succession planning, personal financial planning, valuation, ESOPs, employee benefit plan services, and management consulting. Yeo & Yeo's industry-specialized Michigan accountants and consultants help you reach the strategic goals of the business and the personal goals of the family. For additional information contact Peter Bender at 989.793.9830.