Family Business Program

Inspiring Entrepreneurial Families.

Fisher is a resource for family businesses in Western New York and beyond.

Fisher is a resource for family businesses in Western New York and beyond.

Fisher’s School of Business faculty understand the special opportunities and challenges of family firms.

The Family Business Program is designed to connect you with other business owners and peers in the Rochester area and beyond. View a recent report [pdf] about family business.

Learn about transition planning, family risk analysis, educating the next generation members, and more from Fisher’s expert faculty and partners. View the Fisher's Next Generation Leadership Institute Brochure [pdf].

Family Business Steering Committee

The Family Business Program at Fisher is led by a diverse, experienced steering committee. The committee is comprised of family business owners from a range of industries within the Rochester region as well as leadership from within the School of Business at St. John Fisher University.

Chair

  • Randy White, J.N. White

Committee Members

  • Abby Harris, Janitronics Facility Services
  • Maxwell Herbst, Leonards Express
  • Kaitlin Hildebrandt, Leo J. Roth Corp.
  • Alexandra Justis, Doyle Securities
  • Peter Messner, Messner Company
  • Tony Monaco, Rochester Colonial Manufacturing
  • David Pritchard, Gorbel, Inc.
  • Dr. Carol Wittmeyer, Family Business Program, St. John Fisher University

Family Business Faculty

Faculty from St. John Fisher University

  • Dr. Timothy Franz, professor of psychology
  • Dr. Ozge Kantas, assistant professor of psychology
  • Dr. David Kunsch, associate professor of management
  • Dr. Hugh Lambert, assistant professor of accounting
  • Dr. Chantz Miles, entrepreneur-in-residence and visiting assistant professor
  • Prof. Erica Sysol, visiting assistant professor
  • Prof. Ron Sicker, visiting assistant professor of practice
  • Prof. Derek Vanderlinde, visiting assistant professor of practice
  • Dr. Carol Wittmeyer, director of the Family Business Program
  • Dr. Omar Watts, associate professor and chair, accounting and finance

Faculty from Constellation Brands Inc.

  • Mark Brown, manager, talent planning

Faculty from JK Executive Strategies

  • Jill Knittel, MBA, CSP, president & CEO

Upcoming Events

  • Mixers, Webinars, Forums, and More
    Participants listen to a speaker at a Family Business Initiative event

    Learn and network with others in family-owned businesses at one of our upcoming events. For more information, contact Dr. Carol Wittmeyer, director of the Family Business Program, at cwittmeyer@sjf.edu.

    Upcoming Events

Sponsorship Opportunities

Cardinal Sponsor - KeyBank

Amount: $10,000

  • Provides yearlong support for Family Business Program Events, and includes:
  • Logo placement on conference materials, social media, Family Business web homepage
  • Recognition in press releases
  • Opening or closing acknowledgment remarks at events
  • Collateral/swag distribution
  • Three registrations included for events for staff, plus three for client family firm leaders
  • Depending on expertise/forum topic, participation in program design and implementation

Individual Forum or Workshop Sponsorships

Amount: $3,000

  • Provides one-time support for an impactful networking or content forum, and includes:
  • Logo placement on conference materials, School of Business social media
  • Recognized in press releases
  • Opening or closing acknowledgment remarks
  • Collateral/swag distribution
  • Two registrations included for staff, plus two client family firm leaders
  • Depending on expertise/forum topic, opportunity for participation in program sections