Generation to Generations (G2G) - Uniting Generations: Shaping Tomorrow's Legacy Today - Part Two 

A FAMILY BUSINESS ATLANTIC EXCLUSIVE WEBINAR EVENT!

In our first session, held on March 4, we delved into the challenges of The Seacrest Family of WTF! – Waves, Tides and Fun! – one of the leading recreational marine companies in the Halifax region. Participants went into separate breakout rooms to discuss this fictitious family business case where their confidential and anonymous conversations and responses were captured and analyzed, forming the basis of an enlightening panel discussion for this event. 

Join us for this session featuring a panel of experts who will explore the major themes that emerged from the case study discussion - but are in fact relevant to any family enterprise. What are the top issues the Seacrest Family faces and what solutions could the family consider to bridge the generations that would help to build WTF! and create family harmony?

Missed Part One - No Worries - Catch Up On the Case Study Here!

Be a part of the conversation. Register today!

Moderated by:

Robert Patzelt, ICD.D, KC, Highlander Fortune Consulting

Robert Patzelt is an executive and former business lawyer with over 35 years of experience in organizational leadership, operations, mergers and acquisitions and business development. He is also a respected board director for multiple organizations and a leader of a number of major initiatives in corporate, not-for-profit and non-governmental agencies including some undergoing major transformational change.  He is an award-winning business leader who has levered his degrees in business, economics and his Master of Laws to serve many organizations including a large family enterprise and recently as CEO of a publicly traded resource company leading it through the latest severe commodity cycle downturn and a proxy battle.  He is a sought-after consultant assisting businesses navigate through challenging transitions as well as assisting organizations with their governance.

He is Chair of the Northwood Foundation and he is a member of the Board of Governors of Northwood which is a $100 million not for profit.  He has been awarded both the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilee medals for his tremendous service to Canada.  In 2010, he was named co-chair of the Premier’s Council on the Economy.  Also, he is the Deputy Chair of the Board of Directors for Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia and was also the Chair of the Board’s Investment Committee and overseeing its $2.2 billion portfolio.  He is also a member of an advisory board of a large private business and Chair of PACE Atlantic, a community interest corporation that provides low-carbon programs for Canadian municipalities that help homeowners invest in energy efficiency and solar. 

Meet Our Panel of Experts:

Bryan Huck, CPA, FEA, FamilyBiz Navigator

Through Bryan’s experiences working with family enterprises spanning over 25 years, he’s learned that the greatest successes with continuity planning occur when you place the family at the centre, and you involve them early.Bryan has held various finance leadership roles in diverse owner-managed businesses for over 20 years before dedicating his career as a consultant to family enterprises in 2017. With Bryan’s calming presence, and focus on continuous learning, he walks alongside families and their advisors to prioritize and implement strategies that allow both generations to thrive. Bryan has education in board governance, change leadership, conflict resolution, became a Family Enterprise Advisor (FEA) in 2021 and is pursuing a Positive Psychology Certification. He works with clients in a wide range of industries, facilitating and implementing continuity plans. His strong project management skills ensure his clients stay on track throughout the journey. Bryan’s volunteering and charitable efforts involve helping vulnerable members of the community with food insecurity, homelessness, and financial literacy. Bryan lives in Waterloo Region and has been married to his wife Laurie for close to 30 years. They have a passion for spending time on the east coast, and they have property on PEI.

Kelly Adams, B Comm, CLU, ChFC, CFP, FEA, Adam's Wealth Advisory

Kelly received his Bachelor of Commerce from Saint Mary’s University in 1977 and in May of that year he joined the financial services industry.  At the age of 26 Kelly was appointed general manager for Nova Scotia of one of Canada’s leading insurance companies. At the age of 29 he became general manager for Manulife Financial for Nova Scotia and Newfoundland from 1985 to 1999.  In 2000, Kelly founded Barrington Wealth Partners Inc.  Barrington Wealth Partners Inc. is a national company with 36 offices from Halifax to Vancouver.  Barrington is recognized throughout Canada for its expertise in estate and succession planning for high net worth clients.

Kelly is licensed in Nova Scotia, Ontario, New Brunswick and Newfoundland, and has built a strong reputation working with chartered accountants and law firms throughout Eastern Canada.  As a completely independent insurance broker, Kelly’s firm is directly contracted with 12 National Life Insurance carriers.

Kelly’s professional designations include Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU); Certified Financial Planner (CFP); Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC); and FamilyEnterprise Advisor (FEA).   He is a member of the National Family-Enterprise-Xchange (FEX) and is a Certified Family Councillor with FEX. In December of 2012 Kelly also completed the Family Enterprise Advisor Program given by The Sauder School of Business of UBC. This past President of the Halifax Estate Planning Council has been a platform speaker throughout Canada on estate, life insurance and family succession planning.  His audiences have included The Canadian Barrister Association; Ontario and Atlantic Life Underwriters School; Toronto CLU chapter; STEP Atlantic (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) and numerous other professional and client forums including Hong Kong, Singapore and Manila in 1995.

Additionally, Kelly is a member of the Canadian Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors; the Chartered Life Underwriters Association of Canada; the Chartered Financial Planners Association of Canada; a member of the board of the National Conference for Advanced Life Underwriting (CALU). Chairman of the board of Barrington Wealth Partners Inc.  As of May of 2012 Kelly is a member of the Advisory Committee to the Centre for Family Businesses and Regional Prosperity Dalhousie University. Kelly is also volunteer board member of The Cobequid Community Health Centre Foundation, Board Chair 2015-2018.

Leslie Bishop, Scotia Investments

Leslie Bishop grew up on the factory floor of her great grandfather’s pulp mill plant in Hantsport, Nova Scotia while visiting her CEO father, who grew the business to a 5th generation owned family group of companies. Leslie spent her younger years working in communications and marketing for special projects with the family-owned head office of Scotia Investments Ltd. in Bedford, Nova Scotia. After graduating from Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, she ventured to Toronto to complete her degree in Public Relations and Communications where she led Marketing PR initiatives for Webber Shandwick. Leslie continued to focus on brands that didn’t simply reflect culture, but contributed to it, becoming fascinated with organizational strategy, reputation management and leadership. Consulting with clients in Heath and Beauty, Fashion Retail, Food and Beverage, Leslie eventually was drawn client side, to support the investor relations division of Cyberplex Inc. Leslie returned home to Nova Scotia after 10 years, and ran a developmental leadership consulting firm, focusing on team dynamics, adaptive leadership, and resilient cultures. She has trained executives, teachers, coaches, teams and families in the skills and capacities that make authentic leadership and connection possible. Trained in facilitative leadership through Ten Directions and a certified Associate Integral Coach, Leslie is often found digging deeply into family run businesses around the world. Currently Leslie serves on multiple boards and is chair of the Scotia Investments Family Assembly.

Yair Gail, CFP CIM, Owens MacFadyen Group

Yair joined Owens MacFadyen Group in 2013. Yair applies his background in banking and investments to enhance OMG’s planning for his professional and business owner clients. Yair is a Certified Financial Planner and in addition to receiving a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of Maine, Fort Kent; Yair was named Valedictorian of his graduating class as well as the recipient of the Presidential Award for Academic Excellence. To maintain the energy of his college basketball days, he still enjoys the game and can be seen on the court a few times a week.

For those who can't attend or wish to contribute further, we encourage you to participate in our accompanying questionnaire, linked with our series of informative articles.