History
What began 20 years ago as a small initiative of a few family business leaders has become a thriving, independent organization. Through that growth, FBA has never lost sight of its founding principal: family businesses are stronger together when they share and learn from one another.
Late 1990s
“That cooperation and collaboration was already happening… going to different people’s locations to see how their operations were running.”
— Bruce Young, Behler-Young
A Culture of Collaboration
West Michigan family business and manufacturing leaders regularly convene informally, touring facilities and sharing challenges.
“They didn’t want the money back. The question became, what do we do with it that actually matters?”
— John Jackoboice, Monarch Hydraulics, Inc.
Two Organizations With Shared Purpose
September 1999
A community event honoring Rich DeVos and Jay Van Andel raises $301,000, which is gifted toward a family business initiative. The Seidman School of Business at Grand Valley State University and the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce (working with its Family Owned Business Council) partner to form the Family Owned Business Institute (FOBI). The resulting research of family business enterprise is shared with the educational and business community.
Early 2000s
“The money went into research grants… but eventually you realize, research alone doesn’t build a community.”
— John Jackoboice, Monarch Hydraulics, Inc.
“You had FOBI at GVSU focused on academic pursuits, and the Chamber doing short-blast programming… but nothing that brought continuity.”
— Bob Roth, RoMan Manufacturing
Overlap Without Alignment
GVSU operates the Family Owned Business Institute (FOBI) focused on research and a Hall of Fame while the Grand Rapids Chamber offers separate family business seminars and councils.
2006
“Wouldn’t it be great to have one organization… consolidating the resources and support of the same community leaders?”
— Bruce Young, Behler-Young
The Family Business Alliance is Formed
Oct 2006
A Memorandum of Understanding formally establishes Family Business Alliance (FBA) as an alliance between FOBI and the Grand Rapids Chamber.
Early Board Members Include: Mark Bissell, Bissell Inc. | Jeanne Englehart, GRCC | John Jackoboice, Monarch Hydraulics, Inc. | Robert Roth, RoMan Manufacturing | Tim Schad, Nucraft Furniture | Tom Schwarz, GVSU | Len Slott, Vi-Chem | James Williams, GVSU | Janie Wyllie, GRACC | Bruce Young, Behler-Young.
2007
“At the beginning, you don’t have a track record. People joined because someone they trusted asked them.”
— Bob Roth, RoMan Manufacturing
“It was clear early on; if this was going to survive, it had to be membership-driven.”
— John Jackoboice, Monarch Hydraulics, Inc.
And So It Begins
Part-time Director Jill Zielinski led FBA through its inaugural year, when membership stood at five. The first of two educational events, held on March 22 and featuring Joe Astrachan, received tremendously positive feedback.
2008
“Peer groups were the key… the power of that was recognized right away. You had all these people in family businesses who didn’t really have anybody to talk to.” — Win Irwin, Irwin Seating Company
“The peer groups solved a problem nobody else was addressing.”
— John Jackoboice, Monarch Hydraulics, Inc.
First NextGen Peer Group Launches
Sustained peer engagement becomes a staple of FBA’s offerings. NowGen peer groups are soon to follow. Mary Novello replaces former FBA director Jill Zielinski, who moved out of state.
2009
“When we made the decision to hire Ellie… that was the knee of the curve. Ellie was the right person at the right time.”
— Bob Roth, RoMan Manufacturing
“That’s when it went from an idea to an organization.”
— John Jackoboice, Monarch Hydraulics, Inc.
The Inflection Point
Ellie Frey becomes full-time Director. FBA provides over 30 members tailored family business programming. Peer groups continue to be a key success.
2012
“Once you start to get continuity, you’re not just doing events anymore: you’re building something.”
— Bob Roth, RoMan Manufacturing
“People weren’t coming just for programs anymore. They were coming for each other.”
— John Jackoboice, Monarch Hydraulics, Inc.
Membership Grows
Over 50 active members.
2016
“The Chamber knows how to let organizations like FBA be themselves.”
— Bob Roth, RoMan Manufacturing
Restructuring for Strategy
The joint venture with FOBI ends in order to support diverging strategic focuses. FBA is incorporated as its own operating entity with Bill Muir elected Chairman of the Board. Positive collaborations between FOBI & FBA continue to this day.
2018
“Once you got critical mass, it was a completely different sell.”
— Bob Roth, RoMan Manufacturing
“At that point, the value was obvious.”
— John Jackoboice, Monarch Hydraulics, Inc.
Growth Surges.
Membership surpasses 150. Diana Schad becomes Director, focusing on structure and revenue alignment.
2020
“Uncertainty prompted reinvention as we reimagined how to create deeper connection and impact in programming.” — Robin Burns, FBA Director
Direction During Chaos
Robin Burns becomes the Director to serve over 160 Members. She starts by creating the Fore Family Golf Outing to connect organizations in the midst of the global pandemic.
2021-2023
“Succession was becoming more important, and people didn’t have a place to work through it.”
— Win Irwin, Irwin Seating Company
A New Kind of Connection
The community expands and strengthens. Peer Groups include non-family executives. New programs Succeeding at Succession and Leading Forward launch: the first multi-session educational programs and are facilitated by area experts.
2025
“If we don’t support family businesses intentionally, we risk losing what makes this region strong.”
— John Jackoboice, Monarch Hydraulics, Inc.
Brand Evolution
Launch of the ALL IN brand, capturing the invested and interpersonal aspects of family business.
