Family Business Alliance Ambassadors are volunteers for FBA who are committed to helping members get the most out of their membership. They are all individuals who have been very involved with the organization and have used resources and programs to help strengthen their businesses and families. Ambassadors are available as a resource to our members for any questions they may have from a member’s perspective.
Tom Duisterhof is one of FBA’s committed ambassadors serving the family business community on her own time. Get to know Tom with his answers to our questionnaire below.
How did you first get involved in FBA?
I found out about the FBA many years ago via the GR Chamber and another family owned business making the recommendation.
Why is FBA important to you?
The FBA has helped us as a company with contacts both in other family owned businesses as well as associate members that help with issues as they arise. The main reason I tell folks about the FBA is that regardless of industry and size, the issues with Family in a business makes for different challenges than a non-family owned business and each of us are not an “island”. We can talk to others
formally or informally and get support, ideas and feedback.
What has been your favorite FBA event or activity?
I enjoy all the meetings and especially the more fun activities like the golf outing, the sporting clay shoot and the networking opportunities. Again, when issues arise and we can reach out and realize others have experienced something we are going through it feels great to have the support and input.
Why do you think family businesses are important to West Michigan?
Where does one start? As a recent FBA presentation made us aware of, family owned businesses account for 59% of the GDP. We employ 51% of all those employed in the USA. We provide a huge amount of local support to the communities we live and work. We strengthen the moral fiber of the country. We
are quick to respond to needs and changes that occur in our communities and customers.
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