Family Business Center > Programs/Registration

Member in the Spotlight

Member in the Spotlight (MITS) is a five minute presentation given by an FBC Member company about their unique family business history. Contact the FBC to reserve your presentation date by calling (608) 441-7327. When planning your five minute MITS presentation, consider the following:

Your company’s history.
Examples of what the biggest challenges were, what they are at present, and what is expected in the future.
What is new and exciting in your family or in your company.
A little known or interesting fact.
Why your company became a member of the UW-Madison Family Business Center.

These are only suggestions; please feel free to use the five minutes as you see fit. This is a time for our members to get to know each other better. It is requested you abide by the following limitations:

No handouts.
No slides, except for company logo.
No gifts or product samples.
No solicitation.

Member in the Spotlight Presenters

March 31, 2009 morning program: Eric Schwartz, Sara Investment Real Estate, spoke from the heart when he talked about the importance of giving back to the community.
March 31, 2009 afternoon program: Derrick and Susan Van Mell shared the podium and passionately talked about the importance of family and the growth of Van Mell Associates.
January 27, 2009 morning program: John Westphal, Westphal & Company. John explained how the electrical contracting business evolved into the third generation and the UW and State projects they have worked on.
January 27, 2009 afternoon program: Al Bachmann, Bachmann Construction introduced family and non-family who were in the audience, Dianne Bachmann, Jan Daggett, Mark McNally and Doug Sutter.
November 4, 2008 morning program: FBC members got to know the Nelson family, Nelson Container Corporation, as each took turns at the podium to speak on their role in the family business: Betsy Nelson Lane, Christian, Tom and Laura.
November 4, 2008 afternoon program: Michael Peters, Carpets Plus of Wisconsin, introduced his family members and thanked them for their support as the family business grew: wife Regan, daughter Kate, and niece Heather.
March, 2008: Bunbury & Associates Realtors. Almost every Bunbury turned out for the March, 2008 Member in the Spotlight.
March, 2008: Jane Kolstad, Wick Building Systems, talked about the growth of Wick Building Systems and the important roles family members play.
December 11, 2007: Linda Hughes, Bell Laboratories
December 10, 2007: Jim Driscoll, PKK Lighting
November 6, 2007: Doug Dittman, The Neckerman Agency
November 5, 2007: Charlie Crave, Crave Brothers Farm/Farmstead Cheese
October 2, 2007: Jim Hoffman, Hoffman Construction
October 1, 2007: Mike Robinson, Robinson Brothers Environmental