Death and the Family Business

(Continued Jrom page 7l) of the company. Acknowledging a death openly and soulfully draws the family and employees together, reassures employees' fears about the future of the company, and is actually an opportunity for rededicating everyone to the family business's future success.

Grief researchers find that most people eventually regain their equilibrium when they are able to find some kind of meaning in the deceased person's life and death. This is especially true of traumatic, sudden loss. Families have set up foundations, endowed scholarships, donated to organizations, and written biographies. Family businesses should consider honoring a deceased member in a way that both resonates with the business and reflects the person's values.

Often people feel uncomfortable around those who are grieving, because they feel helpless. If you're in this position, remember that you don't have to do or say anything; merely being there shows you care, and that's usually sufficient. Be flexible and creative in finding ways to provide more time off or to ease the pressure for people whose grieving is more intense.

For both the family and the family business, death is an occasion for sorrow and for celebration of the deceased's life, as well as an opportunity for everyone to draw closer together. It helps to think of grieving as the beginning of healing. As with a serious physical injury, at first there's numbness, shock, and pain. Discomfort is often part of the gradual process of both physical and emotional healing. As scars heal and nerves regenerate, sometimes we're even aware of increased discomfort or a different kind of discomfort. But eventually, as the healing continues, the discomfort disappears and we resume our normal lives.

- Dr. Kliska is a member of The Family Business Consulting Grottp Inc., Marietta, Ga.; (800) 551-0633. He can be reached at kliska@ efamilyhusiness.com. Reprinted with permission from the Family Business Advisor, a copyrighted publication of Family Enterprise Publishers. No portion of this article may be reproduced without permission of Family Enterprise Publishers.

SIMPSON set a Guinness World Record for creating the largest joisl hanger, which weighs 1,370 lbs. and stands over 7 ft. tall and g-l't2ft. wid6, lt was produded at Simpson's plant in McKinney, Tx., and unveiled at Hq. in Pleasanton, Ca., by Tawn Simons, m,gr.-EWP. In Februarv. it will move to the International Builders' Show in Orlando, Fl.

LOS ANGELES Hardwood Lumbermen's Club celebrated the holi$gVs Dec.9 at the Balboa Bay Ctub, Newport Beach, Ca. (1) Maggie Gallasso, Dan LoBue, Nancv & Keri LoBue, Meredith & Lane Levin. ^(2) Marie & Alan Oakes, (3) Anellina Marrelli, Carl Henoch. (4) Gale_& Judy Daugherty, Gerry a Jack Miilikan. (5) Don Reel, Charlotte Etheridge, Sh-irley-& Jim'Cadwell. (6) phil'Sanis, Leslie Sing_er, Deonn Deford, Lori & Bob Mitihbil. (7) Dan Bohannon,.Kit Rohm. (8) Lisa & Alan Bohnhoff. (9) Randy'&'Marty Porter. (10) !l1ke & Amy Rhoades. (11) Chartiri Bofrnn6f, Ctaire Rains..Mark.Michie. (12) Nathan & Lyne Osborne. (13) Charley Fiala, Al,ana Northrop, Kathy & Bruce jauman. (14) Aian'& Dayni Arbiso. (15) Steve_& Heidi Ondich. (16) Watrei &'Joyce Ratsion, Heather Rummer, Brian Balston.

BurtSn,

Terianora.

DOMESTIC SALES:

Jerry Long, Michael Parrella, Bruce Keith, Janet Pimentel, Pete Ulloa, George Parden, Vince Galloway, Steve Batick, Chris Hexburg.

INTERNATIONAL SALES:

Nestor Pimentel, Oscar Portillo.

MORE 2ND GROWTH (continued from previous page): (1) Nicky & Mike Born. (2) Chad Barclay, John Lopez, Johnny Pringle. (3) Jean Henning, Jim Nicodemus, Charlene Valine. (4) Bob Goldinq, Rick Ponce. Miouel Hernandez, Bill Young. (5) Bill Fergudon, Janeece Lowder. (6) John Pasqualetto, Richard Coale. (7) Arlene Smith, Bill

Portland

Wholesale Lumber Association toasted (1) guest speaker Major General

Bavmond F. Rees of the Oregon National Guard and 2006 Lumberman of the Year Jack Burnard, Forest Grove Lumber, McMinnville, Or., during the group's Christmas luncheon Dec. 1 in Portland, 0r. (2) Al Kirknak, Sophia Donahue. (3) Scott Daley, Ron Hanson. (4) Brett Siauqhter, Scott Slauqhter, Rod Lucas. (5) Vibtoria Fostei, Carrie Yarbrough, Marjie Brinck. (6)

Robbin Tyle, Terry Johnson, Raul Garcia. (7) Charley Willett, Hdl Fay. (8) Michael Kirkelie, Mark Pinson, Josh Gibeau, Tom Gilstrap. (9) Nick Windmiller, Davy Logue, Trov McKenzie. (10) David Kehret, Michael Foster, Jerry failey. (11) Dave Duncan. Dave McNabb, Mike Maqinhis, Jeny Gustafson. (12) Kent Mills, Steve Love. Joe-Beechler.'(13) Scott Swanson. (14) Jim Shelton, Kenv Kinq, Glenn Lowe. (15) J.V. Torgerson. (16) Jerry Wesibero, Bill Haqenstein, Wavne Giesv. (17) Burke Rice. Mait Kolar, don Lucas, Pdter Howe. (18) Marcus Mueiler, Tim Johnson. (19) Steve Knightly, Dave Stelle. (More photos on next Page)

PWLA OFFfC_ERS (continued from previous page): (11Incoming secreiary/secretary Craig Beard, RLD Co., Vancouver, Wa.; incoming v.p. Gunnar Brinck, Disdero Lumbdr Co., Portland; incoming president Michael Foster, Liberrty Forest Products, Portland; outgoing president Paul Donahue, RLD. (2) Wayne Holm, Casey Dean, Mike Holm. (3) Brad Buhman, Art Reid. (4) Gordon Bevans, Ken Schulz, Bill Kriener. (5) Mark Nizic, Tom Meyer, Dustin 0'Sullivan. (6) John Murphy, Mark Mitchell. (7) Scott Gascho, Gary Connolly, Jeff Moore. (8) Marshall Lauch, Tim Talley, Mary McMurphy. (9) Kris Lewis, Pete Reynek'e, Brad Hatley. (10) Scott Manke, Merriti McDote. (tt) 6o6 Patacioz, James Bradfiel{ David Kehret. (12) Mike Anderson, Theresa Drak, Taylor Anderson. (13) Gene Secco, Debbie Stephens, Larry Boyce, Ronda McDonald. (ia) Robin Derrick, John Spaulding, Roy Croiv, Tom Vog-el. (1'5) Bill Mccovern. (16) Sam'Frazier, Teny Haddix, Fernando Gnoatto. (17) Brian Oberg, Randy Calvert, Doug Calvert.