2020 UVM Family Business Awards

Celebrating the

9th Annual Family Business Awards October 2, 2020 3:00pm - 4:30pm Virtual Ceremony

order of proceedings 3:00pm •

Dean’s Welcome

Sanjay Sharma

•

Award Process /Judges

Dita Sharma

•

Lead Judge’s Welcome

Steve Schlesinger

Family Enterprise Award Presentations •

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1st Gen Family Enterprise

Ted Castle

American Flatbread at Lareau Farm

George & Mary Schenk

Multi-Gen Family Enterprise

Evan Langfeldt

r.k. Miles, Inc.

Joe, Cristine & Henry Miles

Multi-Gen Family Enterprise

Kristina von Trapp Frame

Ruge’s Automotive, Inc.

Kristin Hutchins

Vermont Legacy

Jen Kimmich

Trow & Holden Company

Gina Akley

Closing Comments

Dita Sharma

Kristen Connors - Family

Business Club Co-President

American Flatbread began in 1985 as an experiment in postmodern bread baking. Our goal was to make meaningful food; food that filled peoples’ hunger, that was a joy to eat, that was nutritious, nurturing and that helped heal their afflictions. We also set out to create meaningful work for our employees, and to be a responsible and constructive force for our community, the natural environment, and our society. To this end we have had some successes and no small number of failures. Our successes were from the shared efforts of many; our failures were solely our own.

As we think about where we go from here the central question, it seems to me, is: What are we for? What we are for shapes our words and acts, and in this way shapes our future.

We are for a more ecological agriculture, for a more civil political discourse, for social justice, biodiversity, and cultural respect.

We are for kindness, generosity, forgiveness, wonder and remembrance of those who have gone before and for those who will follow. We are for beauty and gratefulness. We are for joy, peace, hope and love.

We are for you and all the world.

americanflatbread.com

As a third-generation, family-owned lumber and building materials supplier, rk MILES understands the importance of our role as an employer and as a partner with the communities we serve. The experience our company has gained over the generations has helped hone our role and define our vision. The mainstay of the company is a thoroughly ingrained business philosophy set forth in our mission statement’s four-pronged equally weighted focus: reliable, responsive, informed, caring. rk MILES sells all manner of building materials with six (soon to be ten) lumberyards and hardware stores throughout Vermont and Western Massachusetts. We have a knowledgeable, talented staff who work with our customers helping them to solve and successfully complete their projects. rk MILES builds trust and delivers results.

rkmiles.com

Since 1935 when Joseph Ruge first opened the doors to his onepump Sunoco fueling station and limited repair facility in the Village of Rhinebeck, New York, Ruge’s has been known for its unwavering commitment to its customers, colleagues, and community. Now a premier automobile service and sales center, Ruge’s is owned and operated by the founder’s son, US Air Force Veteran Lewis Ruge, and his daughter, third-generation owner Kristin Ruge Hutchins. Their award-winning team includes over 100 people; among them, members of the three surviving generations of the Ruge family.

Representing several renowned auto brands in each of three locations: Ruge’s Subaru (Rhinebeck), Ruge’s Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM (Rhinebeck), and Ruge’s Chevrolet in nearby Millbrook, New York, the company is beloved by people from near and far who do business at Ruge’s because of its signature “small-town feel with big brand appeal.” Its core values, myriad examples of volunteerism, generous charitable giving program, ongoing investment in technology, and spirit of innovation - along with its history of community and industry leadership and its positive workplace atmosphere - speak volumes about the company’s steadfast commitment to enriching life for all with whom they work.

rugesauto.com

Trow & Holden has been in the family since the company was founded in 1890, and is currently owned by the 6th generation, who took over ownership at the beginning of 2019. We are proud to offer the highest quality and widest variety of stonecutting tools available anywhere. We have worked side-by-side with the highly skilled people who use our tools, refining their design, improving materials and processes, and exploring new applications. Whether it’s stonecutting hammers, carbide hand tools or precision pneumatic carving tools, Trow & Holden makes every effort to continue to lead the industry in design and materials innovation.

Our roots are in the Barre, Vermont granite industry, but over the past 130 years we have continued to expand both our product line and customer base, and now sell to customers of every type all over the world. Even though our reach is global, our staff is small, and customers who call speak with someone who has years if not decades of experience – and may very well be a member of the family! Exceptional customer service draws people in the door, and our high-quality products and commitment to satisfaction encourages them to come back year after year. We’ve been working with some of our business customers since the late 19th century!

From forging and forming to heat treatment and finish grinding, all of our tools are made in Barre, Vermont, where they have been manufactured for more than 130 years. We are very proud of our history, which you can experience first-hand when visiting our manufacturing plant and store front, both still operating in the original building! trowandholden.com

winners 1st gen family enterprise 2020: American Flatbread at Lareau Farm, VT 2019: Rhino Foods, Inc., VT 2018: The Alchemist, VT 2016: The RehabGYM, VT 2015: MyWebGrocer, VT 2013: A.W. Brown Pet & Garden Store, MA 2012: DLC Management Corporation, NY

vermont legacy family enterprise 2020: Trow & Holden Company, VT 2019: O’Brien Brothers, VT 2018: Foster Brothers Farms, Inc. / Vermont Natural Ag Products, Inc., VT 2017: Basin Harbor, VT 2017: Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks, VT 2016: Addison Press, VT 2015: Branon Family Maple Orchards, VT 2014: Wayside Restaurant, VT 2013: Dakin Farm, VT 2012: Maple Landmark Inc., VT uvm.edu/business/family_business_awards

winners multi-gen family enterprise 2020: r.k. Miles, Inc., VT 2020: Ruge’s Automotive, Inc., NY 2019: Bergman Real Estate Group, NJ 2019: Trapp Family Lodge, VT 2018: Curtis Packaging, CT 2018: Lake Champlain Chocolates, VT 2017: Foley Incorporated, NJ 2017: New England Kenworth, ME, NH, VT 2015: Boyden Valley Winery, VT 2014: Butternut Mountain Farm, VT 2013: State Garden Inc. / Olivia’s Organics, MA 2012: Sagamore Golf, NH

multi-gen global family enterprise 2017: Cardinal Shoe Corporation, MA 2016: Schlesinger Associates, NJ 2015: The Barton Group, NY 2014: Alqueria Dairy, Colombia 2013: DiLeonardo International, RI

uvm.edu/business/family_business_awards

fast facts • Established In 2012 • # of Winners Combined

34

• Combined Years in Existence

2300 Years

• Combined Annual Sales $1 Billion • Combined Employment Generated

9,800 Full &

Part-Time Jobs

PLEASE NOMINATE FOR 2021 • Past Award Winners serve as judges for the subsequent year • Nomination forms are available: uvm.edu/business/family_business_awards • Who can nominate?

Anyone

Self-nominations or nominations by associated parties are welcome!

• Due Date for Nominations

May 15, 2021

Selected nominees will be invited to submit a full application • Due Date for Applications

July 10, 2021

Incomplete applications are not considered for the awards • Honorees will be notified by

August 30, 2021

• 2021 Award Ceremony

October 2021

uvm.edu/business/family_business_awards

fast facts Established in 2013, the UVM Family Enterprise Case Competition (FECC), is a unique student event that allows teams from leading universities from around the world, to apply the knowledge and expertise they have developed in the classroom towards solving complex real family business cases.

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In the 1st seven years: # of Competitors- 485 # of Teams- 150 Countries – Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, France, Germany, Guatemala, India, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Panama, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, UK, USA # of Judges- 423 # of UVM Student Organizers and Competitors- 280 # of Universities- 46

8th Global Virtual FECC: October 2020 - January 16, 2021 • ~ 30 Student Teams from 6 Continents Interested in getting involved?

• Students can contact for an organizing position here: Thomas.Chittenden@uvm.edu • If you are interested in applying to be a Judge for the event or being a Sponsor of the event, please contact: Pramodita.Sharma@uvm.edu uvm.edu/business/global_family_enterprise_case_competition

uvm.edu/business/family_business_awards