"The Stone Family Business Retreat was created to allow the opportunity to strengthen relationships, align visions, and address challenges facing a family owned and operated business without the distractions of daily operations. This event creates an agenda that allows families to collaborate with others, gain leadership insights, as well as encourage innovative thinking. The value of attending this family business retreat lies in its ability to foster both personal and professional growth and ensures both the business and family continue to grow and thrive together. For anyone working in a family business, this retreat is designed specifically for you. I encourage you to set aside two days to learn, grow, and unlock the full potential of your family business.”
BILL STONE, CEO SYSTEMS AND METHODS INC.
STONE CENTER
JULY
2025
The Stone Center is a resource for family businesses in the West Georgia region seeking to navigate the opportunities and challenges that face family businesses including succession planning, family business governance, integrating non-family employees, family business culture, and exit strategies, just to name a few. The center is also a key driver of campus programming, such as Entrepreneurship Week and the Wolf Den Pitch competition, which supports the entrepreneurial endeavors of UWG students
Here at the Stone Center for Family Business, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation, we're thrilled to bring you the latest updates, exciting events, and community news. This fall, we are introducing new and innovative programs and opportunities designed for both University of West Georgia students, faculty, and the broader West Georgia community Stay tuned for all the ways we’re working to support and inspire you all!
FACILITATORS
JULY 2025
Brad Fisher is the co-founder of The Scalability Leadership Group (SLG), helping Growth Stage Companies improve operations He specializes in scalability, leadership, and family business. With a background in various industries, he authored Family Business Abundance and holds an M.B.A. from Stanford. He also serves on several boards.
Raja Bhattacharya is the inaugural director of the UWG Stone Center for Family Business, Entrepreneurship & Innovation. With over 20 years of experience, he has developed programs, mentored start-ups, and supports grassroots entrepreneurship in distressed communities. Raja also serves on various start-up and non-profit boards and is a certified entrepreneurial mindset and design thinking facilitator
Dr. Bergiel is a Professor of Management at the University of West Georgia, where he teaches courses in Management, Organizational Behavior, Entrepreneurship, and related subjects. His research centers on leadership, group dynamics, and shared cognition, and he actively consults with businesses on these topics. He is also a Colonel in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, with nearly 30 years of military and leadership experience.
DAY ONE
Wednesday, July 23rd
Richards College of Business
9:00 am - 9:30 am: Breakfast
9:30 am - 10:30 am: Introductions and developing your leadership team
10:45 am - 11:45 am: Family Business Leadership Succession
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm: Story-telling & Lunch
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm: Breakout Sessions
Track 1: Managing Conflicts in Family Business: Family business succession often leads to conflicts due to the overlap of family, business, and ownership Effective conflict management and social skills are crucial for ensuring smooth transitions and maintaining family harmony
Track 2: Family Relationships in a Successful Business: This session will evaluate balancing family dynamics with business success, including conflict resolution, role clarity, and how to maintain professional growth
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm: Breakout Sessions
Track 1: Developing an Entrepreneurial Mindset: This session will explore developing an entrepreneurial mindset within a family business structure It will explore the knowledge, attitude, and skills required to excel in leading or working for a family business
Track 2: Future Lens on Technology and A.I.: This session will explore how A I is reshaping industries and impacting businesses, focusing on its effects in customer service, retail, banking, and government Participants will be exposed to future innovations and opportunities presented by A.I. technologies.
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Peer-to-Peer Connection Hour
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm: Networking Reception & Dinner
DAY TWO
Thursday, July 24, 2025
Richards College of Business
9:00 am - 9:30 am: Breakfast
9:30 am - 10:30 am: Building and Rebuilding Trust / Family Values as a Competitive Advantage
10:45 am - 11:45 am: Breakout Session
Track 1: How Boards Can Help Entrepreneurial Families Move Forward: This session will focus on how boards can support entrepreneurial families during crises and beyond, covering board roles, composition, and the involvement of the next generation.
Track 2: Engaging Non-family Employees Working and a Career in Your Family Business: This session will explore how to engage and develop non-family employees in family businesses, focusing on building leadership roles and ensuring their growth alongside family members
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm: First & Second-generation Family Business Panel & Lunch
