"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.
Dr. Nisha Gupta is an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of West Georgia, where she teaches courses in conflict resolution, counseling, and creativity. She also practices as a relationship therapist, helping individuals and couples navigate conflict. With a background in advertising, she consults on strategy and communication, and was raised in a family business led by her father, a tech entrepreneur
Dr. Venkataraman is the Founder of Akilum LLC, a startup in Bethlehem, PA developing solutions to improve business efficiency With over 30 years of experience in R&D, operations, and quality management, he has held leadership roles at companies like Motorola, Lucent, and Bethlehem Steel. He holds a PhD in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines, with 20 publications and 2 patents.
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: Future Lens on Technology & AI for Family Businesses
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: Family Business Leadership Succession: This breakout session will explore the dos and don'ts when it comes to bringing the next generation on board When and how you bring your family members can be a challenging process.
