Conference program.

• Position: Conference news - Calendar

Wednesday May 13, 2015

3-8 pm Registration Open

4:00-5:15 pm PRECONFERENCE SESSION Private and Family Company Governance Basics

This session will provide nuts-and-bolts information on how a board can help a private company to grow and thrive. Panelists will offer insights on determining whether a fiduciary or advisory board is right for you, the optimal number of board members, director recruitment, board composition and managing concerns about director liability.

Moderator: Steve McClure, Principal Consultant, The Family Business Consulting Group Speakers: Darcy Howe, Director, Heatron, Advisory Board Member, The Bama Companies; Jim McHugh, Director, Southworth International Group Inc. and Kennebec Technologies Inc.; Dennis Cagan, Director, Copper Mobile, Acorn Technologies, Truston, HeartStories, Inc., New Law Technology, Inc.

6:00-7:15 pm How Private and Family Company CEOs Work With Their Boards

What do private and family company CEOs expect from their boards, and how can the board help a CEO lead his or her company most effectively? Sitting private company CEOs will discuss their working relationships with their boards and how their boards have been a guiding force for providing discipline, accountability, strategic guidance and expertise.

Moderator: F. Douglas Raymond III, Partner, Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

Speakers: Julia H. Klein, Chairwoman and CEO,

C.H. Briggs Co.; Paul Bartelt, President and CEO,

The Vollrath Company; Keith E. Williams, President, Underwriters Laboratories Inc.; Secretary-Treasurer, U.S.-China Business Council; Director, National Fire Protection Association

7:15-9 pm Networking reception and buffet dinner

Thursday May 14, 2015

7:30 am Registration Open

7:30-8:30 am Breakfast

8:30-8:45 am CONFERENCE INTRODUCTION

Growth, Technology and Risk: 2015 Issues and Opportunities for Private Companies

Speaker: Roger Nanney, Vice Chairman, Deloitte LLP

8:45-9:15 am Keynote Interview

Jim Kristie interviews John "Jack" Brennan, chairman emeritus, Vanguard; Director, General Electric Company, Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, LPL Financial Holdings, Inc.

9:15-9:30 am Networking Break

9:30-10:45 am Strategy and the Private and Family Company Board

What the board needs to know in order to help formulate and drive a private company's strategy. How a board sets strategy. Company strategy is perhaps the key role a private company board plays. Does that board set strategy or oversee the company strategic plans? What's the right balance? And how does a board's role evolve as a company strategy is pursued over time?

Speakers: Meghan Juday, Director and Family Council Chair, IDEAL Industries; B. Joseph White, President Emeritus, University of Illinois and Director, Gordon Food...