Sunday, June 29, 2014

Join us to hear the Story and Experiences of Cargas Systems

Sustained Success With Family AND Employee Ownership
Join us to hear the Story and Experiences of Cargas Systems
June 17, 1988. In a corner of a bedroom in Lancaster, PA, Chip Cargas launches a computer consulting firm with a state-of-the-art Macintosh SE with a 9” screen, dot matrix printer, desk, phone and answering machine. Today, Cargas Systems is a thriving business software and consulting company—with that antique Mac proudly on display in Chip’s office.

Chip developed Cargas Systems based on his vision of a company built on values that inspired and motivated the employees. One of the first sets of “policies and procedures” he designed for the company was the set of core values that remain in place today: teamwork, customer care and shared success. With a background in Industrial Engineering and Human Resources, plus a lifelong interest in developing efficient and effective systems and procedures, Chip determined that helping companies achieve business success would be his company’s primary focus.

Chip was the sole owner of Cargas Systems until 1998 when he introduced employee ownership. Chip reduced his ownership from 100% to 60%, and now 93% of Cargas employees are shareholders in the company. Even those who do not own stock in the company are encouraged to perform according to the employee-owned culture that has been fostered throughout the history of Cargas Systems.

Cargas Systems is an eight-time winner of the Best Places to Work in PA designation, including being #1 medium size company in 2006. 


Chip Cargas is the founder, Chairman & CEO of Cargas Systems, an employee-owned software
company with 54 employees.  Chip received an Honorary Doctorate in Public Service in 2013 from Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology.  He is the 2006 recipient of the Small Business Person of the Year award presented by the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce.  Chip earned his B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Cornell University in 1969.  Chip is enjoys bicycling for commuting, fitness, and fun.  He is the 2007 winner of the Central PA Fittest CEO competition in the male over 50 category. Chip earned his B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Cornell University.

  
Nate Scott is the Vice President of Cargas Systems’ Energy business unit, and has responsibility for
the overall strategy, revenues, and expenses for the division.  Nate oversees the unit’s strategic planning, sales, marketing, product development, consulting and customer service functions.  His ambitious demeanor, consultative approach, and appreciation for technology make Nate an ideal fit as a divisional leader. He earned his B.A. in government and law from Lafayette College

Aaron Cargas, CPA is Manager of Product Development at Cargas Systems. He leads and designs
the product roadmap and strategy of Cargas Energy, software and mobile technology for heating oil, propane and service companies. Aaron joined Cargas Systems in 1996 with a degree in Accounting and a background in public accounting.  Aaron’s business acumen is evident in his Cargas contributions and his humorous and valuable weekly blog posts at ManagerialMayhem.com, reaching 500 readers in 35 countries, and monthly articles for B2B Magazine, reaching 30,000 business professionals in southeastern PA.


Cargas Systems are members of The High Center Elizabethtown College.
Join The Network of FamilyBusinesses for a virtual educational Webinar on Tuesday, July 22nd, 2014 at 11:00 AM Eastern Time, with Chip Cargas, Nate Scott, and Aaron Cargas.


For additional information email: steve@netfamilybusiness.com



Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Upgraded Website Goes LIVE!

Be sure to check out The Network of Family Businesses website at www.netfamilybusiness.com

We've updated and upgraded our website to provide our members with a faster, friendlier experience.

Check us out and let us know your thoughts; we are striving to meet the needs of Families in Business.

It is all about the Network helping Families build their Legacy!


Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Webinar: Transitioning the Family Business vs. Selling the Family Business

Benjamin Franklin said, “[N]othing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”

If you own a business, you have and will be paying taxes, and you will die, although I have met several owners who believe they will live forever. So, the question is not if I die, but when, and thus, it means there will be a transition of ownership of the business after the owner’s death.

In this webinar, John Reed and Dan Desmond will, in somewhat of a point-counter point version, look at the critical issues that an owner should analyze when planning the succession path of his or her business, including things such as leadership, management identification and training, financial resources, needs and objectives of the owner post-succession and, of course, the employees. Additional issues to consider will include valuation of the business, fiscal health of the company, long-term financial and retirement planning, the current M&A environment, and, finally, whether the owner is truly ready to “pull the trigger.” There are also a host of separate issues to consider if the business has more than one owner in either situation. Lastly, we will also touch on some “scenario planning” to encourage owners that think “I’m not planning on getting out of the business for 15 years”, to identify critical pieces that are common in either path and having them start developing those critical pieces starting today.

John spends much of his time helping family owned businesses transition between generations, and is a huge advocate of successful family transitions, but, moving a business to the next generation is not the only option, and in some circumstances, it may be the wrong option.

A lawyers favorite answer to most questions is - “it depends”. When evaluating whether a sale to an unrelated party or a succession to the next generation is the right path, what’s the right answer? -- say it with me -- it depends.


John T. Reed, Partner, Barley Snyder: John is the chair of the firm's Business Law
Group and Family Business Law Group. John's primary practice is comprised of two separate but related areas: (i) counseling family owned and closely held businesses; and (ii) buying and selling businesses, and in many cases, acting as a general counselor for the business on an ongoing basis after the transaction is completed.



Daniel T. Desmond, Associate, Barley Snyder: Dan is an associate in the firm’s Business Services, Real Estate and Finance and Creditors Rights Groups. In Dan’s
work with business law, he focuses on all facets of business transactions ranging from entity selection and formation and structuring to mergers, acquisitions, succession planning for closely held businesses and securities work for publicly traded companies.



Barley Snyder is also one of the founding members and a current corporate sponsor of the S. Dale High Family Business Center at Elizabethtown College. John leads the firm's efforts at the Center and is a frequent speaker and a regular resource for the CEO Roundtable and Emerging Leaders Groups at the Center.


Join The Network of Family Businesses for a virtual educational Webinar on Thursday, June 26th, 2014 at 11:00 AM Eastern Time, with John Reed and Dan Desmond.



For additional information email: steve@netfamilybusiness.com