Client Family Testimonials and Endorsements for Bridging Generations Book and TWG Programs

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Pete Coors, Chairman, Coors Brewing Corporation

Through the work of The Williams Group, families learn the essential skills of how to build trust with one another; move beyond the past; and see new ways to build relationships and to foster direction, purpose and involvement for individual family members, and for the family as a unit. The family is placed front and center. The family learns the necessary skills required to work together as a high-performing team, turn conflict into a generative way forward and take accountability for the responsibilities of their family unity and wealth. These skills build confidence, competence and the necessary ambition in the next generation so they can step up to the plate and impact their world in meaningful ways.

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This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to ensure the wealth they leave their family has a positive impact. It offers valuable tools for families, including how to get along, appreciate each other for each member’s talents and develop the trust needed to be in harmony.

 

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Bill Meek, Chairman of the Board, Meek's Lumber and Hardware

Communicating between generations can be very difficult. Communicating between family members with different histories and financial needs can be impossible, especially after the patriarch dies. The Williams Group gave us the secret sauce and a process for resolving our family issues. I wish we had gone to them earlier, and I am grateful we went to them when we did.

 

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Mitzi Purdue, Perdue and Sheraton Hotels Families

Williams and Castoro address one of the biggest pain points business families face: 70 percent of them will fail at passing their legacies on to the next generation. Since what we leave after we’re gone helps give meaning to our lives, every business family needs to know how to be in the 30 percent that makes a successful transition. Drawing on the experiences of more than 3,000 business families, the authors know how to do it. They explain what needs to be done, and they do it in practical terms, along with riveting examples. This book fills a need! Frankly, I think all business families owe Williams and Castoro a debt of thanks for this book.

 

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Peter E. Gilgan, Founder & CEO, Mattamy Homes Ltd.

I would unequivocally recommend this book as mandatory reading for any G1 or G2 families of wealth who are concerned about having a successful transition of the family legacy between generations.

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As is often pointed out in this communiqué, the majority of transitions are unsuccessful as a result of a lack of preparedness by the heirs: understanding the dynamics of being the curators of wealth for successive generations. This book highlights the steps the family needs to take to reduce the odds of the shirt sleeves-to-shirtsleeves phenomenon.

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My family and I worked with TWG for several years, learning and practicing the steps outlined here. With this work, I am confident we have established a way forward that preserves all of the family assets, including the most important: care, love and unity.

 

Congratulations to Roy and Amy for this important piece of work.

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Patriarch, The Kudu Family

Regarding Williams, my family and I have had a wonderful experience. Williams began with  several surveys of each family member and spouses for a total of 12 people. We have had 8 two-day sessions over 14 months with our entire family including the 2nd and 3rd generations. We had 3 coaches led by Amy Castoro. Each coach proved and provided varying skills and also worked together well as a team. They were articulate, respectful, and understanding of all members of my family.

 

We were taught some very important skills, especially on communication issues. This included how to let the other person in the conversation know of its importance. We were taught listening skills. While these skills are often basic and taken for granted,  we practiced and critiqued difficult and sometimes emotional problems, issues, and conversations. We were able to unpack many of the issues and able to work through them to the satisfaction of all parties, even with difficult people and persons with varying values.

 

We enjoy the meetings with Williams.  They have become friends but also remain teachers to us.

 

Many of my family members say it is the best thing we have done for the future of our family. I agree as well.

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The Collins Family

Unresolved issues and not having the skills to work through them had been motivating our family members to separate the family wealth.

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The Williams Group’s experienced, professional, and caring guidance created a safe environment for us to learn together and talk through difficult and emotional issues while helping us to keep our love for each other in focus. Their process of self-discovery, finding peace and empathy with differing perspectives and learning powerful communication skills has given us the ability to reset our relationships and take them to higher levels of trust and love. Today, we see new possibilities and a new future for our family.

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Bob Shaw, Shaw Family

TWG has led us through a series of steps that have laid a foundation for genuine communication and trust.  Developing a mission and values together - and a number of breakthroughs with seemingly taboo subjects - has brought us together.  This investment of time and talents is insurance against the risk of division so many families encounter.  We are all engaged, learning, building, and enjoying.

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Alan Ho, Ho Family

I really enjoyed working with the Williams Group, as it gave us a productive environment where we could all share and process our feelings. I personally learned how to find a healthy balance between conveying my honest thoughts and being cognizant of others' feelings. It was a positive learning experience, and if more issues arise, we will be sure to reach out again! 

 

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Peter Ganahl, CEO, Ganahl Lumber Company

Roy William’s latest, Bridging Generations, is a great primer for families who want to transition a business to the next generation and keep the family values intact. Our family got not only the pathways outlined in the book, we also got the wisdom and guidance of Roy and his professional team to coach and guide us through the early years of putting our transition plan in place.

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Karyn Smith, Smith Family

The work that we did with Amy and Joel was a pivotal experience for us as a family, particularly as  a family whose wealth has accumulated very recently.  With two daughters approaching young adulthood, this work provided a unique opportunity for us to lay the groundwork to move into a very different future than we envisioned even a few years ago.  

 

Joel and Amy helped us -- and in some instances pressed us -- to tackle family dynamics and stick with the hard conversations, even when that involved fears and tears.  As a parent making the transition from parenting young children to parenting young adults, I was able to see my daughters through new eyes, which allowed me to set aside some of the fears I’d been carrying around about how our new wealth might change them in ways I didn’t view as positive.  For my daughters, they were able to express their own fears and questions about what this new world meant for them, and I could see their bodies relax when they realized they could put aside the worries they’d been carrying.    Doing this work up front allowed us to move into the fun and exciting work of creating our family wealth mission statement from a place of trust and openness.

 

I feel incredibly fortunate that we discovered The Williams Group when we did, and that we had the opportunity to have open conversations and lay the foundation at this point in our family’s journey.  With (hopefully) decades ahead of us as a family, I expect we will return to this work again and again, to refresh ourselves, to check in, and to bring in new family members as partners and children join our ranks in the coming years.  The time spent with The Williams Group is one of the greatest gifts I’ve ever given my family.

 

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Max Lehrman, Vice President, Lehrco Corporation

I can honestly say working with The Williams Group was a life-changing experience for me. The trust-building and communication skills they teach are unbelievably effective. These skills can be implemented immediately and can also dramatically change the nature of a challenging and even toxic relationship. Family business dynamics are never easy, but I am now confident in my ability to work through any issues that may come my way. Furthermore, the skills I learned from The Williams Group also are helping me in my everyday conversations and interactions, a major bonus beyond the already huge win within the family business. I will be eternally grateful to The Williams Group for all of their help.

 

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Mark Sutherland, Sutherland Family

The Williams Group gave our family tools to better our communication. We had no communication skills all these years, and now we have comfortable and relaxed Zoom meetings once a month. Some siblings hadn't spoken to each other in years! The professional team we had dug right in and showed us how to communicate with each other and respect the opinions of everyone. We had to do it in a hurry, as our father was heading to hospice, and they were able to accommodate our needs. I highly recommend The Williams Group for your family.

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Alex Gould — NextGen Collaborative Program

I was delighted to join such a focused and timely group to discuss with like-minded peers to discuss issues and concerns that we are all facing, in a structured and safe place. It was incredibly insightful to be surrounded by a unique group of successful individuals who are facing similar challenges. I enjoyed the group discussions and valued the regular check-ins. Discussions were well-thought-out and easy to digest, helping me gain a greater sense of direction and unveil deeper questions to get to "the heart of the matter." It was incredibly useful to have the program structured the way it was. I also appreciated the smaller group discussions that occurred. I particularly enjoyed getting to know some of the other participants on a one-on-one basis.

 

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Lynn Brayton, Psy.D Clinical Psychologist, Brayton Family

It's been over a year since our last meeting with The Williams Group and a year since my father's death.  I think what every parent wants for their children is to see them move forward in a positive way.  I know it was important to my parents.  They also wanted us to stay connected and to support each other.  Our engagement with The Williams Group has made the resolution of my father's estate and the coming together through our family foundation an experience of gratitude and appreciation.

 

The Williams Group worked with our family in creating alignment and connection with each other.  Prior to our engagement with The Williams Group, there was a growing number of serious disconnects within the family.   This wasn't just a case of infrequent contact, rather it was a case of no communication for years.  Through our individual and family meetings, we reconnected in a powerful way that we never had before.  We completed our sessions knowing we had each other's back, no matter what. Today we have a thriving foundation with clarity of our shared purpose and individual roles.  Our next generation is engaged and pursuing their own passions.  

 

The Williams Group helped us create a paradigm shift in what it means to be a family and I know we will always remain connected in spite of the differences that may occur along the way because we have the skills to keep those relationships strong.   This isn't therapy.  It is the step beyond therapy.  The Williams Group is about creating what you want in your family and giving you the skills to implement it.

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Anonymous — Matriarch of Family

We engaged The Williams Group to help ensure our heirs are prepared to assume the family's wealth when something happens to us. We got much more than that. We have peace of mind knowing that our family will not be surprised and burdened AND our family communicates more authentically and effectively. We appreciate and trust each other more and all feel "lighter".

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Anonymous — Matriarch of Family

Our work with the Williams group accomplished something I wasn’t sure was possible.  We managed to put money in its place – focusing on what it can do, not what it is, and recognizing that relationships are more important. As our conversations evolved, we learned and practiced how to listen to understand, while acknowledging differences.  And, for me, it was a special gift to get to know each other better as adults and family – with (some) shared values and true alignment on the purpose of our resources."

 

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Robyn Wagner — NextGen Collaborative Program

This class was the perfect capstone for our family meetings. It was a chance to get a more in-depth look at the concepts in the world outside my family. I was able to implement the same lessons I had learned with my family into my life outside my family unit. The group meetings helped me explore ideas I hadn't previously thought of, and the 1-1 meetings helped me dive deeper into the concepts and work through goals. 

 

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Jordan Vander Kolk— NextGen Collaborative Program

Dear Williams Group Team, I want to take a moment to thank you for your contribution to myself in our recently completed NextGen Collaborative Course. I believe leadership is not a position but is a skillset and like the proverbial ax must be regularly sharpened. The NextGen Collaborative Course with your coaching has helped me to sharpen the ax by expanding my knowledge of communication as it shows up in my life in the assessments made and spoken and trust built with others. Joel, it has been a pleasure to get to know you, and thank you for the one-on-one sessions and discussions. Thank you to Nicholas for your leadership in the sessions and for your development of the materials and assignments. And thank you to Amy for your continued outreach to me and gentle prodding to push me to grow myself. As an encouragement to others who may consider this course for themselves, I encourage you to not just sign up but fully engage. The course is not a teacher-driven classroom lecture but is a personal exercise with very talented and learned coaches. Like any athlete who wishes to be the best at his or her craft, only by listening to great coaches and putting in every bit of practice can you become who you wish to be. This course will continue to develop individuals who can lead themselves and then others. In Gratitude, Jordan Vander Kolk

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Charles C. Stephenson, Jr., Stephenson Investments, Inc.

We are a family of 18 consisting of G1s, G2s and G3s. We have been a client of The Williams Group for several years and have participated in the exercises described in this book. Through working with The Williams Group, our family has grown closer together and developed a mutual respect and greater love for each other. They helped us to more fully know what it means to be a family unit in harmony and to define the purpose of our wealth and the legacy we will leave for our current and future generations. Our children and grandchildren are now much better prepared to successfully lead productive lives while enjoying and preserving family financial wealth.

 

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Glen Holden

In this book, The Williams Group provides information for readers to apply in planning the transfer of their assets to others. The Williams Group has gathered this information from many actual family cases and years of experience. This book is a must for people who wish to learn ways to communicate and transfer their personal mission in life to the recipients of their assets.

 

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Carl & Peggy Sewell, Founders/Owners, Sewell Automotive

Roy Williams and The Williams Group coached our family into the next generation. Peggy and I became coaches, sponsors and teachers for our children while letting them grow into leaders. We learned to give our children a lot of responsibility augmented by trust, respect and love.

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We were taught by Roy Williams and Joel Kimmel. We are all eternally grateful.

This book provides the information necessary to navigate the journey, and the journey always requires guidance.

 

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Anne Wiles, Franchisee of Carl’s Jr. (fast-food restaurant company)

This book outlines the expectations for the members of a family, starting with the meetings. The Williams Group process created an atmosphere for our multi-generational family to have honest communications and lasting tools for the following years.

 

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James C. Pigott, Industrialist and Philanthropist

This book is full of useful examples, understandable explanations and detailed checklists. Its emphasis on the need to balance family trust and inclusiveness with accountability and mentoring separates this wealth-transfer book from others on that subject.

 

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Carrie Meek-Cuneo, President, Western Division – Meek’s Lumber & Hardware

This book is a gift to all who are interested in protecting not just family wealth but also family harmony. The Williams Group has designed a clear and defined path for families to build trust and communication, as well as to plan for the future. I know so many families who did not go through a planning process until a triggering event occurred, such as the death of a father. Unfortunately, what follows is often a disruptive and chaotic time for all family members. Our family was lucky enough to find Roy Williams and embark proactively on the Preparing Heirs process. While not always easy, we now feel united, resilient and, most of all, prepared.

 

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Art Ludwick, Owner, Rainbird Manufacturing Company

Transitions are never easy. Generation bridging is among the hardest to successfully accomplish where wealth, personalities and generational values collide. Roy Williams and Amy Castoro offer sound guidance to mitigate the inevitable family distress surrounding generational transitions.

 

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Caroline Daniels, Retired Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Aircraft Technical Publishers

Every family business will face difficult and emotionally charged challenges beyond expected corporate concerns. I doubt they will prevail without the honest conversations and heart-based trust and communication skills that Roy and The Williams Group coaches teach their family clients.

 

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Richard (Dick) Patterson, The Patterson Family

My experience with Roy Williams and his group has been invaluable in helping me organize my thoughts for what a real family future wealth plan is. I was very confused on what I was trying to accomplish until I had the chance to understand what the real goals and objectives are for me and my family.

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Bridging Generations is a great insight into the realities of forming and shaping our family’s history. Preparing Heirs is a great book and helped me tremendously. Bridging Generations is a terrific push forward.

 

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Richard D. Boyd, Co-CEO and President, Boyd Coffee Company

Roy and Amy have presented many facets of trust, communications, values and beliefs like a diamond being carefully cut to expose its brilliance of light glittering before your eyes, thus capturing the essence of a worthy cause of planning and transitioning for a family’s wealth and sustainable legacy.

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Bridging Generations drives home the importance of the entire family’s participation, emphasizing trust, effective communications and accountability to achieve transitioning family wealth and values for a sustainable legacy.

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Being a past recipient of The Williams Group’s teachings, I found Bridging Generations to be a wonderful refresher of lessons learned and a great reference as the plan for a sustainable transition of wealth and values plays out over time.

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Bridging Generations is a comprehensive manuscript designed to develop family trust, effective communications, values and beliefs to enhance the planning process for a successful transitioning of wealth, values and a sustainable family legacy.

 

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Jordan Vander Kolk, President, Artisan Medical Displays

Many of those considering the services of The Williams Group are planning for the transition of wealth that was built through business and enterprise. While building that wealth in business, these founders and leaders never presupposed the success of their endeavors without fully sharing with their employees, their teams, the vision prior to executing any plan. These leaders built wealth by working within teams to strategize and plan so that team members knew their roles and then executed the plan. So, too, with the transition of wealth. The vision of many parents is that as they pass on, what they have built should be used to create an opportunity for their children that is greater than what they themselves had and that their children use it to grow themselves and do greater work. Not just grow the wealth or preserve it, but use it to grow the person and purpose. Now actively transitioning wealth, how can one expect the next generation to fulfill that vision of person and purpose if they haven’t participated in the plan created by one who is no longer living? This book and the work of The Williams Group provide a playbook for the successful transition of wealth through the learning and understanding of individuals. They do not leave you to decipher the playbook alone; they provide the coaching to successfully execute the transition and preservation of wealth to the furtherance of the family in future generations.

 

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Joe Harper, President & CEO, The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club; and Trustee, Cecil B. De Mille Foundation

Once again, Roy Williams has given us a well-marked path through the minefields of successful wealth transfers. Generational differences are the new hurdles requiring new communication skills. Masterfully, Roy and Amy have laid out a step-by-step program that will bring the generations together. No one does this better than The Williams Group. Love and understanding are two very different words when we arrive at the chasm of generational differences. Communication is the bridge of understanding. This book shows us, step by step, how to achieve the harmony that will lead to successful wealth transfers.

 

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Eddie Bradley, Founder/CEO, AutoInc.

The last thing all wealth creators want is for their hard work and success to become the instrument of destroying their family. Nor do they want to see the fruits of their labors squandered because of inadequate planning and education. Most would love to see their heirs use what they are given to build even greater success, in addition to living full happy lives. Families are complicated organisms and often present a big challenge to decision makers attempting to make equitable, intelligent choices about wealth and responsibility transfer to succeeding generations. Roy Williams and Amy Castoro offer a proven, practical process to families needing to navigate this difficult issue.

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The best gift that heirs can receive is a family plan that gives them direction about how to co-develop their family values with their family and properly utilize what they inherit. It is the wealth creator’s responsibility to assure this plan is developed as a family team while they are able to participate in developing the process.

 

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Fred Smith, President, The Gathering

Louis Pasteur said, “Fortune favors the prepared mind.” If you are like many fortunate families today, wanting to avoid the statistics of family wealth disappearing within three generations, you will reap the benefit of the accumulated wisdom of Roy Williams and Amy Castoro. There is no better resource for preparing the hearts and minds of whole families for a successful inheritance.

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This is wonderful material — especially in a time when wealth creators are inundated with bad counsel by professionals and institutions with vested interests intended to undermine their families.

 

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Paul Keiswetter, President & CEO, Petoskey Plastics

Families are one of our greatest gifts, but families are vulnerable. Our family — a founding father of a successful company with four children from two mothers who share equal company ownership, two working in the company — has unique challenges.

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Our first sessions with The Williams Group revealed that a lifetime of building a growing business did not provide the unique and personal skills required in transitioning wealth to an unprepared family.

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Under The Williams Group’s professional guidance, we discovered a deeper understanding of ourselves and each other, revealing our potential trials and ultimately strengthening our unity, respect, trust and family bond. We now have a Mission Statement and a playbook of performance. While The Williams Group cannot change individual personalities, they can develop rules for communication and standards identifying acceptable behavior.

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Our blood family, our business family and the communities in which we work will all benefit from a successful transition of our assets. The Williams Group has given all of us an opportunity to increase our odds of future success.

 

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Edward C. Halbach, Professor Emeritus, UC Berkeley Law School, and Janet B. Halbach

Effective communication remains vital (to avoid, e.g., unpleasant surprises), as does preparation for potential fiduciary roles or simply for beneficiaries’ prudent management of inherited funds and informed decision making about their own needs, opportunities and goals. Even issues inherent in preserving a testator’s vacation home for interested descendants are analogous to those of continuing a family business. Bridging Generations is thus worth recommending to a broad spectrum of persons concerned with estate planning. 

 

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Jose Higueras, Tennis Pro and Coach, U.S. Tennis Association

I highly recommend Bridging Generations: Transitioning Family Wealth and Values for a Sustainable Legacy to anyone attempting to navigate through the complex world of financial planning for their heirs. As a father to two adult children, the importance of securing my wealth for my family and future generations has in the past few years become paramount. Roy’s book provided a road map that I could easily follow to ensure that my hard-earned money would remain a part of my legacy.

 

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James (Jay) E. Hughes, Jr., Esq., Author

As with Roy’s seminal book Preparing Heirs, his new book, Bridging Generations, co-authored with Amy, helps every enterprising family make a great transition, thereby avoiding the three-generation shirtsleeves proverb for many generations into the future.

 

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Bob Graham, CEO & Founder, Namaste Direct SF

Bridging Generations is a well-written, reader-friendly book. It describes the finely honed process developed by Roy Williams and his team for building family unity through trust and communication. The idea of a loving, respectful, cohesive multi-generational family may seem like a dream to most, but here is a practical, step-by-step guide to making it a reality.

 

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Dine Dellenback, Wyoming State Regent, DAR

I have been using the “team” approach, and I realize that people are much more willing to work if they have a part in the game. All the things suggested in this book create harmony within a family.

 

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Dean Daily, CEO, Van Nuys Airport Industrial Center

Wow! Roy and Amy have written the go-to primer on family business and succession that will keep you engaged, motivated and moved to action for your own family — seeking not only focus on assets, but most importantly, the value of family unity and harmony.

 

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Endorsements from Advisors

 

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Neil Douthat, UBS Financial Services, Inc.

As a wealth management professional, I recognize that merely focusing on creating or preserving financial wealth for the families we work with is short-changing our clients. Families of wealth also yearn for wise counsel on how their financial wealth can be a force for good — for future generations and for the communities where they live. Bridging Generations is an indispensable guidebook for those families.

 

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Frances W. Douthat, UBS Financial Services, Inc.

Great wealth can be used in a multitude of beneficial ways. The one thing that no amount of wealth can do, however, is insulate us from the “human condition.” If not addressed, the human conditions of emotionality, aspiration, conflict and mortality can poison all the potential that wealth presents. In my work as a wealth management advisor, I have witnessed the heartbreaking destruction of families, individuals — and financial wealth — due to the absence of attention to our natural human tendencies.

 

Bridging Generations illuminates this all-too-often overlooked facet of family wealth and refocuses a family’s attention and efforts on preserving their true wealth — the individual family members — those living and those not yet born.

 

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Jeff Verdon, Esq., Verdon Law Group

For most of my 40 years as the family consigliere to America’s more affluent families and business owners, my law firm’s mission was to protect our clients’ assets from financially ruinous lawsuits and to pass the maximum amount of wealth from Generation 1 to Generation 2 and Generation 3 with the least amount of transfer taxation. When I read the earlier book, Preparing Heirs, I realized our work was incomplete unless we engaged the next generations early in the process. The Williams Group platform in Bridging Generations presents the best opportunity to avoid the devastating “shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves” in three generations. While the work is challenging, the results are worth the effort to successfully protect and pass on the family legacy. The Williams Group is the best thing to happen to the estate and trust planning industry since the advent of the asset-protection trust. Bridging Generations is a must-have guidebook and should be on every serious estate planning professional’s desk next to the Internal Revenue Code.

 

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Thorne L. Perkin, President, Papamarkou Wellner Asset Management, Inc.

Roy and Amy’s book, Bridging Generations, helps families comprehend and appreciate what ultimately matters — the principles, ethics and morals that define reputation and cement legacy. This book serves as an invaluable tool in educating families about the importance of having a concerted familial mission; Bridging Generations expresses, in a thoughtful and legible manner, this vital cohesion and the health effects that can result in positively linking generations.

 

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Marvi Ricker, VP, Philanthropic Advisory Services, BMO Wealth Management

This book provides some very useful research data and insights, not only for families of wealth, but also for advisors working with these families.

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The Williams Group research identifies as the main cause of failure in transitioning family wealth the breakdown in communication and trust within the family unit. Their research, as well as other published findings, reveals that these wealth transitions have only a 30 percent success rate.

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Of particular interest to me is the role of family philanthropy. I am not surprised that it is a common element among families with successful transitions. The values and skills needed for effective and meaningful philanthropy — good communication, trust, accountability, consensus building, as well as articulated shared values — are also necessary for success in transitioning family wealth.

 

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Wendy Craft, COO, Favara Family Office

Roy and Amy simply “get it right.” Family founders are amazing at building wealth but rarely trained on how to preserve and pass on their legacy and values. Much of the information surrounding the family-office space simply deals with wealth preservation and, to some extent, governance structures. That information does not touch on the human aspect of family wealth and transition. Bridging Generations provides solid case studies and road maps for avoiding the pitfalls that so many families end up in. I view this work as a necessary part of the family-office toolkit for the generational transition.

 

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Carol Zeist, Family Trust Litigation Attorney, Newmeyer & Dillion LLP

Too many wealthy families become embroiled in family trust litigation, particularly after the matriarch’s and/or patriarch’s passing. This book’s process for creating trust and consensus across generations could and should decrease that growing trend.

 

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Wendy J. Dominguez, President & Co-Founder, Innovest Portfolio Solutions LLC

This book is an excellent resource for families who are interested in successfully transitioning their wealth to the next generation. Roy Williams and Amy Castoro offer a time-tested approach to a successful transition rooted in building trust and improving communication. As a financial advisor who works with many first-generation wealth creators, I found this book to be an excellent tool to discuss the “softer” — and just as important, side of wealth transfer.

 

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Chris Cincera, COO/CFO, Family Office

Bridging Generations is an incredible testimony to the expertise and lifelong learnings of Roy Williams and his team. It is a must-read for family office executives who represent or wish to represent multiple generations. Roy has been a great mentor to me during my family office career. He coached me to be the family consigliere to provide families the much-needed level of support required for a sustainable legacy. That has served me well in working with various families that I have represented over the years. Bridging Generations is a great tool and guide designed to assist families and family office executives to navigate a road to success built on trust, communication and a clear vision that aligns with the families’ values and purpose for their wealth.

 

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David G. Roberts, MBA, Lead/Principal, The Rainier Group

The successful transition of wealth within a family has many challenges, as outlined by The Williams Group. These challenges only increase when a family business is also involved. Very often, owners of these businesses want to see the continued success of the business they worked so hard for, ensure that their family wealth is protected, see their children succeed in business and most importantly, they wish to keep the family relationships intact and harmonious.

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The book Bridging Generations by Roy Williams and Amy Castoro of The Williams Group is a vital tool for all families who want to prepare their children to preserve the legacy of business and wealth that is being transferred to them, lead productive and successful lives and keep family relationships intact. The book outlines the importance of family trust, developing good and effective communication and achieving accountability for a continued family legacy. This is a must-read for any family hierarchy wishing to begin the process of transitioning a successful business and/or family wealth to the next generation.

 

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Bob Gould, Partner, Creaghan McConnell Group

Roy Williams dedicated his life to helping families prepare for their wealth transition. It was his higher calling. Through it all, Roy discovered that authentic trust is the root of all progress for families. It’s setting them on a higher trajectory. In this definitive book, Roy and Amy share their collective wisdom, knowledge and experience about building trust in families. Having seen their work firsthand, I know what they write of in these pages truly works. So, read this book not only for the knowledge you will gain, but also for the impact you will deliver and the results you will achieve.

 

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David Allen Brown, LLP, Founding Partner, Brown & Streza

We can reduce the estate tax on a giant estate to zero, but there is nothing I can do in my documents to fix broken people. Working with people is always a challenge, but with family in business, it is mission-critical.

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I have seen firsthand the wonderful work done by The Williams Group in building harmony into the family and the values. The alternative is not very pretty. All of us could benefit from Preparing Heirs and Family Meetings and now Bridging Generations! I wish I had known of The Williams Group 40 years ago!

 

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Betty Mower Potalivo, Region President, Northern Trust

Bridging Generations is a must-read book for families of wealth. Many families we work with find the most important aspect of wealth management is preparing their children and grandchildren to become highly financial functioning adults. Common questions are: How much to give them, and when? What is the meaning of money? What purpose does it serve? Will wealth have a negative or positive impact on future generations? The issues become more and more complex with each generation. Some family members are enabled to become dependent; others find their path to self-actualization. How does a family work together to achieve harmony and individual self-actualization using wealth as strength and not a crutch?

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Northern Trust and The Williams Group have a track record of successfully helping families reach an understanding of the purpose of their wealth, individually and collectively. How does a family begin this process? My recommendation is to start by reading Bridging Generations. Then become fiercely intentional by engaging with your family using best practices and expert facilitators. Have faith that answers will unfold through your “intentional journey of discovery” as you and your family come together to define your family’s values, vision, goals and roles.

 

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Michael D. Allen, Board Certified Estate Planning Specialist, Allen Lottmann-Kimmel PC

There is a very short list of wealth advisors who have the character, wisdom and stature to sincerely and effectively advise families of significant wealth. Roy and his talented team are leaders on this short list. They know how to teach families the essential competencies required to sustain and, when necessary, restore relationships while greatly improving probabilities that wealth, influence, values and commitments to making a difference will be transitioned to successive generations.