The data is in! See what family owned businesses are saying about today’s challenges and opportunities.
Family Enterprise USA members and family-owned business leaders gathered on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on September 17th for conversations with policymakers to discuss the impact of tax policies and economic issues important to family-owned businesses nationwide and to navigate the legacy and longevity issues of the next generation of family-owned business leaders.
Alysha Loumakis-Calderon (ISYS Solutions, Inc.) opened the September 17th event by thanking Members of Congress, congressional staff, and family-owned businesses for joining the event hosted by Family Enterprise USA (FEUSA) in coordination with the Congressional Family Business Caucus. Alysha explained FEUSA’s mission to highlight the important role of family businesses of all sizes and industries and gave a brief illustration on the economic impact of her own family business.
Pat Soldano then moderated two panels, with the first consisting of businesses both owned and operated by families, and the second consisting of businesses owned by families and ran by non-family members.
We first heard from Barbara Roberts (Merril Lynch), who described her work as managing director and financial planner leading a multigenerational practice group. She helps family businesses and entrepreneurs plan generational and wealth transitions. Her son, Ben Roberts (Merril Lynch), then stressed the critical nature of financial planning for generational transitions. He also touted his co-authorship of the Next-Gen Survey, which aims to understand the attitudes and motivations of children who decide to participate in their family business.
We then heard from Cindy Ayloush (Hydraflow) who expressed her concerns over estate taxes. She recalled that the first generational change was smooth for her and her brother, but when he passed, his children had to sell back most of their shares to pay the estate taxes. She explained that if she were to die today, her children cannot afford the estate taxes they would owe. Her daughter, Sasha Ayloush (Hydraflow), described her role planning for the transition to the fourth generation. She expressed frustration with the complicated estate planning process and stressed the need for simplicity.
Next, Sherri Bovino (Global, A 1st Flagship Company) described her company’s defense contracting work for the U.S. Navy. Her daughter, Paige Kavooras (Global, A 1st Flagship Company), emphasized how their passion to help defend the nation motivates them to ensure the longevity of the business. Paige discussed the family’s relationship with their employees, which is built on transparency about their succession planning and gives the employees more assurance about their job stability and continuity. Sherri concluded by applauded the extensions of the 199A deduction but called on Congress to take further steps to bring tax parity between pass through entities and C-corps.
The panel then turned to answering questions from the audience, which mostly pertained to planning for the next generational change and advise for ensuring longevity. The panel especially emphasized being transparent with employees and remembering that the employees rely on family businesses for stability. Additionally, the panelists agreedt that younger family members must be involved and educated about the family business and generational changes from a young age.
We then turned to the second panel. Matt Nielsen (Nielsen-Massey Vanillas) described the scope of his family business, which is now in its fifth generation of family ownership. He explained that the company opted for a Board of Directors comprised of independent, nonfamily members, relying upon their experience and knowledge to help grow the business. Jonathan Thompson (Nielsen-Massey Vanillas) spoke about his time as a non-family CEO. He attributed the transitional success of the company to the independence of the Board and the transparency of each family members role in the company. Finally, he echoed concerns about the estate tax.
We then turned to David Plimpton (Inolex), who stressed the need for consistent and permanent tax rates to ensure stability in estate planning. He described the company’s manufacturing operations, four living generations of shareholders, and his role as the family representative. Art Knox (Inolex), the non-family President of the company, discussed the increased stability in working for a family company and reiterated concerns over the estate tax.
Next, Rep. Carol Miller (R-WV) addressed the audience, describing her husband’s family business, which is in its third generation. She was proud to call herself as a businesswoman and described conversations with her own family regarding inventory and estate taxes. Rep. Miller touted her work as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee and celebrated the permanent extension of the 199A provision in the tax reconciliation bill. Finally, Rep. Miller expressed gratitude for FEUSA and its work with the Congressional Family Business Caucus.
Following Rep. Miller, former Rep. Jack Kingston (R-GA) discussed four steps attendees should employ during their Congressional meetings: (1) introduce their business; (2) explain their issue; (3) tie that issue to the Member of Congress; and (4) provide a solution. Jack emphasized that all Members of Congress care about job creation and stability, especially in their district or state.
Next, John Gugliada discussed the results of the 2025 “Rising Gen” survey. He highlighted that the biggest challenge facing members of family-owned businesses is a lack of communication, especially with regard to succession plans. Additionally, John emphasized the lack of education surrounding the process of operating a family business, with only ten high schools and universities offering classes on the subject.
Pat Soldano closed the event by thanking Members of Congress, staff, and attendees for their participation.
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The need for fact-based reporting of issues important to family owned businesses and protecting a lifetime of savings has never been greater. Now more than ever, successful families and family owned businesses are under fire. That's why Family Enterprise USA is passionately working to increase the awareness of issues important to family owned businesses built on hard work, while continuing to strengthen our presence on Capitol Hill. The issues we fight for or against with Congress in Washington DC include high income tax rates, possible elimination of valuation discounts, increase in capital gains tax, enactment of a wealth tax, and the continued burden of the gift tax, estate tax and generation skipping tax.
Family Enterprise USA promotes generationally owned family business creation, growth, viability, and sustainability by advocating for family businesses and their lifetime of savings with Congress in Washington DC. Since 2007, Family Enterprise USA has represented and celebrated all sizes, professions and industries of family-owned enterprises and multi-generational employers. It is a bi-partisan 501.c3 organization. Family foundations can donate.
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