[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ specialty=”on” padding_top_1=”0px” padding_top_bottom_link_1=”false” padding_left_right_link_1=”false” admin_label=”Hero” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_stops=”rgba(0,0,0,0.6) 0%|rgba(0,0,0,0.6) 100%” background_color_gradient_overlays_image=”on” background_image=”https:\/\/familyenterpriseusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/advisory-board-header-image.jpg” background_enable_video_mp4=”off” custom_padding=”8vw||8vw||true|false” locked=”off” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”73121f80-a3ef-4484-8763-c3f18e3c56d2″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_heading title=”Family Enterprise USA Advisory Board” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”ddeb8c09-9078-4424-bc15-2efb6572e28e” title_font=”Roboto|700|||||||” title_text_color=”#FFFFFF” title_font_size=”72px” title_line_height=”1.15em” title_font_size_tablet=”40px” title_font_size_phone=”24px” title_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text quote_border_color=”#FFFFFF” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”0504de1e-f5ff-4281-ba60-cbbe4edf98bc” text_font=”Proza Libre|Proza Libre_weight|||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.75em” link_font=”||||on||||” link_text_color=”#FFFFFF” quote_font=”Cormorant Garamond|Cormorant Garamond_weight|||||||” quote_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_font=”Cormorant Garamond|Cormorant Garamond_weight|||||||” header_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_font_size=”72px” header_line_height=”1.15em” header_2_font=”Cormorant Garamond|Cormorant Garamond_weight|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_2_font_size=”50px” header_2_line_height=”1.2em” header_3_font=”Cormorant Garamond|Cormorant Garamond_weight|||||||” header_3_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_3_font_size=”32px” header_3_line_height=”1.3em” header_4_font=”Cormorant Garamond|Cormorant Garamond_weight|||||||” header_4_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_4_font_size=”24px” header_4_line_height=”1.4em” header_5_font=”Cormorant Garamond|Cormorant Garamond_weight|||||||” header_5_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_5_font_size=”18px” header_5_line_height=”1.4em” header_6_font=”Cormorant Garamond|Cormorant Garamond_weight|||||||” header_6_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_6_line_height=”1.5em” custom_margin=”||||false|false” text_font_size_tablet=”15px” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_font_size_tablet=”40px” header_font_size_phone=”24px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_2_font_size_tablet=”28px” header_2_font_size_phone=”20px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_3_font_size_tablet=”22px” header_3_font_size_phone=”17px” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_4_font_size_tablet=”18px” header_4_font_size_phone=”15px” header_4_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” header_5_font_size_tablet=”15px” header_5_font_size_phone=”14px” header_5_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_6_font_size_tablet=”13px” header_6_font_size_phone=”13px” header_6_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Meet our Advisory Board members – trusted leaders providing expert guidance to support the future of family-owned businesses.<\/p>\n
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Connect with leaders shaping the future of family-owned businesses.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/familyenterpriseusa.com\/donate\/” button_text=”Get Involved” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”1bffc0fc-42a0-49d1-bd9a-ae3ade2d7206″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”14px” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#219ebc” button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”100px” button_font=”Proza Libre|700|||||||” custom_padding=”12px|24px|12px|24px|true|true” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{%22#219ebc%22:%91%22button_bg_color%22%93}” custom_padding__hover_enabled=”off|desktop” custom_padding__hover=”|28px||20px|true|false”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”on|on|on” admin_label=”Video” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#023047″ disabled=”on” locked=”off” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{%22#023047%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”5138c454-be54-4233-bd3b-f8e6a8747976″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”73121f80-a3ef-4484-8763-c3f18e3c56d2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=FkQuawiGWUw” image_src=”https:\/\/images.unsplash.com\/photo-1562577309-87b9a3f86d15?ixid=M3w1ODkyNzF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw1fHxkaXZlcnNlJTIwdGVhbSUyMGNvbGxhYm9yYXRpb258ZW58MHwwfHx8MTc1MDY4MzQyMnww&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&fm=webp&fit=crop&crop=entropy&w=1080&h=600&q=20&dpr=2″ play_icon_color=”#219ebc” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” border_radii=”on|6px|6px|6px|6px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{%22#219ebc%22:%91%22play_icon_color%22%93}”][\/et_pb_video][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”5138c454-be54-4233-bd3b-f8e6a8747976″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”73121f80-a3ef-4484-8763-c3f18e3c56d2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Our Mission in Action” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”c33f07d9-41e0-421a-8799-5799df695cce” title_level=”h2″ title_font=”Cormorant Garamond|Cormorant Garamond_weight|||||||” title_text_align=”center” title_text_color=”#FFFFFF” title_font_size=”50px” title_line_height=”1.2em” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” title_font_size_tablet=”28px” title_font_size_phone=”20px” title_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text quote_border_color=”#FFFFFF” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”0504de1e-f5ff-4281-ba60-cbbe4edf98bc” text_font=”Proza Libre|Proza Libre_weight|||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.75em” link_font=”||||on||||” link_text_color=”#FFFFFF” quote_font=”Cormorant Garamond|Cormorant Garamond_weight|||||||” quote_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_font=”Cormorant Garamond|Cormorant Garamond_weight|||||||” header_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_font_size=”72px” header_line_height=”1.15em” header_2_font=”Cormorant Garamond|Cormorant Garamond_weight|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_2_font_size=”50px” header_2_line_height=”1.2em” header_3_font=”Cormorant Garamond|Cormorant Garamond_weight|||||||” header_3_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_3_font_size=”32px” header_3_line_height=”1.3em” header_4_font=”Cormorant Garamond|Cormorant Garamond_weight|||||||” header_4_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_4_font_size=”24px” header_4_line_height=”1.4em” header_5_font=”Cormorant Garamond|Cormorant Garamond_weight|||||||” header_5_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_5_font_size=”18px” header_5_line_height=”1.4em” header_6_font=”Cormorant Garamond|Cormorant Garamond_weight|||||||” header_6_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_6_line_height=”1.5em” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||||false|false” text_font_size_tablet=”15px” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_font_size_tablet=”40px” header_font_size_phone=”24px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_2_font_size_tablet=”28px” header_2_font_size_phone=”20px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_3_font_size_tablet=”22px” header_3_font_size_phone=”17px” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_4_font_size_tablet=”18px” header_4_font_size_phone=”15px” header_4_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” header_5_font_size_tablet=”15px” header_5_font_size_phone=”14px” header_5_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_6_font_size_tablet=”13px” header_6_font_size_phone=”13px” header_6_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-36fd78a7-34bc-404d-873c-dafa34efaae5%22:%91%22icon_color%22,%22icon_color%22,%22icon_color%22,%22icon_color%22,%22icon_color%22,%22icon_color%22,%22icon_color%22,%22icon_color%22%93}”]<\/p>\n
Watch how Family Enterprise USA champions the success and sustainability of family-owned businesses across generations.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Team” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”5138c454-be54-4233-bd3b-f8e6a8747976″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.1″ _module_preset=”73121f80-a3ef-4484-8763-c3f18e3c56d2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Meet Our Advisory Board” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”c33f07d9-41e0-421a-8799-5799df695cce” title_level=”h2″ title_font=”Cormorant Garamond|Cormorant Garamond_weight|||||||” title_text_align=”center” title_text_color=”#0e0c19″ title_font_size=”50px” title_line_height=”1.2em” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” title_font_size_tablet=”28px” title_font_size_phone=”20px” title_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text quote_border_color=”#219ebc” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”2c55a9c4-feed-423b-9edb-ae0b5b365cac” text_font=”Proza Libre|Proza Libre_weight|||||||” text_text_color=”#3c3a47″ text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.75em” link_font=”|Proza Libre_weight|||||||” link_text_color=”#023047″ quote_font=”Cormorant Garamond|Cormorant Garamond_weight|||||||” quote_text_color=”#0e0c19″ header_font=”Cormorant Garamond|Cormorant Garamond_weight|||||||” header_text_color=”#0e0c19″ header_font_size=”72px” header_line_height=”1.15em” header_2_font=”Cormorant Garamond|Cormorant Garamond_weight|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#0e0c19″ header_2_font_size=”50px” header_2_line_height=”1.2em” header_3_font=”Cormorant Garamond|Cormorant Garamond_weight|||||||” header_3_text_color=”#0e0c19″ header_3_font_size=”32px” header_3_line_height=”1.3em” header_4_font=”Cormorant Garamond|Cormorant Garamond_weight|||||||” header_4_text_color=”#0e0c19″ header_4_font_size=”24px” header_4_line_height=”1.4em” header_5_font=”Cormorant Garamond|Cormorant Garamond_weight|||||||” header_5_text_color=”#0e0c19″ header_5_font_size=”18px” header_5_line_height=”1.4em” header_6_font=”Cormorant Garamond|Cormorant Garamond_weight|||||||” header_6_text_color=”#0e0c19″ header_6_line_height=”1.5em” text_orientation=”center” max_width=”800px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||||false|false” text_font_size_tablet=”15px” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_font_size_tablet=”40px” header_font_size_phone=”24px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_2_font_size_tablet=”28px” header_2_font_size_phone=”20px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_3_font_size_tablet=”22px” header_3_font_size_phone=”17px” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_4_font_size_tablet=”18px” header_4_font_size_phone=”15px” header_4_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” header_5_font_size_tablet=”15px” header_5_font_size_phone=”14px” header_5_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_6_font_size_tablet=”13px” header_6_font_size_phone=”13px” header_6_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Introducing the leaders who are passionate about advocating for family-owned businesses nationwide.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/familyenterpriseusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Team-Cindy-Ayloush-bkgd.jpg” alt=”Cindy-Ayloush” title_text=”Team-Cindy-Ayloush-bkgd” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Cindy Ayloush” open=”on” open_toggle_text_color=”#000000″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#000000″ toggle_font=”Roboto|700|||||||”]<\/p>\n
Cindy Ayloush is a member of the second generation of Hydraflow, a family owned company; and a manufacturer of engineered component parts for the aerospace industry which began in 1961. Cindy is Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the company. Members of the third generation are rising within the company. Cindy graduated with an AA from both Fullerton College and Brooks College (Fashion Merchandising), and a BS in Business Management from Pepperdine University in 1980. In December of 2013, she graduated with an MBA from Pepperdine in the Presidents and Key Executive program.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Click here to read more…” open_toggle_text_color=”#000000″ closed_toggle_text_color=”#000000″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” body_font=”Roboto||||||||” global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#000000″ toggle_font=”Roboto|700|||||||” open=”off”]<\/p>\n
Cindy and her husband, Abbott, reside in Newport Beach, CA and have 3 children: Sasha, Nadia, and Ramsey and 5 grandchildren. Prior to joining Hydraflow in 1979, Cindy worked in the retail industry as a Department Manager for Robinson\u2019s Department Store. Currently Cindy is an active member of the Center for Family Business at Cal State Fullerton, serving on the Dean\u2019s Advisory Board for the College of Business and Economics at CSUF and a member of Fullerton Chamber of Commerce. She is also a member of the Board for the Grazadillo School of Business at Pepperdine University. Most recently, Cindy is a member of Women\u2019s Business Owner group within Family Enterprise USA.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_accordion_item][\/et_pb_accordion][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/familyenterpriseusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Team-Ed-Laird-bkgd.jpg” alt=”Ed-Laird” title_text=”Team-Ed-Laird-bkgd” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Ed Laird” open=”on” open_toggle_text_color=”#000000″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#000000″ toggle_font=”Roboto|700|||||||”]<\/p>\n
Ed Laird grew up and was educated in Detroit, Michigan. After college accepted a job in California as a chemist at the Andrew Brown Company. After 3 years, he became Chief Chemist dealing with coatings for aircraft and dealing with regulations in air quality. Working with new polymers, Ed went off on his own dealing with coatings that adhered to plastics. For many years his company was the leading manufacturer of coatings for plastics. To meet emerging air quality standards, Ed started Air Quality Consulting. Today Ed\u2019s son runs Laird Coatings Corp and his daughter runs Air Quality Consulting, along with 3rd generation members. Ed Laird is a Hall of Fame recipient to the Western Plastics Pioneers, Lifetime member of Scouting America, Past chairman of the Bolsa Chica Conservancy, and past president of Kiwanis. Ed is Married to Patty and enjoys his six grandchildren.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_accordion_item][\/et_pb_accordion][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/familyenterpriseusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Team-John-Smith-bkgd.jpg” alt=”John-Smith” title_text=”Team-John-Smith-bkgd” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”John Smith” open=”on” open_toggle_text_color=”#000000″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#000000″ toggle_font=”Roboto|700|||||||”]<\/p>\n
John M. Smith is Chairman of the Board of CRST Holdings, LLC, one of the nation’s leading transportation companies. He began his career at CRST International in 1971, eventually serving as President and CEO from 1987 to 2010, and Chairman until 2015. He holds a BA in Economics from Cornell College and an MBA from Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School of Business. Beyond his professional achievements, John has held leadership roles in numerous civic and industry organizations, including the American Trucking Associations, the Iowa Motor Truck Association, and several Cedar Rapids community boards. He is a past recipient of the Regional Entrepreneur of the Year Award and enjoys sailing, tennis, golf, and reading.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_accordion_item][\/et_pb_accordion][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/familyenterpriseusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Team-Connie-Vaughan-bkgd.jpg” alt=”Connie-Vaughan” title_text=”Team-Connie-Vaughan-bkgd” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Connie Vaughan” open=”on” open_toggle_text_color=”#000000″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#000000″ toggle_font=”Roboto|700|||||||”]<\/p>\n
Connie Vaughan, a respected leader whose career and community service reflect an unwavering commitment to advocacy, industry, and regional prosperity.<\/p>\n
Connie has spent an impressive 38 years with McKee Foods, including the past 20 years as head of Government Relations. In this role, she regularly works with local, state, and federal elected leaders to represent the company\u2019s interests and regulatory policies to support family owned companies. McKee Foods, based in Collegedale, Tennessee, is a privately held, family owned bakery, best known for their Little Debbie brand snacks.<\/p>\n
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Beyond her corporate work, Connie is involved in numerous organizations. She currently serves as Chair of the Thrive Regional Partnership, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering collaboration in logistics, conservation, and community prosperity across the region. She is also a current member and long-time supporter of the Advisory Committee of the Bradley County PIE Center, helping shape educational pathways for future generations and a current trustee for the Cleveland State Community College Foundation Board of Directors.<\/p>\n
Connie\u2019s leadership includes past service as Chair of both the Tennessee Trucking Association and the Independent BakersAssociation. She also serves on both the national and state boards of Be Pro Be Proud, a nonprofit focused on reshaping perceptions of careers in the skilled trades and empowering the next workforce.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_accordion_item][\/et_pb_accordion][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/familyenterpriseusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Team-John-Zaruka-bkgd.jpg” alt=”John-Zaruka” title_text=”Team-John-Zaruka-bkgd” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”John Zaruka” open=”on” open_toggle_text_color=”#000000″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#000000″ toggle_font=”Roboto|700|||||||”]<\/p>\n
John Zaruka was born and raised in Babylon, New York. In 1965, his father, Bill, a teacher, was awarded a food & beverage concession on the beach on Long Island\u2019s South Shore. It was there, John, at age 14, began his hospitality career. Upon Mom Alice\u2019s suggestion, John applied and was accepted to the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration. Upon graduation from Cornell in 1973, John joined Winegardner and Hammons, a well known hotel management company. In his eleven years with the firm, John ran several hotels across from Alaska to Ohio.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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He met the love of his life, Linda in Boise and they were married in 1974. His last position with WHI was Regional Manager for nine hotels in Cincinnati. In 1984, John and his family moved to the San Francisco Bay Area to open a large hotel, then on to the Los Angeles area as Director of Operations for a new hotel company whose portfolio included a newly renovated Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood.<\/p>\n
In 1986, John, with the support of his family, decided to parley his skills by starting his own business. The Zaruka\u2019s purchased a failed fine dining restaurant at a public golf course in Ventura, California. John saw an opportunity in the banquet only space in the market so he converted the venue to banquet only. The business, known as the Wedgewood Banquet Center, began with no customers and no employees, but with a lot of confidence!<\/p>\n
In 2020, John began a national consulting business for the F&B portion of the golf industry. It was named ZGolf Food & Beverage Services. John was a sought after speaker throughout North America and wrote many articles for golf industry publications. Soon after he began his consulting business, a client suggested he operate two of their facilities. He took on the challenge, thus began a rapid expansion of the Wedgewood brand. Bill Zaruka joined the company in 2001 and now is the CEO of ZGolf, branded as Wedgewood Wedding and Events with seventy five venues in nine states, hosting over ten thousand weddings a year, grossing over $200 million in sales and over 2000 employees. In 2014, Prospect Partners purchased 60% of the company to provide capital for the rapid expansion. A new capitalization is planned in the summer of 2025.<\/p>\n
In 2017, the Zaruka\u2019s purchased a flailing golf course in their hometown of Camarillo, CA. Since the purchase of the Sterling Hills Golf Club, revenues have tripled and the course is now very successful.<\/p>\n
John is a member and Past & Current President of the Rotary Club of West Ventura County and an Emeritus Board Member of the California Restaurant Association. He was selected to the West Babylon High School Hall of Fame, been three times selected as Rotarian of the Year, chosen as one the original 50 Persons Over 50 in Ventura County, and Person of the Year by the Boy\u2019s & Girl\u2019s Club of Ventura. Their business was also selected as Small Business of the Year by the US Small Business Administration.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_accordion_item][\/et_pb_accordion][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”on|on|on” admin_label=”Person Biography” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” disabled=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”c9cfaba2-2263-4f35-8227-8d16ca8bd1cc” background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_padding=”60px|60px|60px|60px|true|true” custom_padding_tablet=”30px|30px|30px|30px|true|true” custom_padding_phone=”20px|20px|20px|20px|true|true” border_radii=”on|6px|6px|6px|6px” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ box_shadow_vertical=”24px” box_shadow_blur=”72px” box_shadow_spread=”-12px” box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.12)” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/premadesections.divi.support\/premade\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/04\/new-portrait-11-800×800-1.jpg” title_text=”new-portrait-11-800×800″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”1cc6152f-565c-4c4d-b0c9-cf8c9576c341″ max_width=”140px” border_radii=”on|100px|100px|100px|100px” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ box_shadow_vertical=”40px” box_shadow_blur=”112px” box_shadow_spread=”-24px” box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.12)” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_heading title=”Dr. Emily Carter” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”ba4a6336-701f-47b8-bf5c-09da0ce28016″ title_level=”h3″ title_font=”Cormorant Garamond|Cormorant Garamond_weight|||||||” title_text_align=”center” title_text_color=”#0e0c19″ title_font_size=”32px” title_line_height=”1.3em” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” title_font_size_tablet=”22px” title_font_size_phone=”17px” title_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text quote_border_color=”#219ebc” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Proza Libre|Proza Libre_weight|||||||” text_text_color=”#3c3a47″ text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.75em” link_font=”|Proza Libre_weight|||||||” link_text_color=”#023047″ quote_font=”Cormorant Garamond|Cormorant Garamond_weight|||||||” quote_text_color=”#0e0c19″ header_font=”Cormorant Garamond|Cormorant Garamond_weight|||||||” header_text_color=”#0e0c19″ header_font_size=”72px” header_line_height=”1.15em” header_2_font=”Cormorant Garamond|Cormorant Garamond_weight|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#0e0c19″ header_2_font_size=”50px” header_2_line_height=”1.2em” header_3_font=”Cormorant Garamond|Cormorant Garamond_weight|||||||” header_3_text_color=”#0e0c19″ header_3_font_size=”32px” header_3_line_height=”1.3em” header_4_font=”Cormorant Garamond|Cormorant Garamond_weight|||||||” header_4_text_color=”#0e0c19″ header_4_font_size=”24px” header_4_line_height=”1.4em” header_5_font=”Cormorant Garamond|Cormorant Garamond_weight|||||||” header_5_text_color=”#0e0c19″ header_5_font_size=”18px” header_5_line_height=”1.4em” header_6_font=”Cormorant Garamond|Cormorant Garamond_weight|||||||” header_6_text_color=”#0e0c19″ header_6_line_height=”1.5em” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||||false|false” text_font_size_tablet=”15px” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_font_size_tablet=”40px” header_font_size_phone=”24px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_2_font_size_tablet=”28px” header_2_font_size_phone=”20px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_3_font_size_tablet=”22px” header_3_font_size_phone=”17px” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_4_font_size_tablet=”18px” header_4_font_size_phone=”15px” header_4_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” header_5_font_size_tablet=”15px” header_5_font_size_phone=”14px” header_5_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_6_font_size_tablet=”13px” header_6_font_size_phone=”13px” header_6_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Dr. Emily Carter is a distinguished leader in the field of family business advocacy, bringing over two decades of experience to her role on the Advisory Board of Family Enterprise USA. With a Ph.D. in Business Administration from Harvard University, Dr. Carter has dedicated her career to supporting the growth and sustainability of family-owned enterprises. Her expertise in strategic planning and policy development has been instrumental in shaping legislative initiatives that benefit multi-generational businesses across the nation. As a passionate advocate for family businesses, she has worked tirelessly to ensure their voices are heard in Washington, D.C. Dr. Carter’s commitment to fostering a thriving environment for family enterprises aligns perfectly with the mission of Family Enterprise USA, making her an invaluable asset to the organization.<\/p>\n
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Meet our Advisory Board members – trusted leaders providing expert guidance to support the future of family-owned businesses.Connect with leaders shaping the future of family-owned businesses.Watch how Family Enterprise USA champions the success and sustainability of family-owned businesses across generations.Introducing the leaders who are passionate about advocating for family-owned businesses nationwide.Cindy Ayloush is a member […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":25,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","content-type":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-14598","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/familyenterpriseusa.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/14598","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/familyenterpriseusa.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/familyenterpriseusa.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/familyenterpriseusa.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/familyenterpriseusa.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=14598"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/familyenterpriseusa.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/14598\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16078,"href":"https:\/\/familyenterpriseusa.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/14598\/revisions\/16078"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/familyenterpriseusa.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/familyenterpriseusa.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=14598"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}