[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”4px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_divider color=”#397389″ divider_weight=”2px” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_cta title=”The data is in! See what family owned businesses are saying about today\u2019s challenges and opportunities.” button_url=”https:\/\/familyenterpriseusa.com\/family-business-survey\/” button_text=”Read the 2025 Annual Survey Executive Survey now! Click here.” disabled_on=”off|off|off” admin_label=”Call To Action Top” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_font_size=”22px” background_color=”#397389″ custom_button=”on” button_bg_color=”#ff0019″ custom_margin=”-17px|||||” custom_padding=”16px||19px|||” global_module=”9695″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_cta][et_pb_divider color=”#397389″ divider_weight=”2px” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ text_font=”||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Family Enterprise USA, advocates on Capitol Hill for family-owned businesses, has formed a new Advisory Board<\/a> to assist in its mission to educate lawmakers on the critical economic and tax policy initiatives affecting family businesses, America\u2019s largest private employer.<\/p>\n The new four-member Family Enterprise (FEUSA) Advisory Board consists of leaders from the trucking, food, and chemical industries, experts in community and government relations, entrepreneurship, and business strategy.<\/p>\n The Advisory Board will assist in educating Congress<\/a> on the priorities and policies that benefit and protect the interests of America\u2019s family-owned businesses, according to Pat Soldano, President, Family Enterprise USA.<\/p>\n The four FEUSA Advisory Board members are John Smith,<\/a> Chairman of CRST International Holdings, LLC, a Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based one of the nation’s leading transportation companies. Smith began his career at CRST International in 1971, eventually serving as President and CEO from 1987 to 2010, and Chairman until 2015. Smith has held leadership roles in numerous civic and industry organizations, including the American Trucking Associations, the Iowa Motor Truck Association. He is Chairman of the Cornell College Board of Trustees.<\/p>\n Connie Vaughan,<\/a> another Advisory Board Member, is a 38-year veteran with Little Debbie brand\u2019s McKee Foods, Chattanooga, Tenn., including 20 years as head of Government Relations, working with local, state, and federal elected leaders on regulatory policies to support family-owned companies.<\/p>\n Also joining is John Zaruka,<\/a> Chief Executive Officer Wedgewood Wedding and Events, Ventura, Calif., operators of 75 venues in nine states, hosting over 10,000 weddings a year with 2000 employees.<\/p>\n The fourth member is Ed Laird<\/a>, founder of Laird Coatings Corp. and Air Quality Consulting, a Southern California-based leader in the development and manufacturing of coatings for plastics, and pioneer in emerging air quality standards.<\/p>\n \u201cWith this team of advisors, along with our board of directors, Family Enterprise USA will be able to help lawmakers in Congress understand the critical issues affecting the prosperity of our country\u2019s strongest economic engine, America\u2019s family-owned businesses,\u201d said Soldano in announcing the Advisory Board. Soldano is also President of Policy and Taxation group, a sister policy organization of Family Enterprise USA.<\/p>\n Research shows family-owned businesses, the largest private employer in the country, account for 83.3 million jobs in some 32 million family businesses across the country. These businesses contribute $7.7 trillion annually to U.S. gross domestic product, according to research conducted by Family Enterprise USA and Policy and Taxation Group.<\/p>\n Family Enterprise USA and Policy and Taxation Group educate and advocate on behalf of family-owned businesses, family offices, and successful families on tax and economic policy issues with Congress.<\/p>\n For more information on the FEUSA Advisory Board and its members go to: Family Enterprise USA Advisory Board.<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#397389″ divider_weight=”2px” disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text disabled_on=”off|off|off” admin_label=”Become a member text” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” link_option_url=”https:\/\/familyenterpriseusa.com\/donate-2\/” global_module=”5822″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n As we prepare for what promises to be a pivotal year for America, we’re asking you to consider becoming a member.<\/p>\n The need for fact-based reporting of issues important to family owned businesses<\/a> and protecting a lifetime of savings<\/a> has never been greater. Now more than ever, successful families<\/a> and family owned businesses<\/a> are under fire. That’s why Family Enterprise USA<\/a> is passionately working to increase the awareness of issues important to family owned businesses<\/a> 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<\/a>, possible elimination of valuation discounts, increase in capital gains tax<\/a>, enactment of a wealth tax<\/a>, and the continued burden of the gift tax<\/a>, estate tax<\/a> and generation skipping tax<\/a>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/familyenterpriseusa.com\/donate\/” button_text=”Become a Family Enterprise USA Member” button_alignment=”center” disabled_on=”off|off|off” admin_label=”Become FEUSA member button” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” global_module=”6503″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_divider color=”#397389″ divider_style=”dotted” divider_weight=”2px” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_video_slider disabled_on=”on|on|on” admin_label=”Video Slider Family Business Stories 3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” disabled=”on” global_module=”7257″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_video_slider_item src=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=qkzuUypw3JU” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” show_image_overlay=”off”][\/et_pb_video_slider_item][et_pb_video_slider_item src=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=L5QmaJqcm4Y” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” show_image_overlay=”off”][\/et_pb_video_slider_item][et_pb_video_slider_item src=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LyZMrONDbPE” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” show_image_overlay=”off”][\/et_pb_video_slider_item][et_pb_video_slider_item src=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=tmxFubyBiHA” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” show_image_overlay=”off”][\/et_pb_video_slider_item][et_pb_video_slider_item src=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=9Tn7ZliFx2I” _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” show_image_overlay=”off”][\/et_pb_video_slider_item][et_pb_video_slider_item src=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/Jx5o3EzVD1E” _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” show_image_overlay=”off”][\/et_pb_video_slider_item][\/et_pb_video_slider][et_pb_text disabled_on=”off|off|off” admin_label=”FEUSA Statement” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” link_option_url=”https:\/\/familyenterpriseusa.com\/donate-2\/” global_module=”5910″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Family Enterprise USA<\/a> promotes generationally<\/a> owned family business<\/a> creation, growth, viability, and sustainability by advocating for family businesses<\/a> and their lifetime of savings with Congress<\/a> in Washington DC.\u00a0 Since 2007, Family Enterprise USA<\/a> has represented and celebrated\u00a0all sizes, professions and industries of family-owned enterprises and multi-generational<\/a> employers. It is a bi-partisan 501.c3 organization.\u00a0Family foundations can donate.<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text disabled_on=”off|off|off” admin_label=”Hash tags & Tags” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_module=”6498″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n #incometax #CapitalGainsTax #R&DExpensing #DontPunishSuccess #GrantorTrusts #StepUpinBasis #likeKindExchanges #AcceleratedDepreciation #EstateTax #Deathtax #wealthtax #taxLegislation #CongressionalCaucus #incometaxrates #repealestatetax #AdvocatingForFamilyBusinesses #FamilyOwnedBusiness #WomenOwnedBusiness @FamilyEnterpriseUSA #FamilyEnterpriseUSA<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Family Enterprise USA Creates Advisory Board to Educate Lawmakers on Critical Tax, Economic Policies Affecting America\u2019s Family-owned Businesses \u00a0 Four Member Group Offers Government Affairs, Community Relations, Entrepreneur, and Regulatory Insights \u00a0 Family Enterprise USA, advocates on Capitol Hill for family-owned businesses, has formed a new Advisory Board to assist in its mission to educate […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":14796,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[48,43,92],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14792","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-family-businesses","category-estate-taxes","category-multi-generational-business"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/familyenterpriseusa.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14792","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/familyenterpriseusa.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/familyenterpriseusa.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"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=14792"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/familyenterpriseusa.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14792\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14798,"href":"https:\/\/familyenterpriseusa.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14792\/revisions\/14798"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/familyenterpriseusa.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/14796"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/familyenterpriseusa.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=14792"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/familyenterpriseusa.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=14792"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/familyenterpriseusa.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=14792"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Four Member Group Offers Government Affairs, Community Relations, Entrepreneur, and Regulatory Insights<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n
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