Legacy in Motion: Succession, Governance, and Wealth Planning for Family-Owned Businesses
Presented By: Baker Tilly / Edward Jones
Succession in a family business isn’t just about naming a new leader—it’s about safeguarding legacy, preserving wealth, and balancing complex family dynamics. In this conversation, family business leaders and advisors will share approaches to governance, leadership pipelines, and transition planning. Attendees will learn how to design structures that protect both the enterprise and the family behind it, ensuring smooth continuity and long-term resilience.
Moderator:
Financial Advisor
Edward Jones - Bartelson Blesener Wealth Group
I grew up in Elk River, Minnesota, the oldest of three boys in a family of educators. I originally planned to follow that path and earned an English education degree from the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire. After being recognized by my college as an outstanding student leader, I was recruited by Edward Jones, who saw my leadership potential. Today, I have the privilege of using those same teaching principles to help clients navigate the financial world with clarity and confidence.
Since joining Edward Jones in 2003, I’ve spent more than two decades helping individuals and families make sense of their financial lives. I earned my AAMS® designation in 2007 and have guided clients through significant market events, including 9/11, the 2008-2009 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. My goal is to simplify complex financial concepts and empower clients to make confident, informed decisions.
Currently, I serve as a regional leader, supporting 60 branch teams across the greater Twin Cities area (2019-present). I was named a limited partner with the firm in 2011 and a principal in 2021. In 2014, I was honored with the Edward Jones Spirit of Caring award—an acknowledgment by my peers of my dedication to service and community.
Principal
Baker Tilly
Adam is the team leader of Baker Tilly’s Minneapolis private wealth practice. With more than 20 years of experience, Adam works with high-net-worth individuals, trusts and privately held businesses in the areas of tax planning, mergers and acquisitions consulting, business succession planning and family wealth transfer planning.
Panelists:
CEO
Special Products & Mfg., Inc.
Robert J. Grand-Lienard III, CEO of Special Products & Mfg., Inc., manufacturing solutions provider with headquarters in the Dallas area. TSPM supplies a range of services including metal fabrication, machining, welding, powder coating, 3PL, and mechanical assembly. Mr. Grand-Lienard is a passionate and enthusiastic leader responsible for the vision, mission, core values, and standards of the company. He seeks to lead the company to be the very best through an engaged and empowered team culture and leading-edge technologies.
President & CEO
PURIS Proteins
I lead a rapidly growing plant-based food ingredient company, PURIS. The team is focused fanatically on a USA system of non-GMO and organic seeds & plant proteins by working with an end to end network of growers, makers, and eaters of plant-powered nutrition. We are shaping the way we enjoy food in the years to come through the creation of plant-based foods, new ways of manufacturing and regenerative and sustainable practices for growers across the USA.