Program Description
Moderated by Success Architect and co-founder, Alan Fuhs, and featuring panelist Tina Dao (Founder & Success Architect, Liberated Leaders), this panel discussion brings together expert voices to explore how succession planning preserves local economic resilience and strengthens the communities we serve.
Our goal is to deliver an experience where you:
Discover the local impact - Understand how business transitions shape Catawba County's economic future
Connect resources to action - Learn practical tools to support business owners in your network
Foster community resilience - Explore how Rotarians can champion succession planning conversations
Panel Discussion Overview
In Catawba County alone, over 1,700 businesses are owned by people 55 or older, employing 26,000 workers and representing $1 billion in payroll. Without thoughtful succession planning, these businesses risk closure or sale to out-of-town buyers, eroding the local economic fabric that we, as Rotarians, work to strengthen.
But here's what's exciting: employee ownership options offer unique succession solutions that preserve local ownership, reward employees, and sustain community impact—directly supporting our Rotary mission to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through strengthening local economies.
What to expect?
Expert perspectives from three seasoned professionals bringing distinct viewpoints on employee ownership transitions
The planning essentials - When and how business owners should start succession conversations
Employee ownership decoded - Understanding ESOPs, cooperatives, and other transition models
Community support landscape - Resources available right here in Catawba County
Meet Your Panelists
Ethan Stambler, Senior Vice President, SES ESOP Strategies
Certified Exit Planning Advisor with 20+ years in investment banking, private equity, and strategy consulting. MBA from Northwestern University. Specializes in employee ownership transition strategies that create mutually beneficial outcomes.
Nathan Huret, Economic Development Director, Catawba County EDC
15+ years championing economic development in Catawba County. Co-founder of the award-winning HKY4Vets program. Holds the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) credential.
Tina Dao, Founder & Success Architect, Liberated Leaders
Former COO/VP at Walmart Global Tech, Fitbit, and Amazon. 25+ years helping entrepreneurs scale and architect business growth. Certified Exit Planning Advisor specializing in succession strategies.
Takeaways
Community impact awareness - How business transitions directly affect our local economic resilience
Practical support strategies - Ways to identify and support businesses facing succession challenges
Resource connections - Tools and experts available to business owners in your network
Rotarian engagement opportunities - Concrete ways you can champion economic resilience in Catawba County