Never Go Against the Family

Jenny Steffensmeier is the owner of Steffensmeier Welding & Manufacturing in Pilot Grove, Iowa. Although she's in the first generation of ownership, her husband was actually the founder; when he suddenly passed, she assumed leadership of the company. In this episode of Never Go Against the Family, Jenny shares her story from meeting her husband to navigating his illness, introducing her children to the family business, and setting the stage for a future succession. Thank you to Jenny for sharing — and for her involvement on the University of Northern Iowa Family Business Center Advisory Board!

Today, you might know Vernon Company as a five-generation, Netwon-based branding and promo powerhouse. Did you know the company started with farmers as its primary audience? Or that they once led in jigsaw puzzle sales? Listen in for a preview of this Iowa family business, then join us in Newton for a Tour & Talk with Chris and his son, Alex, on April 29, 2026!

Dennis Passis, author of Founder Paralysis, shares powerful insights into the hidden traps that keep founders stuck—especially in family-run businesses. In this candid conversation, he explores the emotional and structural challenges that prevent growth, the tension between control and collaboration, and how leaders can begin to let go without losing their vision. Whether you're a founder, successor, or part of a legacy business navigating change, this episode offers practical wisdom and a fresh perspective on moving forward.

How can artificial intelligence help legacy businesses thrive across generations? In this insightful podcast, Matt Knight explores the evolving role of AI in family-run enterprises. He unpacks a practical three-part framework—AI as a Virtual Assistant, Data Wizard, and Creative Coach—designed to help family firms streamline operations, unlock insights, and spark innovation. With a focus on bridging generational perspectives, Matt shares real-world examples and expert conversations that reveal how AI can become a trusted ally in both tradition and transformation.

What happens when marriage and entrepreneurship intertwine? In this episode, we chat with Lisa Daniel—a married-in member of the famous cookware brand Lodge Cast Iron—who, alongside her husband, also co-owns a thriving IT business. Together, they’ll be joining us on a virtual panel this August to share what it’s really like to navigate business decisions, family dynamics, and strategic growth as a team.From legacy brands to tech ventures, Lisa brings a unique perspective on partnership, resilience, and redefining what it means to build something that lasts—together.

Marshall Rabil is stepping into the role of president and CEO of Hubbard Peanut Company, or Hubs, from his prior position as director of sales and marketing. Marshall’s grandparents, Dot and HJ Hubbard, founded Hubs in 1954 out of their home kitchen, launching what would become America’s oldest specialty peanut brand. Over the past 70 years, the company has remained a proudly family-owned operation and a staple of its community, now entering a new era.Join us in conversation as we discuss navigating leadership succession in a family business and hear the Hubs story!

What fiduciary concerns should a business leader be responsible for? It helps to have a working knowledge of retirement plans and different financial strategies so that you can be the best leader you can be. In this podcast, Dan talks to Geoff Christy and Tyler Craig from Foster Group about the nuances of financial leadership. Foster Group is a Founding Partner of the University of Northern Iowa Family Business Center.

The story of Catania Oils dates back to 1900 in the small village of San Pier Niceto, Sicily. Giuseppe Basile’s dream was to take his olive oil business from Sicily and establish it in the land of opportunity, America. Giuseppe set out to fulfill his dream at the turn of the 20th century moving to the United States with several barrels of olive oil and the hope of building a family business that would last for generations to come.On our podcast, we're excited to welcome Joseph Basile, great-grandson of Giuseppe, to the podcast to share their family's story.

In this episode, you’ll be introduced to Veronica Maldonado, who is part of the fourth generation of a family that impacted Venezuela’s agricultural and industrial sectors. When the state disowned the family and took the ranch that for 100 years represented the heart of the family, most family members, including Veronica, left the country to gather in the United States. Veronica currently serves as chair for the board of the GEM (Grupo Economico Maldonado) companies. Veronica is going to share her story and what she has learned about family business along the way. The UNI FBC offers a variety of family business resources to help your business—and family—succeed for the long haul. Take your next steps for success at https://unifamilybusinesscenter.com.

In this episode, Dan chats with Libby Nelson, who is part of the second generation of Kemin Industries in Des Moines. Libby is Vice President and General Counsel at Kemin, and has seen the company grow from an ingredients supplier to a global biotechnology company. Stay tuned to hear more about the Kemin story. The UNI FBC offers a variety of family business resources to help your business—and family—succeed for the long haul. Take your next steps for success at https://unifamilybusinesscenter.com.

Today you’re getting a sneak peek into the 2024 Iowa Family Business Conference. Dan Beenken interviews keynote speaker Kevin Hancock, who is the leader of Hancock Lumber, a six-generation family business in Maine. During the conversation, you’ll get a taste of Kevin’s ethos so you can be ready with all of your burning questions at the conference on November 6. Keep listening for more. The UNI FBC offers a variety of family business resources to help your business—and family—succeed for the long haul. Take your next steps for success at https://unifamilybusinesscenter.com.

In this episode, Dan talks to Michael Klein. Michael is the author of Trapped In the Family Business: A Practical Guide to Uncovering and Managing This Hidden Dilema. He has 20 years of experience as a workplace consultant and advisor to individuals and organizations. Keep listening to hear his perspectives from working directly with families like yours. The UNI FBC offers a variety of family business resources to help your business—and family—succeed for the long haul. Take your next steps for success at https://unifamilybusinesscenter.com.

In this episode, you’re going to hear from Pat Soldano. Pat is the president of Family Enterprise USA, a national organization that 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. The FEUSA team is bipartisan. And, as a bonus, Pat and her colleagues will be at the 2024 Iowa Family Business Conference in Des Moines to share updates following the 2024 election. Keep listening to hear about the state of family businesses in the U.S. The UNI FBC offers a variety of family business resources to help your business—and family—succeed for the long haul. Take your next steps for success at https://unifamilybusinesscenter.com.

In this episode, Dan Beenken interviews Diana Clark. Diana will speak at the Virtual Breakfast Series event titled Addiction, Advisors & Alliances: Working together to address complex family issues. So many families struggle with addictions of some sort, and it’s hard to talk about. Join us to hear Diana’s take on October 17, 2024, and keep listening to hear a preview of the conversation. The UNI FBC offers a variety of family business resources to help your business—and family—succeed for the long haul. Take your next steps for success at https://unifamilybusinesscenter.com.

In this episode, you’re getting double Dans. Our director Dan Beenken interviews Dann Van Der Vliet, who works with the Smith Family Business Initiative at Cornell in Ithaca, New York. This year they put out a survey that asked Next Generation leaders about their experiences in the family business. Stay tuned to hear what the survey revealed. The UNI FBC offers a variety of family business resources to help your business—and family—succeed for the long haul. Take your next steps for success at https://unifamilybusinesscenter.com.

The Leinenkugel's brand is nationally-recognized, but did you know that it's a family-operated business? Located in Wisconsin, the family brewery was purchased by Miller Brewing Company in 1988, yet the sixth generation of family maintains leadership positions. How does it all work? Listen in to hear Katie and Dan discuss. The UNI FBC offers a variety of family business resources to help your business—and family—succeed for the long haul. Take your next steps for success at https://unifamilybusinesscenter.com.

Robert Cramer leads Cramer and Associates, a family owned and employee owned bridge construction company, as VP of Land Development and Co-chair of the Board. Robert and Dan discuss the reason behind this family's move to an ESOP structure. Tune in to hear their conversation. The UNI FBC offers a variety of family business resources to help your business—and family—succeed for the long haul. Take your next steps for success at https://unifamilybusinesscenter.com.

Talking about money is hard. That’s why Foster Group is using philanthropy as a tool to break down barriers and have difficult financial conversations. In this episode, Ashlee Vieregger from Foster helps us understand this strategy. By the end of the podcast you’ll hopefully understand the critical conversations that you should be having within your family business and how to tap into resources like Foster Group to make a lasting impact. Mentioned: Breaking Money Silence: How to Shatter Money Taboos, Talk More Openly about Finances, and Live a Richer Life by Kathleen Burns Kingsbury Foster Group is a Founding Partner of the UNI Family Business Center.

While Matthew Cathy is a member of the Chick-fil-A dynasty, he also has found a way to follow his own path. Listen in to hear Dan and Matthew get into the evolution of the beloved restaurant chain and learn about Matthew's involvement with the family business. Plus, this episode is a preview of a panel on January 18, 2024, where Matthew will talk more in-depth about balancing legacy and innovation in a family business. Click here to learn more about that session: https://tinyurl.com/4n4r6smh The UNI FBC offers a variety of family business resources to help your business—and family—succeed for the long haul. Take your next steps for success at https://unifamilybusinesscenter.com.

Anne Smart is a former family business center director and has continued to support family-owned enterprises as an advisor at Generation6. Anne and Dan talk about well-performing family businesses and how Anne would advise families on the soft skills that are so important to a family business.

What does it mean to plan for a sale? What are the advantages in running a business like you're selling it? Andy Swanson and Maxwell Youngquist from RSM give a preview of this topic, which they'll do a deep-dive into at the UNI Family Business Conference on Nov. 2, 2023.

On this episode, Dan talks with Jerry Foster, the founder and former CEO of Foster Group in Des Moines. Jerry recently led a workshop for our legacy group about this concept of the third phase of life. What does retirement look like? How do you let go of a business you’ve worked hard to build? Keep listening as Dan and Jerry explore these questions.

We're thrilled to welcome Jane Blain Gilbertson and Sarah Gilbertson to the podcast! Jane is president, CEO and owner of the Blain's Farm & Fleet empire. Sarah, her daughter, is also in the business. The pair discuss their paths to joining the family business, the importance of a next generation, outside work experience and much more. Listen in to learn more, and then register to hear from them directly at the 2023 Iowa Family Business Conference on Nov. 2, as they're providing the keynote presentation.

Martha Sullivan with the Family Business Consulting Group has insights for us today. She chats with Dan about growing your business longterm and keeping people happy in the short term—an especially tricky balance in a family business. Tune in to hear this conversation about family business best practices! The UNI FBC offers a variety of family business resources to help your business—and family—succeed for the long haul. Take your next steps for success at https://unifamilybusinesscenter.com.

In this episode of Never Go Against the Family, Dan talks with Mike Wells, retired CEO of Wells Enterprises. You might recognize them from their iconic Blue Bunny Ice Cream. Recently, this Le Mars, Iowa, family business made the decision to sell. Dan and Mike chat about some of the decision-making process. To hear more from Mike Wells and ask your own questions, tune into the Virtual Breakfast Series featuring Mike Wells on Thursday, Aug. 24. Register now! The UNI FBC offers a variety of family business resources to help your business—and family—succeed for the long haul. Take your next steps for success at https://unifamilybusinesscenter.com.

In this episode, we’re jumping into the middle of a conversation between Dan and Maxwell Youngquist. Maxwell is part of RSM’s family office enterprise practice and has worked for and with many family businesses. We start the conversation today about succession and then dive into governance strategies that family businesses can employ to see the most success for both the business and the family. Keep listening to hear their conversation. RSM is a Founding Partner of the UNI Family Family Business Center. The UNI FBC offers a variety of family business resources to help your business—and family—succeed for the long haul. Take your next steps for success at https://unifamilybusinesscenter.com.

Rebecca Zabel is a business development manager for Trusted Family, which helps family-owned businesses with technology solutions. She and Dan dive deep into the power of peer learning and how a family-owned firm has challenges that are different from other privately-held businesses. The UNI FBC offers a variety of family business resources to help your business—and family—succeed for the long haul. Take your next steps for success at https://unifamilybusinesscenter.com.

Jody Schulte is a fifth-generation family member and marketing manager at Jefferson Telecom in Jefferson, Iowa. She and Dan discuss her experience of finding her place in the family businesses, the pressures of succession, a board training program and more. The UNI FBC offers a variety of family business resources to help your business—and family—succeed for the long haul. Take your next steps for success at https://unifamilybusinesscenter.com.

Iowa State Senator Adrian Dickey is president and a third-generation family member of Dickey Transport out of Packwood, Iowa. Adrian shares his advice for Iowa families, touching on his experience inheriting leadership and surviving the transition between generations. The UNI FBC offers a variety of family business resources to help your business—and family—succeed for the long haul. Take your next steps toward success at https://unifamilybusinesscenter.com.

Tom Hubler is a consultant in the family business space and a true wizard at working with families. He talks about his history as a family therapist and how he helps families through their resistance to change and tackling the toughest of conversations. Listen in to hear more about Tom and his perspective when working with families. The UNI FBC offers a variety of family business resources to help your business—and family—succeed for the long haul. Take your next steps for success at https://unifamilybusinesscenter.com.

Joel Weiler is a human resources operations manager at Weiler, his family’s manufacturing company in Knoxville, Iowa. Joel had a nontraditional route to working for his family and even practiced as a dentist for five years before joining up. He talks about Weiler’s forward-looking family governance and communication, among other challenges unique to family businesses. Listen to learn more about Joel and his journey back to the family business. The UNI FBC offers a variety of family business resources to help your business—and family—succeed for the long haul. Take your next steps for success at https://unifamilybusinesscenter.com.

Evan Reiman is a married-in family member of Krause Group and its subsidiaries, Kum and Go and Krause+. Evan shares the process he went through to join the business and how he’s truly seen how he adds value and perspective. Listen in to hear more about Evan and his positive experiences working as a married-in in the family business. The UNI FBC offers a variety of family business resources to help your business—and family—succeed for the long haul. Take your next steps for success at https://unifamilybusinesscenter.com.

Heidi Vermeer-Quist is a clinical psychologist and owns her practice, VQ Consult, with her husband. She is also a member of a family business, Vermeer Corporation, and moonlights as a peer group leader with the University of Northern Iowa Family Business Center (that's us!). In this episode, Heidi takes us through what leadership really looks like for an emerging generation, how to make a successful transition from one generation to the next, and what strategies you can use to be successful along the way. The UNI FBC offers a variety of family business resources to help your business—and family—succeed for the long haul. Take your next steps for success at https://unifamilybusinesscenter.com.

In this episode, Dan Beenken interviews Dennis Passis, who founded the Family Wealth Library and once led his own family’s business. Dennis shares his story about how a lack of succession planning ended his leadership and his relationship with his family. Now, he’s dedicated to collecting resources and engaging with centers like the UNI FBC to ensure that families are well-educated about succession and prepared to transition smoothly to the next generation of leadership. The UNI FBC offers a variety of family business resources to help your business—and family—succeed for the long haul. Take your next steps for success at https://unifamilybusinesscenter.com.

Never Go Against the Family is a production by the University of Northern Iowa Family Business Center. We know that family-owned businesses are different. We interview a member of a family business and experts from all different industries to hear their perspectives. As our favorite godfather Vito Corleone advises, never go against the family.