June 27, 2019
Dennis Barber, III, is certified
Dennis Barber, center, and Mike Harris, right.
Dr. Dennis Barber, III, assistant professor with the Miller School of Entrepreneurship, recently completed the Galliard Institute Family Business Advisor training program in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Completion of the certification equips Dr. Barber with comprehensive tools to understand dynamics unique to family-owned and closely-held businesses.
“The Family Business Advisor training enables professionals to understand the foundation of family business and the family, business, and individual systems so important to the balance that keeps these businesses thriving contributors,” said Lisë Stewart, founder of the Galliard Family Business Advisor Institute.
Along with providing curriculum, the Miller School offers co-curricular programs that help serve as a catalyst for regional transformation and support family businesses in eastern North Carolina and throughout the state.
Barber is the only Galliard-certified advisor in eastern North Carolina.
“Family-owned businesses account for 62 percent of the nation’s employees and create about 78 percent of the new jobs annually,” said Dr. Mike Harris, director of the Miller School. “With this certification, Dr. Barber will be able to bring expanded expertise to owners of family firms and help them beyond just focusing on daily operations. The Miller School hopes that it can assist family businesses with succession planning, for example, as these businesses are major economic drivers in our region.”
The philosophy behind the Galliard Family Business Advisor program is to recognize the value of family-owned businesses to our economy and to provide services to these businesses with dignity and respect. The Advisors work to help the business owner create strong personal, business and family strategies to secure the business and its long-term goals successfully. Often Advisors can be instrumental and helping businesses survive as they move through changes in leadership and ownership and to help create a clear road map for how the business will operate to reach its goals.