About PFPAWe provide family businesses with the tools to succeed through high quality education and collaboration. Family businesses are provided a platform to achieve harmony and longevity.Prairie Family Business AssociationPFPA_a1c981c8-533d-11ea-9a1a-032f0683ea00Prairie Family Business Association, an outreach center of the Beacom School of Business at the University of South Dakota, is the premier resource for family businesses to grow, engage, transition and prosper.University of South DakotaThe Association was founded in 1993 as South Dakota Family Business Initiative through the School of Business at the University of South Dakota.Family BusinessesAn innovation center for family businesses, Prairie Family Business Association now serves members across the region including in South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska. We are proud to support more than 200 family businesses and their advisors, helping them survive and thrive in their second and third generations and beyond. We recognize family businesses are vital to our local economies.South DakotaNorth DakotaMinnesotaIowaNebraskaPFPA TeamStephanie LarscheidExecutive Director -- Stephanie served as Executive Director of PFBA from 2015 – 2018 and has returned in 2019 to lead the Association. She has a proven record of building relationships with members and developing programs that add value to family businesses. Stephanie earned her undergraduate degree from Iowa State University Ivy College of Business and a MBA from the University of South Dakota Beacom School of Business.Rebecca ZabelBusiness Development -- Rebecca has been with Prairie Family Business since 2017 and brings experience building relationships and engaging members through PFBA’s programs. Rebecca has a background in higher education and non-profit administration and she is currently pursuing her MBA through the University of South Dakota Beacom School of Business.Suzy TurnquistOffice Manager -- Suzy Turnquist has also been with Prairie Family Business since 2017. She has a very diverse background which includes design, computers, theatre and marketing. She has a BA from Morningside College. She enjoys learning from and working with the PFBA family business members.PFPA Advisory BoardTura SynhorstChair -- Coca-Cola Bottling Co. High Country, Rapid City, SDMark MoffattVice Chair, Moffatt Products, Inc., Watertown, SDDe Vee DykstraTreasurer, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SDDenise TollefsonSecretary, Serenity Assisted Living, Dilworth, MNJay BenderFalcon Plastics, Inc., Brookings, SDRob EveristL.G. Everist, Inc., Sioux Falls, SDStacey ThomasSpecialized Cleaning & Restoration, Bismarck, NDChristie Lloyd ErnstLloyd Companies, Inc., Sioux Falls, SDTJ RussellCloverdale Foods, Mandan, NDScott SchneidermannFrontier Bank, Rock Rapids, IAPaul SteffesSteffes Corporation, Dickinson, NDVenky VenkatachalamUniversity of South Dakota, Vermillion, SDEric WeisserWeisser Distributing, Tea, SDFamily businesses grow, engage, transition and prosper_a1c982fe-533d-11ea-9a1a-032f0683ea00To enhance the long-term survival and success of our family business members._a1c983ee-533d-11ea-9a1a-032f0683ea00FamilyBusinessToolsEducationCollaborationHarmonyLongevityPeer GroupsShare experiences and learn from each other._a1c9851a-533d-11ea-9a1a-032f0683ea001Affinity peer groups are small, highly confidential discussion groups that meet regularly, allowing members to share experiences and learn from each other. Members explore opportunities and challenges they are facing personally or within their family business. Discussions address how to make family leadership a competitive advantage. Trained facilitators guide the group. Through mutual support and open interaction based on trust and confidentiality, each member of the group learns how to advance leadership skills, share best practices and work effectively with family employees, non-family employees and non-employee family members. Prairie Family Business Association members consistently rank affinity peer groups among the highest value of membership._a1c985f6-533d-11ea-9a1a-032f0683ea00ConferencesAssist in understanding the family dynamic and the many facets of it._a1c986c8-533d-11ea-9a1a-032f0683ea002“The annual conference assists in understanding the family dynamic and the many facets of it. It is high powered and first class in all ways.” - JIM SCULL – SCULL CONSTRUCTION, RAPID CITY, SD_a1c987ae-533d-11ea-9a1a-032f0683ea00AwardsRecognize exemplary family businesses._a1c98880-533d-11ea-9a1a-032f0683ea003Excellence In Family Business Award -- The PFBA recognizes several exemplary family businesses each year with an “Excellence in Family Business Award"._a1c9895c-533d-11ea-9a1a-032f0683ea00WebinarsConduct topic-oriented, educational forums._a1c98a42-533d-11ea-9a1a-032f0683ea004Lunch & Learn Webinars -- 75-minute, topic-oriented, educational forums highlighting experts and family businesses_a1c98b1e-533d-11ea-9a1a-032f0683ea00North Dakota ForumNetwork and engage in conversations regarding the succession of locally owned family businesses._a1c98bfa-533d-11ea-9a1a-032f0683ea005NORTH DAKOTA -- Family Business Forum .... join together ... to network and engage in conversations regarding the succession of locally owned family businesses to future generations._a1c98ce0-533d-11ea-9a1a-032f0683ea00Advisor Study GroupsIdentify and integrate existing and emerging knowledge about family businesses though case studies and current research._a1c98dc6-533d-11ea-9a1a-032f0683ea006Professional AdvisorsProfessional Advisor Study Groups -- Study groups identify and integrate existing and emerging knowledge about family businesses though case studies and current research. As a multidisciplinary group, group members seek to expand their understanding of the various professions that serve family businesses. Understanding the many dimensions and dynamics of expert knowledge, advice, consultations and education for family business clients is critical for professionals who desire to distinguish themselves in the family business arena. Once a group is organized, they meet at least once a quarter for 90 minutes._a1c98ea2-533d-11ea-9a1a-032f0683ea00RetreatsStrengthen the communication system in family-owned businesses._a1c98f88-533d-11ea-9a1a-032f0683ea007Family Business Retreats -- A family business retreat is one of the most important strategies used to help strengthen the communication system in a family-owned business. Work 'on the business' for two-days -- This two-day event, located at world-class lodges throughout the region, features a national family business consultant and educator. Both large group and private family sessions with facilitators are offered. Families have the opportunity to spend some quality time away from the office; switching from working “in the business” to working “on the business” and “on the family."_a1c99078-533d-11ea-9a1a-032f0683ea002020-02-19https://fambus.org/about/OwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net