KENNESAW, Ga. | Feb 8, 2019

Kennesaw State University’s Cox Family Enterprise Center (CFEC) will celebrate the significance and success of family businesses at its 25th annual Georgia Family Business of the Year Honoration on Feb. 28 at Flourish Atlanta.

The program will include recognition of several family businesses and remarks by guest speakers from successful family-owned organizations. The CFEC, part of Kennesaw State’s Coles College of Business, is the oldest family business center in the world.

“Individuals, families and businesses establish wonderful initiatives to enhance individual growth, strengthen family bonds and create more sustainable business models,” said Gaia Marchisio, executive director of the Cox Family Enterprise Center. “Our goal always is to showcase and celebrate these positive behaviors in a way that inspires others in the family business community to grow and reach new heights.”

The CFEC will present its annual legacy award, honoring a family enterprise that has thrived in business for at least 100 years. In addition, two new recognitions will be given this year: one for a business that has demonstrated innovative sustainability practices to benefit the broader community, and one celebrating a resilient family that overcame some type of adversity. Also, for the first time, the CFEC will recognize business advisors who are serving and supporting family enterprises.

One of the guest speakers, businesswoman and author Mitzi Perdue, will share her experiences as part of two well-known family businesses – the Sheraton Hotel chain and Perdue Chicken. Also scheduled to speak are Sarah Riggs Amico, the executive chairperson of Jack Cooper Holdings Corporation, and Marc De Kuyper, an 11th-generation family member and former CEO of the De Kuyper Royal Distillers.

-Paul Floeckher