FROM LEGACY TO LEADERSHIP: NAVIGATING INTERNAL BUSINESS SUCCESSION

EPI GREATER PHILADELPHIA CHAPTER

Join us for "From Legacy to Leadership: Navigating Internal Business Succession," an insightful panel showcasing real-world experiences from business owners who have successfully implemented ESOPs, management buyouts, and family business transitions. These seasoned leaders will share the challenges, triumphs, and key lessons learned during their internal ownership shifts. Through candid conversation, you'll gain a vivid understanding of how to prepare, execute, and thrive through your own internal transition. Whether you're exploring ESOPs, weighing an MBO, or managing generational succession, this discussion provides tangible strategies and cautionary tales. The panel is designed to be both educational and actionable—offering compelling stories backed by practical guidance. Ideal for owners and advisors alike, this event arms you with the clarity and confidence needed to navigate your succession journey.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the different internal transition models—ESOPs (Employee Stock Ownership Plans), management buyouts (MBOs), and family business succession—and the circumstances in which each is most effective.

2. Learn best practices and common pitfalls from experienced business owners who have navigated these transitions firsthand.

3. Explore strategies to maintain company culture, employee engagement, and business continuity during and after a transition.  

4. Develop clarity on the decision-making process, including valuation, financing options, stakeholder communication, and planning for long-term leadership sustainability.  

5. Learn how these internal transition options compare to 3rd party alternatives, such as selling to private equity or a strategic buyer. 


About the Presenter:

Hear from industry expert, Gray Wirth.

Event Location

Event Details

Date: Thursday, May 14, 2026
Time: 7:30 am - 9:45 am Eastern Time
Where: The Inn at Villanova University | 601 County Line Road Radnor, PA 19087
Cost: $60
EPI Hours: 2
Register Now

Who Should Attend?

  • Attorneys

    You have close relationships with clients, and can benefit from being the first advisor to introduce the idea of exit planning.

  • CPAs/Accountants

    Owners participating in the State of Owner Readiness research continue to indicate that you are the No. 1 "Most Trusted Advisor." You are a natural fit to lead the exit planning team and deepen your relationship (and retention) of next generation owners.

  • Wealth Managers

    You’re a skilled relationship person. Being entangled into your clients’ professional lives matters as you build a strategy to manage their wealth upon them harvesting it from their business. Exit planning allows you to build a deeper relationship with your client, expands your COI network, while giving you an early seat at table well before the liquidity event.

  • Financial Advisors

    One of the critical ‘legs of the stool’ is personal financing planning. An owner must have a strong financial plan & contingency plan post-transition to enable them to thrive in the next act of the lives personally and financially. Exit planning brings this future mindset into the present. Exit is now.

  • Valuation Analysts

    Valuation is both a billable engagement AND an opportunity to provide owners some perspective on how to accelerate value drivers (and deal with value killers). Use exit planning to make that valuation into a longer term value acceleration engagement.

  • Investment Bankers

    Only 2 of every 10 businesses that come to market actually sell. Learn how exit planning can bring attractive AND ready business to your purview.

  • Estate Planners

    Exit planning is a natural fit for estate planners who want to operate more holistically with their owner clients.

  • Strategic Consultants

    One of the most critical roles in exit planning is building transferable value. Strategic consultants have the ability to expand options and drive rapid business value that affect performance today.

  • Insurance Professionals

    Exit planning addresses the 5 D's. So do you. Approach the risk conversation differently with exit planning.

  • Mergers & Acquisition Advisors

    Proper exit planning causes less deals to fall through at the last minute. Connect with CEPAs to build your healthy deal flow network.

  • Commercial Lenders

    One of the best relationships a business owner makes is with their banker. How can you help your corporate clients think about the future and ensure financial continuity? Answer: exit planning.

  • Family Business Advisors

    More than 50% of lower middle market business owners would prefer to transition to the next generation. Help them succeed with exit planning strategies.

  • Other Professional Advisors

    Regardless of your unique specialty, there is seat at the exit planning table for you. Learn more at www.EarnCEPA.com.

  • Private Business Owners

  • Members of Family Business Boards

  • Professional Advisors

  • Business Consultants

  • Other Business Professionals

  • Business Owners

  • Business Owners & Their Trusted Advisors

EXIT PLANNING IS GOOD BUSINESS STRATEGY

The Exit Planning Institute, provides Financial Advisors, Accountants, Consultants, and other advisors of business owners with the critical education to differentiate themselves and add value to their existing client relationships through a credential, conference, courses, and content. Download the CEPA brochure for more information.

ABOUT THE PRESENTER