UNCA's Family Business Forum Hosts Talk by President of
Bush Brothers & Co.

UNC Asheville's Family Business Forum will host a talk by Jim Ethier, president and chief operating officer of Bush Brothers & Co., from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 21, at the Renaissance Asheville Hotel. An optional buffet lunch will immediately follow the program.

Ethier will share his experiences of running his nearly 100 year-old family company. Based in Knoxville, Tenn., Bush Brothers & Co. was founded in 1908 by Andrew Jackson Bush. It produces the nation’s leading brand of bean products under the label "Bush’s Best." Ethier is a third-generation member of the Bush family. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University and a master’s in business administration from the Kellogg School at Northwestern University.

UNCA's Family Business Forum, the first program of its kind in the region, was developed to enhance the continued viability of family-owned businesses in the Asheville area. Membership in the forum is open to firms that have a family member with controlling interest in the business and at least one family member currently employed in the business. In addition to seminars and workshops, members receive current research and articles on family business issues, a quarterly newsletter and the opportunity to network with other family-owned business members who face similar challenges of perpetuating a family business.

Registration for the workshop is required. The program is open to forum members and their guests; a limited number of seats are available for family business owners interested in membership.

For more information or to register, call Richard Lasher, at 828/251-6797, voice box 8003.

Media Contacts:

• Richard Lasher, UNCA Family Business Forum Director, 828/251-6797, voice box 8003
• Jill Yarnall, UNCA Public Information Assistant Director, 828/251-6526