Families in Business Conference Schedule

In 1853, Captain Richard King purchased a creek-fed oasis in the Wild Horse Desert of South Texas, sparking generations of integrity, preservation, and innovation. King Ranch continues to foster a culture of uncompromising quality, stewardship, and authenticity—a true testament to Captain King’s integrity and commitment to the land.

James Clement III MBA ’21, is the Land Resource Manager for King Ranch, Inc. in which he works on surface management, minerals, title, and environmental issues on the historic ranches. James also serves as a consultant for the King Ranch Horse Division. James founded and manages Bloody Buckets Cattle Co., where he oversees the livestock, resources, and wildlife operations on three different South Texas ranches.

James “Jamey” Clement Jr. has just retired after 41 years of service to King Ranch. For the last 21 years he has served as Chairman of the Board. Under his leadership, King Ranch has expanded its agriculture operations in Florida and California, as well as its retail, branding, and other operations.

Both sides of James’ family are in generational business with a combined 17 generations of ownership: his mother’s with Beggs Cattle Co. (est. 1876) and his father’s with King Ranch (est. 1853) and Los Hermanos Ranch (est. 1967). James and Jamey have served both families to protect their assets and create sustainable operations that will hopefully last another 100+ years or more.

This discussion, with James and Jamey, and Angela Mwanza MBA ’00, will cover legacy, succession, governance, and the many changes in agriculture, herding, and land management throughout the incredible history of land in Texas and the American Southwest.

Facilitator

• Angela Mwanza, MBA ’00, Evergreen Wealth Management

Speakers

• James Clement III, MBA ’21, King Ranch
• James “Jamey” Clement, Jr., King Ranch

COVID created many challenges for businesses and families. These businesses found opportunities, pivoted and demonstrated incredible resiliency over the past year, putting them in a position for a strong future.

Facilitator

• Margarita Tsoutsoura, Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management

Speakers

• Cathy Choi ’83, Bulbrite
• Sonja Sulcer, Parentpreneur
• Nathan Ladovsky MMH ’18, United Bakers

Understanding and empathy has always been a central role of the family, but maybe more so now. The numerous changes and benefits of our new realities have highlighted the need for effective and honest communication and incorporating the perspectives of all generations. We have more opportunities to connect now, yet are we connecting more often and with intention?

Speakers

• Mark Hansen ’79, Asian Leadership Institute
• Shelly ’83 and James Taylor ’83, ABARTA

Facilitator

• Jerry Inglet, Wilmington Trust

Tibra Wheeler and Elgin Ford, Jr. are two partners sharing their entrepreneurial journey of discovering wine and exploring the many family-owned Finger Lakes wineries on E & T’s Winery Adventures. In this conversation with Joseph Thomas, Tibra and Elgin will share what they have learned, discuss exposing new populations to the field of wine, and ponder the business possibilities that E & T’s Winery Adventures might yield.

Wine Purchasing Instructions

Moderator

• Joe Thomas, Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management

Speakers

• Tibra Wheeler, PhD Candidate ’21, ETVINTURES
• Elgin Ford, Jr. MPA ’19, Deloitte; ETVINTURES

Featured Winery

• JR Dill Winery

Across the business and social landscape, we are together again with many new realities. A panel of Cornell faculty will explore current issues in human resources, real estate, mental health and diversity, equity and inclusion to better prepare and inform business owners.

Facilitator

• Kim Eddleston ‘95, Cornell Family Business Fellow, Schulze Distinguished Professor, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Northeastern University

Speakers

• Michelle Duguid, Associate Dean of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging, Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management
• Beta Mannix, Ann Whitney Olin Professor of Management, Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management
• Karl Pillemer, Hazel E. Reed Professor in the Department of Human Development, Professor of Gerontology in Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine

Speakers

• Lisa Daniel, Owner, Intechgrate Systems and Jay Daniel, Board of Directors, Lodge Cast Iron 
• Sean Tolkin MMH ’13, Vice President at World Travel Holdings and Jennifer Chaplin Tolkin, Vice President, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits

Facilitator

• Michael Palumbos, Family Wealth & Legacy

Leaving the family business is one of the most difficult decisions for any business owner. Whether the decision is to sell, bring in a partner, or leave the business altogether, several strategies will be explored during this panel conversation.

Location: Statler Hotel and Conference Center

This session is restricted to current Cornell students only.

While most of us have enjoyed a chicken nugget at some point in our lives, very few may know that the famous nugget originated at Cornell University. Professor Baker invented the famous nugget, as well as many other poultry-related recipes, including Cornell Chicken. Professor Baker had 6 children that grew up in North Lansing, NY – not far from Cornell University. Two of his daughters, Reggie ’75 and Reenie Baker, created their own legacy that includes the founding of the women’s hockey programs at both Cornell University and Boston COllege, now two powerhouse Division I programs. Professor Baker and his wife Jacoba, started a food concession at the NY State Fair called Bakers’ Chicken Coop in 1949 where they sold their Cornell BBQ Chicken. In 2019 they celebrated 70 years. The Baker family also owned Baker’s Acres, the family greenhouse and orchard in Lansing, New York, one of the largest herb and perennial growers in Central New York. Reenie Baker will share the amazing Baker family legacy, with its many connections to Cornell, including the most recent chapter.

Speaker

• Reenie Baker, Baker’s Acres