Linda Mack of Mack International hosted a case study interview at the Campden North American Family Office conference held in Boston, November 20 – 21, 2019

Linda Mack of Mack International hosted a case study interview entitled ‘Building a Family Office for a New Generation’ at the Campden North American Family Office conference held in Boston, MA., on November 20-21, 2019.

Chicago, IL. January 15, 2020 – In November 2019, the Campden North American Family Office conference was held in Boston, MA. The theme of the conference was Family Offices at a Crossroads: Understanding a World Full of New Pressures and Conflicts. Linda Mack hosted a case study interview entitled ‘Building a Family Office for a New Generation’ with Thomas W. Kim, Ph.D., President & Chief Investment Officer, The Agnew Company. The Agnew Company is a family investment office for a fifth-generation timber family. Mr. Kim leads the office with a long history of direct and partnered investments. Thomas is responsible for the overall leadership of the Agnew Company and its broadly diversified investment portfolio. He brings over 20 years’ experience in strategic planning, asset allocation, investment selection, and portfolio management and has served as a trusted advisor to various for-profit and nonprofit organizations.

Linda enjoyed leading the discussion on the evolving dynamics of multi-generational family offices and how later generations are structuring family office business enterprises to last another century. “This was an especially interesting conversation given the statistics citing over 90% of family fortunes disappear within 3 generations of their creation. Mr. Kim gave us a great deal of insight into how this family successfully sustained an enterprise spirit over five generations.”

The Agnew Company was started by Samuel A. Agnew, a Northwest timber industry icon, whose pioneer spirit and principled work ethic laid the foundation for a burgeoning family enterprise. While their legacy is rooted in early 20th-century timberland, today they manage an institutional portfolio that is broadly diversified across Timberland, Commercial Real Estate, Private Equity, and Public Securities. “The Agnew family’s stewardship approach has been instilled in each succeeding generation,” said Linda. “It is quite a remarkable legacy.” The Agnew Company’s foresight and commitment to future family generations have made it possible for the third, fourth and fifth generations of the family to continue to promote the advancement of intellectual growth, individual/collective responsibility, and generational wealth management.

Mr. Kim described how he and his staff take a leadership role in governance with an agenda focused on an approach based upon the importance of internal and external relationships, embracing a stewardship mentality, and deploying patient, but active, capital. Linda commented, “Their professional management team, led by Mr. Kim takes a long-term strategic view, seeking sustainable growth for their staff, family members and the overall enterprise.”

What is the secret to this 117-year family enterprise? Reflecting on her conversation with Mr. Kim, Linda commented. “The Agnew family is a great inspiration to others seeking to benchmark their respective enterprise in order to sustain themselves into future generations. Where many focus an inordinate amount of attention solely on financial capital, the Agnew family also heavily emphasizes intellectual, social and human capital. Long term wealth accumulation is attributable to a system of representative governance…and they are leaders in how to build a successful multi-generational family office. Family wealth is not self-perpetuating without careful planning, foresight, commitment, and stewardship. The Agnew family has a value system and they live it–staying together and having shared ownership and engagement. They recognize they are responsible for being wise stewards of the family enterprise and generations that came before and the importance of each succeeding generation committing to those values. It was my pleasure interviewing Mr. Kim at the Campden conference.”

About Mack International LLC
Mack International is the premier, a boutique retained executive search and strategic management/human capital consulting firm serving national and international clients in the family office, family business enterprise and the wealth management industries on a national and international basis. Founded in 2002, the firm has achieved an exceptional track record of success as evidenced by its unmatched industry expertise, in-depth market knowledge and unparalleled track record of success. Founder and President, Linda C. Mack has established proprietary methodologies such as the Mack 360© and is credited for having coined the term “expert generalist” in the industry.