What To Do With the Family Business?

Kara H. Lewis is Managing Director in Bernstein’s Cleveland Office. As the leader of the firm’s Ohio practice, she has direct oversight on client service and management and the strategic business growth within the region. In her own practice, Kara works with entrepreneurs, business owners, and franchisees developing robust planning and global investment frameworks, which help them navigate various stages of their business life cycle. When engaging with multigenerational families, she works with all generations to create a vision for and strategies to implement their financial legacy. Prior to joining Bernstein in 2015, she was president of Winslow Asset Management. Kara earned a BA in economics from Denison University.

A shareholder in the Columbus office of Roetzel & Andress, Erika focuses her practice on wealth transfer and estate tax planning matters, including business succession planning and all aspects of tax and business planning for owners of closely held businesses. In the last several years, her practice has expanded to include fiduciary litigation, representing both trustees and beneficiaries with respect to the distribution of trust assets, interpretation of trust agreements, modification of trusts and trust terminations.

A graduate of Miami University and The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, Ms. Haupt is a frequent speaker and has published on a variety of planning topics. She is recognized on top attorney lists published by Ohio Super Lawyers magazine; included among The Best Lawyers in America© in the areas of Trusts and Estates, Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law (Lawyer of the Year 2021 & 2017), and Litigation – Trusts & Estates (Lawyer of the Year 2022, 2020 & 2013); an AV® Preeminent™ rated practitioner in the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory; and a Fellow of The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. In addition to her involvement in community and charitable causes, she currently serves as the Shareholder in Charge of both Roetzel’s Columbus office and of the associates firmwide and is a member of Roetzel’s board of directors.

Sarah Matesich Schwab, President and Chief Operating Officer at Matesich Distributing Co. and 4th generation to run the family business. Matesich's distributes beer, wine, and non-alcoholic products to 1,000 accounts over 10 counties in east central and southern Ohio. Sarah currently serves on the Wholesaler Beer and Wine Association of Ohio board, National Beer Wholesalers Association Advisory Council on Human Trafficking, The Boys and Girls Club of Newark Advisory Board, The Works Advisory Board and serves on the Licking County United Way Board as Chair of the Campaign.

Renée has literally grown up in the cash flow business. She rejoined Capital Plus in 2015 with a focus on increasing visibility for the company by providing educational opportunities, developing strategic partnerships, and continuing to coach emerging entrepreneurs on the various forms of financing available in todays’ market. She is passionate about helping local business owners take control of their cash flow and make educated decisions on how to finance their business through the various stages.

Renée developed her career over the past 20 years with KeyBank, Capital Plus, First Hospitality Group, and The Chicago Hilton & Towers.  Her experience is rooted in customer service, entrepreneurial growth, small business finance, and business development