All too often,  business leaders are conditioned to keep our guards up. We build walls around ourselves because business is a battlefield – whether we work with family or not.

Imagine a community where it’s safe to let down our guards, a place where we develop relationships with people and not egos.

Imagine a place where the walls we’ve built around us crumble and our businesses build.

The Chicago Family Business Council (CFBC) invites you to experience our special community at “We’re In This Together”, a complimentary, invitation-only evening with CFBC members on Tuesday, September 25th in Des Plaines. 

The Panelists

Bob Carmody	Bob Carmody is the Owner of Diana's Bananas, manufacturing the world's best chocolate dipped frozen banana. Diana's Bananas was founded at the Taste of Chicago Festival in 1984. He is a former representative of the Executive Committee and a member of Sigma Forum. Bob served as CFBC President from 2014-2015 and is a Board Member at the Coleman Entrepreneurship Center at DePaul University.
Val O'Donnell	Val O'Donnell is the Founder and CEO of Progressive Industries, Inc. located in Chicago. Progressive Industries distributes medical, safety, janitorial, industrial products. She began the company in 1985 and joined the CFBC in 2007. Since then, each of her three children have participated in different CFBC Forums. Today, her son Neil is an active member of Tau Forum and serves as Chair of the Membership Committee.
Bill Angsten	Bill Angsten is the General Manager of Shopware Inc.,a reseller of manufacturing software Mastercam and ProShop ERP that also provides training and support. Shopware was founded in 1992 and currently serves Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Iowa and Kentucky. Bill started a business in 2009 called Compass Automation designing and building robotic automation for manufacturers. He worked there for several years before starting at Shopware in 2017. He joined the CFBC in 2017 and is a member of Quantum Forum.
Moderator: Deanna Salo	Deanna is a Principal at Cray, Kaiser Ltd., executing assurance, strategic and tax planning. For closely held and family-owned businesses, she focuses on the value she can bring to the family and owners. Deanna is the past chair to the Strategic Partner Committee and currently serves on the Finance Committee. Cray, Kaiser has been in partnership with the CFBC since 2007.

CFBC Members & Strategic Partners: To Access Member Tickets, You Must Be Logged In. 

Member Guest Tickets are reserved for guests of CFBC members and member companies. Contact Liz with questions.