Our 2025 CEOs to Watch are forward-thinking leaders transforming family businesses across generations and industries. Some are building values-driven enterprises from the ground up, others are modernizing multigenerational companies. Some are family members, others are not. But they’re all united by a shared commitment to creating inclusive, purpose-driven cultures that blend innovation and tradition.
They also have another trait in common: the ability to balance long-term vision with day-to-day execution, ensuring their companies remain competitive while staying grounded in the family’s values.
SHERRI BOVINO
Global Government Services, a 1st Flagship Company
CEO
Founding Generation
Sherri Bovino is owner and CEO of Global Government Services, a First Flagship company. Global is a U.S. Department of Defense contractor currently holding four prime contracts with the U.S. Navy. Global manages the Navy’s inactive fleet at three sites in the U.S.: Philadelphia; Bremerton, Wash. and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
In addition to managing the inactive fleet, Global provides support for the Navy’s Emergency Ship Salvage Maintenance program. This contract provides logistics support for environmental cleanup, ship salvage, underwater ship husbandry and support for the Navy’s divers. Global has approximately 450 employees in the continental United States, Alaska and Hawaii, as well as pre-positioned warehouses around the world.
“Sherri is a female owner and founder running a business in a male-dominated industry and sector, employing mostly females, including her daughter, who holds an executive leadership position,” says her colleague Alysha Loumakis-Calderon, president & CEO of ISYS Solutions Inc. Read more
JOE DALY
Daly Seven
CEO
Third Generation
Joe Daly is the CEO, as well as an owner and board member at Daly Seven, Inc., a privately held, family-owned hotel management company founded in 1979 by the Daly family. The company has a longstanding reputation for successful development and management of hotel properties across Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Daly Seven currently owns and operates more than 40 properties under brands including Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt InterContinental Hotels Group and Best Western.
“Growing up, I was surrounded by stories of my grandfather Philip Daly — how he lost everything during the Great Depression and was separated from his siblings, and how he turned that hardship into motivation to build a life of stability for his family,” Daly recalls. “That sense of purpose became the foundation of Daly Seven. Watching my father, one of the seven original founders, continue that legacy made a deep impression on me. I was drawn to the business not just because it’s in my blood, but because it represents resilience, opportunity and a shared mission to create something meaningful that outlasts us.” Read more
TROY DOOLITTLE
Cook Induction Heating
CEO
Fourth Generation
Since stepping into the role of third-generation president in 2022, Troy Doolittle has led Maywood, Calif.-based Cook Induction Heating through a period of significant growth, increasing sales by more than 30%. One of Cook Induction Heating’s key milestones during this time was the expansion of its production facility, which boosted the company’s operational footprint by 25% and positioned it for continued success.
“One of the things I’m most proud of is the long tenure of our employees. It’s a clear sign that they feel valued, supported and genuinely enjoy coming to work each day,” Doolittle says. “When people ask about my greatest contribution to Cook Induction, I tell them it’s keeping the ship pointed north. I’m incredibly fortunate to stand on the shoulders of the giants who built this company. It’s an honor to carry forward our family legacy and to lean into the very values that first inspired me to join the business.” Read more
KILEY ECK HAYON
Eck Industries
President
Fourth Generation
When Kiley Eck Hayon became president of Eck Industries, a fourth-generation, family-owned aluminum foundry headquartered in Manitowoc, Wisc., in 2016, she became a key steward of a century of family history. But she also came to the role with the skill set to lead both the business and her family into the future.
“Her rise to the role was built on more than a decade of hands-on experience in key operational roles, including quality, finance, HR and project management,” says Samantha Reed, Eck Industries’ vice president of finance. “That time gave her a deep understanding of the business from the ground up and shaped her leadership style: practical, engaged and focused on strengthening the company for everyone who depends on it, while honoring the legacy built by the generations before her.” Read more
MIKE GHILOTTI
Ghilotti Brothers, Inc.
Chairman, CEO & President
Third Generation
As a third-generation CEO, Mike Ghilotti has carried his family’s construction company through challenging times, remaining committed to preserving the business while continuing to scale up.
“I have always been enchanted with the legacy of our generational business,” Ghilotti says. “Growing up with the rich heritage of my immigrant grandfather coming from Italy to start a company in 1914 in the land of ‘la fortuna.’ I’ve always had a passion to sustain and enhance our company.”
“Mike leads with heart, grit and a deep sense of purpose,” says Allie Taylor, co-founder and CEO of consultancy Orange Kiwi, of which Ghilotti and his son, Gino, are clients. “He has all the traits of a classic entrepreneur — driven, innovative, unafraid of risk — but it’s his commitment to legacy and love for his family that truly stand out. Mike’s vision isn’t just about growing the business — it’s about honoring the past while preparing for the future.” Read more
BRIAN MCGUIGAN
Laird Norton Company
CEO
Non-family
Brian McGuigan is the CEO of Laird Norton Company (LNC), an eighth-generation, family-owned enterprise with a 170-year legacy of thoughtful stewardship, long-term vision and values-based leadership. Since becoming CEO in early 2023, McGuigan has brought a rare combination of strategic clarity, operational rigor and human-centered leadership to LNC.
“Brian is guiding LNC through a period of meaningful modernization while honoring its legacy,” says Jill Gardner, family president of LNC. “In my role, I see how Brian embodies the values that have guided the family and, in turn, the company for eight generations: thoughtful stewardship, long-term vision and a deep commitment to people and partnerships. Read more
LINH NGUYEN
President
Advance Beauty College
Second Generation
Linh Nguyen is president of Advance Beauty College, a second generation, family-owned business that provides beauty education in manicuring, cosmetology and esthetics, boasting one of the largest manicuring programs in the nation. The school’s mission is to inspire, educate and give back to the community it serves.
The first generation of Advance Beauty College, Nguyen’s parents, opened the beauty school in Little Saigon in Orange County, Calif. in 1987. Along with the help of Nguyen’s brother, Tam, the two took over the family business in 1999 and, since then, the two have graduated more than 50,000 students and counting. Growing up in the family business, Linh received her cosmetology license at 17 and was teaching at 19 years old. Nguyen says the ability to teach students in both Vietnamese and English and be part of their journey in immigrating to America and finding success was a huge honor. Read more
ALEX NORR
Mountain States Property Management
CEO
Second Generation
Alex Norr’s leadership at Mountain States Property Management has helped the company start the transition from a single owner and founder to the founder’s five children. Under Noor’s leadership, the company established a board of directors to provide a governance structure and guidance to the five new owners of the company. He has also established an executive team to help lead the operations of the company and set up the company for future growth while enhancing operational efficiency.
“At Mountain States Property Management, I’ve led the second-generation transition with a focus on succession and expansion,” Norr says. “I developed our first formal strategic plan, established a board of directors, strengthened the operating management team and collaborated with leadership to define our core values, long-term vision and shared purpose. A key priority has been developing a management and governance framework — both within the business and the family — that can scale effectively.” Read more
JULIE RUEHLE
Ruehle Family Office
CEO & President
First Generation
Under Julie Ruehle’s leadership, the Ruehle Family Office is focused on long-term wealth stewardship, impact investing and transformative philanthropy.
“Julie Ruehle stands as a visionary leader redefining the purpose and potential of a modern family office,” says Ruehle’s colleague, Soulmaz Sogol Setayesh, attorney with the law firm of Tyson & Mendes. “At the heart of her leadership is a clear, values-driven vision. She has built a family office with three distinct arms — health, education and early-stage venture — each designed to align capital with meaningful impact. Her philanthropic leadership is equally dynamic. Rather than simply funding causes, Julie designs and supports strategic programs with measurable outcomes — particularly in cancer research, autism support and teen suicide prevention. Through her private foundation, she has also launched scholarship initiatives that empower disadvantaged students to pursue careers in life sciences and human health, creating a legacy of generational opportunity.” Read more
ROSS TRELEVEN
Sprague Pest Solutions
CEO & President
Fourth Generation
Ross Treleven’s career mirrors the legacy and evolution of Sprague Pest Solutions, a company with roots dating back to 1926. Since joining the company in 1998 as the fourth generation, Treleven has immersed himself in every facet of the business, ascending through roles from technician to sales, branch management and executive leadership. This comprehensive experience has equipped him with a profound understanding of Sprague’s operations and culture.
Under Treleven’s leadership, Sprague has achieved significant milestones. As president, he spearheaded the development of the company’s internal operations center, enhancing efficiency and service delivery. He also led the company’s expansion into new markets, including California, Arizona, Idaho and Montana, solidifying Sprague’s presence across the Western United States. Read more
SCOTT WEAVER
APR Supply Co.
CEO
Third Generation
As CEO of APR Supply Co., Scott Weaver has spent nearly three decades leading the fourth-generation, family-owned HVAC and plumbing distribution company through transformative growth.
Weaver, “exemplifies exceptional family business leadership through his rare combination of business acumen, people-first mentality and forward-thinking governance,” says his daughter, Jenna Hoertz, who serves as APR’s director of strategic initiatives and project management. “He doesn’t just talk about family values; he embodies them by treating team members like extended family while still driving excellence and maintaining high standards,” Hoertz says.
Since becoming CEO in 1996, Weaver has led APR through 19 successful acquisitions, reshaped its go-to-market strategy and executed a bold long-term vision for sustainable growth. The company has doubled in size six times over the past 30 years, a trajectory driven by strategic execution and strong. Read more
JUSTIN WHITE
K&D Landscaping
CEO
Second Generation
Under Justin White’s leadership, K&D Landscaping has grown from a small family business into a powerhouse projected to reach $30 million in revenue by 2026. Since taking the reins in 2015, White has focused on raising the bar in the landscape industry by investing in people, building scalable systems and creating career opportunities for his team, all without outside investment or private equity involvement. Instead, he has relied on operational excellence, clear long-term planning and a deep investment in the people around him. He has built leadership teams from within, developed apprenticeship programs and created career pathways that give employees a reason to stay and grow.
“His emphasis on company culture is not a slogan,” says Drew Etling, White’s executive assistant. “It is a daily practice backed by coaching, mentorship and team engagement at every level.” Read more
ROBERT WILSON
Employco
Founder & CEO
First Generation
Since co-founding Employco USA in 1996 alongside his brother and father, Robert Wilson has grown the company from a small family start-up into a highly successful HR outsourcing firm with more than $600 million in sales.
“What really sets Rob apart is his ability to combine big-picture vision with a people-first approach,” says his son, Griffen Wilson, who serves as Employco’s vice president. “He’s always kept Employco ahead of the curve by embracing new technologies and creating innovative solutions that make life easier for clients and help them navigate the ever-changing regulatory landscape.”
Wilson’s leadership has been tested — and proven — through several major challenges. Each time, he found ways to pivot, enter new markets and build strategies that kept both clients and employees secure. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, he personally led more than 45 webinars to guide clients through the uncertainty and help them secure PPP loans, demonstrating just how deeply he cares about the people he serves. Read more