Family Business

Family Businesses Leadership & Succession Search

A family business is different from other organizations. You are carrying forward a multi-generation family legacy and culture which you want to maintain, but sometimes it’s time to bring in a new executive or consider succession planning. We have a proven history of working well with family businesses and can help you too.

Family Business Executive Search for the 21st Century

Family-owned businesses are the backbone of the U.S. economy—representing 64% of GDP and employing nearly 60% of the private-sector workforce, according to the Family Business Alliance. These organizations are built on legacy, resilience, and long-term vision—but they also face distinct challenges when it comes to executive leadership transitions.

Whether you’re a second-generation CEO planning for sustainable growth or a board member preparing for succession, recruiting C-level talent with the right cultural alignment is one of the most critical decisions your family enterprise will make.At Herd Freed Hartz, we specialize in family business executive search, helping ownership groups and boards secure visionary leaders who align with both the strategic goals and the legacy of the organization.

Why Executive Search for Family-Owned Businesses Requires a Unique Approach

C-level hiring in a family business context requires more than just a strong resume. Cultural fit, emotional intelligence, and an appreciation for family legacy are often more important than short-term metrics.For example, when helping Laird Norton, a 7th-generation family business based in Seattle, identify their next CFO, we knew success meant more than financial expertise—it meant finding a leader who could honor their legacy and lead with shared values. In contrast, recruiting the President of North America for Ooni, a dynamic first-generation family business with global reach, required a nimble executive who could scale a brand while navigating the nuances of family ownership.

Recruiting for Alignment: Culture + Capability

Research from PwC’s 2023 Family Business Survey reveals that 43% of U.S. family businesses find it difficult to recruit leaders who understand the complexities of a family-owned enterprise.At Herd Freed Hartz, we go beyond traditional executive search by focusing on behavioral fit, succession strategy, and long-term leadership continuity. From placing a President at Markey Machine, a legacy manufacturer, to hiring a COO for Henrybuilt, a luxury cabinetry brand—each search is tailored to the unique culture and business trajectory of the client.

Structured, Strategic, and Human-Centered Process

We bring objectivity and structure to an often emotional and high-stakes process. Our executive search methodology includes:

• Stakeholder alignment and success profiling
  
• In-person and virtual 1-1 candidate evaluation
  
• Culture-matching and long-term performance forecasting
  

Harvard Business Review notes that structured hiring reduces executive turnover by up to 50%—a game-changing advantage for leadership continuity in family-owned businesses.

Attracting Today’s Top Executive Talent

In today’s talent landscape, senior executives seek more than compensation—they’re drawn to purpose, authenticity, and long-term impact. Family businesses offer exactly that.

We help clients position their leadership opportunities as more than just a job, but a chance to contribute to something lasting. From mission clarity to organizational flexibility, we guide family enterprises in telling their story in a way that resonates with today’s most discerning leaders.

Northwest Roots. National Reach. Deep Family Business Insight.

With more than two decades of experience, Herd Freed Hartz is proud to be one of the Northwest’s premier executive search firms. While we serve clients nationwide, our deep roots in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest have shaped a unique understanding of the family business landscape in this region.If your family enterprise is preparing for its next phase of leadership, we’re here to help—with national networks, local insight, and a proven track record of executive search for family businesses.

Let’s Start the Conversation

Looking for a search partner who understands the nuance, strategy, and heart behind your leadership transition? Contact Herd Freed Hartz—your trusted partner in family business executive search.