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Equity Receives Family Business of the Year Award from Conway Center for Family Business

November 16, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 16, 2022

COLUMBUS, OH – Equity was honored Wednesday, November 16 at the Conway Center for Family Business’ 24th Annual Family Business Awards program with the Family Business of the Year Award which honors a family-owned business has made a significant contribution to their industry or the Central Ohio business community. They also received a Milestone Award for their 35th year in business.

The Awards program was established in 1998 to recognize excellence in family business in categories such as Milestone Achievement, Family Business of the Year, Succession Planning, and Rising Star.

“Family businesses are vital to the Central Ohio economy and community,” said Jill Hofmans, executive director of the Conway Center for Family Business. “Equity, through its dedication to thoughtful succession planning, increased community engagement, and momentum in creating and developing projects that benefit our local communities, is deserving of this recognition.”

“One of the great aspects of the Conway Center is to have access to other leaders of family companies,” said Steve Wathen, CEO of Equity.  “Having a sounding board to process business decisions and gain insight into what you are doing right, as well as what you could do better, is invaluable. Being recognized as business of the year by this community of leaders is very meaningful to us”

More than 30% of all family-owned businesses make the transition into the second generation. About 12% are viable into the third generation, with only 3% of all family businesses operating at the fourth generation and beyond.

The Family Business Awards Program is made possible through the generous support of Columbus CEO, First Merchants Bank, Gryphon Financial Partners, Taft/, and Porter Wright.

Equity is a national, full-service commercial real estate firm headquartered in Columbus, OH, with regional offices in Atlanta, Austin, Cincinnati, Dayton, Orlando, San Antonio, and Tampa.  As one of a limited number of firms that can offer a uniquely tailored service, we offer complete and professional services in real estate development, brokerage, construction, as well as program, asset, and property management.

Our people are ambitious and entrepreneurial, like our goals, which is why we foster a growth mindset. We are on a mission to double our business over the next five years, and to be successful we know we need to invest in our collective growth – continually developing our people, our teams, and our work product.

We value a humble approach to leadership where all team members have the opportunity to achieve their highest potential. A best-in-class client experience originates from a best-in-class employee experience, which is bolstered by our commitment to honesty, transparency, collaboration and accountability in every interaction.

The non-profit Conway Center for Family Business is Central Ohio’s resource for educational programs, resources and networking opportunities to support the growth and success of family-owned businesses. The Center celebrates the successes of family-owned businesses at its annual awards program and offers peer group opportunities for next-generation leaders, family business leaders, and women family business owners. The organization includes more than 200 family-owned businesses from Central Ohio ranging in size from three to more than 20,000 employees.

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Steve Wathen, CEO of Equity, accepting the Family Business of the year award from the Conway Center for Family Business.
Equity Receives Family Business of the Year Award from Conway Center for Family Business. Pictured left to right: Sandi Wathen, Austin Wathen, Steve Wathen, Sharon Wathen and Patrick Wathen.
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