BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//ChamberMaster//Event Calendar 2.0//EN METHOD:PUBLISH X-PUBLISHED-TTL:P3D REFRESH-INTERVAL:P3D CALSCALE:GREGORIAN BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART:20261110T123000Z DTEND:20261110T153000Z X-MICROSOFT-CDO-ALLDAYEVENT:FALSE SUMMARY:Signature Event: The TABASCO® Recipe - Family Business Longevity DESCRIPTION:What does it take for a family business to endure for more than a century?\n\n\n\nFor many legacy enterprises\, the answer lies in disciplined governance\, aligned family leadership\, and an unwavering commitment to core values\, even as the business evolves.\n\n\n\nNo organization illustrates this balance more clearly than McIlhenny Company\, makers of the iconic TABASCO Sauce. Now in its seventh generation\, the company has preserved its heritage while continually sharpening its governance structures to support long-term continuity.\n\n\n\nJoin us to learn how this multigenerational enterprise has navigated pivotal transitions\, from refining its board structure to developing future family leaders. All while maintaining the integrity of its brand and culture.\n\n\n\nOur featured speaker\, Tony Simmons\, fifth-generation family member and former CEO\, will offer an honest perspective from his own leadership journey. He'll explore how McIlhenny Company strengthens its foundation through:\n\n A professionalized and strategically engaged board\n Clear family policies that build trust and alignment\n Governance systems designed for resilience across generations\n Purposeful next-gen development that prepares future stewards\n\nWhether your family business is building its first governance framework or refining an existing one\, you'll walk away with actionable insights to support unity\, accountability\, and continuity for generations to come.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAnthony A "Tony" Simmons is president of Avery Island Inc. and E A McIlhenny Enterprises as well as serving on the board of each company. He served as a director of McIlhenny Company\, a 157 year old family owned and operated business and the maker of Tabasco Brand Pepper Sauce for 26 years. He is the great great grandson of the inventor of Tabasco\, Edmund McIlhenny. Mr. Simmons\, a member of the 5th generation\, was the 7th family member to assume company leadership. Mr. Simmons was elected to the McIlhenny Company board in 1998 and began employment with the company in 2000 when he joined as Executive Vice President. Promoted to COO in 2012 and President and CEO in 2013. Mr. Simmons ran the company until he retired in June of 2019. Prior to joining McIlhenny Company\, Mr. Simmons spent 25 years in the heavy equipment industry after graduating from Loyola University in New Orleans in 1974. From 1993 till 1999 he was President and CEO of Manitowoc Southeastern\, an independent crane distributor in the southeast. \n\n \n\nMr. Simmons is chairman of the S Corp Association\, a non-partisan group\, based in Washington D C\, which advocates on behalf of companies organized as S Corporations. An avid golfer\, Mr. Simmons also enjoys wing shooting and fishing. X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:
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\nWhat does it take for a family business to endure for more than a century?
\n
\nFor many legacy enterprises\, the answer lies in disciplined governance\, aligned family leadership\, and an unwavering commitment to core values\, even as the business evolves.
\n
\nNo organization illustrates this balance more clearly than McIlhenny Company\, makers of the iconic TABASCO®\; Sauce. Now in its seventh generation\, the company has preserved its heritage while continually sharpening its governance structures to support long-term continuity.
\n
\nJoin us to learn how this multigenerational enterprise has navigated pivotal transitions\, from refining its board structure to developing future family leaders. All while maintaining the integrity of its brand and culture.
\n
\nOur featured speaker\, Tony Simmons\, fifth-generation family member and former CEO\, will offer an honest perspective from his own leadership journey. He&rsquo\;ll explore how McIlhenny Company strengthens its foundation through:\n\nWhether your family business is building its first governance framework or refining an existing one\, you&rsquo\;ll walk away with actionable insights to support unity\, accountability\, and continuity for generations to come.
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\nAnthony A &ldquo\;Tony&rdquo\; Simmons is president of Avery Island Inc. and E A McIlhenny Enterprises as well as serving on the board of each company. He served as a director of McIlhenny Company\, a 157 year old family owned and operated business and the maker of Tabasco Brand Pepper Sauce for 26 years. He is the great great grandson of the inventor of Tabasco\, Edmund McIlhenny. Mr. Simmons\, a member of the 5th generation\, was the 7th family member to assume company leadership. Mr. Simmons was elected to the McIlhenny Company board in 1998 and began employment with the company in 2000 when he joined as Executive Vice President. Promoted to COO in 2012 and President and CEO in 2013. Mr. Simmons ran the company until he retired in June of 2019. Prior to joining McIlhenny Company\, Mr. Simmons spent 25 years in the heavy equipment industry after graduating from Loyola University in New Orleans in 1974. From 1993 till 1999 he was President and CEO of Manitowoc Southeastern\, an independent crane distributor in the southeast.
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\nMr. Simmons is chairman of the S Corp Association\, a non-partisan group\, based in Washington D C\, which advocates on behalf of companies organized as S Corporations. An avid golfer\, Mr. Simmons also enjoys wing shooting and fishing.
\n \; LOCATION:Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park 1000 East Beltline Grand Rapids\, MI 49525 UID:e.9635.828 SEQUENCE:3 DTSTAMP:20260510T230115Z URL:http://fbagr.memberzone.com/events/details/signature-event-the-tabasco-recipe-family-business-longevity-828 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR