Parenting (and Leading) in the Age of Anxiety

For Evergreen leaders, connection with and commitment to family are essential factors that lead to and support success. In this presentation from Tugboat Institute Summit 2019, Tugboat Institute Chairperson Jeff Snipes shares parenting and leadership insights gained through his work as founder of Millennium Schools, involvement in Challenge Success at Stanford, and as a dad himself, into the epidemic of anxiety among children today and provides three key approaches to support one’s children and, by extension, one’s employees.


What are the Key Characteristics of Evergreen Leadership?

What are the defining traits or behaviors of an Evergreen leader? What values or perspectives shape the way they build and steward their companies? At Tugboat Institute Summit 2018, members shared their thoughts about what distinguishes and Evergreen approach to leadership.

Featuring: Mac Harman, Stacey Orozco, Ricardo Cervantes, and Courtney Kingston


The Importance of Evergreen Values to Our Community

How do Evergreen business leaders make a dent in the universe? How are they impacting their communities through the Private, Purpose-driven businesses they lead?

In this panel discussion, presented at the Fourth Annual Olin Family Business Symposium at Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis in October 2018, Ricardo Cervantes, David Kemper, and Michael Van Houweling discuss their approach to leading impactful businesses.

Featuring: Ricardo Cervantes, La Monarca Bakery, David Kemper, Commerce Bank, Michael Van Houweling, Van Wall Equipment, moderated by Spencer Burke.


5 Evergreen Perspectives on Finding Balance

For Evergreen leaders, finding time to commit to family, health, and wellness is essential. While it can be a challenge at times to step away from work, the result is greater harmony in business and in life. Tugboat Institute members share their strategies for finding balance between in their professional and personal lives.

Featuring: Lester Thornhill, Dan Turner, Pamela Kan, Erik Muller, and Mac Harman.


Hemingway’s Idaho: Code, Companions, and Characters

Ernest Hemingway first came to Sun Valley, Idaho in 1939 upon invitation from the Sun Valley Resort to promote the local hunting and fishing opportunities to potential guests. The celebrated author fell in love with the area and would return regularly, ultimately building a home in the community and creating life-long friendships with local outdoorsmen.

In this Tugboat Institute Summit 2018 presentation, Phil Huss, Upper School English teacher at Sun Valley Community School, shares Hemingway’s deep connections with the land and community in the Sun Valley area and describes the parallels between the “heroic code” that reappears throughout his works and Evergreen principles.


David Versus Goliath: Purposeful Growth in a Mature Industry

Former Whelan Security President and CEO Greg Twardowski had two impactful, early lessons in the transformative power of connecting emotionally with employees. These lessons guided his stewardship of the 70-year-old contract security business and the company's unique culture.

In his presentation from Tugboat Institute Summit 2018, Greg shares the very personal experiences that shaped his time at Whelan Security and the values and strategy that propelled the company to 30 years of unprecedented, purposeful growth under his stewardship.


The Importance of Evergreen Values in Business and Life

Why Evergreen? What key events or values lead a business owner or CEO to launch with or evolve to embrace the 7Ps that define the Evergreen movement?

In this panel discussion, presented at the Fourth Annual Olin Family Business Symposium at Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis in October 2018, three Tugboat Institute members describe their Evergreen journey and specific events and experiences that reflect their companies’ commitment to Evergreen principles.

Featuring: Jess Rovello, Michael Dierberg, Greg Twardowski, and John Stupp Jr.


Culture by Design

When Jay Wilkinson opted to attend a four-day leadership training course to earn credits he needed as a high school student, he had no idea it would transform his life. The CEO of Firespring says the experience was pivotal in his journey as an entrepreneur and in the award-winning culture he has built at his global integrated marketing, printing, and software company.

In this presentation from Tugboat Institute Summit 2018, Jay shares the story of his personal development, early business challenges, and the essential role that the Evergreen principle of People First plays in the success of Firespring.


What Do You Look for in an Evergreen Employee?

When Evergreen leaders seek employees for their Private, Purpose-driven companies, they are looking for team members who embody theEvergreen 7Ps. At Tugboat Institute Summit 2017 in Sun Valley, Idaho, our members described the traits they value most in their employees.

Featuring: Bryan Papé, Ross Evans, Jim Creel, Chip Dickinson, and Rick Sutton.


The Enduring Advantage of Strategic Ownership

In this panel discussion, presented at the Fourth Annual Olin Family Business Symposium at Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis in October 2018, Tugboat Institute members Alaina Macia and Penny Pennington offer insight into their companies’ approaches to ownership and leadership through the Evergreen lens. Alaina offers the perspective of assuming leadership in and growing her family business, MTM Inc., while Penny, Managing Partner of Edward Jones Financial, shares insights around leading a nearly-100-year-old firm. These inspiring Evergreen leaders speak to what it takes to steward strategic ownership and thrive in the long term.